Stones shatter Arena’s hope

For years, the Spokane Arena has been trying to lure the Rolling Stones to town.

No satisfaction.

Now, to twist the dagger (or Jagger) a little harder, the Stones have booked their current tour into Missoula (Oct. 4), Seattle (Oct. 17), Vancouver, B.C., (Nov. 3) and Boise (Nov. 14).

Or to put it another way: practically every city in the region except Spokane.

“I am bitterly disappointed,” said Matt Gibson, the manager of events and booking for the Arena. “We tried our best. We wanted this.”

What was the problem?

For one thing, Mick and Keef and the boys preferred to play stadiums on this part of the tour (the Missoula date will be at Grizzly Stadium). Spokane had nothing suitable to offer, given the uncertain status of Joe Albi Stadium.

Yet the Stones were clearly willing to play some arenas – they’ll be playing the Idaho Center in Boise (actually, Nampa). But the Spokane Arena could not lure them in.

“How do I put this politely?” said Gibson. “Certain parties and venues are favored over others.”

Translation: Event booking is a tough, competitive business with plenty of complicated variables.

So, will nothing ever lure the Stones here? Not even wild horses?

Ring (a-ding-ding) it in

Now I know where I’ll be spending New Year’s Eve.

Frank Sinatra Jr. has been tentatively booked into the Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 shows.

Maybe this isn’t quite as exciting as a Frank Sr. concert (which will never happen again, for obvious reasons) but it’s the next best thing.

Keep an eye out for ticket announcements.

A new date with the ‘King’

“The King and I” at the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre is a hit, which means an additional matinee performance has been added.

The added show will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at North Idaho College’s Schuler Auditorium.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors and $20 for children, available by calling (800) 4CD-ATIX or through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

Wine and music

Connoisseur Concerts’ “Wine and Music on a Summer’s Eve” on Thursday is also selling briskly.

Fortunately, a few seats have been added to the garden venue at the historic Paulsen home, 245 E. 13th Ave., which means that there are still a few tickets available.

Emcee William Bond has chosen wines that will be paired with dinner courses prepared by Luna chef Micah Ogle. Not only that, but each course will be matched with live music selected by Verne Windham and performed by a violin-cello-horn trio.

Tickets are $100. For reservations call Gertrude Harvey at (509) 924-1132.

CenterStage Burglary Bash

CenterStage has scheduled a Burglary Benefit Bash for Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. to recoup losses from a July burglary which cost thousands.

This benefit, featuring songs and skits from local performers, has turned out to be a heartening example of cooperation in the region’s theatrical community.

Part of the entertainment will be provided by the cast of “Forever Plaid” from the Lake City Playhouse in Coeur d’Alene. Brian Doig, who has just been named the Playhouse’s new executive director, said his theater “felt it was important to do what we could as a fellow member of the theater community.”

Also, Interplayers postponed its own benefit auction, originally scheduled on the same night, so it would not conflict with CenterStage’s bash. The Interplayers gala will instead be Sept. 8.

Tickets to the Burglary Bash are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, available by calling (509) 747-8243.

The ‘Bus’ starts here

Speaking of Interplayers, single tickets are on sale for William Inge’s “Bus Stop,” featuring Ellen Travolta and Jack Bannon, scheduled for Sept. 14-Oct. 1.

Also, the rest of the Interplayers lineup has been set:

“”Woman in Black,” by Stephen Mallatratt, Oct. 12-29.

“”Moon Over Buffalo,” by Ken Ludwig, Nov. 9-26.

“”Driving Miss Daisy,” by Alfred Uhry, Jan. 17-Feb. 4.

“”Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks,” by Richard Alfieri, March 1-18.

“”The Price,” by Arthur Miller, April 5-22.

“”Ruthless!” by Joal Paley and Marvin Laird, May 10-27.

Call (509) 455-PLAY or go to www.interplayers.com for tickets and subscriptions.

Rocking the radio ratings

There were no massive upsets in the latest radio ratings.

KHTQ-FM (Rock 94 1/2 leads the pack in the spring quarter Arbitron rankings, as it did during the previous ratings period. This station plays “active rock,” which means Staind and Tool, for instance.

A three-way tie exists for second place between KEYF-FM (Oldies 101.1), KIXZ-FM (“Better Country,” 96.1), and KKZX-FM (Classic Rock, 98.9).

KDRK-FM (Cat Country, 93.7) rounds out the Top Five.

Bravo to Father Bob

Congratulations to Father Bob Schlim.

Schlim, a Jesuit priest, longtime educator and classical music lover, won the 2006 Bravo Award for a lifetime of support for the performing arts in Spokane.

According to Allegro’s Beverly Biggs and David Dutton, who sponsor the annual award, Schlim has worked tirelessly behind the scenes for area arts organizations for more than 30 years.