Spotlight: Paul Taylor dancers, Kodo drummers coming up
Two out-of-the-ordinary cultural attractions are on the way to the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox – one coming up soon, the other in midwinter:
• Paul Taylor 2 , one of the ensembles of the acclaimed Paul Taylor Dance Company, will perform at The Fox on Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. It’s your chance to see Taylor’s inventive choreography and a troupe of world-class dancers.
Tickets are $15 to $30, through TicketsWest outlets (800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com) or the Fox box office (509-624-1200).
• Kodo, a group of Japanese taiko drummers, will bring their One Earth Tour to The Fox on Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. They have taken the art of taiko drumming to 46 countries so far.
Tickets range from $22 to $42, on sale Tuesday through TicketsWest or at the box office.
KYRS turns 7
KYRS-FM (Thin Air Community Radio, 92.3 and 89.9) will hold its Seventh Anniversary Party on Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. at Silver Auctions, 2020 N. Monroe St.
So we thought this might be a good time to find out what’s happening with the long-awaited full-power upgrade of this currently low-power community station.
The new 70-foot tower is purchased, but with the onset of winter, it probably can’t be installed on its mountaintop until late June or early July. That will give the station time to finish raising the rest of the $100,000 it needs to complete the project.
Station manager Lupito Flores said they have already raised a little more than half of the money and should be able to make their goal. He said they are “pleasantly surprised and pleased at the community support.”
The best guess: It should happen about the time the weather next turns hot.
Meanwhile, if you want to hit the Seventh Anniversary Party, you can get $15 tickets by calling (509) 747-3012. Tickets will be $18 at the door.
Naomi Judd’s voice
Naomi Judd has just been booked into Spokane – but not to sing.
She’ll be the featured speaker at the 2011 Women Helping Women Fund Luncheon, May 16.
Judd went from being a single mom in a small town in Kentucky to being half of a famous mother-daughter duo, the Judds. She’ll also talk about her battles with hepatitis-C, which she contracted as a registered nurse.
Details about the luncheon will be announced closer to the date.
Meanwhile, Naomi’s singing career is not quite over. The Judds are embarking on their Last Encore Tour in November and December, but they won’t be hitting the Northwest.
Celtic Thunder
Here’s a quick reminder about Celtic Thunder, the smash-hit Celtic music show which arrives at the INB Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
These five gents became famous with their “It’s Entertainment” specials on PBS. Now, fans won’t have to wait long for their next special, “Celtic Thunder Christmas,” Dec. 1, 8:30 p.m. on KSPS-7.
In the meantime, you can see them live, kilts and all. Tickets are $35, $45 and $55, through TicketsWest.
‘Courage in Corsets’
Speaking of KSPS-7 specials, here’s a locally produced one you shouldn’t miss: “Courage in Corsets: Winning the Vote in Washington State,” Thursday, 7 p.m. (and repeated numerous times through December).
This is a fascinating look at the long struggle for women’s suffrage in Washington – much of which took place in Spokane. It’s loaded with great historical images and footage.
It’s rich in detail partly because it was produced in conjunction with the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture’s new exhibit, “Women’s Votes, Women’s Voices: Washington’s Women’s Suffrage Centennial.”
In one entertaining hour, you’ll learn a huge amount of the history of Washington’s influential suffrage movement.
You’ll also learn about the tenacity of women such as May Arkwright Hutton, a leader of the movement from Spokane.
Mary DeCesare wrote, produced and edited this production and Jim Zimmer is the executive producer.
Joyce to Google Earth
Here’s something that the Barrister Winery in Spokane and Google Earth have in common: Ben Joyce.
Both will feature the fascinating artwork of this Spokane artist, who paints works based on aerial topographic photos.
He’ll be showing his latest works on Friday, 5 to 10 p.m. at the Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. This one-night-only show will be part of First Friday.
Then, in January, Joyce has been commissioned to do a private solo show at the Google Earth headquarters in California. Some people from Google Earth were apparently knocked out when they saw his work at the Sausalito Art Festival.
It’s a natural fit, since Joyce uses Google Earth sometimes in the pieces he calls Abstract Topophilia.
El Katif Salute to Veterans
The 11th Annual El Katif Musical Salute to Veterans takes place at the Masonic Auditorium, 1108 W. Riverside Ave., Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
The entertainment will include the El Katif Band and Chanters, Accordion Joe and Miss Spokane Kylee Denevan. There will be a special flag presentation and rifle drill by the Rogers High School and Medical Lake High School Air Force Junior ROTC units.
The 141st Washington Air National Guard Honor Guard will present the Fallen Warrior Tribute. It’s all free and open to the public.
‘Nutcracker’ crew
Ballet Memphis will once again use a number of local dancers in its performance of “The Nutcracker” with the Spokane Symphony, Dec. 17-19 at the INB Performing Arts Center.
We can now announce the dancers selected through auditions to play the leads: Christopher Brown as Fritz, Mary Frances Gence as Grandmother and Terry Grizzell as Grandfather.
There will be 70 local dance students in the ballet in various other roles.
Tickets are on sale, $22 to $39 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under, through TicketsWest and the Fox box office.