Spotlight : Big names to visit Spokane
Radio’s Dr. Laura (as in Schlessinger) is coming to Spokane in July for a live broadcast, a talk at the Bing Crosby Theater and various other appearances.
Dr. Laura, America’s tough-love advice maven, will do her radio show live from the studios of KQNT-AM (Newstalk 590) on July 19 from noon to 3 p.m.
On July 20, she’ll perform her one-woman show, “In My Never to be Humble Opinion,” at The Bing at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
This show, as well as a by-invitation-only appearance at Geiger Field, is a fundraiser for the proposed Armed Forces and Aerospace Museum in Spokane. Schlessinger is donating $5 of each ticket sale to the museum fund.
Make a Y
The Spokane County Interstate Fair will have a particularly campy flavor come September, with a lineup that includes the Village People on Sept. 10 and Weird Al Yankovic on Sept. 13.
Which means that you can hear “YMCA” and “White & Nerdy” all in the same week.
More, um, conventional entertainment of the country music variety will be provided by Ronnie Milsap on Sept. 11 and Kellie Pickler (of “American Idol” fame) and Chris Young (“Nashville Star” winner) on Sept. 12.
Tickets are on sale through TicketsWest.
Change of Ignite! plans
Ignite!, the Spokane community theater operating out of the Riverwalk building, has put its 2007-08 season on hold.
Artistic director Rebecca Cook said the theater has been experiencing growing pains and has made the difficult decision not to continue renting the Riverwalk space.
This puts the theater’s plans in limbo for a while. Cook said they are looking for a new location and hope to be producing shows again by January. She said Ignite! hopes to “come back even stronger.”
Playwrights Fest winners
Here are the winners from the Spokane Civic Theatre’s 24th annual Playwrights Forum Festival earlier this month:
“Best of the Fest – “The Mediation,” by Reed McColm, the Post Falls actor and writer. This award was chosen by a panel of judges, based solely on its merit as a script.
“Audience Choice Award – “Wet Clay,” by Jake Farley of Seattle, chosen by a vote of audience members.
Jazz Orchestra season
Here’s the recently announced 2007-08 season for the Spokane Jazz Orchestra at the Bing Crosby Theater.
“Sept. 29: Freda Payne, recording artist and Broadway star, in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.
“Dec. 8: Dee Daniels stars in “Holiday in Jazz.”
“March 8: David Keberle (music director Dan Keberle’s brother) returns in a clarinet tribute to Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw.
“May 9: Trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling pays homage to the music of Louis Armstrong.
Tickets go on sale July 2 through TicketsWest.
Pick your Fox lineup
The Fox Theater people are asking area residents the question: Who would you like to see perform at the Fox?
The soon-to-be-remodeled theater is booking acts for 2008 and is soliciting suggestions.
General manager Patricia Iron said she is open to all kinds of ideas, including touring shows, local groups, comedians, poets, dancers and musicians of all genres.
The Fox will be the new home of the Spokane Symphony when it opens in late fall, yet will be available for other shows on many nights.
To share your suggestions, go to www.foxtheaterspokane.com or call (509) 624-5992 and leave a voice message.
Among the suggestions already posted on the Web site are James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, Ani DiFranco, Randy Newman, John Mayer, Norah Jones, “Cyrano de Bergerac” and … Carrot Top?
The comedy of Cummins
Spokane product Dan Cummins is hitting the big time in the comedy world – he’s taping his own Comedy Central show in August.
Meanwhile, he’ll be back in town for two shows July 14 at CenterStage, 1017 W. First.
Cummins has become one of top college comics in the country, booking more than 90 college dates so far in 2007. He titles his show “Sasquatch, Starbucks and Other Issues of Utmost Importance.”
An 8 p.m. show will be for all ages; a 10:30 p.m. show will be for those 18 and over. Tickets are available by calling the box office at (509) 747-8243.