Performing arts are gift-worthy

In keeping with Spotlight tradition, we present our annual “Tickets Make Great Christmas Presents” reminder.

Here’s the pitch: Tickets are easy to find; small enough to fit in a stocking; a nice switch from the usual consumer goods; and bound to make the recipient race around the house making brakes-squealing noises (only if the recipient is a 7-year-old boy and the tickets are for the Monster Truck Jam).

It sure beats ordering a cheese log.

First, consider some of the region’s local performing arts organizations, including:

• The Spokane Symphony, which offers a special four-concert sampler for $99. Call (509) 624-1200 for information on this deal. You can also, of course, buy tickets to individual concerts, such as the Thomas Hampson concert coming up on Feb. 28 and March 1, Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.

• Local theater groups, which also offer midseason subscription packages. Call the Spokane Civic Theatre at (509) 325-2507 or Interplayers at (509) 455-PLAY for details. Or you might want to just buy an individual show, such as “No, No Nanette” at Civic or “Waiting for Godot” at Interplayers.

• The Northwest Bach Festival, which presents concerts from Jan. 23-31 at various Spokane venues.

•The Spokane Opera’s “The Magic Flute,” Mozart’s whimsical masterpiece (and, by the way, an excellent opera for novices), Jan. 29-31 at the Fox.

•The Festival at Sandpoint, which is offering early-bird season passes at deep discounts, available at (888) 265-4554.

•The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, which begins selling tickets on Monday for its Feb. 25-28 lineup at the University of Idaho, available by calling (888) 8-UIDAHO.

And there are plenty of other gift-worthy concerts and touring events, including:

• Ron White, the comedian, Jan. 10, INB Performing Arts Center.

• “Burn the Floor,” ballroom dance extravaganza, Jan. 17, INB Performing Arts Center.

• “Smuckers Stars On Ice,” Jan. 23, Spokane Arena.

• Cheech and Chong, the ’60s flashback comics, Jan. 24, INB Performing Arts Center.

• “Annie,” everyone’s favorite orphan, Jan. 31, INB Performing Arts Center.

• “Play House Disney Live!” featuring Disney characters on stage, Feb. 13, Spokane Arena.

• Evelyn Glenn ie, percussionist extraordinaire, Feb. 13, INB Performing Arts Center.

• David Byrne, the former Talking Heads frontman, Feb. 19, the Fox.

• “Monster Jam,” big trucks, Feb. 20-22, Spokane Arena.

• “Ailey II,” the dance ensemble, Feb. 22, the Fox.

• Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley, country stars, Feb. 26, Spokane Arena.

• Norm MacDonald, of “Saturday Night Live” fame, Feb. 27, Knitting Factory.

• “ An Evening with Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway,” flutist, March 14, the Fox.

• “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” the Fats Waller musical, March 19-22, INB Performing Arts Center.

• k.d. lang, eclectic singer, March 21, The Fox.

• “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” the wild medieval musical, May 5-10, INB Performing Arts Center.

• Pink Martini, lounge meets classical meets world music, June 27, the Fox.

Tickets for most of the above can be purchased through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

By popular demand

The economy’s rough, but apparently sales are strong in some sectors. Three local events have added performances due to popular demand:

• “Together Again for the First Time” has added a 2 p.m. matinee today at Interplayers. This funny family comedy was originally scheduled to end yesterday. Call (509) 455-PLAY.

• “Christmas in Old Spokane,” part of Allegro’s Historic Homes Series, has added another entire day of performances on Thursday at 3, 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. The event was originally scheduled only for Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s at the Comstock-Shadle House, 1106 W. Ninth Ave. Call (509) 455-6865 to reserve tickets.

• “Playhouse Disney Live” has added a 3 p.m. performance on Feb. 13, to go with its 6 p.m. performance at the Spokane Arena. Tickets should soon go on sale through TicketsWest outlets.

A fond tribute

When Marlo Faulkner takes the “Golden Baton” as special guest conductor of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., she’ll dedicate the number to the late Anne Manzo, an important figure in the CdA arts scene.

Manzo was a co-founder (along with Faulkner) of Opera Plus. She was also an artist, illustrator, composer, lyricist, librettist, vocal coach, translator, carpenter and novelist.

She died in California in October but had lived in Coeur d’Alene almost to the end.

So when Faulkner bid for and won the Golden Baton (the right to conduct one number with the symphony), she decided to conduct an aria from Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi,” which was one of Manzo’s favorites.

It should be a wonderful tribute to a remarkable figure. It’s part of the symphony’s Christmas Showcase at NIC’s Schuler Auditorium. Tickets are available at (800) 4-CDATIX.

Sing the ‘Messiah’

The annual Handel’s Messiah Community Sing-Along takes place today at the First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar St.

You have two choices: Sing or listen.

To sing, you need to show up at 4:45 p.m. for rehearsal. Hundreds of community members will sing with the Chancel Choir and professional soloists. If you don’t already have a score, you can check one out there.

If you want to listen, all you have to do is show up at 7 p.m. and take a seat in the audience. The event is free; an offering will be taken.

‘Christmas in Wales’

Here’s another Spokane Christmas staple, which has two performances today: “Christmas in Wales,” the annual holiday show staged by Connoisseur Concerts at St. John’s Cathedral, Grand and 12th.

It features the Spokane Youth Orchestra, the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus and a skit about Welsh Christmas traditions performed by Patrick Treadway.

It runs at 4 and 7 p.m.; doors open an hour earlier. It’s free.