etc. - July 15, 2010

Hot Club of Spokane will perform at Tekoa

The Hot Club of Spokane will bring an impressive array of musicians to present a “hot jazz” concert at the Empire Theatre in Tekoa Saturday, July 17, at 7 p.m. They will be accompanied by award-winning cabaret singer Abbey Crawford. The five band members grew up in various regions of the country, but joined in Spokane to play New Orleans and Paris-influenced jazz.

Violinist Andrew Wilson has won state and national fiddling championships and performed at the Grand Ole Opry. He has composed and arranged music for the Phoenix Symphony. Last year he was named the National Fiddle Entertainer of the Year by the National Old Time Fiddlers Association.

Originally from Hawaii, Dayan Kai plays clarinet, guitar, harmonica and keyboards. Sightless from birth, he was formally trained in music starting at age 2. He has performed with artists from around the world and has five solo albums to his credit.

Robert Folle has played saxophone in a number of big bands from New York and Seattle. Son of Belgian expatriates, he brings a distinct European influence to the group. He prefers high-energy, danceable tunes and loves to tweak traditional tunes with modern riffs.

Bass violinist Kim Plewniaka, a native of Buffalo, N. Y., earned advanced degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and has performed professionally in a number of symphony orchestras. She also teaches students from EWU and Gonzaga and plays for the Spokane Symphony.

Bandleader Garrin Hertel, a classically trained piano player, plays rhythm guitar and performs vocals for the Hot Club. Mostly self-taught on guitar, he has also taken lessons from Howard Alden, Henry Johnson, Corey Christiansen and Sid Jacobs.

Crawford was raised in Iowa, and trained at Yale University’s International Cabaret Conference and has opened for Blood, Sweat and Tears. In addition to highlighting the Hot Club’s concerts, she writes and directs USO shows and teaches cabaret singing locally.

Lead Guitarist Steve Bauer majored in music theory and composition at Ohio State University and honed his skills playing lead guitar and mandolin for a number of country and bluegrass bands.

Admission to the show will be $12 for adults, $5 for students with children 12 and under free.

Soulstice at Dahmen

Soulstice will perform at the Dahmen Barn Saturday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m. Playing together since 2009, these six musicians play popular music with great harmonies. On lead guitar and vocals is Becky Bitter who has played guitar since she was a kid. Wendy Peterson who has played with artists around the northwest for 20 years is on keyboards. Lead vocalist is Melissa Elkins.

Originally from New Jersey, Tom Carroll plays Blues Harp and percussion. Gary Scheer brings his jazz-influenced guitar stylings to the group and Randy Woltering on bass guitar.

Offer stargazing on Steptoe Butte

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission with Spokane Astronomical Society will have a stargazing session at Steptoe Butte State Park, from 8 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 7, with stargazing activities beginning at 9 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to view Saturn, Venus, Mars, star clusters and galaxies.

Debbie Cotten of the society will talk about the use of the telescopes and provide an explanation of objects visible during the event.

Participants are also welcome to use their own telescopes. Those who wish to learn how to use their own telescopes are encouraged to bring their equipment.

Bug repellent, blankets, lawn chairs, jackets and flashlights with a red lens can be used. Please do not bring pets.

St. James rummage sale

St. James Episcopal Church 81st Rummage Sale will begin today, July 15, 4 to 8 p.m., and continue Friday, July 16, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, July 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale is at WSU Beasley Coliseum in Pullman at the Orchard Drive entrance. Parking permits are not required.

Offer SeaQuest VBS

SeaQuest! Vacation Bible School will be next Monday through Friday, July 19-23, from 9 a.m. to noon at Macedonia Baptist Church in Colfax. Bible stories, songs, crafts, games, skits, snacks and prizes for youngsters age 3 and up will be on the program. For further information call the church or visit their website:

http://www.macedoniaindependentbaptist.com

‘Noise Guy’ will sound off at Eells

Charlie Williams, the “Noise Guy” who can imitate the sound of planes, trains and automobiles, will present a free show at Eells Park Thursday, July 22, at 1 p.m. He is also a children’s librarian, kids’ comedian, author and illustrator. One of his typical shows could include sounds of dinosaurs, monster trucks and beatboxin’.

When Williams tells his fractured fairy tale of Jack chopping down the beanstalk, Jack does not use an ax. He uses a chainsaw.

The Noise Guy believes “the family that makes noise together is a family that enjoys together.”

This free show is provided by the Friends of Whitman County Library.

Hog Heaven cancels

Hog Heaven Big Band, scheduled to perform July 24 at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown, has had to cancel that date. They will resume their monthly swing dances Aug. 28 and perform the fourth Saturday of each month through November.

Births

Cloninger girl born

A daughter, McKinna Marie, was born June 21, 2010, at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center in Colfax, to Jake Cloninger and Brandi Roper of Garfield. Paternal grandparents are Pat Cloninger of Colfax and Alice Rager of Garfield. Maternal grandparents are Bruce Roper and Jana Roper of Garfield. Paternal great-grandparents are Judi Stern, Elberton, and the late Larry Stern, and Mike and Roberta Bailey of Colfax. Maternal great-grandparents are Wanda Roper of Oakesdale, and Paul and Lynda Moore of Royal City. Weighing seven pounds, 12 ounces at birth, the baby joins one brother, Austin, 8, and Madison, 6.

KAMIAK BUTTE CAMPFIRES

Saturdays at dusk

July 17-Dan Leonard, Life on Kamiak

PULLMAN PARKS CONCERTS

Wednesdays, Reaney Park, food vendors at 5:30, concert at 6 p.m.

July 21-Honeybuckets, retro acoustic rock and pop.

On Campus

DRAMA

Idaho Repertory Theatre

“The Dining Room,” July 15, 16, 17, 29, 31, 7:30 p.m .; Matinee, July 25, 2 p.m.

“As You Like It,” Shakespeare Under the Stars, July 22, 24, 27, 28, 30, 7:30 p.m. Matinee, Aug. 1, 2 p.m.

Bookmark

The July 20 meeting of the Whitman County Library Board of Trustees has been canceled. Staff from the Colfax Branch is working diligently to meet a re-opening of the library on Aug. 9 so Board members agreed to forgo the monthly meeting.

Plans are also in the works for a grand reopening celebration on Wednesday, Aug. 11 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 p.m. The grand re-opening will also include an open house, refreshments, activities for kids and the opening of the library’s Rural Heritage exhibit. The Friends of Whitman County Library will host the event. For more information, contact Kristie Kirkpatrick.

Ronald McDonald comes to Eells Park in Colfax, today Thursday, July 15, at 1 p.m. as part of Summer Reading 2010. He’ll mix music and magic to reinforce the value of books and the enjoyment of reading for area youngsters. Summer Reading programs end next week with a visit from The Noise Guy.

Summer Reading completion logs can be turned in for goody bags beginning on July 22. Children are encouraged to pick up prizes before the Library closes for maintenance Aug. 2-8.

Regular children’s programming also continues on Thursdays at 10:10 a.m. with preschool storytime and Fridays Play and Learn from 10-11:30.

Next Pajama Storytime will be Wednesday, July 28, at 7 p.m. in the Colfax Library. This program is another fun way kids can celebrate the summer.

New books that might be of interest:

The Cheapskate Next Door by Jeff Yeager provides a lesson on living happily well below your means. Interviewing a variety of self-professed cheapskates, he finds common practices and philosophies when it came to money.

Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey: Treats for Kids by Jill O’Connor is a collection of desserts that gives more than 75 sticky, chewy, messy, gooey reasons to stock up on napkins.