Spotlight: Mark your calendars, Dec. 8 The Met changes
Where exactly, will the “Bing Crosby Theater Gala Dedication” take place on Dec. 8?
Not at The Met. Please begin eradicating that name from your memory.
On Dec. 8, The Met officially switches to its new, more buh-buh-boo name, the Bing Crosby Theater.
Tickets are now on sale for the “Bing Crosby Theater Gala Dedication Celebration,” Dec. 8 at 8 p.m., featuring the Kathryn Crosby Cabaret Show.
Kathryn is Bing’s widow and she has volunteered to bring her cabaret act to town for the dedication bash. She’s waiving her normal fee, which means that revenue from the tickets can pay for renaming costs (including a new sign) and to start an endowment for the Bing Crosby Theater Foundation. The foundation will partner with arts organizations to sponsor events and activities “that would use the Crosby name appropriately,” according to Bill Stimson, chair of the Advocates for the Bing Crosby Theater.
Tickets are $25, $45 and $100. For $100, you also get a signed Kathryn Crosby autobiography and access to a special book signing. Tickets are available through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
Again, where is all of this happening?
At 901 W. Sprague Ave., of course, which we’ll probably soon start calling The Bing.
Tobby switches careers
Tobby Hatley, a KHQ-6 reporter for the last 13 years, is leaving the airwaves.
Hatley, a 28-year TV news veteran, has taken a job in public relations at Spokane firm Desautel-Hege Communications. His last day on the air will be Nov. 10.
“I just turned 50 and I thought it was time for a change,” said Hatley, who was born and raised in Colfax. “The business has changed and I was seeking more opportunities and challenges.”
“I’m sad,” said Patricia McRae, KHQ vice-president and station manager. “He’s been a tremendous contributor to our product.”
Even his competitors will miss him.
“Every time he went out and did an assignment, he improved the reputation of journalism in Spokane,” said one veteran reporter from a competing station.
KHQ news director
KHQ-6 hired a news director last week: Jonathan Mitchell, the news director at WNWO-TV in Toledo.
Mitchell was an executive producer at WXIX-TV in Cincinnati before moving to Toledo in 2004,
Mitchell, originally from Medford, Ore., will start at KHQ on Dec. 11. He takes over from McRae, who was promoted to station manager in August.
Loads of jazz
Here are a few upcoming concerts that should make jazz fans happy:
“”Samba in the Cathedral,” a concert to benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network, will take place Friday, 7 p.m. at St. John’s Cathedral, 12th Avenue and Grand. The nine-piece Brazilian samba and jazz band Desafinado will perform. Ticket are $10, available through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
“Trombone hero (yes, there is such a thing) Robin Eubanks will perform with the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble on Nov. 11, 8 p.m. at the Cowles Auditorium at Whitworth College. Eubanks has played with the Rolling Stones, the Talking Heads and Streisand, not to mention many jazz greats. Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for students, on sale through TicketsWest or at the door the evening of the concert.
“Eastern Washington University’s Jazz Dialogue Festival will run Nov. 16-18, with guest artists Dana Landry and his trio and trumpeter Clay Jenkins on Nov. 16; Reggie and Madra Thomas on Nov. 17; and trombonist Andy Martin on Nov. 18. As always, there will also be numerous clinics, workshops and other events featuring middle school, high school and college jazz bands. Tickets and information are available by calling (509) 359-7073.
“A New Orleans Jazz Festival will run Nov. 16-18 at CenterStage, 1017 W. First, featuring four New Orleans bands: the Palmetto Bug Stompers, the New Orleans Jazz Vipers, St. Louis Slim and Linnzi Zaorski and Delta Royale. Tickets are on sale through TicketsWest.
The Jennys are Wailin’
Which reminds us of another hotly anticipated concert coming up at CenterStage: Winnipeg’s fabulous Wailin’ Jennys, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance through TicketsWest outlets, or $25 at the door.
A ‘Catechism’ sequel
Haven’t had your knuckles rapped with a ruler lately? Everybody’s favorite theatrical nun is returning in a sequel, “Late Nite Catechism II,” subtitled, “Sometimes We Feel Guilty Because We ARE Guilty.”
Sister will perform Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. at The Met, 901 W. Sprague. Tickets are $22 and $26, available through TicketsWest. This is a benefit for CenterStage (although not at CenterStage).
Sister has been a big draw in past Spokane appearances, so don’t procrastinate.
A Soiree reminder
The season’s first Spokane Symphony Chamber Soiree takes place this week in the Davenport Hotel’s Marie Antoinette Ballroom.
Season ticket holders should check their dates. Performances will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this season, instead of Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Essentially, it means that all former Thursday subscribers have been switched to Tuesdays this season.
If you’re not a series subscriber, a limited number of gallery seats are available for both the Tuesday and Wednesday performances, each at 7:30 p.m. Call the symphony box office at (509) 624-1200.
Brahms Blast shirts
By the way, the Spokane Symphony reports that it gave away 450 Brahms Blast T-shirts at the Oct. 6 classics concert.
That means that 20 percent of the audience was under 30. The symphony gave away no T-shirts to anyone over that age.
In the symphony world, that’s a shockingly young crowd.
A six-piano spectacular
A concert billed as an “88 x 6” concert, featuring six grand pianos played simultaneously on the stage of the EWU Music Building Recital Hall in Cheney, will take place in two performances Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
This “monster” concert, as they have come to be called, is a benefit for the Spokane Music Teachers’ Association scholarship fund.
A large cast of pianists – including professionals, teachers and students – will play works by Bach, Gershwin, Mozart, Sousa and many others.
Tickets at the door will be $10 or $5 for seniors and students.
.