Woldson Theater at Fox announces fall-winter shows
The Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox has just announced a fall-winter lineup of shows ranging from jazz to Sondheim for its “Fox Presents” series.
Here’s the list:
•Marcus Roberts, Oct. 18, 8 p.m. – One of nation’s great jazz pianists, he plays music influenced by Scott Joplin, John Coltrane and points between.
•MOMIX, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. – A famed troupe of dancers-illusionists who present a colorful, surreal show.
•African Children’s Choir, Oct. 26, 3 p.m. – A group of children who are touring America and singing on behalf of their villages in Africa.
•“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Dec. 14 and 15, 7:30 p.m. – The national touring version of the acclaimed Broadway revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical, in which the actors play their own instruments.
Tickets will go on sale Monday at the Fox box office (509-624-1200) or through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
‘River’ changes course
Ken & Abbey (aka Ken Richards and Abbey Crawford) are out as the morning team at KXLY-FM (The River, 99.9).
The reason: An extensive research test convinced management to take the station in a different direction, according to Roger Nelson, radio market manager of the KXLY Broadcast Group. The station will become more “listener-focused and music-focused.”
Nelson said the search is on for a new morning show.
KXLY goes HD
Today at 5 p.m., KXLY-TV will debut what news director Jerry Post calls “Spokane’s first all-high-definition newscast.”
The station has aired news stories in high-def before, but never a full newscast. All of the station’s newscasts will now be in high-def.
To see it in high-def, of course, you must have a high-def TV and watch it on one of the station’s HD channels. On Comcast, for instance, that would be 104.
Everyone else can still watch it on standard-def at KXLY-4.
Spokane String Quartet
The Spokane String Quartet has announced a diverse and ambitious five-concert 2008-2009 season – with a European flavor.
Each concert has a geographic theme. Mateusz Wolski officially takes over in the first violin spot for quartet co-founder Kelly Farris, who took a leave of absence two years ago. Wolski played with the quartet last year in a four-concert trial.
The rest of the quartet: Misha Rosenker, violin; Jeannette Wee-Yang, viola; and Helen Byrne, cello.
Here’s the season:
• “Vienna,” Oct. 19, 3 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater – Haydn’s String Quartet No. 30, Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 11 and Brahms’ String Quartet No. 3.
• “Hungary,” Nov. 16, 3 p.m., Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox – With guest pianist Jonathan Korth. Music by Kodaly, Bartok and Dohnanyi.
• “Return to Vienna,” Jan. 25, 3 p.m. Bing Crosby Theater – Schubert’s String Quartet No. 12, Mozart’s String Quartet No. 14 and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 3.
• “Spain,” March 29, 3 p.m., Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox – With guest pianist Kendall Feeney. Music by Piazzolla, Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Turina .
• “France,” June 7, 3 p.m., Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox – With guest artists Earecka Tregenza on harp, Bruce Bodden on flute and Chip Williams on clarinet.
Season tickets are $72 for adults, $60 for seniors and $40 for students with ID if you order before Sept. 12. After that, the prices go up.
Send your order to the Spokane Chamber Music Association, P.O. Box 3741, Spokane WA 99220-3741 or find an order form at www.spokanestringquartet.org.
Bravo for Myrtle
Myrtle Woldson is the recipient of the 2008 Bravo Award, which honors extraordinary support for the performing arts in Spokane.
Woldson won the award for her role in the Fox Theater project, which came to fruition last November.
“Her generosity was pivotal in the saving and restoration of this splendid building and performing space,” said Allegro’s Beverly Biggs and David Dutton, the sponsors of the award.
Because of her donations, the theater was renamed the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox in honor of her father.
The award was presented as part of Allegro’s Royal Fireworks Festival.
Big names booked
Here are a couple of big names recently booked into town:
• Jason Mraz, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., INB Performing Arts Center – The singer-songwriter is riding the success of his latest single, “I’m Yours.”
• Kid Rock, Sept. 9, 8 p.m., Spokane Arena’s Star Theatre – His album “Rock N Roll Jesus” is still at No. 4 – after 41 weeks.