Community's Entertainment scene is seriously lit up
SANDPOINT — Here we are in February and the turn of the page into a new month brings a full menu of entertainment opportunities to town. As we peer into the next week — and a tad bit ahead — we find theatre, concerts, art classes, ski races and a whole, lot more.
You might want to mosey on up to Bonners Ferry tonight to catch their open mic night at the Pearl Theater. Friday and Saturday, it’s the second and final weekend for the Unknown Locals’ stage production of an original Ben Olson play at the Panida.
Also Friday, Schweitzer hosts the first night of its month-long Starlight Race Series with a 007 theme. On Saturday, check out our fabulous museum at no cost, during First Free Saturday.
As we look into the following week, we find a Contra Dance at Community Hall and a couple of wonderful concert to take in, including one next Thursday by the Olympia, Wash., duo The Lowest Pair, with Sandpoint’s Jake Robin opening at the Panida Little Theater, plus a POAC presentation of the amazing Montreal Guitare Trio on Feb. 11, at the Panida.
On top of it all, the live music scene is all lit up, with something for everyone in our local venues.
Thursday, Feb. 1
Open Mic Night
Venue: Pearl Theater, 7160 Ash St., in Bonners Ferry.
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., performances start at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Shiloh Rising. This free event takes place on the first Thursday of each month. Donations welcome.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Information: 208-610-2846 or online at thepearltheater.org
Registration deadline for art classes
Venue: Hope Memorial Community Center, 415 Wellington Place, in East Hope.
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., every Tuesday in February.
This art class will be a survey course with many options explored such as Zen tangle, portraiture, review of art basics, and media expansion to compressed chalk on charcoal paper. Suggestions are welcomed. All supplies are provided.
Admission: $40 covers all four weeks of classes, but participants must pre-register.
Registration: Call 208-264-5481 or email: mcmail@frontier.com
Friday, Feb. 2
‘Death of a Small Town in the West’
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m., curtain at 7:30 p.m. (Additional performance on Feb. 3.)
Returning to the stage after eight years, this original play by Ben Olson tells how Sandpoint is destroyed and rebuilt by greedy developers intent on making it into a theme park for the rich, leading local group of troublemakers takes things into their own hands. Directed by Madeline Elliott and produced by the Unknown Locals, ‘Death’ will make you laugh, cry, think, scream and shout all at the same time.
Admission: $10 in advance at Eve’s Leaves and Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, $12 at the door. Also available online at: panida.org
Starlight ‘007’ Starlight Race Series
Venue: Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Schedule: Feb. 2-23
This year’s theme is ‘James Bond-007!’ Costumes are encouraged and everyone 21 and over is invited to race.
Teams of 5: Skier, Snowboarder, Telemarker, or any combo of the three, male or female. The top three scores per team each week count, using Schweitzer’s custom Starlight handicapping system. Weekly team scores count for final team score. There will be nightly parties in Taps, featuring a Starlight Finale Party featuring live music with The Joshua Farmer Band and sweet prizes, too.
Admission: $250 per team. Please note: Helmets are required to race.
Registration: eventbrite.com
The Riff Hangers
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
This local band describes themselves as ‘an acoustic band, with traditional bluegrass/folk instruments. However, the style is an amalgam of many genres including country, blues, and swing.’ Break out the dancing shoes!
Admission: Free to those 21 and over.
Patrice Webb & Doug Bond
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5-8 p.m.
A fantastic night of folk music from two top musicians.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Truck Mills Band
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 9 p.m.
The Two-One-Niner hosts acclaimed Northwest guitarist Truck Mills and his four-piece band for a night of exceptional sounds. Mills is a master musician who plays a wide variety of music ranging from blues with a jazz-gospel flair to rock ‘n roll.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Mostly Harmless
Venue: Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5 p.m.
Admission: Free to those 21 and over.
Saturday, Feb. 3
Brown Salmon Truck
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 9 p.m.
This Sandpoint trio of Drew Browne, Samantha Carston and Truck Mills play traditional to contemporary blues, jazz, Latin and more.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
‘Death of a Small Town in the West’
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m., curtain at 7:30 p.m.
Returning to the stage after eight years, this original play by Ben Olson tells how Sandpoint is destroyed and rebuilt by greedy developers intent on making it into a theme park for the rich, leading local group of troublemakers takes things into their own hands. Directed by Madeline Elliott and produced by the Unknown Locals, ‘Death’ will make you laugh, cry, think, scream and shout all at the same time.
Admission: $10 in advance at Eve’s Leaves and Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, $12 at the door. Also available online at: panida.org
First Free Saturday
Venue: Bonner County History Museum, 611 S. Ella Ave., in
Sandpoint.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join your friends at The Museum for a day of soaking up our rich local and regional history. The museum is always filled with fascinating exhibits, so this is a great chance to check them out if you haven’t already.
Admission: Free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of local sponsors.
Information: 208-263-2344
Brian Jacobs & Chris Lynch
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Brian Jacobs and Chris Lynch are teaming up for an exciting night of live music in Sandpoint. They are a fun duo with a great sound that will have you on the dance floor.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Monday, Feb. 5
Truck Mills Blues Jam
Venue: Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, located at 212 Cedar St.,
in Sandpoint.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Beth Hart
Venue: The Bing Crosby Theater, 909 W. First Ave., in Spokane.
Time: 8 p.m.
Beth Hart is on fire. Right now, the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter is riding a creative tidal wave, firing out acclaimed albums, hooking up with the biggest names in music and rocking the house each night with that celebrated burnt-honey voice.
Admission: $29.50-$55, available at the box office (if still available) and TicketsWest outlets.
Information: 509-534-5805
Tuesday, Feb. 6
Night-Out Karaoke
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 9 p.m.
Sing to your heart’s content, or just enjoy the show as locals gather to show their stuff.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
West African Traditions Drum Class
Venue: Embody Studio, 823 Main St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
This group explores the rich tradition of West African drumming styles under the expert leadership of Ali Thomas.
Admission: Suggested donation of $5-$15
Information: Call 208-597-1892 to reserve a djembe for class, or visit online at: dununbabe.com
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Truck Mills
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7 p.m.
Famed Sandpoint musician Truck Mills and a special guest will be jamming at the Niner! Come out and chill out with friends to great blues, folk, gospel and jazz tunes.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Open Mic Night
Venue: Skal Tap Room, 476930 U.S. Hwy. 95 (next to Sandpoint Sports), in Ponderay.
Time: 5-8 p.m., Wednesdays
Skal Taproom invites musicians and comedians to step up and show their stuff.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Paint & Pint with Infini Gallery
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 312 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 6 p.m.
The Beer Hall has teamed up with their neighbors Infini Gallery & Art Studio for a fun Paint & Pint event! February’s theme is going to be a ‘Soul Mate Spirit Animals’ painting in step with the upcoming Valentine’s Day. Space is limited.
Admission: Cost is $35 and includes all the art supplies, instruction and your first drink. Pre-register and pay online at Infinigallery.com/book-online.
Thursday, Feb. 8
The Lowest Pair
Venue: Panida Little Theater, 304 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 6:30 p.m.
An intimate, acoustic evening with The Lowest Pair — a sultry country folk duo out of Olympia, Wash. Sandpoint’s own singer/songwriter Jake Robin will warm things up.
Admission: $15 in advance, $17 at the door, under 12 free, available in advance at Eichardt’s Pub, Loaf & Ladle or online at: panida.org
Friday, Feb. 9
Sandpoint Contra Dance
Venue: Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Celebrate the joys of community by dancing with friends — those you already know and the new ones you’re about to meet! Live music will be provided by InTentCity and all dances will be called by Emily Faulkner. Previous dancing experience is not necessary. First-time dancers are encouraged to arrive on time for an introductory dance at 7 pm. Bring clean, comfortable, non-marking shoes to dance in.
Admission: Suggested donation is $5 per person, $20 for families. Please bring finger food or snacks to share at the break. Sponsored by Emily Faulkner, Lost Horse Press and Sandpoint Parks & Rec.
Information: 208-263-6751 or email: sandpointcontra@gmail.com
Sunday, Feb. 11
POAC presents Montreal Guitare Trio at the Panida
Venue: The Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The virtuosic classical guitar trio of Marc Morin, Glenn Levésque, and Sébastien Dufour pay tribute to the great composers of Spanish music, including Paco de Lucia and Manuel de Falla, in their ‘Danzas’ concert.
Admission: $10-$25, available at Eve’s Leaves, Eichardt’s Pub, Winter Ridge Natural Foods online at: artinsandpoint.org or at the box office.