Open house and film festival will celebrate Bing Crosby legacy

Bing Crosby Advocates, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legendary entertainer’s legacy, is set to host two of its biggest events in early December.

BCA will hold its fourth annual open house on Saturday at the Bing Crosby Museum, and its 12th annual film festival Dec. 9 at the Bing Crosby Theater.

The museum at 508 E. Sharp Ave., the legendary entertainer’s childhood home, will be decorated for the holidays.

More than 200 items will be on display in the museum, including mementos from Crosby’s life and career, such as his gold and platinum records, the Academy Award he won for the film “Going My Way,” pipes, trophies and photographs.

BCA members will serve hot cider and cookies. Admission is free to the public, with designated parking directly behind the house.

BCA’s film festival celebrates Crosby’s prolific Hollywood career. Crosby got his start performing skits in between silent films at the downtown theater, then known as the Clemmer.

Crosby’s nephew, Howard Crosby, will perform his uncle’s songs, and local jazz, blues and swing band Hot Club of Spokane will play favorites from the Crosby era.

Crosby’s 1954 film “White Christmas” will open and close the event. His 1942 film “Holiday Inn” will be shown in the afternoon.

Of special note this year is the first-time showing of Crosby’s 1950 film “Riding High,” directed by “It’s a Wonderful Life” director Frank Capra, father-in-law of BCA board member Carol Capra.