Take trip to Northern Quest to see Rip, ‘Bottoms Up’
A new Vegas-style comedy show is coming for a two-week run at the Northern Quest Casino, Thursday through Sept. 12, and if you want to get an idea of the show’s flavor, here’s all you need to know: It stars Rip Taylor.
He’s the zany comic with the big mustache, known for tossing confetti at the audience and shouting in a high-pitched voice. He has been a staple on “The Gong Show” and “Hollywood Squares.”
The title might also give you an idea of the show’s flavor: “Bottoms Up.”
Creator Breck Wall summed it up in a press release by quipping that if anybody claims the show has any socially redeeming quality, that means they didn’t see it. It’s described as a “bawdy style of old-fashioned burlesque comedy with contemporary twist.”
“Bottoms Up” is a collection of sketches, gags, dance numbers and comic songs. It has actually been around in one form or another since 1964 in Las Vegas, most recently at the Flamingo.
However, this is a brand-new version. This Northern Quest run is the equivalent of an out-of-town preview. The producers hope to take it back to Vegas for a long run.
Tickets are available through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
A new movie shoot
North by Northwest has a new Spokane movie shoot scheduled for the fall: “Malone” (or possibly “Give ’em Hell, Malone”).
Some of the names connected with it so far: Ving Rhames (“Pulp Fiction”), Michelle Rodriguez (“Lost,” “The Fast and Furious”) and Thomas Jane (“Magnolia,” “Boogie Nights”) .
It’s about a private investigator who gets himself tangled up with various thugs and gangsters. The shoot is scheduled from early October to early November.
Do you look thuggish?
By the way, “Malone” needs several dozen male extras who look like large, rough, tough thugs. Actually, they are looking for tough-looking female thugs as well.
The director will be conducting open auditions, Monday at 10 a.m. (yes, we do mean Labor Day) at 1209 W. First Ave. All you have to do is show up promptly at that time. No latecomers will be admitted.
For info on other movie-extra possibilities, call Big Fish Northwest Talent Representation at (509) 328-3474.
Opera on the big screen
The Metropolitan Opera’s live high-definition transmissions on the big screen have proven so popular that it’s expanding from eight to 11 operas this season, including the opening night gala on Sept. 22.
That first show is of especially high interest locally.
That’s because it will feature Spokane’s own world-famous baritone, Thomas Hampson. Hampson, Renee Fleming, Ramon Vargas and Dwayne Croft will appear in three fully staged scenes from three different operas as part of this festive opener.
You can see it at Regal’s NorthTown 12 cinema at 6 p.m. on Sept. 22. The next few operas will include “Salome” on Oct. 11, and “Doctor Atomic” on Nov. 8.
Also, make note of the Dec. 20 presentation of Massenet’s “Thaïs,” which will also feature Hampson.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by going to www.fathomevents.com.
The NorthTown showings routinely attracted large crowds last season, according to Spotlight’s undercover opera-tives.
A free band concert
The Washington Air National Guard and the Air National Guard Band of the Northwest will present a free family concert Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.
The show will include a tribute to the original 560th Air Force Band members from the 1950s.
The concert is free, but tickets are required and can be reserved by calling (509) 247-7090.
This makes this the best music bargain in town (with the possible exception of Pig Out, which is also free).
A free symphony concert
Oh, and also, with the possible exception of the Spokane Symphony’s free Labor Day Concert at Comstock Park. That’s at 6 p.m. Monday.
Art at Whitworth
Whitworth University opens its new Ernest F. Lied Center for the Visual Arts on Wednesday, which includes two galleries as well as classrooms and studios.
The opening exhibit will be “Old Bones and a New Vernacular: Whitworth Permanent Collection,” showing off both old and new works from the college’s collection. It runs Sept. 9-Oct. 19, with a reception Sept. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Then, on Oct. 2, artist Tom O’Day will hold an “art dig,” titled “Exhume: A 20-Year Installation, 1988-2008.”
Back in 1988, O’Day buried 30 artworks outside Whitworth’s Fine Arts Building. He will dig them up and reassemble them over the winter for an exhibit opening next spring.
The dig and accompanying festivities take place Oct. 2 at 8 p.m., and it’s free.
A John Denver tribute
Here’s advance notice of a show coming to the Bing Crosby Theater: “Jim Curry’s Tribute to the Music of John Denver.”
Curry has become known for his John Denver tributes and regularly plays Las Vegas. He was the singer who performed Denver’s music in the CBS bio-pic, “Take Me Home, The John Denver Story.”
Curry’s tour comes to the Bing on Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., with tickets available through TicketsWest.