Get ready to Pig Out with music
Word is trickling in about the headliners for Pig Out in the Park, the annual Labor Day weekend food-and-music festival at Riverfront Park, Aug. 30-Sept. 4.
Here are a few of the biggest acts:
“ The Grass Roots, who had a string of ‘60s hits, including “Midnight Confessions” and “Let’s Live for Today.” This version features original singer Rob Grill. Sept. 3.
“ Ten Years After, ‘60s-‘70s British blues heroes who had hits with “I’d Love to Change the World” and “Goin’ Home.” Hot young guitarist Joe Gooch plays the Alvin Lee role. Sept. 2.
“ Alejandro Escovedo, the roots-Americana singer-songwriter who was named Artist of the Decade by No Depression magazine. Sept. 3.
“ LeRoy Bell, a Seattle performer who is turning heads with his original soul. Aug. 31.
“ The Clumsy Lovers, the Vancouver, B.C., Celtic- bluegrass-roots rockers. Sept. 1.
Plus, of course, the usual extensive lineup of local and regional acts. All shows are free.
Broadway tickets
Individual tickets (as distinct from season tickets) will go on sale this week for all seven shows in the 2006-2007 Best of Broadway season.
Beginning Friday at 10 a.m., you will be able to snap up tickets to any of these national touring shows at the Spokane Opera House:
“ “Chicago,” Sept. 19-24, $30-$65.
“ “Capitol Steps,” Nov. 19, $25-$38.50.
“ “Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Nov. 30-Dec. 3, $30-$52.50.
“ “Hairspray,” Jan. 2-7, $30-$65.
“ “Annie,” Feb. 15-28, $30-$52.50.
“ “Aida,” March 29-April 1, $30-$52.50.
“ “Cats,” April 24-26, $30-$49.
By the way, “Little Shop of Horrors” was originally announced as an add-on show, but it has been canceled for the excellent reason that the entire tour has been canceled.
Tickets for everything else will be available through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
All that Jazz Orchestra
The Spokane Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dan Keberle, has plenty of fresh talent on tap for its 2006-2007 season at The Met.
Here’s the lineup:
“ Sept. 29: Nnenna Freelon – Grammy nominee, Billie Holiday interpreter and vocalist with the Count Basie orchestra.
“ Dec. 1: Holiday in Jazz concert, featuring Charlotte Carruthers.
“ March 10: Tierney Sutton – Grammy nominee and acclaimed new vocal talent.
“ May 12, Salute to Sinatra, featuring vocalist Horace Alexander Young.
Season subscriptions and single tickets are on sale through TicketsWest.
Hope is ever-present
Local comic Chris Warren is reviving the spirit of Bob Hope with a comedy tribute show called “Thank You, Bob Hope!” which will premiere in Spokane in September.
The show will pay homage not just to the late, great comedian but to the United States and its troops as well. Warren calls it a “fiercely patriotic comedy tribute.”
Warren, who has followed in Hope’s footsteps by entertaining troops in Baghdad and the Persian Gulf, will combine skits, video, photos and stand-up in this show. It will premiere at The Met on Sept. 15 at 8 p.m., then go on tour nationwide.
The show is produced by Spokane’s Brickwall Comedy Club. Tickets will be available soon through TicketsWest.
Civic to be ‘Goal’ oriented
The Spokane Civic Theatre Academy’s summer show will be “Goal Crazy!” – a musical about “sports and spring fever.”
This is the annual production by the students in the summer theater camp.
Instructor Jean Hardie has created a musical in which the boys from the rugby team at Millamallamoola University are required to take a dance class. Cultures collide and romance ensues.
Performances will be Aug. 10-12 and 16-18 on the Civic’s Main Stage, 1020 N. Howard. All performances are at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students. Call the box office at (509) 325-2507 or TicketsWest outlets.
Piper down!
A reminder: The Spokane Highland Games will be at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cabers will be tossed, bags will be piped and flings will be flung. Tickets range from $8 to $3.
Log on to www.spokanehighlandgames.org for complete information, or call (509) 922-3661.