Spokane Symphony celebrates music of James Bond during ‘Pops 1’

As has been long established, James Bond likes his martinis shaken, not stirred. But music director James Lowe (jokingly) prefers his stirred, not shaken.

Luckily for both fans of Bond’s preferred method and those who side with Lowe, the Spokane Symphony will offer one of each martini before “Pops 1: The Music of James Bond” on Saturday at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.

The concert, conducted by Morihiko Nakahara and featuring guest vocalists Hugh Panaro (Broadway’s “Les Misérables,” “The Red Shoes,” “Side Shows,” “Phantom of the Opera”) and Morgan James (Broadway’s “Motown: The Musical,” “Godspell,” “The Addams Family”) celebrates the music of the films that have kept viewers on the edge of their seats for years.

Arrive early (doors open 90 minutes before the concert) to enjoy pre-concert activities courtesy of the symphony’s director of artistic administration and personnel manager Bethany Schoeff.

For “Pops 1,” Schoeff wanted to go with a James Bond/spy/gambling theme. The company Entertainment Warehouse is creating an area in which patrons can gamble using “funny money.” “Chuck E. Cheese style for adults,” Schoeff said.

There also will be a wheel of James Bonds. Patrons can choose their favorite Bond, and if the wheel lands on their pick, they win an extra ticket for the gift basket raffle. Each attendee will receive a free raffle ticket upon entry.

There will be an Aston Martin parked in front of the Fox, backdrops for photo opportunities and cardboard cutouts of Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their best Bond attire.

Schoeff, an oboist, began her career with the symphony as personnel manager before taking on general manager duties when the then-general manager departed.

The general manager was responsible for the more creative parts of a symphony show, although Schoeff said they weren’t taking things very far at that point. She suggested really taking advantage of the Fox for pre-show activities.

“We can really get people to have an experience, not only an amazing concert but they can experience something visual, as well and something interactive,” she said.

The first “Harry Potter” Halloween concert kicked things into overdrive, and many concerts have featured activities of some kind since then.

After “Pops 1,” Schoeff is looking ahead to “Ancient Tales of Magic: Music of ‘Harry Potter’ and Other Halloween Favorites,” “Pops 2: A Celebration of Veterans,” “Masterworks 4: 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing” and the “Movies and Music” series, all of which will have some kind of lobby activities.

“I’m stressed out to the max, but the creative part is really fun for me,” Schoeff said. “I like seeing people’s faces and that they’re enjoying themselves. That’s the most important part.”

“Pops 1: The Music of James Bond” features John Barry’s “James Bond Original Theme” from “Dr. No,” “Goldfinger,” “From Russia With Love” and “Diamonds Are Forever.”

The concert also features Lalo Schifrin’s “Mission Impossible” theme; Frank Loesser’s “Luck Be a Lady Tonight” from “Guys and Dolls;” Harold Arlen’s “That Old Black Magic” from “Star Spangled Rhythm;” Bernard Herrmann’s “North By Northwest” theme; Quincy Jones’ “Soul Bossa Nova;” Isaac Hayes’ theme from “Shaft” and Jim Steinman’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”

The symphony also will treat audiences to performances of Bill Conti and Mick Leeson’s “For Your Eyes Only;” P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri’s “Secret Agent Man” from “Danger Man;” Carlos Gardel and John Williams’ Tango “Por Una Cabeza;” Michael Giacchino’s “The Incredibles” theme; Paul and Linda McCartney’s “Live and Let Die;” Sam Smith’s “The Writing’s On the Wall” from “007: Spectre;” and Marvin Hamlisch’s “Nobody Does It Better” from “The Spy Who Loved Me.”