Here’s your chance to be a star
Wanna be in the movies?
Big Fish NW Talent Agency, which books extras for the movies filmed in Spokane by North by Northwest, is issuing a call for warm bodies.
They need as many extras as they can get for “Alicia’s Book,” the Christian Slater movie now being filmed here.
There are hundreds of extras on the rolls already, but because so many movies have been filmed here in a row, Big Fish head Becky Reilly says she needs as many prospective extras as possible. They never know what the movie producers will be asking for from day to day.
How do you get on the list? Call Big Fish at (509) 328-3474, ext. 1, or toll-free (877) 424-4347, ext. 1, or e-mail info@bigfishnw.com.
‘Alicia’s‘ plot
By the way, we have an updated plot synopsis for “Alicia’s Book.”
Apparently, it goes roughly like this: Jack (presumably Slater) is engaged to Sam, who turns out to be a spy. She disappears after stealing millions in jewels. Jack then falls in love with Nicole, who turns out to be a spy as well. Sam resurfaces and Jack is torn between the two women. Multiple plot twists ensue.
Mitchell Trio on the road
The Chad Mitchell Trio, which had a triumphant reunion show in Spokane last year, has been booked for dates in Seattle (April 9 at the Moore Theatre) and Salem, Ore. (April 12 at the Elsinore Theatre). Tom Paxton will open.
The Trio, featuring Chad Mitchell, Mike Kobluk and Joe Frazier, was Spokane’s contribution to the folk boom in the early ‘60s.
If you’re interested in a road trip, you can buy the Salem tickets through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com), or the Seattle tickets through Ticketmaster ( www.ticketmaster.com, 206-628-0888).
Art School tribute
The art community will get a chance to say goodbye to the soon-to-be-vacated Spokane Art School building during an event called “Looking Back/Moving Forward,” Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the school, 920 N. Howard St.
This free event will include food, drink, artwork for sale and a program that will look back at 40 years of Spokane Art School history, and 23 years of history in this venerable building.
The board announced in January that it would have to sell the building for financial reasons. The organization itself will continue at various venues around the area, but this will be the last official event at the building.
Elton tickets
Tickets to that second Elton John show, April 13 at Pullman’s Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum, were still available as of press time.
The second show didn’t set off a buying frenzy like the first one, but that doesn’t mean you should procrastinate. Tickets range from $97 to $47, through TicketsWest outlets.
Tomlin confirmed
The Lily Tomlin show, June 5 at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, has been confirmed. Tickets will go on sale to the public March 28 through TicketsWest.
This will be a benefit for the education programs of Planned Parenthood of the Inland Northwest. Tickets will sell for $60, $70, $80 and $150. That latter price includes admission to a post-show reception with Tomlin.
The Fox facts
Speaking of the Fox, the theater has already hosted 23 concerts attended by 30,000 people – and that doesn’t count the 10,000 who toured on Community Day and the 3,000 who attended a concert at First Night Spokane.
All in all, said Spokane Symphony executive director Brenda Nienhouse, it has been a “successful first three months.”
The theater is being administered by a management team of Fox and symphony people. The first general manager, Patricia Iron, resigned less than a month after the Fox opened and has not been replaced.
Jack Johnson at Gorge
Jack Johnson, the singer-songwriter from Hawaii, will return to do a show at The Gorge on Aug. 22. Tickets go on sale Saturday through Ticketmaster outlets.
CYT season
Christian Youth Theater, which trains hundreds of students in theater, has announced its 2008-2009 season:
“Peter Pan,” Nov. 7-16; “A Christmas Story,” Dec. 5-14; “Little House on the Prairie,” Feb. 27-March 8; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” May 22-31, 2009; “Secret Garden,” dates to be announced.
Call (509) 487-6540 for more information.
An Andean evening
Koyasuyo, six-member group that plays music from the Andes, will give a benefit concert for the Spokane Folklore Society, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, Ninth and Walnut.
Admission at the door is $10 ($8 for members), with all proceeds going to the Spokane Folklore Society.
Trailer Park Troubadours
Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours have been booked into the Bing Crosby Theater on March 28 for a concert that combines folkabilly music with humor.
Antsy and the gang are more than a novelty act – they have had a number of songs on the country and roots-music charts and they have been featured on NPR.
Their most recent album, “Trailercana,” features guests Lindsey Buckingham, Tommy Smothers and Bonnie Bramlett.
Antsy comes by his trailer-park roots honestly. He grew up in the Pine View Heights Trailer Park in Kentucky.
Tickets should be available through TicketsWest outlets by the time you read this.
From WSU to NPR
Dennis Haarsager, the Washington State University associate vice president who is in charge of Northwest Public Radio, has been named interim chief executive officer of National Public Radio.
He’ll be running NPR while they conduct a search for a permanent successor to Ken Stern, who left the job on Thursday.
Haarsager has been the chairman of the NPR board of directors since November. He plans to retire from WSU to take on his new duties, which begin immediately.
A viola afternoon
Here’s an event you can check out today: Diana Clemons, in a viola concert that will include fiddling, jazz and Bach, at 2:30 p.m. at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center at The Old Church, 405 William St., Post Falls.
Clemons is a Juilliard graduate whose day job is founder and program director for Harmony Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center.
Admission at the door is $10 for adults, $5 for children, with a special $25 family price.