Poetry to Music Music and poetry are deeply interconnected in so many ways. Lines flow melodically, words rhyme, and both art forms express emotions. So it’s no surprise that this annual event exists. Each year, music composition students from local universities try their hand at turning their favorite poems into stunning pieces of music at Poetry to Music, hosted by the Spokane Symphony Associates. The event promotes the work done by local music professors and students all while raising funds for the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. This year’s featured student artists hail from Gonzaga and Eastern Washington universities, studying under Michael Kropf and Jonathan Middleton, respectively. Also in attendance is Chris Cook, Spokane Poet Laureate from 2019-21, and Spokane Symphony’s current second trumpet player.
Christmas Tree Elegance Each year, the Spokane Symphony Associates puts on its popular raffle fundraiser by showcasing an array of elaborately adorned Christmas trees surrounded by a myriad of prizes. With the trees displayed throughout River Park Square and inside the Historic Davenport Hotel, viewers can buy tickets for a chance to win one — and everything around it — while on a holiday shopping spree or a fun outing in downtown Spokane. Proceeds from the 13-day event support the Spokane Symphony. Raffle tickets are $1 each and can be purchased on-site. Whether you want to try your luck or just admire the beautiful trees, Christmas Tree Elegance is a time-honored holiday tradition.