Squeeze in some fun as holidays hit full swing
SANDPOINT — How did Christmas sneak up on us like this? Along with that last-minute shopping and gift-wrapping, you should probably squeeze in a bit of fun this week — and there’s plenty of that to go around!
Starting tonight, the action gets underway with the final performances of the season for the original musical ‘Christmas Carole’ — also on stage Friday night at the Panida. The buzz has been huge for this one, so don’t wait to get those tickets. Also tonight, Sandpoint’s own Holly McGarry plays live at MickDuff’s Beer Hall.
On Friday, Truck Mills supplies the sounds at Pend d’Oreille Winery and there’s a Bart Budwig/Little Wolf show at Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters.
We’ll also look ahead to next weekend and New Years offerings, which include a classic film and toast at the Panida, Pimps of Joytime at The Hive and Beethoven’s Ninth at The Fox.
Merry Christmas and wishes for peace and love in your Happy New Year!
Thursday, Dec. 22
‘Christmas Carole’ Holiday Musical at the Panida
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
‘Christmas Carole’ is a locally written, produced and performed musical that has its final shows this week at the Panida!
The play is a new, current-day tale based on the Charles Dickens Scrooge classic, with a twist. The show includes a talented cast of more than 30 actors, dancers and singers, featuring Debbie Lindner, Ron Ragone, Miriam Robinson and Robert Moore in challenging memorable roles.
While many cast members have years of theater and musical theater experience, there are also more than 10 actors under 18, filling out the cast and securing this as a real, true family Christmas experience. The cast of ‘Christmas Carole’ has been working hard rehearsing lines, music, songs and choreography for months and it all comes together starting this week.
Additional show on Dec. 23.
Admission: $15 adults, $10 for those 18 and under, available online at
panida.org, at Santosha and Creations on the Cedar Street Bridge or at the box office (if still available).
Information: panida.org
Holly McGarry at MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7-10 p.m
Hauntingly beautiful folk music with soul - That’s what Holly McGarry is all about! This Sandpoint artist is back in town and would like to see some friendly faces at her show.
Admission: Free to those 21 and over.
Brian Jacobs at 219 Lounge
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 8 p.m.
Brian is back, with great Thursday music and an extra helping of fun for Skier & Boarder Appreciation Day. Anyone with a season pass, day pass or employee I.D. from any ski hill in the U.S. or Canada gets in on special prices for the night.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Friday, Dec. 23
‘Christmas Carole’ Holiday Musical at the Panida
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
‘Christmas Carole’ is a locally written, produced and performed musical that shares its final show of the season tonight at the Panida!
The play is a new, current-day tale based on the Charles Dickens Scrooge classic, with a twist. The show includes a talented cast of more than 30 actors, dancers and singers, featuring Debbie Lindner, Ron Ragone, Miriam Robinson and Robert Moore in challenging memorable roles.
While many cast members have years of theater and musical theater experience, there are also more than 10 actors under 18, filling out the cast and securing this as a real, true family Christmas experience. The cast of ‘Christmas Carole’ has been working hard rehearsing lines, music, songs and choreography for months and it all comes together starting this week.
Admission: $15 adults, $10 for those 18 and under, available online at panida.org, at Santosha and Creations on the Cedar Street Bridge or at the box office (if still available).
Information: panida.org
Truck Mills at Pend d’Oreille Winery
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Sandpoint has a heaping helping of great music, but there’s only one Truck Mills. It seems like whatever instrument he picks up — and he plays several — takes on a new life in his hands. Whether it’s a deep groove on Delta blues slide guitar or something more exotic sounding on one of his international instruments, Truck is a master at his art.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Bart Budwig/Little Wolf concert at Evans Brothers Coffee
Venue: Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters, 524 Church St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7 p.m.
Bart Budwig doesn’t write the big songs. He writes the songs about the places between the hills, in the draws and hidden canyons where truth is a little more in focus, stories can take their time gettin’ told, heartbreak is a place of deep reflection, and melodies don’t have to wear rhinestone suits or drive new, shiny cars to be beautiful.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Devon Wade at 219 Lounge
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 8 p.m.Stop by the Two-One-Niner for some straight up country sounds with local singer-songwriter Devon Wade.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Ben Olson at MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 312 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7-10 p.m. — Friday, Dec. 23
Ben Olson normally plays in his band Harold’s IGA, but every once in awhile plays solo. His solo shows will feature a collection of originals and covers that don’t normally get played out in Sandpoint.
Admission: Free to those 21 and over.
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ radio play at The Bing
Venue: The Bing Crosby Theater, 909 W. First Ave., in Spokane.
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 6:30 p.m. — Friday, Dec. 23
What happens when you pair a little vintage charm with a timeless tale about the trials and triumphs of life? Well, you find yourself a rapt audience member in the recreation of a 1940’s radio program It’s a Wonderful Life! Showcasing the beloved holiday classic, this behind-the-scenes radio-show experience will be performed on stage at the Bing Crosby Theater.
An excellent cast from Spokane Civic Theatre will pull double duty as they bring the teeming world of Bedford Falls to life on stage while simultaneously playing the characters in Joe Landry’s clever mash up of depression era radio and the beloved Frank Capra film.
Admission: $21.50 adults, $13.50 students, available at the box office (if still available) and online at: www.friendsofthebing.org
Information: 509-534-5805
Saturday,
Dec. 24
Arbor Public Market on the Cedar Street Bridge
Venue: Cedar Street Bridge, corner of First & Cedar, in Sandpoint.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ radio play at The Bing
Venue: The Bing Crosby Theater, 909 W. First Ave., in Spokane.
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 6:30 p.m. — Saturday, Dec. 24
What happens when you pair a little vintage charm with a timeless tale about the trials and triumphs of life? Well, you find yourself a rapt audience member in the recreation of a 1940’s radio program It’s a Wonderful Life! Showcasing the beloved holiday classic, this behind-the-scenes radio-show experience will be performed on stage at the Bing Crosby Theater.
An excellent cast from Spokane Civic Theatre will pull double duty as they bring the teeming world of Bedford Falls to life on stage while simultaneously playing the characters in Joe Landry’s clever mash up of depression era radio and the beloved Frank Capra film.
Admission: $21.50 adults, $13.50 students, available at the box office (if still available) and online at: www.friendsofthebing.org
Information: 509-534-5805
Monday, Dec. 26
Truck Mills Blues Jam at Eichardt’s
Venue: Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, located at 212 Cedar St.,
in Sandpoint.
Time: 7:30 p.m. — Monday, Dec. 26
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Saturday, Dec. 31
‘An Affair to Remember’ film and New Year’s celebration at The Panida
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 7:30 p.m., film starts at 8 p.m.
It’s been a wonderful year for the Panida, but our community theater couldn’t have done it without you. Join your friends for New Year’s Eve as we toast out the old year and bring in the new. After the film, there will be a champagne or apple cider toast. You may dress to celebrate or dress to be warm and cozy, but do come help usher in a new year!
Admission: $10, which includes champagne toast.
Pimps of Joytime New Year’s Eve show at The Hive
Venue: The Hive, 207 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m. — Saturday, Dec. 31
The Pimps of Joytime promise a rockin’ New Year’s celebration and it all goes to benefit our own Angels Over Sandpoint — great fun and a great organization.
Admission: $30 in advance for ages 21 and older, available at Evans Brothers Coffee, 7B Boardshop, Eichardt’s Pub & Grill and Pucci’s Pub.
Information: www.livefromthehive.com
Spokane Symphony ‘Beethoven’s Ninth’ concert at The Fox
Venue: Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., in Spokane.
Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert starts at 7:30 p.m., Saturday
Back by popular demand, the more than 140 musicians of the Spokane Symphony and Chorale will join the ecstatic multitudes around the world who celebrate New Year’s Eve with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony! Soloists are Sarah Davis, soprano; Patti Mortier, mezzo-soprano; Christopher Pfund, tenor; and Charles Robert Stephens, bass. The symphony and chorale will be conducted by Eckart Preu. What better way to celebrate the arrival of 2017 than hear Beethoven’s masterpiece, with its themes of joy and the brotherhood of man? You won’t want to delay getting your tickets to this family-friendly, frequently sold-out event.
Admission: Tickets start at $28 for adults, $16 for youth, available at the box office of Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, by calling 509-624-1200, or online and at all TicketsWest outlets.
Sunday, Jan. 1
Polar Bear Plunge at City Beach
Venue: Sandpoint City Beach
Time: Noon, Sunday, Jan. 1
Are you brave enough to take The Plunge? Jump into the frigid waters of Lake Pend Oreille and say hello to 2017! You’ll be joined by Boy Scout Troop No.111 — Sandpoint’s oldest Boy Scout troop.
Along with other stalwart souls, there will be heated changing tents and hot chocolate to warm you up after the plunge.
Admission: Free and open to the public.