Spokane Sings Sondheim Last year the theater community lost Stephen Sondheim, an absolute legend in the world of musical theater. (“Legend” doesn’t even begin to cover the reach of his impact.) In celebration of the life and work of the prolific playwright, Spokane Ensemble Theatre is partnering with Adjust (a Birds in the Coast company) to bring the infamous vibes of 54 Below from the Big Apple to Spokane for a one-night-only performance. Ten local professionals perform selections from Sondheim’s catalog in a cabaret-style show that showcases local talent while paying tribute to the late composer. Tips for the performers via PayPal or Venmo are greatly appreciated.
Straight No Chaser Collegiate a capella groups are prevalent throughout campuses across the country, but usually their choral exploits end once everyone earns their diplomas. That wasn’t the case for Indiana University’s own Straight No Chaser, who parlayed early YouTube fame into becoming one of the biggest a capella acts on the planet. With over 2 million albums sold (and even a new 2022 cocktails/cookbook, Straight No Chaser Soundbites), the nine-piece vocal ensemble revels in arranging rich and intriguing versions of famed songs to entertain the masses. Pretty good for a kinda nerdy undergrad hobby.
Gina Chavez Gina Chavez is a 12-time winner at the Austin Music Awards, and if you know just what a crazed music town the Texas capital is, you know that’s big stuff. She’s an Austin native whose music bounces through genres, from classic pop and American roots music to cumbia, bossa nova and the Latin folk she discovered as a student in Argentina for a spell early in her career. She’s released a series of ever-better albums, packed with powerful social commentary and deeply personal stories. She’s toured the globe as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. State Department and won the grand prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. One look at her NPR Tiny Desk concert will make you a fan, and her latest album, 2020’s La Que Manda, is a Spanish-language wonder that fully embraces its title, translating to “the woman in charge.”
Songwriters in the Round Have you ever wanted to just hang out with a crew of songwriters and ride their collective musical vibe? That’s essentially what a round format provides: The artists share the stage, take turns playing songs, banter and collaborate a bit. Lucky You’s upcoming Songwriters in the Round brings together some of Spokane’s most established singer-songwriters — Marshall McLean, Karli Ingersoll of Windoe and Cathedral Pearls, The Holy Broke’s Kent Ueland, and Matt Mitchell — to while the night away in a bout of musical revelry. The unpredictable and communal nature of the format means the show will be one-of-a-kind.
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival If I told you that the largest jazz music festival west of the Mississippi takes place in Moscow, Idaho, would you believe me? The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, which honors the music and history of the titular jazz legend, is bringing in some major names in jazz music this year as the festival returns to in-person programming. Most notably, jazz icon Dee Dee Bridgewater. This music legend has been a pioneer in jazz vocals, putting her own spin on standards and winning two Grammys over the span of her 56-year-career. Bridgewater performs Friday as part of the four-day festival; see the website below for the full schedule.