Spotlight: Hay, Junkies set local shows
So far, 2013 is shaping up to be a good concert season, especially for music fans of the Gen X persuasion.
Too Far North productions has booked former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay into Sandpoint’s Panida Theater on April 13 and the Cowboy Junkies on April 28 at the Bing Crosby Theater in Spokane.
Hay has forged an interesting solo career since Men at Work split in 1985. His star began rising again in earnest first in the mid-90s, when the group Lazlo Bane covered the Men at Work hit “Overkill” – with Hay appearing in the video – and then with his work on the “Garden State” and “Scrubs” soundtracks. For the season two premiere of “Scrubs,” Hay performed an acoustic version of “Overkill” that is better than the original.
His most recent record is 2011’s “Gathering Mercury” and his Sandpoint gig will include music and comedy and storytelling.
The Junkies’ Bing appearance will feature a complete performance of the band’s landmark 1988 album “The Trinity Sessions.”
“The Trinity Sessions” was recorded in one day at Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity. It features country, folk and blues-flavored original songs and covers, including a notable rendition of the Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane” that went to No. 5 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks list. Then there’s the Junkies’ take on Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight.” And Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” And the gorgeous original “I Don’t Get It.”
It’s the kind of record that helped many a college girl transition from Duran Duran/Depeche Mode/Tears for Fears ’80s synth pop to the new folk of Tracy Chapman/Shawn Colvin/Mary Chapin Carpenter. Trust me on this one.
Tickets to both shows go on sale Monday through TicketsWest, (800) 325-SEAT or www.ticketswest.com. Colin Hay tickets are $25, while tickets to see the Cowboy Junkies will set you back $30 to $33.
McManus on DVD
Tim Behrens, the actor behind the Patrick McManus one-man shows, has spent the fall performing three works at the Bing Crosby Theater. The plays have been played, recorded and released on DVD.
“Potluck,” “Scrambled McManus and “Poor Again … Dagnabbit!” now join “A Fine and Pleasant Misery” and “McManus in Love” on DVD, just in time for the holidays.
The new productions are $20 plus tax and shipping. The older ones are $17. A set of all five costs $87.50. You can buy them by phone, (509) 534-3632 or online through www.mcmanusplays.com or amazon.com.
Apollo 13 exhibit
The Spokane Convention Center has booked a new show from the creator of “Walking With Dinosaurs.”
“Apollo 13: Mission Control” will take over Exhibit Hall C from Jan 9-20, and allows the audience to go behind the scenes of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission.
The set includes a replica of Mission Control, and audience members get to watch as the flight director struggles to bring the three astronauts home after their aborted mission to the moon.
The show is making its U.S. debut in Tacoma before heading east to Spokane’s Convention Center. Tickets are on sale now through TicketsWest; audience members can choose to sit in the Console section (for $52.50) or in the Press Gallery (for $37.50).
For more information, visit www.apollo13.co.nz/ or www.spokane missioncontrol.com.