Swing into the new year with music of life
SANDPOINT — Well, well, well. We somehow managed to navigate what turned out to be a very “interesting” year. Or in the immortal words of the Grateful Dead — what a long, strange trip it’s been. Word.
And yet, the arts in our community continued to thrive. Good people just kept right on being good people. Love abounded, children grew and creativity flowed. So maybe what happens in the body politic isn’t the end-all and be-all after-all.
My wish for all of us is that we swing into this New Year with a revived sense of purpose; that we turn away from the peripheral noise and really hear the Music of Life all around us. Play your part, sing your song, paint your masterpiece, write your Great American Novel. If not now, then when?
Let’s make this the year where we have the courage to do the right thing every time the universe points the way. It’s true — we live in paradise, but not only because this is one of the most lovely places on God’s Green Earth. It’s you. And me. It’s all of us that make this landscape so spectacular.
From the heart, here’s wishing you joy and light and laughter, but mostly, here’s wishing you peace and love in the New Year! May we step over this threshold unafraid and clear-eyed — with the hearts of lions and the intent of angels.
Oh, yeah — and be sure to have fun. Fun is important.
Thursday, Dec. 29
Brandon Wattersson
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St. in Sandpoint.
Time: 7-10 p.m. — Thursday
Thursday Night Solo Singer/Songwriter Series, Come out for the Thursday night solo music series featuring Brandon Wattersson. He’s a longtime local with a great sound you’ve probably heard in the past with numerous bands.
Admission: Free to those 21 and over.
Doug Bond & Marty Perron at 219 Lounge
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 8 p.m., Thursday
Two guys pickin’ things and singin’, too! Plus, it’s 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. 30
The Electric Cole Show
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m., Friday
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Still Tipsy & The Hangovers
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 8 p.m., Friday
Ready for a big, juicy helping of rockabilly? Coming right up, homemade upright bass and all!
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Harold’s
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St. in Sandpoint.
Time: 7-10 p.m., Friday
Harold’s IGA is gracing the Beer Hall for a fun night of live music, cheers and beers!
Admission: Free to those 21 and over.
‘Frozen’ sing-along
Venue: The Bing Crosby Theater, 909 W. First Ave., in Spokane.
Time: 2 p.m., Friday
Back for a second year, the musical experience that invites audiences of all ages to sit back, ‘Let it Go’ and sing along with this special interactive screening of Disney’s beloved musical, Frozen, one of the ‘coolest’ animated hits of all-time!
Kick off the New Year with Friends Of the Bing and local, award-winning musician Nicole Lewis as Elsa, along with Olaf, Kristoff and friends at The Bing’s Frozen Sing-along party!
Admission: $15 for children 12 years and younger, $20 for adults, available in advance online at: www.friendsofthebing.org. At the door prices are $20 and $25 respectively.
Information: 509-534-5805
Saturday, Dec. 31
‘An Affair to Remember’
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 7:30 p.m., film starts at 8 p.m., Saturday
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.
Brian Jacobs
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday
Brian Jacobs brings a delightfully eclectic, acoustic sound to his memorable performances. His music style selection is broad and deep, encompassing Folk, Rock and Soul.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Harold’s IGA New Year’s Party
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 8 p.m., Saturday
Northwest style and North Idaho roots make for an awesome musical combination. Be there for the champagne toast at midnight to ring in the New Year.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Arbor Public Market
Venue: Cedar Street Bridge, corner of First & Cedar, in Sandpoint.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Riff Hangers New Year’s Eve
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St. in Sandpoint.
Time: 7-10 p.m., Saturday
Have a fun NYE with local bluegrass band, Riff Hangers. This local band describes themselves as ‘an acoustic band, with traditional bluegrass/folk instruments. However, our style is an amalgam of many genres including country, blues, and swing.’
Admission: Free to those 21 and over.
Pimps of Joytime New Year’s Eve show
Venue: The Hive, 207 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m., Saturday
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
David Raitt & The Baja Boogie Band
Venue: DiLuna’s Café, 207 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner, concert starts at 7:30 p.m., Saturday
This band is always a hit at DiLuna’s, but this is the first time David and the group has played for New Year’s Eve, you’ll want to be there!
Raitt is the brother of Grammy Award-winning performer Bonnie Raitt and the son of Broadway legend John Raitt. The band has been touring together for about five years, delivering solid shows of blues and rock.
Admission: $20, with dinner available before the show.
Reservations: 208-263-0846
Spokane Symphony ‘Beethoven’s Ninth
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.
‘Frozen’ sing-along
Venue: The Bing Crosby Theater, 909 W. First Ave., in Spokane.
Time: 2 p.m., Saturday
Back for a second year, the musical experience that invites audiences of all ages to sit back, ‘Let it Go’ and sing along with this special interactive screening of Disney’s beloved musical, Frozen, one of the ‘coolest’ animated hits of all-time!
Admission: $15 for children 12 years and younger, $20 for adults, available in advance online at: www.friendsofthebing.org. At the door prices are $20 and $25 respectively.
Information: 509-534-5805
Sunday, Jan. 1
Polar Bear Plunge
Venue: Sandpoint City Beach
Time: Noon, Sunday
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 #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.
Monday, Jan. 2
Truck Mills Blues Jam
Venue: Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, located at 212 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7:30 p.m., Monday
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Friday, Jan. 6
‘SEED: The Untold Story’
Venue: Panida Little Theater, 304 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7 p.m., Jan. 6 (additional showings on Jan. 7, 8)
This documentary movie follows passionate seed keepers protecting our 12,000 year-old food legacy. In the last century, 94 percent of our seed varieties have disappeared.
As biotech chemical companies control the majority of our seeds, farmers, scientists, lawyers, and indigenous seed keepers fight a David and Goliath battle to defend the future of our food. In a harrowing and heartening story, these reluctant heroes rekindle a lost connection to our most treasured resource and revive a culture connected to seeds. ‘SEED’ features Vandana Shiva, Dr. Jane Goodall, Andrew Kimbrell, Winona Laduke and Raj Patel.
Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 students, $4 children.
‘Captain Fantastic’ film and Q&A with Viggo Mortensen
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13 (additional showing Jan. 14)
Captain Fantastic, starring Viggo Mortensen, tells the story of a father devoted to raising his six kids off-grid through rigorous physical and intellectual education in the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
A family tragedy forces them to leave their paradise and enter the world, challenging the father’s idea of what it means to be a parent.
Each evening will include a screening of the film followed by a question and answer session with the actor. The event will benefit Panhandle Community Radio (KRFY) and Team Autism 24/7.
Admission: $15, available in advance at Eichardt’s Pub and Grill, Evans Brothers Coffee and Syringa Cyclery in Sandpoint, by calling KRFY at 208-265-2992, and online at www.panida.org
Information: 208-265-2992