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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Music galore: From Kenny Rogers to the Head and the Heart, the Spokane region is brimming with concerts this week

In this Sept. 13, 2014, file photo, Kenny Rogers performs in concert during the “Star-Spangled Spectacular: Bicentennial of Our National Anthem Concert” in Baltimore. (Owen Sweeney / Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)

Every so often, we get a week when the entertainment offerings are bonkers.

This is one of those weeks. And the best part is that there literally is something for everyone.

For fans of country, the calendar is particularly full. Country’s original “Gambler,” Kenny Rogers, is bringing his long and illustrious touring career to a close with a farewell tour that is coming to the Coeur d’Alene Casino in Worley on Friday. Another country legend, Willie Nelson, the red-headed stranger himself, will be at Northern Quest’s outdoor stage on Tuesday night.

For fans who didn’t move fast enough – both shows are sold out – there are options to see a couple of Nashville’s younger guns. Jake Owen, who hit No. 1 on the country singles chart with “Beachin’,” “Barefoot Bluejean Night,” and “Alone With You,” will be singing on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille Saturday night as part of the Festival at Sandpoint.

Don’t want to make the trek to North Idaho? Closer to home, the Knitting Factory on Saturday night is playing host to Chase Rice, whose 2014 album “Ignite” debuted at No. 1 on the country album chart.

If country isn’t your thing, fear not. There is rock in your future. Melissa Etheridge brings her signature bluesy rock singer-songwriter vibe to the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox on Friday. Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, fronted by the funk and jazz saxophonist who plays with Lenny Kravitz and the Rolling Stones, rolls into Sandpoint Friday for a show at the Hive. Saturday night at the Hive features the popular Portland-based band Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons.

The real party will be at Festival at Sandpoint on Friday, as the B-52s play under the big tent. Our own private Idaho, indeed. Sandpoint’s festival also will host the Seattle indie rockers the Head and the Heart, on Thursday. Also on Thursday, the Knitting Factory is hosting the Grammy-nominated French metal band, Gojira.

Classical music lovers, you’ve not been forgotten. The Spokane Symphony returns from summer break with the first of two Soiree on the Edge performances, at Arbor Crest Winery in Spokane Valley. The second performance is Aug. 23, and Morihiko Nakahara conducts both. And on Monday night, the symphony’s concertmaster, violinist Mateusz Wolski will team with sopranos Christina Kowalski, Heather Parker, and Dawn Wolski, tenor Michael Brandon, bass baritone Derrick Parker, and pianist David Demand for Opera on a Summer’s Eve at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center in Post Falls. The concert is a benefit for the JACC.