‘Twas a First Night to remember
About 26,000 people swept through downtown for First Night Spokane’s seventh annual New Year’s Eve party.
Attendance was strong and the streets were thronged despite a thermometer that got down to 8 degrees on Monday night.
“The weather was great,” said First Night executive director Chris Martin. “Maybe just a little nippy.”
It didn’t seem to bother most revelers, especially the ones who were participating in the Steezy-Eve rail jam (snowboard contest) in Riverfront Park and the artists working on the ice sculptures outside River Park Square.
Martin said most of the venues were full and there were only minor glitches.
Here’s one of the best indicators of the health of First Night: 700 volunteers, the full complement, had been signed up weeks before the event.
“Our Cinderella period is over after seven years,” said Martin. “We’ve arrived as a tradition.”
A Fox documentary
“Spokane’s 21st Century Fox,” a documentary about the history and renovation of the Fox Theater, is coming up on KSPS-7 on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 20 at noon.
KSPS followed the project for three years and will take viewers through the entire restoration. Not only that, the producers found historic photos and footage of this 1931 art-deco treasure.
In addition to the broadcast showings, there will be a premiere screening Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, as the grand old theater has been officially renamed.
The only bad news, for those who are not already members of the Friends of Seven: You must have reserved tickets, available by invitation only.
CenterStage schedule
CenterStage has an impressive calendar of dinner-theater events lined up for 2008:
•”Forever Plaid,” Jan. 17-Feb. 3 – The musical revue featuring plenty of ‘50s four-part harmony, with the cast that performed an award-winning run at Coeur d’Alene’s Lake City Playhouse.
•”The Great American Song Book, Vol. 1,” Feb. 14-March 15 – A musical revue celebrating the songs of George and Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter.
•”PVT. Wars,” March 27-April 19 – A comedy by James McClure about three GI’s recovering from Vietnam War injuries in a VA hospital.
•”Talking With,” May 1-24 – A collection of theatrical monologues by Jane Martin.
•”Pot Luck,” June 12-15 – A Father’s Day show written by Patrick F. McManus and starring CenterStage artistic director Tim Behrens.
•”I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” June 19-Aug. 15 – A reprise of the musical about the tribulations of relationships.
•”Accomplice,” Sept. 18-Oct. 11 – A comedy-mystery-thriller by Rupert Holmes set in an English country house.
•”The Girl in the Frame,” Oct. 23-Nov. 22 – A new musical comedy revue about love and romance, written by Jeremy Desmon.
For information and tickets, call CenterStage at (509) 747-8243.
Swingin’ Wednesdays
Speaking of CenterStage, it has announced its commitment to present a live swing band the second Wednesday of every month.
First up this Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m: Jive Five, a new swing band featuring Dawn Holladay, Don Thomsen, Jonathan Hawkins, Thomas Thomsen and Rick Singer.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for full cabaret menu and bar service. A special introductory price of $5 will be collected at the door.
The Cummins connection
Here’s an interesting bit of synchronicity involving CenterStage: Dan Cummins, the most famous comedian ever to come out of Millwood, will be featured on Comedy Central on Friday at 10:30 p.m. in “Comedy Central Presents Dan Cummins.”
That just happens to be the same night Cummins returns to CenterStage for two live performances, at 8 and, yes, 10:30 p.m.
You might as well catch the live Cummins, by calling CenterStage at (509) 747-8243. You can always TiVo the television version, or check out one of the many repeats.
Get your Leno fix
If you’ve been missing live Jay Leno on TV over the last few months, you can catch him, and a few other legends, at Northern Quest Casino. Here are a few upcoming shows:
•Tony Orlando, Jan. 15, 3 p.m., singing “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” and other hits in a matinee show.
•Neil Sedaka, Jan. 20, 7 p.m., presenting his hits including “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” and “Calendar Girl.”
•Leno, Jan. 26, 8:30 p.m., doing his stand-up act.
‘Antiques Roadshow’ schedule
We can now tell you when the Spokane episodes of “Antiques Roadshow” on PBS are scheduled to run: March 31, April 7 and April 14.
They were filmed in August at the big “Roadshow” event at the Spokane Convention Center.