Spotlight: Blues performers plan benefit concert
Some of the area’s best and best loved blues acts will gather for Blues for Yo, a benefit concert from 3 p.m. to midnight Aug. 12 at Daley’s Cheap Shots, 6412 E. Trent Ave., in Spokane Valley.
Gary Yeoman is a Spokane native, blues guitarist and frontman for local blues outfit Voodoo Church. He was riding his motorcycle on July 21 when he encountered three deer in the roadway. He tangled with a fawn, which sent his bike spinning end over end, said bandmate Ryan Dunn. Fortunately for Yeoman, the man who lived at the nearby farmhouse was an EMT, being visited by two EMT friends. The three men got to work on Yeoman right away, and Dunn said they probably saved his life.
Still, the list of injuries was extensive. Yeoman broke about 25 bones – in both hands, his clavicle, bones in his face. He cracked his spleen and has road rash for miles.
Dunn said he was just released from the hospital and is recuperating at home. He has insurance, but it’s not coming close to covering Yeoman’s expenses.
When discussion turned to a benefit of some kind, Dunn said the Spokane bands were on board.
“Every single band in town approached us and said, ‘We want to help,’ ” Dunn said. “As far as the musical community in Spokane is concerned, Gary’s a musical treasure.”
The lineup for Aug. 12 will feature Sammy Eubanks, Bakin’ Phat, Pat Coast and Cary Fly, with Eric Rice, the Coyote Rose Band, the Usual Suspects, the Berfuela Brothers, Roamin’ Cadillac Church and Anita Royce and the High Rollers. All this for a suggested donation of $10.
Questions? Call (509) 279-8517 for information.
TAC seeks funding
Speaking of fundraisers, Theater Arts for Children has sent up a distress signal.
After 17 years of offering entry-level acting training for children at no charge, the nonprofit is on the brink of closing.
According to an email from board member Paul Baldwin sent to supporters last week, the group needs to raise $10,000 by the end of August: “approximately one-third of this will allow us to retire our most immediate debts so that we can keep our doors open.”
The group will host an open house/car wash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at their facility, 2114 N. Pines Road, Suite 3S in Spokane Valley, to help raise money. Donations can be made in care of TAC at Spokane Teachers Credit Union, or directly to Theater Arts for Children, P.O. Box 141926, Spokane Valley, WA 99214.
Meanwhile, there’s an opportunity to see the TAC in action. Today is the final day of the summer’s Student One Act showcase. Among the shows: “After Hours,” “Bottle of Joy” and “Unhappily Ever After.” Today’s show begins at 2 p.m. at the organization’s Pines Road studio theater.
Cabaret Cruise scheduled
Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre is hosting its second Sunset Cabaret Cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene on Aug. 21. Boarding begins at 6:30 p.m., departure is at 7 p.m.
For $25, people can enjoy the lake and take in some entertainment from cast members of the upcoming production of “Ragtime” and other CST alumni. Buy tickets online at www.cdasummertheatre.com or by calling the box office at (208) 769-7780.
Proceeds help support Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, the region’s only professional musical theater company.
Boyce takes over SPR
Spokane Public Radio has named Cary Boyce as president and general manager after a national search.
Boyce comes to Spokane from Indiana Public Media, where he was operations and production manager for WFIU for seven years. He also is an accomplished musician and composer. He won an Emmy for the music he composed for the PBS documentary “Harp Dreams.” He has won grants from the Pew Charitable Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts International. Boyce also is co-founder of Aguava New Music Studio, which produces and presents new music.
Boyce replaces Dick Kunkel, who resigned in January after 22 years at Spokane Public Radio.
SYS leader retires
Speaking of change, there’s a change at the Spokane Youth Symphony.
David Hollingshead, who has been executive director for six years, is retiring.
“David has served longer than any other administrator and we wish him the best of luck in his retirement,” said board president Rebecca Allington.
A free concert at Riverfront Park is the perfect way to wish Hollingshead well, Allington said in a news release.
The concert, the culmination of a weeklong series of rehearsals the young musicians will spend with Eastern Washington University faculty and Spokane Symphony Orchestra musicians, will be held at the park’s Lilac Bowl at 6 p.m. Aug. 16. It will be conducted by Julian Gomez-Giraldo. The youth symphony members and their families will be picnicking in the park beginning at 4 p.m.; the public is invited to join them.
A new executive director has been selected, Allington said in the news release, and will be introduced at the concert.
Comrades in Arts concert set
Interplayers, 174 S. Howard St. in Spokane, is hosting its second Comrades in Arts concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The lineup includes three Idaho-based musicians playing blues, Americana, neo-folk and alt-country – Pat Coast, Truck Mills and Ray Roberson.
Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the theater box office. Snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase. For information, call (509) 455-7529 or email the theater at boxoffice@interplayers.com.