Eclectic lineup helps Big Dipper celebrate grand opening

The revamped Big Dipper has been quietly hosting shows for the past few months, but this weekend it’s opening its doors with the fanfare it deserves.

The all-ages venue, long defunct and recently reopened by Sunny Day Real Estate’s Dan Hoerner, is celebrating its official grand opening Saturday night with a show headlined by Portland’s Wooden Indian Burial Ground, which specializes in dark, angular, spacey experimental rock. Also featured are two Spokane bands – the infectious garage rock of Normal Babies and the loud, sludgy punk of 66beat.

According to the Dipper’s Facebook page, their maximum capacity is still hovering at a meager 110 – the venue is still waiting on the installation of a new sprinkler system, which will increase that number – so expect tickets to go fast.

Nathan Weinbender