Celebrate holiday season with local events

We’re in the middle of holiday event season, and here are a few events that deserve some extra attention:

Campbell House Holidays: This turn-of-the-century mansion turns into a museum of Christmas past this time of year. It is decorated with old-time Christmas cheer and includes displays of vintage clothing. Also a number of special events will take place every day through New Year’s Day including: Readings of “The Night Before Christmas” at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; historic cooking demonstrations (times vary); and piano music played by local students (times vary).

The Campbell House is on the grounds of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC), 2136 W. First, and regular museum hours and admission charges apply. It’s closed Mondays and Christmas Day, but will be open New Year’s Day.

Clarion Holiday Concerts: This acclaimed brass ensemble will play Christmas music from its new CD “A Partridge in a Pear Tree,” in two concerts: Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar, and Dec. 18, 3 p.m., Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines, Spokane Valley.

Tickets are $12 and $8 for students and seniors, available by calling 489-4633 or through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

“The Nutcracker”: This Spokane holiday tradition is much later on the holiday schedule than usual. It usually runs soon after Thanksgiving, but this year, a little show called “The Lion King” had that venue booked.

So this collaboration between the Spokane Symphony and the Alberta Ballet runs Dec. 21 through Dec. 23 at the Spokane Opera House. Tickets range from $14 to $35, available through the symphony box office at 624-1200 or through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

ComedySportz on Christmas Night: Here’s my nomination for the best name for a Christmas show this year, “The Get These People Out of My House Show.” ComedySportz, a comedy improv group, is doing a show on Christmas night, 7 p.m. As the title says, that’s just about the time that most people need a breather (or a laugh).

ComedySportz is at W. 227 Riverside, and tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 363-1279.

“Diamonds and Divas”: This is the big New Year’s Eve event sponsored by the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Opera at the Davenport Hotel. It features dinner, a wine auction, waltzing and a host of opera performers backed by an orchestra. It doesn’t get more “New Year’s Eve in Vienna” than this. At least, not in Spokane.

Call 533-1150 for info and reservations.

Ella’s Supper Club New Year’s Eve Package: Spokane’s top jazz club is offering a $50 New Year’s Eve package which includes dinner, three sets of music and champagne. Call 747-8243 for reservations. Ella’s is at 1017 W. First.

Let the ‘Tap Dogs’ run

The touring show ‘Tap Dogs’ snuck its way quietly onto the Spokane Opera House schedule for February, and I thought I should let people know: It ain’t a dog show.

It’s the smash tap-dancing extravaganza that came out of Australia in 1995. The show features a group of dancers who raise a tap-dancing storm on a set consisting of industrial scaffolding. It’s along the same lines as “Stomp!” and “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk.”

It hits the Opera House for one show only on Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m., with tickets now on sale through TicketsWest.

The Quest for entertainment

In case you haven’t noticed it, the Northern Quest Casino has become a major concert venue.

Here’s a peek at some upcoming Northern Quest shows that have been announced on PollStar, the concert website:

Foreigner – Jan. 28.

Kool & The Gang – Feb. 25.

The Commodores – March 11.

Aaron Tippin – April 22.

Wayne Newton – May 14.

The Smothers Brothers – July 29.

Except for Foreigner, these shows are not yet on sale; keep an eye out for official announcements.

A tough night on stage

The American Theatre Critics Association recently asked critics to recount the top theatrical disaster they had ever witnessed. Nobody could top an Anchorage critic, who said she witnessed the following in an amateur production of “Gypsy” in a small Alaska town.

•The girl playing Baby June got sick and threw up, repeatedly, while attempting to sing the opening number, “Let Me Entertain You.”

•A stage hand raced out after the number and attempted to mop it up. He slipped in the mess and fell.

•In an unrelated incident later in the show, a crashing noise was heard backstage, followed immediately by the squealing of a dog. Mama Rose’s small dog was conspicuously absent from subsequent scenes.

Sometimes, maybe the show should not go on.