Eye Contact Next week, local artists are once again joining together for a good cause, supporting Volunteers of America Eastern Washington and North Idaho’s annual Eye Contact fundraiser. Displayed alongside the creations of these professionals are images just as powerful that were created by homeless women and youths who’ve relied on VOA’s services during a difficult time. For guests of the one-night event, artists Freddy Throne and Katey Mandley will entertain with live artmaking, alongside performance art, music, silent and live art auctions, and, of course, food and drink. Volunteers of America operates the Hope House for women in downtown Spokane, along with Crosswalk Youth Shelter, transitional housing for veterans, and many other low-barrier programs to support those who are homeless.
Evergreen State of Consciousness Five Year Anniversary For five years, local artist collective Evergreen State of Consciousness has been crafting clothing, jewelry and other wares that tap into the metaphysical Northwest vibe (think crystals and consciousness wavelengths). To celebrate making it half a decade, the group is hosting a music-forward party aimed at “being present in the moment” (with that in mind, it’ll be an alcohol-free shindig). In addition to vendors and raffles, the evening features live local music ranging from EDM (Raskl, Jo Jo) to hip-hop (ExZac Change & Iyzlow Matisse, John MF Ward) to indie (Snacks at Midnight, Tyler Alai). Think of it as a musical mental cleanse.
Voting for Survival Fest You’ve received your ballot in the mail. Now what? Opening your midterm election ballot can be intimidating if you haven’t exactly kept up with recent political happenings, but this local event is trying to eliminate that problem. With ample local organizations in attendance and a plethora of resources at their disposal, voters are going to walk out of the Voting for Survival Fest feeling more informed and more confident. Play ballot bingo, win prizes, step into the photobooth, and listen to live music all day while engaging with activists and nonprofits dedicated to voter education. There’s even a kids zone, because it’s never too early to become an informed voter and learn how to actively participate in the democratic process.
Spokane Playwrights Laboratory: The Breakroom Writing a play isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. There are so many moving parts to keep track of and, frankly, the playwright probably cannot bear to read through the script even one more time. With workshops that act as a final lookover and first trial run of a script, the Spokane Playwrights Laboratory is a playwright’s best friend. This month you can catch the final workshop of SPL’s inaugural season, which features The Break Room by Hazel Bean. Set in an ordinary office, the play transports audiences into a Friday morning meeting that quickly spirals out of control, leaving Tobias and his band of rebels to fight for a change in their bleak, corporate world. The dark comedy play is recommended for audiences 13 and older.
Pivot: About Time It’s about time we gather, once again, to share each other’s unique human experiences. The fall in COVID-19 omicron variant cases has Pivot Spokane organizers excited to return in person to the Washington Cracker Co. Building to host another live storytelling event. Pivot has been providing a stage for local residents to share their struggles and triumphs for several years. Each story is different, however, and the uniting theme for the next event is “About Time.” Step into the shoes of several local storytellers while enjoying wine and beer from Overbluff Cellars. This installment features incredible stories such as Jaime Stacy’s struggles as a person with ethnic hair living in Spokane, and Brad Thiessen’s journey of rediscovery after recovering from a traumatic brain injury.