Son Volt adds spice to Pig Out
Here’s another national act added to the Pig Out in the Park schedule over Labor Day weekend: Son Volt. That name means plenty in the world of roots-rock/alt-country.
Son Volt is one of two bands that arose out of the ashes of Uncle Tupelo, a band that the Music Hound reference guide calls “the Rosetta Stone of the alternative-roots-country movement.”
Uncle Tupelo’s frontmen were Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar. Tweedy later formed Wilco. Farrar formed Son Volt.
Son Volt went on to make a series of acclaimed albums, including 1995’s “Trace,” before Farrar embarked on a solo career. The group’s first new album in seven years, “Okemah and the Melody of Riot,” will be released next month.
Now a reconfigured Son Volt, featuring Farrar, has been booked into Pig Out, the big restaurant-and-music fair at Riverfront Park on Labor Day weekend. This show will be Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. As always, it will be free.
A hobbit-related sellout
Apparently, “The Lord of the Rings” is not just a movie draw – it’s a musical draw.
Individual tickets for the Spokane Symphony’s special “Lord of the Rings Symphony” concert on Nov. 12 already have sold out.
That’s especially impressive considering this concert is not in the Spokane Opera House – it’s in the bigger Star Theatre at the Spokane Arena.
The concert will feature a symphonic version of Howard Shore’s score for the blockbuster trilogy. This six-movement piece also will feature the Spokane Symphony Chorale. A total of 200 musicians will be onstage.
If you want to be there for this event, there are still some options. You can order a season subscription to either the Classics series or the SuperPops series, each of which include this concert.
Call the symphony ticket office at 624-1200 or go to www.spokanesymphony.org.
CenterStage meets goal
Good news from CenterStage: The theater’s goal of $30,000 was met on June 5 after a month of fund-raising.
Staff and supporters walked, ran, marched and otherwise perambulated around the West 1000 block of First Avenue to raise the necessary money.
What’s next? More fund-raising, according to managing artistic director Tim Behrens.
The next phase has already begun. CenterStage needs to raise another $30,000 by Aug. 15. Then it will need to raise another $30,000 by Nov. 15.
CenterStage, a nonprofit organization, makes most of its money through ticket sales and other earned income. Yet like other arts organizations, it must supplement its income through grants and donations in order to survive.
Want to help? Call 747-8243.
By the way, CenterStage is starting up a new Summer Arts Camp for Kids, grades 4-9. The camp will teach theater arts, ballroom dance, writing and even cooking. Call the above number for more info.
Pavillion Park festival schedule
The Summer Festival at Pavillion Park has become a tradition in Liberty Lake.
Here are highlights of the concert schedule:
“ Fourth of July Concert, July 4, 6 p.m.: Three acts, including the Latin band Milonga, the country blues of Keeler, Melvin and Morse, and the jazz of Rob Vaughn, will precede the fireworks display.
“ Future Stars Talent Show, July 15, 7 p.m.: Young people will compete for cash prizes.
“ Men in the Making, July 16, 7 p.m.: The popular Spokane rock band.
“ LeRoy Bell, July 23, 7 p.m.: Acoustic soul from this Tacoma resident who made the charts in the ‘70s as part of the duo Bell & James.
“ Riders in the Sky, July 30, 7 p.m.: The Grammy-winning cowpoke musical trio, combining comedy and old-fashioned Western tunes.
“ Craig Marquardo Jazz Trio, Aug. 6, 7 p.m.: An Oregon jazz trio, in a unique concert which also will include a world premiere screening of Marquado’s feature film, “Sway,” in which he stars as a movie executive who opts for a quiet life in the Northwest.
“ Lud Kramer Memorial Symphony Concert, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.: The Spokane Symphony and musical director Eckart Preu present a concert of classical favorites.
In addition, there will be a full schedule of outdoor movies, beginning with “Star Wars: Episode IV” on July 8 and continuing most Friday and Saturday evenings through Sept. 2.
All concerts and movies are free. Pavillion Park is at the corner of Country Vista Drive and Molter Road in Liberty Lake.
Campbell House book
“Campbell House,” a new book celebrating the grand old mansion, is on sale.
The mansion is on the grounds of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC), which backed this book project. The publication was researched by the late Spokane historian John Fahey.
The book doesn’t just describe the house; it also describes the family’s history and the social conditions during the Progressive Era.
“Campbell House” is available at the MAC store and at Auntie’s Bookstore for $12.95.