There’s a mystery to the magical world of Willy Wonka that will never be solved. Is the story of Charlie Bucket visiting the chocolate factory about greed or kindness? Vice or virtue? Family or ambition? What exactly motivates the eccentric confectioner and his Golden Tickets?
These questions, and the mystery, remain even as this week’s cover story — BEHIND THE CURTAIN — takes us backstage to reveal how the Spokane Civic Theatre brings the story to life. Through auditions, rehearsals, set and costume design, “Hell Week” and opening night, we see the joy (and anxiety) that goes into making a local production. It takes a lot of people to produce a musical, and thanks to the words of E.J. Iannelli and photos of Erick Doxey, we get to really see and feel what they go through.
But what does it sound like?
This story is our first-ever collaboration with Spokane Public Radio. Tune into KPBX (91.1 FM) or visit spokanepublicradio.org to hear it for yourself.
— NICHOLAS DESHAIS, editor
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DYLAN CASTLE
I want to be Scrooge from A Christmas Carol Bah humbug, of course! Just because I get to say that line.
Do you actually hate Christmas? No, not at all.
BRIAN CHAFFE
I would want to be—what’s the name of the character, the master, the hotel key that was from Les Mis? Because he was kind of that sort of ornery character. Or in Shakespeare I’d play Falstaff, right? So those would be the sort of characters that I would get a kick out of playing. Sort of a glint of humor. Rowdy, big, but not the star.
MARIA LATHROP
Auntie Mame—I would love to be Mame. It’s kind of old. I think it was in the late ‘60s, early ‘70s. It’s about a woman who adopts this young boy and brings them into her home and creates a different life. And she has this wonderful song about “Open Every Window.”
SARA TAYLOR
I think it would be cool to be in Cats and be the lead, the gal that sings the “Memories” song. But only if I could borrow somebody’s voice to do it. Otherwise, no.
PARKER TAYLOR
I’d be in Baby Driver. I’d just be the main Baby guy.
I can see that!
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The forest is lush and green in late spring. Fresh growth tips the spruces; the maples are thick with leaves. From my perch on a mountainside trail, I can see rows of chestnut trees blossoming in white and pink along the streets of the town below. In the distance, rows of canola glow against fields crowded with silverygreen wheat.
I am 5,000 miles away from home, looking out at a landscape that could be the Inland Northwest. It’s so beautiful, I think.
From the moment I entered this country, I’ve been surprised by the ways it’s so similar to home. And yet, I’ve learned, it’s so different.
I’m spending three weeks this May and June in the Czech Republic, advising a group of college students as they study abroad. It’s an incredible privilege, and the second time I’ve had the opportunity to spend part of my summer in another country through my university affiliation.
In 2019, my family and I spent seven weeks at a study-abroad program in Viterbo, Italy. My sons were 7 and 10 years old. We told them often how special and rare the experience was. Their first trip beyond the western United States was also my husband’s. I’d been over the Rockies a handful of times since I was a teenager, but never across the Atlantic. You should be so, so grateful to see a new part of the world so early in life, we told the boys. To see how different things can be.
spokaneschoolsfoundation.org
They made a friend in Viterbo, the preteen son of my photography teacher, who was happy to practice his English by discussing Legos
and video games. From my teacher’s kitchen one evening, I heard the boys talking in the other room.
“They aren’t even allowed to sell Kinder eggs in the United States,” my teacher’s son said. My sons agreed, lamenting. They’d seen Kinder Joy candies on the shelves at home, little plastic eggs with chocolate in one side and a toy in the other. In Italy, they’d noticed, the eggs were different — hollow chocolate with the toy right inside.
“It’s weird,” the other boy continued. “You can’t have Kinder eggs, but you have so many guns.”
On our second day in the Czech Republic, a local coordinator led my students through a health and safety briefing. He advised the students to pay attention to their surroundings, especially at night. The main thing to worry about was pickpockets in the touristy areas, he said, adding, “There is almost no murder here.”
I Googled it that night, out of curiosity. According to the United Nations Annual Crime Trends Survey, the intentional homicide rate in the Czech Republic was 0.45 per 100,000 people in 2021. The United States’ was 6.81.
I went down a rabbit hole of statistics after that. The gun-related homicide rate, in particular, was 0.05 in the Czech Republic in 2020,
4.05 at home. Eighty-one times higher. The Czech suicide rate has dropped in recent decades, hitting 9.5 per 100,000 in 2019. The U.S. rate has risen over the same period, reaching 14.5. In 2019, the U.S. accounted for 44% of the entire world’s suicides by firearm.
If you gathered up a hundred random Czechs, they would own an estimated average of 12.5 guns among them. If you gathered a hundred Americans, you’d have a pile of 120 guns. More guns than people.
I think a lot about Maggie Smith’s poem “Good Bones.” I thought about it on that mountain in the Czech Republic. It’s one of those pieces of writing that’s had me by the throat since I first read it. I’ll wait a minute while you go read it.
Once, when I was running short on ideas for things to write about, I asked my Facebook friends for inspiration. A family member, with the very best of intentions, suggested I write about the beauty of my home landscape. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with that ever since. I knew I wouldn’t write what she hoped for.
It’s so beautiful in the United States. I love my town, where I live less than a mile from the hospital where I was born. I love my state, where I can visit the graves of my great-great-great grandparents overlooking the river where I spent my formative years. As a child I was taught to believe I lived in the greatest nation on earth. My children have seen other possibilities.
I know statistics are only part of the story, that no place is without its shortcomings, its miseries, its horrors. Some of my time in the Czech Republic has been spent learning about such histories. But I can’t pretend the horrors I see in my own country are misunderstandings or errors of data, when at least part of the answer seems so painfully plain.
“This place could be beautiful,” Maggie Smith writes at the end of “Good Bones,” forcing the reader to pause with a line break before, “right?”
On a mountain 5,000 miles away from home, I look out on a country that reminds me of home, and I think about how much more beautiful home could be. n
Tara Roberts is a writer and educator who lives in Moscow with her husband, sons and poodle. Her novel Wild and Distant Seas is forthcoming from Norton in 2024. Follow her on Twitter @tarabethidaho.
Bart Logue is a few minutes late to our interview because he’s outside City Hall chatting with bicycle cops. Nothing serious, just casual small talk about how big an officer’s kid had grown.
The friendliness is notable.
Over the years, Logue’s job as police ombudsman has often put him at odds with the Spokane Police Department. When something goes wrong — excessive force, rude officers, an inadequate response — Logue is there to ask tough questions and monitor the department’s Internal Affairs investigations.
But at the end of the day, Logue says he and the police share a mission.
“We both want the best policing experience in Spokane that we can get,” Logue says. “We just have different viewpoints on how to get there.”
It’s been a busy year for Logue. In December, his three-person office published a report on its first ever independent investigation — the results of which kicked off a political firestorm in City Hall.
The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by liberal City Council member Betsy Wilkerson, who said a body camera video of her interaction with police was improperly leaked to a conservative radio host in order to make her look bad. After Louge declined to certify the department’s Internal Affairs investigation into the matter three times, his ombudsman’s office stepped in with its own investigation.
While digging into the body camera footage, Logue stumbled across thousands of emails, many of which showed police Chief Craig Meidl regularly sharing preliminary police information with Chud Wendle and other downtown property owners.
The relationship wasn’t the main focus of the complaint, but Logue still published details of the emails in his closing report — writing that they showed the chief giving “special access” to Wendle and his political allies, allowing them to “bypass procedures the public uses to request police services.”
After Logue’s report was made public, activists and
community groups called for the chief’s resignation. City Council members called for further investigation. The mayor leapt to Meidl’s defense, calling the backlash an “organized attempt to disparage our police.”
We sat down with Logue to ask about the controversy surrounding the investigation, as well as the Spokane Police Guild’s ongoing labor contract negotiations, which could increase — or decrease — the ombudsman’s powers. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
INLANDER: When that report was published it kicked off a whole political firestorm. What has the fallout looked like from your end? Were you surprised by the reaction?
LOGUE: From our end, I’ll say there’s been very little fallout. I think that points to the quality of the investigation.
I don’t think it would be fair for me to say there’s a lot of people out there hoping that we’d fail, because I don’t
Spokane’s police watchdog on fallout from the chief’s email controversy, expanding the ombudsman’s powers and the future of police
WSU team invents an autonomous insect-like machine with a plethora of environmental and research applications
BY SUMMER SANDSTROMArobotic bee flutters from flower to flower, its clear wings whooshing back and forth as it collects pollen on spindly appendages and glimmers under the blazing sun.
Although it sounds like part of a science fiction film, it’s actually the Bee++, a new invention from Washington State University researchers.
Néstor Pérez-Arancibia, an associate professor of engineering, and his team began the project in 2019, but are presenting their work at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation in London this week.
It hasn’t been a simple process. A slew of challenges come with creating something as small and intricate as the Bee++, which has a 33 millimeter wingspan and is about twice as big as an adult honeybee.
The team redesigned existing technologies to invent an autonomous, flying robot with a full range of motion and yaw, the rotation of an object around a fixed central point.
“To create this motion, the yaw, is extremely hard because of our limitations of the bandwidth of the actuators or these artificial muscles,” PérezArancibia says.
The scientists designed brand new controllers, or artificial brains, allowing the bee to move instinctively.
They also developed new transmissions and actuators, which are artificial muscles connecting the components of the robo-insect together, allowing its four wings to flap and twist, swirling the air particles around at angles that lift and sustain the robot in the air.
The bee’s wings are made of carbon fiber and mylar, as well as other light-weight materials for the rest of the body. It weighs over nine times more than your average 10 milligram bee, and is equivalent to about four grains of rice.
Currently, the Bee++ is battery powered, but its weak battery lets the robot fly for only five minutes without being plugged into a power source.
“That’s not an issue related to the robotics or the control, it’s an issue related to batteries,” Pérez-Arancibia says. With the right battery technology, “the robot can fly for days or weeks.”
He says upgrading the Bee++ to a new power system could take anywhere from months to years.
While the Bee++ has a myriad of applications, a major one is artificial pollination.
Currently, for instance, bees are shipped from Massachusetts to California to help pollinate certain crops, says Pérez-Arancibia, so the Bee++ could help replace those. But his primary goal isn’t replacing bees, but rather to revive plant species crucial for bees across the globe.
Due to the low production cost of the Bee++, which Pérez-Arancibia says averages to $5 per robot, it could also provide affordable options for search and rescue endeavors.
“It’s going to be cheaper and easier in situations, for example, after an earthquake, if you have a nuclear disaster or you have fire, to send in a swarm of these flying robots than send a person or humanoid robots,” he says.
The Bee++ could also inspect pipelines for leaks, and venture into caves or high into the trees to research wildlife and environmental issues.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a research and development agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, is funding part of the research, so the Bee++ could have military applications as well.
As his team continues their work, PérezArancibia notes the project’s difficult scientific and technical issues.
“All these problems we solved are extremely hard,” he says. “There are probably only four or five groups on the planet that can do the things we do. This was a longstanding issue, so we feel very happy that we were the first group to solve it.” n summers@inlander.com
think that’s true. But there have been a lot of people out there that want to make it difficult for us to do these things. So if we’re going to finally have the opportunity to do it, we want to do it as well as we can. And I think that the investigation has withstood scrutiny. We’re sensitive to what’s occurred afterwards. But we wrote our report on that investigation and — man, we reviewed a lot of stuff.
Like 4,500. A lot. And not all of them are massive, some of them are tiny. But the ones that we looked at were very focused and pointed.
I think the first time they came back with our results, it was over 13,000 or more. And we got it to 4,500, but that’s a lot of stuff. And I think there was a chance to kind of have a tendency to do mission creep a little bit. You know: “Hmm this is interesting!”
Maybe we succumb to that a little bit. But we really tried to bring it back and focus on the allegation, the reason why we’re doing the investigation to begin with, which is exactly what we want internal affairs to do.
Now, if we had much more broad authority probably we would have continued pushing that button and following those leads where they might go to make bigger, broader recommendations for reform.
That would have included recommendations to the city as well. In fact, one of our recommendations was to the city. It was: “Hey, what’s the standard?” Because as we talked, it became clear that everyone has a different idea.
A different idea for the way records should be released?
Exactly, and I’ve been told very specifically by city legal what I can and cannot do. Well, if it’s specific for me I’m assuming it’s specific for everyone. That’s not what I found as we were going through though, right?
And it seemed like the concern in the report was that it might be privileging some people over others when it comes to the ability to request information and get it quickly.
I think the key word you just said is “might.”
But I think that’s something that, if we had broader authority, we might follow that trail. Because maybe there’s nothing to see here. But when you look at one specific thing, and it’s kind of focused and you have a magnifying glass on it, it looks interesting, right? And I think the real danger with handing out lots of stuff to specific people, is there’s always going to be people that don’t get that same access. But are there policy violations? I don’t know.
And when we were just talking about the report, I feel like I’m allowed to say we were talking about Chud Wendle and Chief Meidl and Betsy Wilkerson —
But I’m not.
And the other thing you can’t do is compel testimony. That’s something that came up in the report. Five police officers refused to be interviewed. Some county employees as well. Is that something you think needs to be changed?
Oh for sure.
The city would have to do that through collective bargaining and make whatever agreement. But when it comes down to it, if we’re going to be assigned an investigation, we need access to the people and the information in order to do any kind of good work.
When Spokane citizens voted to create the ombudsman’s office, they were voting for “full investigative authority.” Do you think that’s been truly achieved yet?
I can say that we’ve done [an independent investigation]. And it was a complicated one. I’m not sure that the structure is in place for us to be able to replicate it. So if number two comes around, everybody says, “Oh, I remember what happened last time. No way am I talking.” It’s very difficult to say we’ve met the mandate if the system isn’t in place to be replicated.
So I think that testimony and access to the information inside government systems — that should be easy but we need to codify that. We need to get it in there so that it can never be interfered with.
And the police guild, that’s something where the relationship with the ombudsman has been up and down — [Laughs] More down than up.
They’re negotiating their labor contract with the city, and that determines what you can and can’t do.
The version we have right now is they have first right of review before we publish [closing reports]. And while they’re reviewing it, if they don’t like something, they come back with suggested language changes. So I’m supposed to be independent of the city and independent of the police department, definitely independent of the police guild. And in this regard with closing reports, it makes it really feel like we’re not independent of them at all.
And then if I fail to do something, they’re going to send it to arbitration and kind of make it seem like I’m not doing my job and call for my ouster. So they’re taking it pretty seriously, which really is an attack on that structural independence of our office — at least on paper.
I don’t like it. If the police guild president was sitting right here I’d say the exact same thing the exact same way, and I’ve said it to him numerous times. But what I can say is we’ve now sent about a dozen of our closing reports through them first. They’ve never tried to take out substantive material.
There was a video circulating recently involving a Spokane police officer arresting a homeless man, and it appears to show questionable use of force. When did you become aware of that? What has the ombudsman’s involvement been up to this point?
I became aware of it within hours of it hitting Facebook and kind of going boom
We did file a complaint on that. Actually, prior to us filing a complaint on that, I reached out and I had a conversation with assistant Chief [Justin] Lundgren. I wanted to make sure they knew that there’s something percolating out there.
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And during our discussion he did ask me if we were going to have a complaint filed on that, and I said that seems to be the way it’s going. And he indicated that that’s a great place for that to get looked at closely. So there wasn’t any pushback on that.
At this stage, it’s been filed, I think it’s been assigned. Now they have 180 days. I doubt it will take that long in this one.
Someone mentioned during a recent ombudsman commission meeting about a desire for the ombudsman to look back at SPD’s 2020 protest response.
Yeah, we’ve talked about that a number of times. And that’ll likely never occur at this stage of the game.
I had actually approached the chief. I said: “Let us look. I recognize nobody’s ever done this before. There’s going to be a lot of lessons learned.” And the chief originally agreed. He wrote a letter and we were going to do it. And the police guild threw a flag — filed a grievance. And for whatever reason that grievance was never resolved.
At some point, the chief sent me a letter and said, “We didn’t get this result. So we’d like you to look at it, but you can’t talk to anybody involved. And you can’t have access to any of the information that exists.” I respectfully declined. It goes back to: Do we truly have the ability to conduct an investigation? I mean, we can conduct an investigation, which does have a chance to be successful, but we can’t talk to anybody and I can’t look at any information. How do you even start? n
Insurance peddler Neil Muller is filing an ethics complaint against a Spokane City Council member — again. Muller successfully filed an ethics complaint in 2019 that determined that Council member Karen Stratton violated conflict of interest rules when she used city letterhead promoting cannabis retailers to the city of Pasco. But now Muller’s taking Council member Zack Zappone to task for his involvement in the city redistricting process. Zappone’s map was ruled legal by a Spokane County judge earlier this year, but Muller’s complaint — which runs 16 pages and features over 100 pages of exhibits — charges that Zappone “acted in a manner that is irresponsible, untrustworthy, without integrity, untruthful, dishonest, unfair, improper” and for “personal gain” in developing and cheerleading for a map that benefitted himself. “For a non-partisan office there was an awful lot of gamesmanship,” Muller wrote.
(DANIEL WALTERS)
In May 2022, Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward appointed Lynden Smithson to fill in as Spokane’s interim city attorney. Just over a year later, Smithson is still interim city attorney, and Woodward is catching criticism for appearing to ignore an ordinance that says people appointed to interim city positions “shall serve as such for up to 180 days.” The 180-day period can be extended by the City Council, but that hasn’t happened. Lisa Brown, who is hoping to unseat Woodward, pointed this out on Twitter, writing, “Do we even have a city attorney right now?” In response, Woodward said she “appointed” Smithson a year ago, and that City Council refused to confirm him. When asked for his view on the matter, Smithson said he had shared his legal opinion with the City Council, but that’s protected by attorneyclient privilege. (NATE SANFORD)
Award season is upon us, and the Inlander is in contention. For the national Association of Alternative Newsmedia awards, we are in rare company with our six nominations, a feat reached by only a handful of other weeklies, including Vermont’s Seven Days, the Chicago Reader, D.C.’s Washington City Paper, and Willamette Week in Portland. Nate Sanford is nominated for beat reporting for his work covering Camp Hope. In feature writing, both Sanford and Daniel Walters are finalists for a story they wrote about the former sheriff (“Ozzie vs. the World,” Dec. 15, 2022). Samantha Wohlfeil is up for a solutions journalism award for her story about Colville Confederated Tribes working to trap and relocate 50 lynx from Canada to the reservation (“Lynx Revival,” Feb. 17, 2022). Photographers Young Kwak and Erick Doxey are up for a joint photojournalism award. And CMarie Fuhrman is nominated for a collection of her columns. The regional Society of Professional Journalists has also named a number of Inlander staffers for awards, including Arts & Culture Editor Chey Scott and Creative Director Derek Harrison. Congrats to us! (NICHOLAS DESHAIS)
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Washington’s roads czar is warning that the state transportation system is “on a glidepath to failure” after lawmakers put too much money into building new projects and not enough into upkeep.
Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar said this “misalignment” in the latest budget makes it likely the state will continue to fall behind on its highway maintenance responsibilities.
“I have carried the message for my tenure at WSDOT that our system is on a glidepath to failure, and while there have been some improvements on this front, the reality is that we are still on a downward trajectory,” Millar wrote in a May 19 memo to department employees.
The letter went out three days after Gov. Jay Inslee signed the new state transportation budget containing money for agency operations from July 1 through June 30, 2025.
The two-year, $13.4 billion budget pays for transportation projects, state ferries, highway maintenance and preservation, court-ordered culvert replacements, and public transit. It also funds the Washington State Patrol and Department of Licensing.
It allots $700 million each year for highway maintenance and preservation, about $300 million less than Millar has estimated is needed.
No lawmakers attended the budget signing — which occurred the morning of the special session on overhauling how drug possession is handled by the state’s criminal justice system.
The three-term Democratic governor applauded the “unprecedented” amount of funding for climate-related projects and inclusion of money to replace the Columbia River bridge on Interstate 5.
Inslee also argued the budget promises projects the state can’t deliver, relying on money it won’t have. He said lawmakers failed to account for declining gas tax revenues and increasing labor and material costs. He first raised such concerns last month.
The funding shortfall for maintenance and preservation, according to the governor, means “things as simple as litter clean-up or as crucial as bridge repairs” won’t get done.
“This is a chronic problem of legislators wanting to have blue ribbon events for new projects instead of maintaining our bridges and maintaining our roads and not being eaten alive by potholes,” he added.
The governor even quoted state Sen. Curtis King, RYakima, who, in a budget debate on the Senate floor, said the state is “going to be faced with some deep challenges” in the upkeep of the road system in the coming years.
“I will be signing this budget today out of necessity, but no one should interpret my signature as an endorsement,” Inslee said.
State Sen. Marko Liias, D-Everett, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and an architect of the budget, called it “a little philosophical divide.”
“He took a shot at us on maintenance and preservation. I get the governor isn’t invested in all of the projects because he lives in one spot of the state,” Liias said. “We
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have to reflect the needs and wants of a larger constituency to get bipartisan support.”
The final legislation passed 98-0 in the House and 46-3 in the Senate.
“If he can find a way to get 145 votes with his priorities, show it to me,” Liias added.
King, the ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee, seemed amused Monday to learn he had been cited by the governor.
“I sure didn’t hear a whole lot about that when he signed the Move Ahead Washington package,” he said, referring to the $17 billion spending bill passed in 2022. Democrats pushed it through with little input and no votes from GOP lawmakers.
“All four caucuses are working diligently on what we can do from this point forward,” King said. “Promises have been made over the years on projects. Those promises need to be kept as well. We are trying to find a balance between maintenance and preservation and finishing the projects.”
Millar joined the state Department of Transportation as deputy secretary in October 2015. Inslee appointed him secretary in August 2016, succeeding Lynn Peterson who was effectively fired when the Republican-controlled Senate failed to confirm her to the post.
In January, Millar stressed the importance of adequate maintenance and preservation dollars in presentations to the transportation committees in the House and Senate.
Echoing Inslee’s beef with lawmakers over the budget, Millar in his letter also cited concern with the “misalignment between the projects the Legislature would like our agency and industry partners to deliver and what can realistically be completed.”
And, he also expressed frustration with “the unprecedented pace and volume of work that is expected of our agency” and a lack of resources to ensure there is adequate staff to get it all done. n
FRIDAY, JUNE 2 ND & SATURDAY, JUNE 3 RD
6 PM - 9:30 PM
CHINOOK LOUNGE
Singer-songwriter Gabriella Rose has emerged with her debut single “In The Dark,” set to appear on her soon-to-be-announced full length debut from Coeur d’Alene Records.
FRIDAY, JUNE 2 ND & SATURDAY, JUNE 3 RD
8:30 PM - 12:30 AM
NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE
Head to the Nighthawk to enjoy Chasing Eos, a cover band playing hits from 70s to the current day. They’ll have you dancing all night long.
Chill out at our newest bar, located on the casino floor. The Chill Bar serves frozen blended drinks in foot-long plastic glasses, wine, beer and more. Open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to midnight.
It’s a bit morbid, perhaps, but among Daniel Lopez’s deepest fears is dying with an unfinished painting still on his easel.
Although his work is widely recognized throughout Spokane in the form of dozens of murals — like his pixelated “American Jesus” in downtown Spokane and a recent installation at Gonzaga University — Lopez is still in the early stages of establishing himself in the fine art realm with his masterful oil paintings.
Sitting in the living room of his third-floor apartment in the Garland District, Lopez is surrounded by this newto-him oeuvre. Each canvas is freshly varnished, custom framed and ready for its public debut in his upcoming solo art show, “World War Me.” About 20 paintings Lopez has completed within the past two years are being displayed through June in the circular, mezzanine gallery
of Entropy, a newish vinyl and vintage decor shop on the ground floor of Spokane’s iconic Parkade parking structure.
“One of my greatest fears is I’ll be working on some masterpiece and die, and then it’ll never be complete,” Lopez says with a laugh as he stands in front of a workin-progress perched on a wooden easel in his modest home studio.
“I know they keep those [unfinished] paintings from those artists,” Lopez continues, referring to the many Baroque and Renaissance masters who’ve inspired him. “But I’m still like, ‘Please, oh no, please don’t let me die before I finish this.’ It’s weird, but yeah.”
The painting in front of him depicts two heavily tattooed men facing each other, their foreheads pressed together and their right hand behind each other’s necks.
BY CHEY SCOTTWhile they appear to be embracing each other in an act of brotherly love, each man holds a knife in their left hand. A stain of blood seeps through the shirt of one, and knife sheath protrudes from the side of the other.
Though it appears nearly finished to an undiscerning eye, Lopez explains that this is just the underpainting, or base layer, before more fine details are added. While this painting probably won’t be ready for his June show, the subject matter encapsulates the deeply personal themes of his art slated for exhibition.
“There is an intimacy here, and a trust,” he says of this particular piece. “A friend, even if they hurt you, they will tell you the truth. I think when people see [my] paintings, they might not hear the whole story, but it’s got enough information where, hopefully, they can connect with the imagery.”
Daniel Lopez’s oil paintings, including detail of “Pietà,” above right. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
His fear is not for nothing. The 40-yearold Lopez has been close to death before. Three times, to be exact, while living on the streets of L.A. as a heroin addict, he overdosed and survived.
Today, almost 10 years clean, he’s candid about his troubled past, and how finding art — and God — has helped him heal and process that trauma while continuing to navigate being estranged from his still-living family members in Southern California.
“The evolution of my painting was when I started to ask myself who I was, which is kind of where this show is heading,” Lopez says.
“My mother was an addict, and my father was an addict and a gang member, so my grandmother adopted and raised me,” he continues. “One thing I think my art has helped me do is to connect and build a family through my supporters, and to find my culture. It’s helped me share where I came from, Southern California and the Hispanic side. And there is a lot of beauty and passion in that culture along with the bad stigmas, too. So I’ve used my art to reminisce about those things when I was growing up, but also to help me process.”
“Ella,” a woman with her shining brunette hair rolled into a pompadour style adorned with rubyred roses basks in the California sun. Lopez has also painted a few stoic self-portraits.
While his subjects range from triumphant to heartrending, Lopez’s art is characterized by muted palettes using variations of pigments that have been around for centuries. He elegantly balances light and shadow, and his human subjects present a softness of skin and facial features reminiscent of the Old Masters who inspire him: Raphael, Michelangelo, da Vinci and their contemporaries.
Transitioning from using unwieldy cans of spray paint on the exponentially larger canvas of a mural to the tiniest paintbrushes on archival-quality linen canvases was “madness,” Lopez says.
“It was really a struggle, because I felt like I had to separate those two,” he says of the distinct styles he’s developed for each medium. “The oil paintings helped me slow down, because if you ever see me paint a mural, I fly through those things.”
It’s been five years now since Lopez climbed atop a scissor lift and spray painted his way across the brick facade of a historic downtown Spokane building to create one of his most talked-about pieces of art, “American Jesus.”
Mural work is still what allows him to make a living as a professional artist, including recent commissions from Gonzaga University, where he left his mark inside its Hemmingson Center with his “Unity” mural, and at a new Spokane Valley ice cream shop, High Voltage Creamery.
This funding is made possible by United States American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) dollars received by
Lopez’s most personal piece — and the technical pinnacle of his self-taught oil painting progress so far — is a 3-by-4-foot piece titled “Pietà.” A mother seated on the end of a worn sofa cradles the head of her son, his eyes closed and one arm hanging limply toward the floor. Just below a shoestring tourniquet, a syringe dangles from his inner elbow.
“Pietà” contrasts a deeply painful moment — a mother’s pain and longing to help her child — with the exquisite beauty Lopez captures in every detail, from the soft folds of the mother’s woven shroud to the tense tendons of her bare feet and the peaceful expression on her son’s face.
“The good moments are easy to connect to, but when it comes to the tougher moments, I don’t always feel like I want to call my friends and tell them about it and have them do a therapy session,” Lopez says. “I’ve learned to embrace it and work through it, as painful as it is, and turn it into something positive, which is my paintings.”
Other pieces of his are less loaded, showcasing the many facets of his Chicano culture. In
Whereas a mural can be completed in a few days, Lopez’s oil paintings can take months.
“I can’t rush the paint,” he says. “I feel like I have this relationship with the paint — there’s an intimacy there. It’s not just throwing paint on the canvas, but I’m very familiar and close to not only my brush, I’m very aware of what it does, and the paint as a substance and the mediums I use. Here in my studio, it’s the one place in the world where I am in full control.”
With each precise brushstroke in his intimate, story-laden scenes, Lopez continues to take one step further from his challenging past, and one step closer to his dream of becoming a modern master of painting whose work is talked about even after he really is gone.
“I believe in myself so much that these paintings are going to outlast me,” he says. “I’ve devoted my whole life to this.” n
Daniel Lopez: World War Me • Reception Fri, June 2 from 5-9 pm; on display through July 3, Mon-Thu from 10 am-6 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am-7 pm • Free • Entropy • 101 N. Stevens St. • godffiti.com • entropyspokane.com
Lopez started getting serious about oil painting about two years ago.The construction of Grand Coulee Dam was revolutionary. So revolutionary, in fact, people traveled to Eastern Washington in hordes just to catch a glimpse, to work on it themselves, and to be a part of the most significant public works project in history (up until that point).
Even though it brought low-cost electricity to the Northwest, Grand Coulee Dam’s construction was quite controversial at the time due to its location and ultimate purpose, and its impacts on people and the environment.
In her recently published novel The Grand Promise, Seattle-based author Rebekah Anderson highlights the oft-forgotten cost of the dam’s construction through interwoven storylines of tense child-parent relationships, moral dilemmas and people’s response to change. During two upcoming events at Spokane Public Library branches on June 7 and 8, Anderson is set to discuss the research that went into writing The Grand Promise.
When construction began on the dam in 1933, Anderson’s grandparents resided in a small town about 100 miles north of the dam’s future site, fairly close to the Canadian border.
“I went on a road trip with my mom to see the house that my grandfather was born in several years ago,” Anderson says. “And she was telling me that the town where his school was, was no longer there.”
“I asked her why it isn’t there anymore and she told me that the town is literally under Lake Roosevelt,” she says. “And that’s what got me interested in this because the dam isn’t even that close. It’s not exactly in the neighborhood.”
As the road trip progressed, Anderson began to wonder how many people still know about the Grand Coulee Dam’s history and the displacement it caused. From then, she became determined to preserve the stories of the people who lived through it, with her own grandparents’ lives serving as the catalyst for the story.
The Grand Promise begins with a heated town meeting as a representative from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation informs the citizens of Kettle Rapids that a dam is to be built on the Columbia River, just south of their homes.
Good news: The dam will provide irrigation to 10,000 square miles of farmland east of the Cascades and pay back construction costs in less than 50 years.
Bad news: The town of Kettle Rapids will soon be underwater as a result of dam-
ming the Columbia River along with other towns situated on offshoots of the Columbia. Outraged, its residents yell out a flurry of questions. How much will they be paid to relocate? When will they have to leave? What about the lives they’ve worked so hard to build?
As things become heated between the residents and Bureau representatives, so do familial relationships.
Carter Price, the novel’s protagonist, hasn’t had an easy life. His wife wants a divorce. His father belittles him endlessly. He’s had enough and decides to flee Kettle Rapids for a fresh start. He ends up at the dam site, working for the very people his father despises.
As The Grand Promise progresses, readers encounter characters from all walks of life who are equally invested in the construction of the dam, each for very different reasons.
Carter’s Native American co-worker Joe Mainzer works on the construction crew despite knowing his people’s lands are soon to be destroyed.
Grand Coulee’s construction caused flooding of lands traditionally held by the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The flooding also wiped away the salmon population that had sustained the region’s Indigenous population, along with spiritual practices surrounding salmon and the river.
Along with ensuring character accuracy, Anderson wanted to make sure she had her geography down pat.
“I spent a lot of time in Kettle Falls, of course, but also in Colville, Wenatchee, Ephrata and at Fort Spokane,” she says. “I made frequent trips out there and took a lot of notes about landscape and where it changes because Carter is walking for a decent portion of the book.”
“I also spent a lot of time looking at old photos because a lot of the buildings that I talk about aren’t there anymore due to flooding and time.”
The Grand Promise comes to a head in 1937 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt visits the dam site. He’s met with a roaring crowd full of supporters as well as protesters.
“As I wrote the story I wanted to take a deliberately neutral position through the writing,” Anderson says. “Part of the conflict of the story is that there are two sides to this and it’s not a straightforward good or bad evaluation.”
Though the reader never learns exactly what happens to the novel’s characters after the dam’s completion on June 1, 1942, Anderson says that’s intentional.
“The whole story, you read about the pros and cons of the dam,” she says. “The characters must learn to live with the upsides as well as the downsides. That’s just how life goes.” n
Rebekah Anderson & Shawn Vestal • Wed, June 7 from 6:30-7:30 pm
Free
Liberty Park Library • 502 S. Pittsburg St. Inland Northwest Special Collections Writing Tour
Event details at spokanelibrary.org
The world’s a disaster, so where are all the great disaster movies? The 2000s have been a mediocre “Is Pepsi OK?” period for catastrophe cinema: Geostorm, Moonfall, 2012, San Andreas, like 14 Sharknados — go home, 21st century, you’re not drunk enough. The Golden Age of summer tentpole disaster movies was obviously the 1990s, and here are seven of the decade’s best-ish to stream.
A toxic waste truck explosion traps a demographically acceptable group of survivors in a New York tunnel, and it’s up to an ex-EMS chief (Sylvester Stallone) and, of course, a playwright (Amy Brennemen) to get them out. Fire, water, a collapsing tunnel, Stallone attempting to pronounce “hypothermia,” a respectable body count — Daylight has it all. And really, any movie that kills off Viggo Mortensen halfway through is doing something right.
Storm-chasing meteorologists Jo (Helen Hunt) and Bill (Bill Paxton) work to launch a tornado research device (named “Dorothy,”get it?) during an Oklahoma twister outbreak. You might remember this movie for its then-spectacular special FX (including those flying cows) and still-baffling push to make Hunt an action star, but don’t forget that Twister also marked the last gasp of Van Hagar with their cringe-tastic (and therefore action-flick perfect) theme song.
Set in the distant future of 2007, a pair of cops (Christopher Lambert and Natasha Henstridge) track a superhuman mutant in the sewers of Boston. Complicating matters, the city has been quarantined and walled-off from the rest of the country because that mutant has brought a deadly virus with him from Europe.
Adrenalin: Fear the Rush is Contagion meets Escape From New York meets C.H.U.D. bloated on Sam Adams lah-gah.
Dante’s Peak was first of two volcano disaster epics released in 1997, starring Pierce Brosnan as a volcanologist whose fiancée was killed by an eruption in Colombia (traumatic foreshadowing). Years later, he’s investigating a potential volcanic eruption in the small Washington town of Dante’s Peak — spoiler, it erupts. Brosnan runs about spouting classic action-movie lines like “That … is a pyroclastic cloud” while ’splodey mountain does its thing. Fun fact: The movie was partly filmed in Wallace, Idaho.
When a volcano forms in the La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles and lava begins flowing through the streets, it’s up to an emergency management officer (Tommy Lee Jones in paycheck-collecting mode) and a geologist (an especially feisty Anne Heche) to save the city. The best part? They have to demolish at least one eyesore condominium to do it. Volcano is flashier and more proudly stupid than Dante’s Peak, which is so on-brand for L.A.
The most unbelievable part of Deep Impact is the idea of an MSNBC journalist (Téa Leoni) breaking any kind of story, much less one of a comet headed directly for Earth. The best bet to avoid this extinction-level event is to blow up the comet, which a joint U.S./ Russia nuclear space mission effs up spectacularly — buh-bye, East Coast. Fun fact: MSNBC participated in Deep Impact because CNN refused on journalist principle. Times really have changed.
During a Hard Rain that’s caused the town to be evacuated, armored truck drivers Tom (Christian Slater) and Charlie (Ed Asner) are ambushed by Morgan Freeman, who’s in most of the above movies, as well. Meanwhile, the town’s dam has opened, the corrupt local sheriff (Randy Quaid) and his goons are coming for the armored truck money, and only Tom and his ThinlyWritten Eyecandy Costar (Minnie Driver) can stop them. Suck it, Hurricane Heist n
After helming Spokane Arts since 2016, MELISSA HUGGINS announced last week that she’s departing her role as its executive director at the end of July. A list of the nonprofit’s achievements during Huggins’ seven-year tenure is long, and includes the installation of 17 new murals across the city (plus more than 100 art wraps on traffic signal boxes); a diverse array of new arts programming in poetry, film, theater, music and more; the introduction of 50 new public art sculptures; and the distribution of more than $1.3 million in grants to local artists and arts organizations. Huggins is departing the nonprofit for a new role with Whipsmart, a statewide organization focused on supporting creative entrepreneurs. A national search for Spokane Arts’ new executive director is underway. (CHEY SCOTT)
Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online on June 2.
FOO FIGHTERS, BUT HERE WE ARE. After the passing of beloved drummer Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters look to find musical healing and refuge through the power of arena-filling rock.
BULLY, LUCKY FOR YOU. Nashville’s Alicia Bognanno is one of the most consistently great voices in modern grungy alt-rock, but how is the tour supporting Lucky for You not coming to Lucky You?
RANCID, TOMORROW NEVER COMES. Now 10 albums into a storied career, the old punk dogs of Rancid look to prove their bark is still as raw and potent as their bite.
McKINLEY DIXON, BELOVED! PARADISE! JAZZ!? The eclectic, poetic flow of McKinley Dixon is on full display in this appropriately jazzy collection of hip-hop introspection.
TANYA TUCKER, SWEET WESTERN SOUND. Before Tucker finally gets inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year, she looks to prove she’s still got her fastball on her 26th album.
PROTOMARTYR, FORMAL GROWTH IN THE DESERT. The slowburn sinister snarl of singer Joe Casey continues to give Protomartyr one of the most distinctively ominous and brutal sounds in the post-punk realm. (SETH SOMMERFELD)
The ’90s were the golden age of disaster movies — here are some of the best/worstDo Twister ’s special effects even hold up?
FROM AUDITIONS TO OPENING NIGHT: HOW THE SPOKANE CIVIC THEATRE
TOOK CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY FROM PAGE TO STAGE
STORY BY E.J. IANNELLI | PHOTOS BY ERICK DOXEY
Everyone knows the story of Charlie, the Golden Ticket and his fateful visit to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. And if you don’t, well, I’m sorry. It’s a great story. Good news is the Spokane Civic Theatre has the play on its main stage through June 18. When you go and see it, you may ask, how in the world did they pull off such a production? Look no further than these pages, where we peek behind the curtain to reveal how such a magical tale is brought to life, from auditions all the way to opening night. It’s everything you ever wanted. Just don’t forget what happened to the person who suddenly got everything they wanted.
— NICHOLAS DESHAIS, editorWell over two months before the curtain’s first rise on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, amateur actors descend on the Spokane Civic Theatre with high hopes of appearing in the production. It’s the regional premiere of this 2013 musical and the grand finale to the theater’s 75th season, which makes the stakes slightly higher than usual.
This is already the second round of auditions. The first round, split over the past two days, brought in more than 90 actors. The number who are here on this Tuesday evening has been whittled down by half. And by the end of the night their ranks will be thinned by half again. As large as the production is, there are only about two dozen roles available.
Some actors are on the Civic’s main stage belting out the songs over music director Henry McNulty’s keyboard accompaniment. Some are in side rooms, scripts in hand, running through key scenes. Some are in the lobby with choreographer Jillian Kehne, performing a tabletop tap-dance routine with — for reasons that will become evident in later rehearsals — shoes on their hands.
When the actors aren’t in one of these stations, they’re anxiously waiting to be called. And waiting. And waiting some more. For as much activity as there is, there’s also a lot of patient standing-by.
When it is an actor’s turn, they’re being studied, sized up, scrutinized. Members of the creative team are taking handwritten and mental notes, deliberating with colleagues in low voices. Stage managers Mary George and Lauretta Heaney always seem to be arranging neat piles of paper organized by character, scene or score. There are notecards on every individual; micro-dossiers with their names, preferred roles and availability.
At the start of the evening there are six possible Charlies. Several would-be Grandpa Joes. At least two potential Mrs. Gloops and Mrs. Buckets. And with each permutation of actors, you can see the different Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that might result. Troy Nickerson, the show’s veteran director, is constantly reconciling the show he’s envisioning with the unique qualities that each actor brings. Around 10 pm, with only a few people left in the building, he’s still busy conferring with Kehne, McNulty and the others about who’s right for each role.
Two weeks later, the actors assemble for the second time since receiving a congratulatory phone call. The cast is seated around tables arranged in a square in the Civic’s lobby. They read through the script from start to finish with only brief pauses for laughter. Nickerson glosses over the songs with the phrase, “Singity sing, sing, sing.” Some actors — Mitch Heid as gluttonous Augustus Gloop, Tamara Schupman as flighty Grandma Josephine — are already comfortably in character, whereas others are still getting a feel for their role, the dialogue and their fellow cast members. Once Connie Mack Overstreet delivers Charlie’s final line to a collective “Awww” and applause, everyone soon disperses. This was the easy part. Now the real work begins.
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In the five weeks since the very first reading, the cast has been divvied up to work separately on different components of the show. They’ve rehearsed specific songs or choreography — sometimes individually or in pairs, most often in small groups. Rehearsals aren’t held every single day for every single actor, but at least four evenings per week and one weekend afternoon are dedicated to going over music, dance moves or blocking with the principals. Some of the rehearsals have taken place in the Civic’s studio theater, but many have been held in Kehne’s and McNulty’s homes. This is more a matter of logistics than anything else, as National Pastime is currently running on the main stage.
Tonight they’re combining the results of those separate rehearsals into a full run-through of the show’s first act, which takes Charlie from a destitute chocolate aficionado to a Golden Ticket winner who’s about to enter Willy Wonka’s mysterious factory. As the actors perform against unpainted stick-frame sets, director Nickerson typically hovers no more than a few feet away, as if sculpting the action through sheer proximity. Unlike the read-through back in March, this is not about expediency. Each scene is replayed two, three, four times, sometimes more, while the offstage cast thumb through scripts or scroll on their phones.
There’s an audio companion to this story on Spokane Public Radio. It includes sound captured during the auditions and rehearsals, plus field interviews with the cast and creative team of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. To hear it when it first airs, tune to the Thursday Arts (P)review on KPBX (91.1 FM) at noon on June 1. Or, you can always listen at spokanepublicradio.org or by checking out the Thursday Arts (P)review podcast on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.
There are minor discussions over how soup bowls are passed, where laundry baskets can be placed, where coats should hang. The four bedridden grandparents in the Bucket household spontaneously come up with a novel snoring routine that adds a little color and musicality. “That’s darling,” Nickerson says. It’s now a permanent part of the production.
The biggest visible change is that the show’s original Willy Wonka had to leave for personal reasons. Taking his place is the actor first cast as Veruca Salt’s father, Jerrod Phelps. Nickerson is just grateful that the swap happened while they’re still counting weeks and not days before the first curtain call.
Taking the cast changes in stride, the actors are mostly off-book (i.e. not reading from the script) — though calls for “Line!” punctuate the rehearsals, sometimes in quick succession — and the choreography has solidified. But with a little over three weeks to go until opening night, large portions of the production still seem unsettled and barebones.
What a transformation. Just nine days after the Act I run-through, the production feels like it’s begun to coalesce around a core vision. Set designer Jeremy Whittington’s backdrops are painted now, and his art deco, Metropolis-style backdrop has leapt from his sketches to stage. The beds that were wooden frames one week earlier are now covered in a custom quilt that props advisors Trudy Rogers and Marty Kittleson whipped up. Lines flow more smoothly, and the choreography has tightened.
That’s not to say all the kinks have been ironed out. Thomas Heppler who plays Grandpa Joe is absent tonight, so Melody Deatheridge, a familiar face on the community theater stage, has been asked to read his lines. Phelps’ Wonka is hiding a supermarket granola bar in his pocket instead of a magical Wonka Bar. Jamie Suter, the lead costumer, isn’t yet sure how gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde (played by Lacey Olson) is going to balloon
into a giant blueberry when she runs afoul of Wonka’s rules. Fortunately, the past few weeks have refined the clever way the ensemble will shrink to the size of Oompa Loompas: puppet bodies.
Although the broad structure of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory now appears more fully baked, tonight’s focus is the icing — things like props, flow, sound cues and lighting. The “paper tech” is so named because all of these undecided elements are proposed, finessed and then written down, at which point they become more or less fixed. Suter, Rogers and Kittleson are constantly on hand as part of that process, as is lighting designer Bryan Durbin. The results are a mix of the ideas they arrive with and their creative responses to what the production demands. Like every rehearsal milestone before it, the paper tech is a cycle of meticulous refinement that involves time, dedication and patience.
There are many firsts in the evolution of a musical theater production, and the sitzprobe — German for “seated rehearsal” — marks the very first time that the full orchestra and the singers sit down together. Earlier this morning, that’s precisely what happened. McNulty and the six other musicians joined the cast in performing each song, one after the other. Up to that point, the actors had only ever sung to McNulty accompanying on keyboard.
This afternoon, the cast is back on stage and one step shy of dress rehearsal. Though it’s packed with actors-in-waiting, the backstage area is dark, illuminated only by mobile phones and wall-mounted stage monitors. There’s very little incidental activity in the wings. Nearly all of the elements that were identified during the paper tech are now incorporated. The only missing
piece, it seems, is the costumes.
Some details still aren’t settled. On which step should Wonka stand during the Act I finale? Was Charlie meant to cross here or there? Should the newscasters be positioned to the left or the right? Where was that spotlight supposed to fall? How high should the winners raise their Golden Tickets? The debates can stretch on for minutes, but the common goal is delighting the audience.
Backstage, an anonymous voice poses a hushed question: “Are we ever going to move on?” “Someday,” comes the whispered reply.
There are just six days left until opening night. Between now and then is the stretch known as Hell Week, which is every bit as frantic and fraught as it sounds.
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Through June 18; Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm (Sat, June 3 and 17 shows at 2 pm) $10/students, $30/military, ages 65 and up, $35/adults Spokane
“BEHIND THE CURTAIN,” CONTINUED...
In the final weeks, perfecting choreography, musical numbers, sound and costumes continue at a frantic and fraught pace.
See more behind-the-scenes action from the Civic’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in a slideshow at Inlander.com.
This is it. Tonight is the culmination of everything that the cast, crew and creative team of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have poured into this production over the past 11 weeks.
Directly below the Civic stage is a network of corridors, chambers and common areas buzzing with actors and musicians. The energy in the green room is palpable. Phelps says he’s anxious but is somehow channeling it. Overstreet is nervous, too, but he knows enough to avoid the self-perpetuating spiral of worry. Even Nickerson, with over 40 years’ worth of Civic productions under his belt, admits to having butterflies.
An hour before showtime, the pit musicians are warming up with scales. The actors are onstage practicing their curtain call. They squeeze in some last-minute dance rehearsal. Then comes the countdown.
“Fifteen minutes to places!”
The house is packed.
“Ten minutes to places!”
Nickerson gathers everyone into the green room. They stand in a circle holding hands as he offers his gratitude and praises their dedication. “Listen to each other,” he advises them. “Be there for each other. Support each other.”
And though opening night isn’t the time for surprises, Jake Schaefer, the Civic’s executive director, has one up his sleeve during his short preshow speech. On behalf of the Spokane Civic Theatre, he presents Nickerson with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Then Phelps appears onstage.
“My name is Willy Wonka,” he announces. “And I make chocolate.” n
Four weeks before the opening day of the Spokane Farmers Market, it didn’t have a home.
A few months earlier, Atania Gilmore had accepted the market’s manager position after being assured that it would be the perfect, low-stress gig for transitioning into retirement.
This year marks the Spokane Farmers Market’s 25th anniversary, and for more than a decade it had popped up every Saturday morning in a vacant lot at Fifth Avenue and Browne Street, on land owned by Providence medical group. There shouldn’t have been much to do. On April 17, Gilmore emailed Providence, asking them to confirm the lot’s availability. They could not.
It wasn’t a complete surprise. Providence had been transparent about its interest in selling the land, though there was no active sale. But with the market set to open in 26 days and still no guarantee, Gilmore couldn’t keep vendors in limbo. Immediately, she texted Karyna
BY ELIZA BILLINGHAMGoldsmith, veteran market manager of South Perry’s Thursday Market.
“I think I need to scout out a second location,” Gilmore wrote.
Early this spring, another of the region’s oldest and biggest urban farmers markets was also racing to change locations before opening day. Both the Spokane Farmers Market and Kootenai County Farmers Market have since found new neighborhood homes, and their 2023 seasons have kicked off fruitfully.
Gilmore was able to rehome the Spokane Farmers Market to Coeur d’Alene Park in Browne’s Addition. Across the state line, the Kootenai market also moved its Wednesday night market from the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene to the Riverstone development. Despite these unexpected challenges, both markets found supportive new communities, and saw their most successful opening days in recent memory.
The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, meanwhile, also launched its own Wednesday night market in the city’s core, called the 5th Street Farmers Market.
When Goldsmith with the South Perry market got Gilmore’s text, she was eager to help. She called Dawn Frey at the city of Spokane’s Parks and Recreation Department. Frey immediately suggested Coeur d’Alene Park, soon to be the first stop of Spokane’s new Central City Line, a bus rapid transit line that will run between Browne’s Addition and Spokane Community College beginning July 15.
The first day she spent triaging the market’s plans was a roller coaster, Gilmore says. Nine o’clock started with panic and dread. By 2 pm, however, she was walking through Coeur d’Alene Park with Frey, thrilled with what she saw. The park had shade, water and restrooms. It wasn’t too far from their old location. It had the best
of both worlds — the charm and walkability of a neighborhood, plus easy access from I-90.
“What I didn’t know is that it’s the oldest park in the city,” Gilmore says. She realized how fitting it would be for the city’s oldest park to host the city’s oldest farmers market.
Gilmore went to her board with two pieces of news: The market needed to move, but it already had a place to go.
“Not too much time to feel anxious about having no home,” recalls Kira Olsen, president of the Spokane Farmers Market board.
Next, Gilmore nervously walked into a Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council meeting to ask for their blessing. She was met with immediate applause. Council members were thrilled to host the new market in their neighborhood park.
More events means the park stays safer and cleaner, according to Frey. Plus, families and students in the neighborhood eagerly anticipated fresh produce just steps from their front door.
Timothy Pellow of Tolstoy Farms, a founding member of the Spokane Farmers Market, was worried about spreading word of the move in time. People come to his stand from all over the city. But it wasn’t an issue. Pellow says his opening day sales were almost double what they were last year.
In fact, most vendors sold out, says Gilmore, including Viva Ultra, a new bakery that ran out of bread in just two hours. (Owner Noah Rosen says his record is 1 hour and 45 minutes.)
“I still feel like we’re sort of still our regional farmers market rather than a neighborhood one,” Pellow says, “even though we are really connected now to this neighborhood.”
Emily Boyd, executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, said it was a “mutual decision” to discontinue the Wednesday night Kootenai County Farmers Market. Boyd and Selbe agreed that the missions of the two organizations didn’t align anymore. On Jan. 20, the downtown association submitted a permit request for a Wednesday night market on Fifth Street starting May 10. By mid-February, Selbe learned her market would need to find a new location.
It only took Selbe a few weeks to choose where to move, but she decided to hold off on telling Kootenai County Farmers Market’s vendors until she had a contract set in stone.
Riverstone is a retail and residential community 10 minutes northwest of downtown Coeur d’Alene. Beautiful condos sit above storefronts along the river, with a movie theater and plenty of restaurants down the street. It seemed a perfect place for a market, except that it, too, had rows of small shops. Riverstone sent local business owners a survey to gauge interest in having the farmers market join them.
5TH STREET FARMERS MARKET
Wednesdays from 4-7 pm through Sept. 4. Fifth Street between Front Ave. and Coeur d’Alene St., downtown Coeur d’Alene. cdadowntown.com/ 5thstreetmarket
KOOTENAI COUNTY FARMERS MARKET
Saturdays from 9 am-1:30 pm (Highway 95 and Prairie Ave., Hayden) and Wednesdays from 4-7 pm (Riverstone, 2151 N. Main St., Coeur d’Alene) through Sept. 27. kootenaifarmersmarkets.org
SPOKANE FARMERS MARKET
Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting June 14) from 8 am-1 pm, through Oct. 25. Coeur d’Alene Park, 300 S. Chestnut St. spokanefarmersmarket.org
Find a complete list of all Inland Northwest farmers markets at Inlander.com/events.
In Coeur d’Alene, Natalie Selbe’s concerns had been brewing for months, even years. This was her fourth year as manager of the Kootenai County Farmers Market, which operates two weekly markets, one off busy U.S. Route 95 in Hayden every Saturday, and another evening market in downtown Coeur d’Alene during the week. The market has a 37-year history, including 17 years operating downtown.
Recently, though, permits were getting more expensive and relationships with business owners more strained, Selbe says.
The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, which exists to support downtown business owners, asked the Kootenai County Farmers Market to include brick-and-mortar businesses as vendors. The Kootenai County Farmers Market refused, citing its mission to provide opportunities only for small vendors with no storefronts and who create their own products within 100 miles of Kootenai County. Some downtown storefronts are traditional retailers, selling products made somewhere else.
Responses were so positive that Selbe signed the contract. Vendors got excited to move, and 80 of them — 20 more than usual — signed up for the market’s first day.
Opening day on May 17 at the Kootenai County Farmers Market’s new Wednesday site was crowded and cohesive.
Stephanie Platt of Gem State Mushrooms decided to collaborate with nearby restaurants, giving local chefs the opportunity to create dishes showcasing her mushrooms and offering samples at her booth.
“This influx of foot traffic benefits not only the market vendors but also the surrounding businesses, creating a ripple effect in economic growth in the community,” Platt says.
Danny Flewelling of Danny Pleasant Gardens is also a part-time employee at Buckle, one of Riverstone’s shops. His farmers market booth ended up right across from the clothing boutique, and he waved his coworkers over to check it out.
Yarid Ramirez, vendor and owner of Pawbulous Dog Bakery, said employees from a nearby nail salon and a yoga studio stopped at her booth to introduce themselves and buy pet treats.
“I’ve never seen such a sense of community,” Ramirez says.
“It couldn’t be a better spot,” Flewelling adds. “All smiles at the end of the day.”
Back in downtown Coeur d’Alene, the new 5th Street Farmers Market also did well on its opening day, says co-director Tanden Launder. It’s a great sign, he says, proving that Coeur d’Alene is big enough to support two markets. He and his wife Nichole are focused on creating a strong community event that is inclusive of small businesses and the “entrepreneurial spirit that lives in North Idaho.” n
It was most certainly a mistake to revisit 1989’s The Little Mermaid before watching the latest in an increasing number of live-action adaptations of beloved animated films getting released by Disney. Where that original work still holds up with its classic songs and vibrant animation, this new take is defined by a lifelessness to much of its presentation that it can’t ever shake. For every alteration or addition that hints at a potential thematic boldness, there are far more that dull any brilliance.
Seeing the two films in quick succession brings into focus how the recent trend of supposedly “realistic” live-action adaptations can sand down the imaginative potential of animation in favor of hollow digital effects. Even with a dynamic lead performance from singer-songwriter Halle Bailey — who emerges as a strong screen presence here — the film remains perpetually adrift.
Following the basic structure of the original story, the film accompanies the adventurous mermaid princess Ariel (Bailey) who dreams of a future beyond the underwater world she has spent her whole life swimming in. This goes against the wishes of her overbearing father King Triton, played by a more reserved Javier Bardem, who wants her to remain where she is. When Ariel goes out swimming by a ship and catches sight of the dashing Prince Eric, played by
BY CHASE HUTCHINSON
Jonah Hauer-King of the 2019 film A Dog’s Way Home, she is drawn to the world above that he represents. Enter the villainous Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), who offers her a deal: get a kiss from the Prince in three days’ time and you can live in his world forever. The only catch is Ariel will have to do so without her voice which had won Eric over in the first place.
This all makes for an often rote retelling of the familiar story with sporadically interesting changes that briefly draw viewers in only to be subsumed both by tweaks that simply don’t work and a general emptiness. Though there are moments where the underwater world starts to feel genuinely expansive and arresting, the majority of the experience is defined by a stiffness that holds it back from being fully immersive. Only rarely do you feel like you are actually where the characters are, preventing viewers from getting swept up in the story. Instead, it’s hard not to see the cracks in the special effects that never completely work.
Where the recent Avatar: The Way of Water showed that creating entire underwater settings from scratch was not only possible but could take the breath away, The Little Mermaid only elicits a shrug. As you look closely at the scenes playing out underwater, there is never a sense that any of these characters are even in the same place together, let alone mingling in the ocean depths. There is one joyous rendition of the classic song “Under The Sea” that starts to work, but everything else just looks painfully inauthentic. Even when it does work, namely in the characters of Flounder and Sebastian, who are meant to be more realistic CGI creations as opposed to animated ones, this success is not necessarily a point in the film’s favor. The crab does indeed look more like a crab and the fish does indeed look like a fish, but the infinitely more joyous expressiveness of the hand-drawn animation has now been replaced by cold, dead eyes. Throughout all of this, Bailey is simply magnificent. When she gets the opportunity to take center stage and sing the songs, many of the other flaws begin to melt away. Even when she becomes mostly silent as part of the bargain Ariel makes, with the occasional song acting as a more internal reflection, her expressiveness and the humor that stems from it are all earned. She gives the film life in every way she can and is blameless in the banality that drags it down. In one scene with a new song — the atrocious “The Scuttlebutt” — Bailey’s performance encapsulates the experience of the film itself. Ariel tries to push away its worst aspects however she can, only for the movie to continually remain hellbent on drowning her out. n
THE LITTLE MERMAID Rated PG
More a piece of performance art than a narrative film, director and co-writer Tina Satter’s adaptation of her 2019 stage play Is This a Room is conceptually intriguing but dramatically detached. Its revised title Reality refers to the unlikely actual name of protagonist Reality Winner (played here by Spokane native Sydney Sweeney), but it also reflects the movie’s deliberate distortion of source material that’s meant to represent the unvarnished truth.
As an opening title card indicates, all of the dialogue in Reality is drawn verbatim from the transcript of the FBI’s recorded interrogation with Winner in June 2017. Yet by repeatedly calling attention to the movie’s origins in official documents, Satter only further distances the audience from the characters’ immediate circumstances. She delivers something closer to a re-enactment, in which the artificiality is always apparent.
major news story, but anyone who doesn’t remember all the details may have a hard time discerning the significance of various exchanges.
Even so, the banal menace of the FBI interrogation, which takes place primarily in a dingy back room at Winner’s house, is disturbing on its own, regardless of the details of the crime that Winner is accused of. Dressed like an unfashionable suburban dad, Hamilton conveys the disingenuous chumminess of the agent who knows exactly what he wants from Winner and won’t give up until he wears her down.
Not Rated
Directed by Tina Satter
The actors put in strong efforts to counteract that artificiality, but they’re also constrained by Satter’s rigid formalism. Every stutter, cough and pause is reproduced faithfully from the transcript, without room for alteration. Sweeney, known for provocative roles on HBO series Euphoria and The White Lotus, captures Winner’s awkwardness and growing dread as she arrives home from grocery shopping to discover FBI agents at her home in Augusta, Georgia. Josh Hamilton and Marchánt Davis play the lead agents as deceptively friendly and ingratiating, with threats looming behind every smile and greeting.
An Air Force veteran fluent in Farsi, Dari and Pashto, Winner was working as a translator for a civilian contractor to the NSA when she came across a classified document revealing possible Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. She printed that document and sent it to political website The Intercept, and the FBI tracked the leak back to her within a few weeks. Winner’s arrest and subsequent conviction, with the longest sentence ever imposed for leaking classified documents to the media, was a
Starring Sydney Sweeney, Josh Hamilton, Marchánt Davis Streaming on Max
He’s scarier than the more overtly imposing Davis, who spends much of his time silently glowering. There’s a sense of unease even to their early small talk, before Winner understands the seriousness of the situation, as they help her secure her pets before agents search her house, and ask mundane questions about her gym routine and neighborhood interactions. They overemphasize how much they love dogs, with performative concern for the welfare of Winner’s animals.
All of that unfolds more or less as it might have onstage, with occasional insert shots breaking up the straightforward conversations. Satter adds more stylized touches as the movie goes on, though, especially when the transcript gets to any redacted portions, which she interprets by having the characters literally disappear from the screen. Throughout the movie, she periodically cuts to the text of the transcript or to what looks like playback of an audio file, breaking the potential immersion in the tense, weighted interactions.
Reality ends with a heavy-handed montage of news coverage and commentary, overcompensating for its previous obtuseness by spelling out exactly what Winner faced following her arrest. There’s no more meaningful context in those bloviating talking heads than there is in the arch chamber piece that precedes them. n
An adaptation of a Stephen King short story of the same name, this horror flick centers on two sisters who feel emotionally neglected after the death of their mother. Things get worse when a supernatural monster hiding in the dark begins to terrorize them. Rated PG-13
Things get twisted and messy in this two-handed psychological thriller when an heir to a hotel empire (Christopher Abbott) tries to end his relationship with his dominatrix (Margaret Qualley). Rated R
The sequel to arguably the greatest superhero movie ever finds the animated web-slinging Miles Morales reteaming with the lovely Gwen Stacy in order to save Spider-People from various realities in the multiverse.
Rated PG
BY SETH SOMMERFELD
BLUEGRASS
Rose, Adams, Sims and Panning are crashing the boys’ club.
NATALIE JO GRAY PHOTO
For all the progressivism that’s inherent in musical creation, the fact remains that the music industry is largely a patriarchal structure. There are plenty of huge female acts, but the behind-the-scenes world and the hierarchies of most genres are still mostly controlled by men. It’s why so many intra-music rebellions over the years have been driven by women — from Big Mama Thornton’s pioneering blues to Lilith Fair’s fem counter-festival programming to the underground feminist punk wave of Olympia’s riot grrrl scene.
And while women of Big Richard might not be quite as wild as riot grrrls, within the bluegrass realm they’re at least hootenanny hellcats.
The Colorado quartet is somewhat of a supergroup of talented bluegrass players from the Centennial State: Bonnie Sims on mandolin, Joy Adams on cello, Emma Rose on the stand-up bass, and Eve Panning on fiddle. Sonically the group stands out from the folky bluegrass pack, both with their lush three-part vocal harmonizing and their lack of the traditionally standard acoustic guitars and banjos. But they also separate themselves from the norm simply by being an all-female band in the male-heavy genre… which is how the band formed in the first place.
“Our fiddle player Eve Panning got an offer from a private bluegrass festival here in Colorado that was looking at their lineup and realized that their lineup was all men,” Sims says. “And they reached out to Eve to be like, ‘We need some women on this bill. Could you put together like a women of bluegrass revue with an all-female group?’ And we did a lot of prep for that show, it was a 90-minute set, but our set actually ended up getting cut short because of rain. So we kind of were looking at each other and we were like, ‘Well, we learned all these songs, we should book another show.’ And we booked a second show… and after that we realized how much potential this had and started moving forward as a group.”
While they’d all been in the scene for a better part of a decade, the women weren’t particularly close friends when they first came together. Even so, the chemistry was pretty instantaneous. Things snowballed — thanks to hard work from Sims making sure people were listening to the group and booking it for festivals — and soon Big Richard shows began selling out at venues around Colorado that they’d never played before. And the band was having a blast.
“Those first couple of rehearsals, we all laughed so hard that we peed our pants,” says Adams. “And, you know, music is a hard industry, it’s a lot of hard work. And sometimes it’s hard to have fun doing it. And so when you come across a group of people that are just so much fun to play with and make music with, it’s something you want to hang on to for dear life, because it’s rare.”
The ladies also shared a wry sense of humor and non-conforming attitude, which led to the band’s arch name.
“Well, we talked a lot about how we have big dick energy. But you can’t just call it ‘The Big Dick Band.’ So Big Richard goes over the right heads. And it’s something that you could put up on a marquee,” says Adams. “It’s inappropriate while still being appropriate.”
“It kind of toes the line, which is like what Big Richard does too,” adds Sims. “So it fits us branding wise really well, because we have a lot of nonchalance or irreverence in our stage presence
and our banter, but at the same time, we’re really serious about the music that we make together.”
The band’s only album to date, Live from Telluride, captures the group’s feisty live energy, gorgeous instrumentation, and genre-pushing tendencies. Good luck finding another bluegrass album that features murder ballads, traditional jigs, and covers of songs by Billie Eilish and Britney Spears. Sims points to another cover song from that album — and a staple of Big Richards’ live set — as somewhat of a defining track for the quartet.
“We sing ‘Creep’ by Radiohead, and like the lyric of ‘I don’t belong here’ — it feels like that sometimes at a bluegrass festival. So it’s really fun to put music to that emotion. And like let it fully out and let people empathize with it,” says Sims. “We’re not fitting the mold and intentionally so. We’re trying to break the mold. We’re trying to say, ‘Why is there a mold in the first place?’ The expectations of women on stage specifically in the bluegrass/roots genre has always been tinged with conservatism and like a religious aspect. And we are kind of like breaking that down, and diffusing that for our group and being like, ‘Not us!’ Which is really, really fun.”
But while there’s a certain rebellious nature to Big Richard, the bandmates stress that what now seems to be boundary pushing within their genre, actually used to be more of the norm. Really, Big Richard is taking bluegrass forward by tapping into its past.
“I think that bluegrass and Americana has always been a music of the people,” says Adams. “Back in the day, before [the genre] became kind of canonized, there were like coal mining strike songs. There were these murder ballads that were like historical accounts of murders that happened. There’s tales of people who were just treated really badly. There are fiddle tunes about horrible things that happened. And I think that there’s been a period of time where folks were playing all the traditional tunes and they forget that it should still be a topical genre that’s about things that are going on now. So if we’re writing a sex-positive bluegrass song, I think that’s about as traditional as you can get. Because that’s how it used to be — a reflection of the time and the places that people were in.”
Big Richard just got done recording the band’s first proper studio album — which will lean heavily on original tunes — and now is finally expanding their reach beyond Colorado and the bluegrass festival circuit. As long as you’re not overly prudish, checking out Big Richard when they roll into town should make for a memorable night.
“We promise a once-in-a-lifetime style experience,” Sims says. “You always remember your first Big Richard.” n
Big Richard • Sun, June 4 at 8 pm • $16-$18 • 21+ • Lucky You Lounge • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • luckyyoulounge.com
“We’re not fitting the mold and intentionally so. We’re trying to break the mold.”
What’s old is new again. While the group formerly known as The Pages of Harmony chorus has been around singing Barbershop harmony music since 1951, the organization rebranded as Lilac City Voices earlier this year to better communicate their inclusive nature (it’s not just an old boys’ club, all genders are welcome to sing). The a cappella group’s first concert under the new moniker is also wildly inclusive for musical fans of all ages. “A Whole New World” finds Lilac City Voices teaming up with RiversEdge Chorus and Cheney High School Choirs for a musical magic carpet ride of beloved numbers from classic Disney films.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Lilac City Voices: A Whole New World • Sat, June 3 at 7 pm • $20 • All ages • Valley Assembly Church • 15618 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley • lilaccityvoices.org
Thursday, 6/1
J ADELO’S PIZZA, PASTA & PINTS, Brassless Chaps
J BRICK WEST BREWING CO., Kyle Richard and Friends
CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Thursday Night Jam
CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds
J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Riley Grey
KNITTING FACTORY, The Home Team, The Ongoing Concept, Instant Crush
J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin
STEAM PLANT RESTAURANT & BREW PUB, Pamela Benton
J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Steve Starkey
ZOLA, Mister Sister
Friday, 6/2
CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Bobby Patterson & the Two Tones
J THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT, JoJo Dodge
HAMMERS BAR & GRILL, Into the Drift Duo
J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Kate Skinner Trio
J J KNITTING FACTORY, Monke Business, Slow Children at Play, Vika & the Velvets
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Monarch Mountain Band
THE RIDLER PIANO BAR, Just Plain Darin
STOCKWELL’S CHILL N GRILL, Son of Brad
Saturday, 6/3
J BLACK LABEL BREWING CO., The
B Radicals Album Release Party
CHALICE BREWING CO., Son of Brad
CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Steve Livingston and Triple Shot
J THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT, AP Collective
HAMMERS BAR & GRILL, Into the Drift Duo
J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Sacha Boutros, Brent Edstrom Quartet
J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Kate Skinner Trio
J HUCKLEBERRY’S MARKET, Dallas K
LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Hot Club of Spokane
LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Hooks and the Huckleberries, Buffalo Jones
MULLIGAN’S BAR & GRILLE, The Cole Show
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Jona Gallegos
J SNOW EATER BREWING CO., Just Plain Darin
J J VALLEY ASSEMBLY CHURCH, Lilac City Voices: A Whole New World
ZOLA, Blake Braley
Sunday, 6/4
J THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT, Red Books Trio
J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Michael Milham
HOGFISH, Open Mic
J KNITTING FACTORY, Granger Smith, Earl Dibbles Jr.
J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Big Richard
J SOUTH HILL GRILL, Just Plain Darin
Monday, 6/5
BRICK WEST BREWING CO., Live Karaoke
J EICHARDT’S PUB, Monday Night Blues Jam with John Firshi
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Open Mic Night
Tuesday, 6/6
LITZ’S PUB & EATERY, Shuffle Dawgs
LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Sprig of That, Heat Speak, Rosie Cerquone
OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Pamela Jean
ZOLA, The Night Mayors
Wednesday, 6/7
CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Wednesday Night Jam
After forming during the pandemic as a diversion to remain socially connected, the group of Lewis and Clark High School students known as Monke Business quickly built a local following with their eclectic brand of Red Hot Chili Peppers-inspired rock. But alas, high school doesn’t last forever. While the band just dropped a new self-titled album, college beckons in the fall, which will split the four members between Boston and Seattle. But first comes one last big Spokane farwell. Monke Business takes the big stage at the Knitting Factory for a final hoorah — quite the impressive achievement for the kids who display a rock acumen beyond their years.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Monke Business, Slow Children at Play, Vika & the Velvets • Fri, June 2 at 8 pm • $15 • All ages • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com
THE DRAFT ZONE, The Draft Zone Open Mic
J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Dr. Don Goodwin
J JJ’S TAP & SMOKEHOUSE, Brassless Chaps
LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Greg Koch
OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Sam Leyde
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Dwayne Parsons
RED ROOM LOUNGE, The Roomates
ZOLA, Brittany’s House
J THE BIG DIPPER, Craig Owens, Kurt Travis, Moxy, June 9, 7 pm.
THE DISTRICT BAR, Arrival of Autumn, InComing Days, False Visions, June 9, 9 pm.
J J RIVERFRONT PARK, Spokane Pride Parade & Rainbow Festival, June 10, 12-9 pm.
J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Joni Mitchell & The Joni Jam with Brandi Carlile, June 10, 7 pm.
J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Earth, Geist & the Sacred Ensemble, June 10, 8 pm.
J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, The Highwomen, Tanya Tucker, June 11, 6 pm.
J THE BIG DIPPER, Secrets, Outline In Color, Of Virtue, Nerv, June 11, 6:30 pm.
J KNITTING FACTORY, OhGeesy, June 13, 8 pm.
J THE PODIUM, Beartooth, Trivium, Malevolence, Archetypes Collide, June 14, 6:30 pm.
J J SPOKANE ARENA, Chris Stapleton, Marty Stuart, Allen Stone, June 15, 7 pm.
J KNITTING FACTORY, Yelawolf, Nicolas Alan, June 15, 8 pm.
LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Kat Hasty, June 16, 8 pm.
KNITTING FACTORY, Milonga, June 16, 9 pm.
J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Beyond Wonderland, June 17 & June 18.
J REPUBLIC BREWING CO., Thunder Honey: EP Release Show, Kunda! Marimba, June 17, 7-10 pm.
J KNITTING FACTORY, The Lone Bellow Trio, June 22, 8 pm.
LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Arise Roots, June 23, 8 pm.
KNITTING FACTORY, Henny 3: King YDB, Liddy Mechele, Stone P, Buddha & Block 23, June 24, 8:30 pm.
THE DISTRICT BAR, G-REX, June 24, 9 pm.
J KNITTING FACTORY, The Polish Ambassador, Scott Nice, June 25, 8 pm.
J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Josiah Johnson, June 25, 8 pm.
J LUCKY YOU
219 LOUNGE • 219 N. First Ave., Sandpoint • 208-263-5673
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS • 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-927-9463
BABY BAR • 827 W. First Ave. • 509-847-1234
BARRISTER WINERY • 1213 W. Railroad Ave. • 509-465-3591
BEE’S KNEES WHISKY BAR • 1324 W. Lancaster Rd.., Hayden • 208-758-0558
BERSERK • 125 S. Stevens St. • 509-315-5101
THE BIG DIPPER • 171 S. Washington St. • 509-863-8098
BIGFOOT PUB • 9115 N. Division St. • 509-467-9638
BING CROSBY THEATER • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-227-7638
BLACK DIAMOND • 9614 E. Sprague Ave. • 509891-8357
BOLO’S BAR & GRILL • 116 S. Best Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-891-8995
BOOMERS CLASSIC ROCK BAR • 18219 E. Appleway Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-368-9847
BUCER’S COFFEEHOUSE PUB • 201 S. Main St., Moscow • 208-596-0887
THE BULL HEAD • 10211 S. Electric St., Four Lakes • 509-838-9717
CHAN’S RED DRAGON • 1406 W. Third Ave. • 509-838-6688
COEUR D’ALENE CASINO • 37914 S. Nukwalqw St., Worley • 800-523-2464
COEUR D’ALENE CELLARS • 3890 N. Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene • 208-664-2336
CRUISERS BAR & GRILL • 6105 W Seltice Way, Post Falls • 208-446-7154
CURLEY’S HAUSER JUNCTION • 26433 W. Hwy. 53, Post Falls • 208-773-5816
EICHARDT’S PUB • 212 Cedar St., Sandpoint • 208-263-4005
FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • 509-279-7000
FOX THEATER • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. •
509-624-1200
IRON HORSE • 407 E. Sherman, Coeur d’Alene • 208-667-7314
IRON HORSE BAR & GRILL • 11105 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-926-8411
JOHN’S ALLEY • 114 E. Sixth St., Moscow • 208-883-7662
KNITTING FACTORY • 911 W. Sprague Ave. •
509-244-3279
LEFTBANK WINE BAR • 108 N. Washington St. • 509-315-8623
LUCKY YOU LOUNGE • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • 509-474-0511
MARYHILL WINERY • 1303 W. Summit Pkwy. • 509-443-3832
THE MASON JAR • 101 F St., Cheney • 509-359-8052
MAX AT MIRABEAU • 1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-922-6252
MILLIE’S • 28441 Hwy 57, Priest Lake • 208-443-0510
MOOSE LOUNGE • 401 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene • 208-664-7901
MOOTSY’S • 406 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-838-1570
NASHVILLE NORTH • 6361 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls • 208-457-9128
NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO • 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • 877-871-6772
NYNE BAR & BISTRO • 232 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-474-1621
PEND D’OREILLE WINERY • 301 Cedar St., Sandpoint • 208-265-8545
THE PODIUM • 511 W. Dean Ave. • 509-279-7000
POST FALLS BREWING CO. • 112 N. Spokane St., Post Falls • 208-773-7301
RAZZLE’S BAR & GRILL • 10325 N. Government Way, Hayden • 208-635-5874
RED ROOM LOUNGE • 521 W. Sprague Ave. •
509-838-7613
THE RIDLER PIANO BAR • 718 W. Riverside Ave. • 509-822-7938
SEASONS OF COEUR D’ALENE • 1004 S. Perry St. • 208-664-8008
SPOKANE ARENA • 720 W. Mallon Ave. • 509-279-7000
SOUTH PERRY LANTERN • 12303 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-473-9098
STEAM PLANT • 159 S. Lincoln St. • 509-777-3900
STORMIN’ NORMAN’S SHIPFACED SALOON • 12303 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-862-4852
TRANCHE • 705 Berney Dr., Wall Walla • 509-526-3500
ZOLA • 22 W. Main Ave. • 509-624-2416
On the first Saturday of June, every year, you’ll find me and hundreds of other vintage-loving folks spread across the fairgrounds, tote bags and market carts in tow, for the vendor extravaganza that is the Farm Chicks show. No matter which styles you’re drawn to amid the ever-popular vintage home decor, fashion and accessories trend, Farm Chicks has more than a hundred vendors with wares of all types: industrial salvage, rustic farmhouse, mid-century retro, French country chic and more. Dozens of Spokane-area vendors come to the fair every year, too, alongside sellers from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. While it tends to be more of a girlsday-out affair, the best part about going — whether you’re like me and go yearly, or are checking it out for the first time — is that you never know what special treasures you’ll find.
— CHEY SCOTTThe Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair • Sat, June 3 from 9 am-6 pm and Sun, June 4 from 9 am-4 pm
• $10 weekend admission
• All ages
404 N. Havana St.
• Spokane County Fair & Expo Center
• thefarmchicks.com
•
The MAC’s ArtFest is the unofficial sign that summer has officially begun in Spokane, so here’s to a great start! This year’s 38th event features — you guessed it — plenty of local art from among the more than 74 artists chosen to participate. ArtFest also boasts live music, a beer garden, ample food trucks and a kids area for families to enjoy. The variety of artwork made by local artists for the art fair includes ceramics, paintings, furniture, metalwork, digital art, photography, printmaking and the list goes on. The proceeds generated from the event support art education, exhibition and community programming for youth and adults at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and all art sales revenue goes directly in the pocket of the talented, local artists you purchased from.
— MADISON PEARSONArtFest • June 2-4; Fri-Sat from 10 am-7 pm, Sun from 10 am-5 pm • Free • All ages • Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture • 2316 W. First Ave. • artfestspokane.com • 509-456-3931
Spokane’s art scene used to feel like a well-kept secret, only accessible to those who actively sought out local talent. Now, thanks to the brick-and-mortar shop From Here, this diverse community is proudly — and prominently — displayed in River Park Square via a storefront full of wares made by regional artists. It’s been four years since the Terrain offshoot opened up downtown, and it’s time to celebrate in the only way Terrain knows how: in absolute style. The event takes place all day and features live music, art demos, promos and an exciting new product launch from Terrain X, an artist-designed apparel and accessories line. Head to From Here, meet makers and support local, not just at this celebration, but everyday.
— MADISON PEARSONFrom Here’s 4th Anniversary Party • Sat, June 3 from 11 am-7 pm • Free • All ages • From Here • 808 W. Main Ave. • fromherespokane.com
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What’s better than strolling through downtown while gazing at the incredible work of local artists, checking out new and different venues from restaurants to wine tasting rooms, and dropping in on other community events? For this month’s Queer Art Walk, downtown wanderers can expect all this and more. Founded in 2019 by former Spokane arts commissioner Andrew Whitver, Queer Art Walk aims to highlight LGBTQ+ perspectives while celebrating this historically marginalized community. The event is organized by Spokane Arts in partnership with the Downtown Spokane Partnership and Spectrum Center, and is primarily based between Sprague and First avenues, west of Washington Street. Partnering businesses and venues display art and host events like open mics and artist talks. Find the complete schedule below.
— SUMMER SANDSTROM
Spokane Queer Art Walk 2023 • Fri, June 2 starting at 5 pm • Free • Downtown Spokane • spokanearts.org/queer-art-walk
Rev up your Gyrosphere, Isla Nublar is taking over Spokane! Jurassic World Live Tour transforms the Spokane Arena into a dense jungle, packed with exotics sets and projections, live action stunts and 24 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Watch out for your favorite reptiles like Velociraptor Blue, plus newer franchise additions like Baby Bumpy. Witness two different worlds battle as scientists fight to save a new species and fend off a 40-foot T-Rex. Make sure to get there early, because an hour before the show all ticket holders can get up close and personal with their favorite props and dinos, including triceratops, stegosaurus, and the iconic striped Jeep. Cue John Williams and strap yourself in, because the action “must go faster.”
— ELIZA BILLINGHAM
Jurassic World Live Tour • Fri, June 2 at 7 pm, Sat, June 3 and Sun, June 4 at 11 am and 3 pm • $19-$122 • All ages • Spokane Arena • 720 W. Mallon Ave • spokanearea.com • 509-279-7000
Based on the Board Game by the Parker Brothers
Book by Peter DePietro
Music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker & Vinnie Martucci, Lyrics by Tom Chiodo
Directed by Ashley DeMoville
DEE PLANE I saw you 737, up in the sky, with four fighter jets escorting, two off of each wing, on Tuesday, May 23, 11:30ish am. Who was so important on board? Please respond!
MESSED UP I know I messed up but I have turned my life around since then. I just want to apologize and know you are healthy. You were going through some scary stuff when you left. Hopefully we can be friends and catch up on how things are.
TAP HOUSE GUARDIAN ANGEL To the attractive long curly haired woman sitting with two other woman in the bar thanks once again for spotting my sunglasses under my barstool. I would love to chat again over coffee or a drink of your choice. Please respond if interested. Thanks.
RE: TERESA “THIS IS ABOUT YOU” Apology accepted and you never lost your friend. I would love to get together sometime and catch up, if you want to.
THANKS FOR SUPPORTING GARDEN EXPO
Hey Spokane, thanks for turning out in force to support Garden Expo at SCC on May 13!! The garden show is put on by a local nonprofit garden club called The Inland Empire Gardeners. It was a picture-perfect
day and a record number of vendors, food trucks and attendees. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of planning and volunteers to make it happen. Spokane loves gardening, and so do we. So save the date for next year’s Garden Expo, May 11, 2024. Extra thanks to Spokane Community College for allowing us to host it there.
BLOOMSDAY 2023 Cheers to the organizers and volunteers for Bloomsday 2023! Once again, it was a spectacular event showing that there are some good things about Spokane, regardless of what others say. Thank you for placing those signs several places that indicated which side walkers are to be on. Many of the walkers didn’t pay attention (or can’t read), but thanks for trying anyhow. Besides having to zigzag around the walkers at some places the race was just amazing. Also, the finishers shirt was among the best in recent years. So, thank you to all, and wishing for many more like it. Cheers also to the runners in 2020 and 2021 who ran the course together anyhow when the event was only run virtual. Nobody got ill then either, just like this year. Imagine that!
BRAVO, MT. SPOKANE I know it may be late, but a great year and great job by the staff at Mt. Spokane Ski Park. The daily shuttle service in the parking lot is a godsend, especially with kids, and everyone is so helpful. The moonlight skiing was a new experience our family will never forget.
Thank you!
STA PARATRANSIT Cheers to the STA Paratransit drivers, schedulers, dispatchers and supervisors! The Paratransit service is the only way that many people in Spokane can get around. They all do their best to get us where we need to go and to do it on time! Sometimes people are rude, unappreciative, and unkind to them and seem to think that they are the only ones that matter. Every single person that I have dealt with at Paratransit has done their very best to help me, even when they are short-staffed and working overtime. Please be kind! Especially to people that are doing their best to help customers with disabilities with their transportation. The people that work at Paratransit are some of the best people I have ever dealt with.
BIKING TO WORK-ERS Cheers to the folks riding their bikes to work during Bike To Work Week. The weather couldn’t be better for a morning commute on a bicycle. You deserve those free pancakes in Riverfront Park!
DOWNTOWN BIKE LANES Yay to the city for building a nice new bike lane on Riverside in downtown Spokane. It looks great and is a big step in the right direction. But it only took a couple of days for people parking their cars to knock down a bunch of plastic bollards that were barely glued down. How about twice as many bollards, this time bolted down?
HEADACHES OF NOISE POLLUTION Jeers to all the IDIOTS with purposely loud vehicles. Revving your engine just to hear it or make others hear it just says you’re trying to compensate for missing tools. There is no female anywhere that hears your loud engine and just can’t wait to be with you. Sleeping is nearly impossible because you all
CDA ON- AND OFF-RAMPS I eagerly await the day that the off- and on-ramps in CDA are updated from their 1960s origins. Driving by them every time, it is impressive that we don’t have more accidents on I-90 there. Even though Spokane has it share of bad portions of interstate, CDA reminds everyone that it could be worse, and I have
REGIONAL GEOLOGY PRIMER Tim Connor’s excellent April 6 article highlighting regional geology is an accurate and interesting introduction to the physical features that one often passes by without a clue as to the astounding significance they represent. For those interested in more detail, Andy Buddington, esteemed professor of geology at SCC, presents with fervent enthusiasm, most fascinating and thorough classes on the topic not only for students, but also for people not seeking a degree through the Act 2 program. Having lived here all my life, Andy’s classes have enlightened me to the point that life is much more interesting as I now understand many of the geologic features that are readily visible all around us. The Act 2 classes are almost free!
SHAMEFUL SPOKANE CITIZENS I am more than disgusted and shocked with the rudeness and disrespect of Spokane citizens. I attended the Lilac Parade. I got down to the parade area five hours early to secure my seat in a position where nobody would be getting in front of me. As the time neared, people started crowding me out and sitting down in front of my spot. I had to tell several people that they were not going to sit there and ruin my view. On the right side of me was a mom and mother-in-law sitting there with several children. The children were yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs. The parent did nothing. While I am trying to enjoy the parade, people were darting across the street, making it very unpleasant to enjoy the fluidity of the parade. Why can’t people just stay where they are and watch the parade in its entirety? This was absolutely beyond rude. I actually left the parade early due. Shameful Spokane shameful shameful shameful.
race each other on residential streets from 10 pm to 1 am. Grow a set and STOP purposely making noise with your loud vehicles.
FREEDOM Why is it the party that screams about “freedom and less government spending” is the same party that wants to take away your freedoms and adds more to the deficit than the other party? I’m so sick of narrow minded people trying to tell me what to do and how to live my life. Mind yourselves not others. I think it’s time to start picketing churches of all kinds and tell all the “low brain pans” how ridiculously narrow their ideas are and that some of us will not take it anymore. Take care of your own business, not mine!
UNMANLY MAN Real men take responsibility for their actions. The first place cowards run and hide is behind lies. So what kind of man never takes any personal responsibility and takes credit for the success of others? How do we measure the cowardice of a man who was documented telling over 31,000 lies in a mere four years and still continues to lie at a breakneck pace? How should we measure the character of the men who worship and defend such moral cowardice? Is it because they see themselves in the man? Are they fine with being cowardly liars and unmanly puppets that bear no personal responsibility for their unsuccessful lives? I respect real men. I will never respect those who wallow in lies like pigs in mud. You are an embarrassment to our great nation and the men and women of extraordinary courage who made it the beacon of democracy around the world. We reject your bigotry, hatred and violence.
RE: VOTERS Communists! Marxists!
Socialists! THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING! Signed, C. Little
to imagine even back in the ‘60s you could have at least created a merging lane for the distance between Fourth Street and US 95 exits.
YOU BROUGHT A BABY...TO A BAR As the weather starts getting better, I want to preemptively send jeers to those who are about to make a regular occurrence of bringing their underage children to breweries. I get the appeal. There are fun activities, lots of board games, and yes, most breweries encourage family involvement. That said, it’s still a bar. And yes, I’m aware that a brewery is not a bar in the eyes of the liquor board, so spare me the lesson in semantics. To those who are able to have a beer, play a game and keep their kids from screaming and running around? More power to you. Well done. I’ve heard stories of such things happening, but much like the existence of the great white buffalo, no one has ever seen such a thing. In reality, it turns into parents who prioritize drinking over interacting with their own children and then go full “Karen” when someone drops an f-bomb at a bar in front of their little darlings. Take it elsewhere. n
NOTE: I Saw You/Cheers & Jeers is for adults 18 or older. The Inlander reserves the right to edit or reject any posting at any time at its sole discretion and assumes no responsibility for the content.
FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT AUCTION
This auction includes VIP packages for the Festival, signed wine bottles, front row tickets and more. Auction runs through June 4 at 9 pm. festivalatsandpoint.com (208-265-4554)
UPSCALE SALE This annual event by Spokane Symphony Associates features furniture, china/glassware, clothing, household items, pictures, electronics, books and CDs at discounted prices. Proceeds support the Spokane Symphony. June 1, 3-7 pm, June 2-3, 9 am-6 pm, June 4, 10 am-5 pm and June 7, 9 am-6 pm. $5. 1149 S Garfield. spokanesymphonyassoc.org
RESPONSIBLE GROWTH BENEFIT This fundraiser features a silent auction, cake walk, a bread/soup tasting and live music.Proceeds benefit Responsible Growth Northeast Washington, a nonprofit environmental group. June 3, 2-6 pm. Free. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St. rgnew. org (509-447-7958)
GLOBAL NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY Enjoy food from Feast World Kitchen and beer from Brick West (with non-alcoholic options from PNW Hop Water) plus live music and games. Benefits Global Neighborhood Thrift. June 8, 5:30-8 pm. $40. Brick West Brewing Co., 1318 W. First Ave. global-neighborhood.org
JOE LIST New York City-based comedian Joe List has been featured on Comedy Central, Conan and is the co-host of the podcast Tuesdays With Stories. June 1, 7:30 pm, June 2, 7:30 & 10:15 pm and June 3, 7 & 9:45 pm. $25-$25. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)
BLUE DOORS & DRAGONS Improvised comedy celebrating table-top role-playing games and inspired by a roll of the dice. Fri at 7:30 pm through June 30. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com (747-7045)
QUEERPROV The Blue Door is celebrating Pride Month with a special show. All stage performers are part of the LGBTQ+ family. Enjoy as the players engage in improv games with a queer-flair. June 2, 9:30 pm. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com
SASS SQUATCH OPEN MIC Open mic comedy with host Blade Frank. 7:30-9:30 pm. Free. Special K Tavern & Eatery, 3817 N. Market St. fb.me/e/3nMTo8aEI
BRITTANY SCHMITT The LA-based, Wisconsin-raised comic has her own comedy special, From Ho to Housewife. June 7, 7:30 pm. $18-$25. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)
CRAIG CONANT Conant has been featured at the Just for Laughs comedy festival and MTV’s Greatest Party Story Ever Told. June 8, 7:30 pm. $15. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)
PAUL VIRZI Paul Virzi is best known for his Netflix special and two comedy podcasts. He’s appeared on various TV shows including Gotham Comedy Live and TruTV’s Comedy Knockout. Ages 18+. June 8, 8 pm. $25. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. panida.org (208-263-9191)
PINKY PATEL Pinky Patel is a PTA mom turned comedian who got her start on TikTok making videos in her ‘glam cave’. June 8, 7 pm. $30-$55. Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague. sp.knittingfactory.com
COMMUNITY SEW-IN Bring your current quilting project to socialize, get advice or whatever else you might need. Bring your sewing machine (or your hand work), fabric, and anything else. Thursdays from noon-3 pm through June 29. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org (208-769-2315)
MY FAKE FRIEND’S WEDDING Get ideas for your own wedding while crashing a fake one. Be a guest at a fake vow renewal and walk through the evening as if it were a real wedding. Three drinks, food from caterers, desserts and swag bags included. June 1, 5:45-8:30 pm. $25-$60. Firebrand Cocolalla, 257 Roop Rd. fb.me/ e/3qE8tF2ul (208-755-1857)
SFCC PRIDE CELEBRATION This celebration features games, tie-dyeing, music, food, dancing and a viewing of the film Moonlight. June 1, 3-6 pm. Free. Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Whistalks Way. ccs.spokane.edu
FEED THE BUFFALO This tour includes farm history, a brief talk on bison and a Q&A session. Everyone gets an opportunity to meet, greet and hand-feed the bison. May 26-Sept. 2, Fri-Sat from 12:301:30 pm. $6-$7. Win-Tur Bison Farm, 4742 W. Highway 231. winturbisonfarm.com
MARK ELMORE: A LEGEND RETIRES
Celebrate life-long educator, Mark Elmore as he retires after 44 years at Evergreen Elementary. Former students, families and educators are invited. June 2, 3:455:45 pm. Free. Evergreen Elementary, 215 W. Eddy Ave. (509-465-6400)
ROLE-PLAYING GAME DROP IN Improve your RPG skills by watching and participating in games. Fridays from 4-8 pm and Saturdays from 1-5 pm. Free. RPG Community Center, 101 N. Stone Street. rpgcenter.org (509-608-7630)
ROSALIA BATTLE DAYS This annual celebration features a parade, a vendor fair, information booths, a plant sale and more. See website for full schedule. June 2, 4-7 pm and June 3, 7 am-5 pm. Free. Rosalia. roasliabattledays.info
TOWN & COUNTRY DAYS This festival kicks off summer with live music, entertainers, kids activities, street fair food, a parade and more. June 2, 2-10 pm and June 3, 7 am-10 pm. Free. Kettle Falls, Wash. kfchamber.org
WHEATLAND BANK HORSE & CARRIAGE RIDES Enjoy an 8-minute loop through the scenic Riverfront Park and downtown Spokane. June 2-July 28, Fri from 5-9 pm. Free. Downtown Spokane. downtownspokane.org
BIZFEST: A CHILDREN’S BUSINESS
FAIR This event provides a platform for children to showcase their entrepreneurial skills by starting and operating their businesses. Ages 6-14. June 3, 10 am-1 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. childrensbusinessfair.org/spokane-wa
DROP IN & RPG Stop by and explore the world of role playing games. Build a shared narrative using cooperative problem solving, exploration, imagination and rich social interaction. First and third Saturdays of the month from 1-3:45 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org (509-279-0299)
THE FARM CHICKS VINTAGE & HANDMADE FAIR This vendor fair features over 300 booths of vintage and handmade goods. June 3, 9 am-6 pm and June 4, 9 am-4 pm. $10. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. thefarmchicks.com (509-954-1692)
FROM HERE’S 4TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrate with live music, art demos, a new product launch, promotions and artist meet and greets. June 3, 11 am-7 pm. Free. From Here, 808 W. Main Ave. fromherespokane.com (509-808-2943)
ITCH TO STITCH Learn basic knitting, crochet and other stitch craft skills. Spark Central furnishes yarn, bring your own hooks and needles. Tuesdays from 5-7 pm and Saturdays from 12-2 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org (509-279-0299)
SCFD9 DEMO DAY & 75TH ANNIVERSARY Spokane County Fire District 9 celebrates its 75th anniversary with live demonstrations, food trucks and vendors. June 3, 10 am-2 pm. Free. Spokane County Fire District 9, 3801 E Farwell Rd. facebook.com/scfd9 (509-466-4602)
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE PALOUSE: KITTEN SHOWER This annual event includes games for the whole family, educational info about kitten growth and kittens from HSoP. June 4, 1-4 pm. $5. 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St. humanesocietyofthepalouse.org (208-883-1166)
THE STATE OF DOWNTOWN This event features the 2023 presentation of the Legacy and Impact Awards followed by a presentation from Tom Murphy, mayor of Pittsburgh from 1994-2005. June 6, 8-10 am. $55-$85. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. downtownspokane.org (279-7000)
HOMEBUYER EDUCATION SEMINAR
In this free seminar, explore the major aspects of the home-buying process in an unbiased format with SNAP Spokane instructors certified by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. June 7, 6-8:30 pm and June 8, 6-8:30 pm. Free. Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St. scld.org (509-456-7627 ext. 4418)
JUNETEENTH RESOURCE FAIR Join Spark Central and KSPS to learn more about Juneteenth and how Spokane is be celebrating this year. The event also features arts and crafts, snacks and a poetry activity. June 7, 5-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central. org (509-279-0299)
SPOKANE FOLKLORE SOCIETY CON -
TRA DANCE Each dance features a local folk music band as well as a caller who teaches easy-to-learn folk-style dances called contras. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required. First and third Wednesdays from 7:15-9:30 pm. $7-$10. Woman’s Club of Spokane, 1428 W. Ninth. spokanefolklore.org (509-838-2160)
SPRING MARKET This annual market features typical farmers market fare, handmade products, community resource booths from local organizations. June 9, 3-8 pm. Free. Northeast Youth and Family Services, 19 E. Queen Ave. neyfs.org (509-981-5595)
SPOKANE FALLS TWO-SPIRIT POW-
WOW This powwow features two grand entries, dinner, an Indigiqueer showcase, vendors and more. See link for schedule. June 9, 1-9 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. linktr.ee/SpokaneFalls2sPowwow (347-269-1998)
YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAY This annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, families and a healthy start to the summer. June 9, 5:30-7:30 pm. Free. YMCA Spokane Valley, 2421 N. Discovery Pl. ymcainw.org (509-777-9622)
CAMP MOSCOWANNA A summer campthemed block party featuring campthemed activities for all ages, vendors serving beer, wine, and food and a live
music lineup. June 10, 4-8 pm. Moscow. facebook.com/campmoscowanna
LILAC CITY COMICON The 2023 con features 250+ exhibitor booths with comics and related products as well as special guests and panels. See website for full schedule. June 10, 10 am-6 pm and June 11, 10 am-4 pm. $12-$17. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. lilaccitycon.com (279-7000)
SANDPOINT RENAISSANCE FAIRE This annual renaissance faire includes jousting, live music, comedy, medieval fighting and demonstrations. This year, the faire includes the Tournament of the Inland Empire. Tickets available at the gate. June 10, 10 am-6 pm and June 11, 10 am-6 pm. $12-$16. Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Rd. sandpointrenfaire.com (208-263-8414)
PALOUSE SECOND SATURDAYS An event welcoming visitors to enjoy all that Palouse has to offer. Second Saturdays of the month from 10 am-4:30 pm through Sept. 10. Free. Palouse, Wash. visitpalouse.com
SPOKANE PRIDE PARADE & RAINBOW
FESTIVAL The 31st annual Pride Parade starts downtown at noon, and is immediately followed by the Rainbow Festival at Riverfront Park with live entertainment, a resource and business fair and more. Main stage concert at 7 pm. All gender identities and sexual orientations are celebrated and welcome. June 10, 12-9 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. spokanepride.org (509-625-6600)
BRING YOUR OWN VINYL NIGHT Bring your own vinyl to spin while sipping on craft cocktails and listening to music. Thursdays from 3-10 pm. The Boneyard - Side Hustle Syrups, 17905 E. Appleway Ave, Ste A. sidehustlesyrups.com
NOVA KAINE’S DON’T TELL MAMA
CABARET & DRAG BRUNCH Various Inland Northwest drag performers take the stage and perform pieces choreographed by Troy Nickerson. First and third Sunday of every month at 11 am. Free. Highball, 100 N. Hayford Rd. northernquest.com
RIVERFRONT EATS A food truck series featuring live music. See website for list of food trucks. Tuesdays from 11 am-2 pm (except July 4). Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.com
LILAC CITY VOICES: A WHOLE NEW WORLD Lilac City Voices performs acapella selections from various Disney movies along with the RiversEdge Chorus and the Cheney High School Choirs. June 3, 7 pm. $10-$20. Spokane Valley Assembly Church, 15618 E. Broadway Ave. lilaccityvoices.org
EWU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: FROM THE NEW WORLD Eastern’s symphony orchestra performs Dvorak’s New World Symphony as well as selections by SaintSaens and Barber. June 5, 7:30-9 pm. $10. Eastern Washington University, 526 Fifth St. ewu.edu/music (509-359-2241)
FRIENDS OF MANITO SPRING PLANT SALE This annual plant sale features hundreds of plant species to purchase. See website for list of plants offered. Proceeds benefit The Friends of Manito. June 3, 8 am-4 pm. Free. Manito Park, 1800
S. Grand Blvd. thefriendsofmanito.org/ plant-sales (509-456-8038)
HIAWATHA FULL MOON NIGHT RIDE
Ride the historic Hiawatha Bicycle Trail under the light of a full moon. Riders meet at the east portal. June 3, July 3, Aug. 1 and Aug. 30, 8-11 pm. $40. Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, I-90 Exit 0. RideTheHiawatha.com (208-744-1301)
GIRLS ON THE RUN SPOKANE 5K This event brings together girls, families and the community for a fun-filled 5k run/ walk that celebrates the achievements of Girls on the Run participants, promotes physical fitness and fosters a positive and inclusive environment. June 3, 9 am-noon. $20. Audubon Park, 3908 N. Driscoll Bvld. gotrspokane.org/5k
SPOKANE GARRY: A HISTORICAL EXPEDITION Dr. David Beine, Dean of the College of Global Engagement at Spokane’s Great Northern University, guides an expedition to historical sites around the region related to Spokane Garry. Preregistration required. June 3, 9 am-1 pm and June 17, 9 am-1 pm. $50. Spokane Parks and Recreation Operations Division, 2304 E. Mallon St. my.spokanecity. org/parksrec (509-230-8993)
KETTLE FALLS SUP CUP A stand-up paddleboard race on Lake Roosevelt. The event includes a celebration at Northern Ales Brewery for all participants and their guests, with awards for the top finishers in each division. June 4, 9 am-noon. $50$75. Kettle Falls, Wash. facebook.com/ kfSUPcup
SHEJUMPS HIKE SheJumps welcomes all women and girls (transgender and cisgender) as well as non-binary people, and their families for this approx. twomile hike. June 4, 10 am-noon. Free!. Dishman Hills, 625 S. Sargent Rd. shejumps.org (509-328-9900)
HISTORIC BROWNE’S ADDITION
WALKING TOURS Take a walk through the western part of Browne’s Addition, Spokane’s oldest neighborhood. Learn about the men and women who shaped Browne’s Addition and Spokane into the city it is today. June 6, 1-3 pm, June 21, 6-8 pm and July 21, 9:30-11:30 am. $20. Coeur d’Alene Park, 300 S. Chestnut St. friendsofcoerdalenepark.org
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WOODS: CAMP COOKING Learn how to make a camp dinner with minimal effort and cleanup. Meet at the picnic shelter in the Bowl & Pitcher. Discover Pass required. June 7, 6:30-8 pm. Free. Riverside State Park Bowl & Pitcher, 4427 N. Aubrey L. White Pkwy. riversidestateparkfoundation.org
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
The confectionary wizard, Willy Wonka, is opening the gates to his mysterious factory, but only to a lucky few. Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm and Sun at 2 pm. $10-$35. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com
BEAUTY & THE BEAST JR. Presented by My Turn Theater, an all-inclusive company casting adults with disabilities in all roles. Admission by donation at the box office, opening 90 minutes prior. June 2-11, Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, 211 E. Desmet Ave. myturntheater.com
JURASSIC WORLD LIVE TOUR This stage show features fan-favorite dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park franchise coming to life via animatronics. June 2, 7 pm, June 3-4, 11 am & 3 pm. $19-$122. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. spokanearena.com
JUNE 10 & 11, 2023
JUNE 10 & 11, 2023
SPOKANE CONVENTION SPOKANE CONVENTION
CENTER - ALL AGES! CENTER - ALL AGES!
PO P CULTURE LIVES! LILACCITYCON.COM
MARY POPPINS Using a combination of magic and common sense, Mary Poppins must teach a family how to value each other again. June 2, 7 pm, June 3, 3 & 7 pm and June 4, 3 pm. $16-$20. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. cytspokane.org (509-227-7404)
THE MUSIC MAN TFast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm through June 4. $12-$16. Spokane Children’s Theatre, 2727 N. Madelia. spokanechildrenstheatre.org
MET LIVE IN HD: DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE
One of opera’s most beloved works receives its first new Met staging in 19 years — a daring vision by renowned English director Simon McBurney. June 3, 9:55 am and June 5, 6 pm. $15-$20. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)
THE WYETHS: THREE GENERATIONS
A collection of works by N.C. Wyeth, one of America’s finest illustrators; his son Andrew, an important realist painter; Andrew’s son Jamie, a popular portraitist; and extended family members. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through Aug. 20. $7-$12. The MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
ARTFEST This 38th annual event is a celebration of art and fine craft in our region and Spokane’s largest juried art fair. June 2-3, 10 am-7 pm, June 4, 10 am-5 pm. Free. The MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org
BACKWATER An exhibition of material and sound with Palouse-based artists Sara St Clair, Abigail Hansel, Sister June and Rachel Svinth. Starting June 2, open by appointment through the end of the month. Free. Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. kolva-sullivangallery.com
CECILE GRACE CHARLES: RAINBOWS
The artist, author and textile designer paints with colors and shapes to tell stories of life in all its earthly forms. Reception: June 2 from 5-8 pm. June 2-July 31, Tue-Sun from 11 am-8 pm. Free. Mom’s Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing, 1226 W. Summit Parkway. momstattoo.com
DANIEL LOPEZ: WORLD WAR ME Fine art paintings by local muralist and artist Daniel Lopez, aka Godffiti. June 2-July 3, daily 10 am-6 pm. Reception June 2 from 5-9 pm. Free. Entropy, 101 N. Stevens St. explodingstars.com
FIRST FRIDAY Art galleries and businesses across downtown Spokane and beyond host receptions to showcase new displays of art. June 2 from 5-8 pm. Details at firstfridayspokane.org.
ROBERT BANGER Spokane native Robert Banger re-learned how to be an artist after a brain injury in 2007. This exhibition features drawings, paintings and sculptures. June 2, 5-9 pm and by appt. through June 30. Free. Hamilton Studio, 1427 W. Dean Ave. hamiltonstudio.com
JULIE SMETANA: UNATTACHED This gallery show features ceramic works by the Spokane-based artist. June 3-30, Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm. Free. Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. TracksideStudio.net (509-863-9904)
LOUISE KODIS & BECKY BUSI This
double exhibition features handmade picture books about food by Louise Kodis and new works by Becky Busi. June 2-24, Fri-Sat from 12-8 pm. 12-8 pm through June 24. Free. Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main Ave. sapgallery.com
PREVIEW: LITTLE SPOKANE RIVER
ARTIST STUDIO TOUR An exhibition featuring a selection of artists participating in the upcoming studio tour. Participants include Amber Wyckoff, Megan Perkins, Gina Freuen and more. June 2-30; Wed-Sat 2-7 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Free. Craftsman Cellars, 1194 W. Summit Pkwy. littlespokanestudios.com
SARAH B. HANSEN The acrylic painter showcases two dozen new pieces at this First Friday event. June 2, 5-8 pm. Free. Marmot Art Space, 1206 W. Summit Pkwy. marmotartspace.com
SPOKANE CARVERS RENDEZVOUS
Learn how to carve, sharpen your skills and take classes on all things woodcarving. June 2, 9 am-4 pm and June 3, 9 am-4 pm. Free. The Tin Cup, 10013 W. Charles Rd. spokanecarvers.com
SPOKANE QUEER ART WALK This city-wide event features LGBTQIA+ artists showcasing their work in venues throughout in downtown Spokane. Free. spokanearts.org/queer-art-walk
THRICE TOLD CULINARY TALES Artists
Louise Kodis, Wendy Zupan and Cheyn Kodis present handmade picture books about food, fairy tale menus, collages and paintings of desserts. June 2-24, Fri-Sat from 12-8 pm. Free. Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main. sapgallery.com
INTRO TO LETTERPRESS: PRIDE PRINTS Learn how to use moveable
type and other printable elements to make posters in support of Pride Month and the LGBTQIA2S community. June 3, 1-4 pm. $50. Spokane Print & Publishing Center, 1921 N. Ash St. spokaneprint.org
PIVOT OPEN MIC: BLUNDERS Hear or tell stories about faux pas, mistakes, slip-ups and snafus. Stories should be eight minutes or less and told without notes. June 1, 6:30 pm. By donation. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. pivotspokane.com (509-444-5336)
3 MINUTE MIC Readers may share up to 3 minutes’ worth of poetry (theirs or someone else’s). Open to all ages. June 2, 7-8:30 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com
ANDREA BROWER: SEEDS OF OCCUPATION, SEEDS OF POSSIBLITY Brower discusses how Hawaii became the epicenter of the biotech seed industry and how a resistance movement arose to confront the industry’s power. June 4, 5 pm. Free. Auntie’s, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com (509-838-0206)
VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISIT: SHARON M. DRAPER Draper discusses her books for elementary, middle-grade children and teens. Registration required. June 6, 1011 am. Free. scld.org
REBEKAH ANDERSON & SHAWN
VESTAL Novelists Rebekah Anderson (The Grand Promise) and Shawn Vestal (Godforsaken Idaho and Daredevils) read from and sign their books. June 7, 6:30-7:30 pm. Free. Liberty Park, 502 S. Pittsburg St. spokanelibrary.org n
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Rosethrow - DJ | Nick Grow - Acoustic Covers | Jerry Lee Raines - Soulful Funk and Rock ‘n Roll | Helmer Noel - Pop | Spokane
Taiko - Drumming | Kori Ailene - Modern
Pop/Americana | Okay, Honey - Modern Folk
Scott Ryan Ingersoll - Indie Rock | Heat
Speak - Folk | Musha Marimba - Kids’ Group
Kari Marguerite & The Seventy Six - Soul/Pop
Rosie Cerquone - Pop Percussion
FRIDAY
JUNE 2 – 10 AM TO 7 PM
SATURDAY
JUNE 3 – 10 AM TO 7 PM
SUNDAY
JUNE 4 – 10 AM TO 5 PM
The 38th Annual ArtFest is a three-day celebration of art and fine craft and an Inland Northwest tradition for the entire family.
75 juried regional artists
Painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry and more
Live music and Make it Art for kids
Food trucks and beer garden
Jerusalem Middle Eastern Cuisine | Mangia Pizza | Bibby Booth | Mary Lou’s Ice Cream Old Fashioned Kettle Corn | Surge Coffee
Schedules, festival access, parking and more at artfestspokane.com
Support provided by
In the wake of legalization, research into cannabis and its effects has exploded. We now know more about the drug than ever before, with new studies published on a near constant basis.
Unfortunately, the bad news tends to be amplified above the good.
That was the case again last week, when a study published in early May hit the wire services and spread like wildfire.
It’s easy to see why the story took off when you read headlines like, “Marijuana linked to mental health risks in young adults, growing evidence shows,” from NBC News, or the blunt, “New research shows link between cannabis and psychosis,” from NewsNation.
The study in question, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, looked at every person in Denmark who was between the ages of 16 and 49 at any point between 1972 and 2021. It did indeed find a link be-
BY WILL MAUPINtween cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia in young adults, particularly young men.
In the medical community there is an established and defined definition of cannabis use disorder. Specific criteria must be met for the diagnosis. Simply smoking weed isn’t enough, but you wouldn’t know that from these sensational headlines.
The phrase “cannabis use disorder” is mentioned in the NBC News and NewsNation stories a combined three times, and neither story makes any attempt to define it. As a result, readers could easily have the takeaway that simply smoking weed is making people go crazy.
It’s almost Reefer Madness for the 21st century.
Almost, because unlike the 1936 anti-drug propaganda film now viewed as a comedy more than anything else, this study and others like it are real and they are concerning. The connection between cannabis use disor-
der and schizophrenia that they show appears genuine.
Cannabis users should be made aware of these potential risks.
Just like they should be made aware of potential benefits. Unfortunately, the mantra of “if it bleeds, it leads” is still too prevalent in some corners of the news media. Which explains why stories about young people smoking weed and developing mental health issues are going viral right now.
They’re a lot easier to package than a story on, say, another study from early May in which the American Medical Association found that cannabis use led to significant quality of life improvement for people with chronic health issues.
The scientific community continues to learn about cannabis, both good and bad, and as consumers it’s important to understand that there’s always more to the story. n
BE AWARE: Marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older under Washington State law (e.g., RCW 69.50, RCW 69.51A, HB0001 Initiative 502 and Senate Bill 5052). State law does not preempt federal law; possessing, using, distributing and selling marijuana remains illegal under federal law. In Washington state, consuming marijuana in public, driving while under the influence of marijuana and transporting marijuana across state lines are all illegal. Marijuana has intoxicating effects; there may be health risks associated with its consumption, and it may be habit-forming. It can also impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Keep out of reach of children. For more information, consult the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.
Be aware of the differences in the law between Idaho and Washington. It is illegal to possess, sell or transport cannabis in the State of Idaho. Possessing up to an ounce is a misdemeanor and can get you a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine; more than three ounces is a felony that can carry a five-year sentence and fine of up to $10,000. Transporting marijuana across state lines, like from Washington into Idaho, is a felony under federal law.
WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
WARNING: This product has intoxicating e ects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
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