travel spokane

Square Dance, Country Western, Contra, Clogging, and Line Dance to Live Music at the National Square Dance Convention, June 27–30

Stephanie — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:56:28 +0000

On Hoopfest weekend, thousands of basketball enthusiasts will be competing in the nation’s largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament. In a different part of downtown Spokane, thousands of people from all over the country will be dancing their tails off. The 61^st National Square Dance Convention will be held at the Spokane Convention Center (334 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard). With attendance expected at nearly 8,500 (as of today, there are already 5152 registrants), the convention will deliver some 7,200 room nights and an estimated economic impact of $8.6 million.

Each day, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., there will be dancing on 12 dance floors, including handicap accessible dance floors. Every night, there will be a live band in the Mainstream Dance Hall. There will also be education classes to introduce dancers to various forms or square dancing, as well as sewing seminars if you want to learn how to make the fun costumes that square dancing is known for (FYI: you don’t have to wear the special costumes to attend the convention; click here for the dress code). Or you can buy attire from the 90-plus square dance shops in the convention vendor area.

Wednesday night, the Timebenders, a group that plays music from the 50s, 60s, and on to the present with celebrity impersonations, will perform a show at the INB Performing Arts Center. Tickets are only available to registered convention attendees and are $35 for a BBQ dinner in Riverfront Park plus the show or $20 for just the show (purchase on the registration form).

For four days of dancing, plus education classes, registration is an absurdly cheap $60 for adults or $30 for youths 5–17. Visitors who just want to watch, attend the classes, and/or shop in the vendor area can buy passes for $5 at the Walk-Up Registration Station in the INB lobby.

If you are traveling to Spokane for the convention, book your room at Stratford Suites [http://www.stratfordsuites.com/], Spokane’s best lodging value. Relax in a luxurious room with a full kitchen, 50″ HDTV DVD, and free laundry. Located just minutes from downtown Spokane, near the airport. Call 509-321-1600 or 888-705-8877 for information on flying and shopping packages.

Do Something Extraordinary for Mom This Mother’s Day! Fun Spokane Mother’s Day Outings

Stephanie — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:43:27 +0000

Mother’s Day Tour of the Rockwood Historical District

On May 12 or 13, 12–4 p.m., take Mom on a walking tour of six houses in the historic Rockwood neighborhood on Spokane’s south hill. The 23^rd annual MAC (Museum of Arts and Culture) Mother’s Day Tour is presented by the Historic Preservation Committee of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. The nationally renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape architects designed the layout of this distinctive neighborhood. It is home to a variety of architectural styles from the first half of the 20th century. Architectural styles bridge the gap between the waning days of Spokane’s “Age of Elegance” and the new generation of designers and builders who left their imprint on Spokane’s built environment during the 1930s and 1940s. Tickets on sale now at MAC Admissions (Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and during the tour weekend (12–4 p.m.) at two of the houses on display: 527 E. Rockwood Blvd and 2105 S. Rockwood Blvd. Tickets are $12 for MAC members and $18 for non-members.

Mother’s Day Raft

Get your adrenaline rushing with a rafting trip on the lower Spokane River! Think of it as a great mother/child/partner/sibling bonding opportunity. For just $99 for two people (each additional person is $49), Spokane Parks and Recreation will take you and a special Mom you love (provided you are both at least 16 years old) on a memorable float on Sunday, May 13, 2–4 p.m. Register here and do it soon because there are only ten spots available!

Spokane Winery Association Spring Release Weekend Take Mom on a tasting tour of Spokane’s many excellent wineries. For winemakers, spring is a time of celebration that typically marks the end of the winemaking season and the start of a new wine year. On Mother’s Day weekend, all 19 (yes, Spokane has 19 wineries!) Spokane Winery Association members, plus the Cougar Crest tasting room and Nectar wine bar open their doors and invite people to sample new wines along with current vintages and talk to wine experts. Every knowledge level is welcome; this is not a snobbish wine event! Hours are 12–6 p.m., May 11–13. Most wineries charge a $5 tasting fee, which is generally credited toward any bottle of wine that you like enough to take home. My family takes Mom to this every year and it is always a blast, even for Dad, who doesn’t really care for wine. See you there!

Take Her Out to the Theatre for Mother’s Day!

Mothers are often too busy to enjoy the pleasures of going out to a nice show. Treat her to a live play performance for Mother’s Day. Interplayers Professional Theatre is showing a comedy called Taking Steps through May 20 (no show on Mother’s Day Sunday but there are performances Wednesday through Saturday before Mother’s Day). Click here or call the box office at 509-455-7529 for tickets, which are $15–$24. Spokane Civic Theatre is showing “Premier!,” a comedy written by the author of Man of La Mancha and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest through June 3. Click here or call the box office at 509-325-2507 for tickets. All tickets are $19.

Listen to Your Mother Spokane Live Reading

In honor of Mother’s Day, local mothers who write and publish online will take the stage and read on Sunday, May 13, 7:00 p.m., at the Bing Crosby Theatre. Listen to Your Mother is a national series of live readings directed, produced, and performed by local communities. Tickets are $12 through TicketsWest or $15 at the door (cash only).

Get that Antique Appraised before You Sell It in the Yard Sale: Appraisal Days at Custer’s Spring Antique and Collector’s Sale, April 20–22

Stephanie — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:29:14 +0000

This weekend, you have a chance to find out what those antiques you’ve been keeping are really worth. At Custer’s 37^th annual Spring Antique and Collector’s Sale, experts will be on hand to appraise your hand carried items (no firearms or musical instruments; for large items, just bring photos that show detail), so you can decide to keep, toss, or sell your collectibles. The MAC Appraisal Days runs Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. The fee for each item appraised is $7 and benefits the MAC Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Bonus: everyone who has an item appraised will receive a 2-for-1 admission coupon for the MAC! Since the price of adult admission for the MAC is the same as the appraisal fee ($7), it’s like getting one item appraised free.

Plan to arrive early as appraisals are first come, first served. There is a limit of five items per person. In order to have your items appraised, you must pay admission to the Spring Antique and Collector’s Sale ($6 for adults all weekend long, kids 12 and under free, free parking), the largest indoor antique and collector’s sale in the Inland Northwest. Over 200 dealers participate, and there are thousands of vintage pieces in all price ranges to choose from, including kitchenware, industrial, jewelry, furniture, primitives, rustic garden, elegant glass, shabby chic, prints, and retro items. Show hours are Friday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The appraisers will only be on hand Saturday and Sunday, but as your admission is good all weekend, you can browse the show on Friday and come back Saturday or Sunday to have your items appraised.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Play in the Mud at the Dirty Dash June 16! Regular Registration Closes April 4, Late Registration Open through June 12

Stephanie — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:13:33 +0000

Remember when you were a kid and used to splash through puddles and play in the mud with nary a thought of ruining your clothes or losing your dignity? Recapture that feeling at the Dirty Dash Spokane on June 16, 2012, at the Equestrian Area at Riverside State Park. According to the official website, “The Dirty Dash is a mud run obstacle course where a military boot camp meets your inner five-year-old’s fantasy and subsequently converts boy to man and then man to swine.”

The course is about 4.5 miles and is much more than just a muddy track. You’ll slither over and under walls, climb mud hills, crawl through pipes, slide on giant slip ‘n slides, and maneuver fun obstacles. There is even a “Beer Chug Obstacle” (root beer also available) where you will chug a beer before attempting the challenge (for beer, you must present your ID and get a wrist band before the race starts).

If you want to bring the kids and have some good, dirty family fun, check out the Piglet Plunge for ages 2–12 (must be accompanied by a parent, only $5 to register), a 1-mile course with kid-friendly obstacles and features like the “Hog Wash” and the “Pig Sty.”

Prizes will be awarded all day for everything from the “Dirty ‘Stache Award” to the “Dirtiest Family Award.” Costumes are encouraged, but make sure you are family friendly!

There are Dirty Dash events held all over the West. All events benefit charities—the Dirty Dash Spokane benefits the local YMCA, Peak 7, and other local charities. Regular registration for the Dirty Dash Spokane is $45.00 through April 4. Late registration is $50 and is open until June 12. There are thousands of participants, but don’t worry, you sign up for a particular wave start time, so everyone is not crowded together. You can sign up by yourself or as a team racing together. Click here to register for the main dash or the Piglet Plunge. Your friends and family are encouraged to come cheer you on—they can watch for free and buy water balloons to pelt you with as you slosh through the muck. Parking is free and will be at a nearby TBA location with free shuttles running all day.

See Award-Winning Hot Rods, Customs, and More at the Auto Boat Speed Show: March 30–April 1

Stephanie — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:34:36 +0000

This weekend, gorgeous cars, boats, and motorcycles from near and far will be displayed at the Spokane Auto Boat Speed Show. This is a rare chance to see one-of-a-kind custom dream vehicles, perfectly restored classics, and race cars/boats gathered indoors in Washington. You can even meet the people who build the cars. Look for John D’Agostino, who built a custom on a new episode of Speed Channel’s Car Warriors that will air later this year, and pin-up model Amy Delacroux. The Spokannibals Roller Derby girls will be at the show, and the bands In-flux; Ricks Brothers; and Gorilla, Rabbit, and Chicken will play Friday and Saturday.

Be sure to check out the “Kardiac 500”1967 Shelby GT500 from Quesnel, BC, Canada, built by JF Kustoms, which made it in the GREAT 8 in Detroit, and the “TIMELESS” 1932 Ford all steel body roadster, both of which have been showcased on the ISCA circuit all over the U.S.

“Kardiac 500”1967 Shelby GT500 from Quesnel, BC, Canada, built by JF Kustoms, which made it in the GREAT 8 in Detroit

In addition to show awards, there are two fun contests for people attending the show: a 50s/60s glamour themed pin-up contest Friday at 7:00 p.m. (first place wins $300) and a model car contest (bring your model car, for more information email modelcarspokane@gmail.com or call 509-325-3545).

The show is located at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center (click here for a map). Hours are Friday noon to 10:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The awards show starts at 6:00 p.m. Sunday night. Admission is $14.00 for adults (or get your $2.00 off coupon at NAPA stores), $10.00 for senior/military, $5.00 for kids 6–12, and free for kids 5 and under. Longhorn BBQ food will be for sale, and yes, there is a beer garden!

Celebrate How Literature Captures Your World at the 14th Annual Get Lit! Festival

Stephanie — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:55:31 +0000

The Get Lit! 2012 Literary Festival is April 10–15.

Next month, the Get Lit! Festival will serve up a great menu of local, new, and nationally recognized authors. Events include readings, youth events, poetry slams, expert panel discussions, and workshops to help aspiring writers. The festival runs April 10–15 at various venues around Spokane. This year’s theme is writers who “capture the world.”

Sherry Jones will open Get Lit! with a reading in character as the “White Queen.”

Spokane’s own Sherry Jones will kick start Get Lit! 2012 with a reading on Tuesday, April 10, 7:00 p.m. at St. George’s High School theater. Jones’ first two novels, The Jewel of Medina and The Sword of Medina, are international best sellers about the life of A’isha bint Abi Bakr, who married the Muslim prophet Muhammad at age 9 and went on to become the most famous and influential woman in Islam. Her new book, Four Sisters, All Queens, which chronicles the lives of four sisters in 13th century Provence who became queens of France, England, Germany, and Italy, comes out in May 2012. In the meantime, you can check out her novella White Heart, about the famous French “White Queen” Blanche of Castille, available as an e-book through Simon & Shuster April 3.

Most Get Lit! events are free and open to the public, including Sherry Jones’ reading, poetry slams, the Pie and Whiskey reading (21 and over), numerous readings at Riverpoint and other area venues, and panels and talks. Headliner shows are $15 and workshops are $30 or $20 for students. Click here for a full schedule.

Get Lit! 2012 Headliners

Susan Orlean (The Orchid Thief, which the film Adaptation was based on, and Rin Tin Tin: The Life and Legend) and Steve Almond (Candyfreak, Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life, and God Bless America), Thursday, April 12, 7:00 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater

Jess Walter (The Financial Lives of the Poets (currently being made into a movie), The Zero, and Citizen Vince) and Colson Whitehead (The Intuitionist, Sag Harbor, and Zone One), Friday, April 13, 7:00 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater

Lois Lowry (Number the Stars and The Giver) and The American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life Presentation of The Giver, Saturday, April 14, 7:00 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, free for all youth

Ted Kooser (Pulitzer prize winner and former Poet Laureate, author of the American Life in Poetry newspaper column), Sunday, April 15, 11:30 a.m., Lincoln Center

Rick Bass (Nashville Chrome, Why I Came West, Where the Sea Used to Be) and Stellarondo (Montana all-strings band), Saturday, April 14, 7:00 p.m., Masonic Temple

Tickets to headliner events are available through TicketsWest, 1-800-325-SEAT. A festival pass is available for just $45 and gets you in to all headliner events. Students from any regional high school or college get in free with school ID at the door, space permitting, or they can pick up tickets at college book stores prior to the events. You can register for workshops at spokaneparks.org or call 509-625-6200.

Head to the Great White North for Affordable Late Season Powder: Red Mountain Resort

Stephanie — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:41:40 +0000

Red Mountain Resort gets 300 inches of snow a year.

Did you know that one of the top ski resorts in the world is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Spokane? Re d Mountain Resort is situated in the beautiful triangle of British Columbia known as “B.C.’s powder bowl” near Rossland, recently voted Canada’s #1 outdoor town by Explore magazine. Right now, you can experience Red Mountain’s prime conditions at a great discount with the spring 4-pack deal—buy a pack of four lift tickets at 25% off. The tickets are fully transferable.

Skiing at Red Mountain

Red has been called one of the Top Ten Resorts of North America by Forbes Magazine. The average snowfall is around 300 inches, and the area is known and loved for its champagne powder. You can explore 88 runs with six lifts that have short lines. There are plenty of runs for beginners and intermediate skiers, and Red also has some of the most challenging terrain found anywhere and world-renowned tree skiing.

If you stay at Red Mountain Resort Lodge, your kids 12 and under ski free with an adult lift ticket purchase. Also, from March 19–April 19, if you want to take a spring skiing vacation, you’ll get two free nights and two free days of lift tickets when you book three nights of lodging and three days of lift tickets. Room rates start at $213, and some have private hot tubs. Check the deals page for packages that include cat skiing for the more adventurous skiers.

Rossland, British Columbia

Rossland is a friendly, fun town and the hub of the surrounding vast outdoor recreation opportunities. There are four excellent cross country ski trail networks within an hour’s drive of the town and gorgeous backcountry snow shoeing opportunities. You can hang out between excursions for boutique shopping, great local coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants (Gypsy at Red and Rock Cut Pub are my personal favorites). The historic, charming downtown area makes for a pleasant, exploratory stroll.

Rossland is just a few minutes from Red Mountain Resort, which is located 10 km north of the border. Click here for directions.

What Should We Do for Valentine’s Day? Great Ideas and Hot Deals

Stephanie — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:43:54 +0000

If you or your sweetheart is asking that question, check out these great ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day in Spokane, including several that are very affordable (marked as “DEAL”).

DEAL Romantic Valentine’s Day Hotel Package

Stratford Suites luxury hotel is offering a Valentine’s Day-themed package that includes a one-bedroom suite, a bouquet of red roses, a bottle of red wine, and gourmet chocolate truffles for only $139. All rooms feature 50” HDTV/DVD, full kitchens, and free high-speed wireless internet. Located a short drive from downtown and very close to the Northern Quest Casino and Resort (see below for fun things to do there). Call (888) 705-8877 or (509) 321-1600 or email frontdesk@stratfordsuites.com to make reservations!

Current Spa and Salon

Play at Northern Quest Resort and Casino

Northern Quest offers an impressive array of food, pampering, and entertainment. Choose from fourteen restaurants and lounges, including Spokane’s only AAA four diamond restaurant, a sports bar with a 30’ by 10’ HDTV, a premier cigar lounge, and a nightclub. The 46,000 square feet of gaming includes table games, live poker, over 2,000 slot machines, live Keno, and off track betting. For a relaxing, romantic getaway, check out the Current Spa, where you can treat your sweetheart to a massage, facial, or body treatment. Couples’ treatments are available, and you can even receive a couples’ massage in your room if you stay at the resort’s luxury hotel. Valentine’s Day packages are available. Call 509-242-7000 for more information.

DEAL Wine Tasting Galore

The weekend before Valentine’s Day, the wineries of Spokane (there are nineteen) and local wine shops are opening their doors and offering tastings and special deals. Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., the Spokane wineries will host ValenWine weekend. Visit any participating winery for wine samples paired with delectable sweets. Click here for a map of wineries. Tasting fees may apply and are usually applicable to a wine purchase.

Warm up your taste buds with a pre-Valentine’s wine tasting and food sampling at William’s Seafood Market and Wines Friday, February 10, from 3–6:30 p.m. Taste wines for just $1 (tasting fee credited toward any purchase). Select offerings from Del Rio Vineyards, Sterling Silver Meats, and Just American Desserts will be available to try, and you can pick up some delicious food to prepare a romantic dinner at home. The Market is located at 2118 N. Ruby. Call 509-321-0747 for more information.

At Vino! A Wine Shop (222 S. Washington Street), you can sample bubblies and more for $10 on Friday, February 10, from 3–5:30 p.m. On Saturday, February 11, the entire store is on sale (hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), so you can stock up for Valentine’s Day and the winter. Tastings will be available all day for $5.

DEAL Snowshoe and Wine Tasting on Mt. Spokane

For a fun couple’s outing, give your sweetheart the gift of fresh air, gorgeous scenery, and fine wine. Spokane Parks and Recreation will provide the snowshoes and transportation for a spectacular day of snowshoeing on Mt. Spokane on Sunday, February 19, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After exploring the snowy trails, the group will head to Trezzi’s Farm Winery. The cost is $39, plus a $3 wine tasting fee. Call 509-363-5418, and click here to register. Check out the Spokane Parks and Rec Winter 2012 Outdoor Program for other great ideas for Valentine’s gifts for outdoor enthusiasts.

Spokane Symphony Concert: Brilliance and Virtuosity

Get dressed up (or not) and bring your Valentine to the historic Fox theater (downtown at 1001 W. Sprague Ave.) this weekend for a romantic show featuring a violin concerto. A special Valentine’s package of a long-stemmed rose and small box of chocolates is available for an advance-purchase price of $10. Click here to read the Inlander’s article about this beautiful collection of music and Mateusz Wolski, violinist. Two shows will be performed, on Saturday, February 11 at 8 p.m. (pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m.) and Sunday, February 12 at 3 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. or by phone at 509-624-1200. They may also be purchased at all TicketWest outlets or at 1-800-325-SEAT.

DEAL Laugh Together at a Comedy Show

Laugher has been called the best aphrodisiac, so a comedy show makes a great Valentine’s Day date! Check out the Blue Door Theater for live improvisational comedy. Every Friday in February, the group will perform “It’s a Date,” in which audience-inspired characters look for love, at 8 p.m. (suitable for all ages). Saturdays at 9 p.m., enjoy “PG-13” short-form improv at the “Safari” show. Tickets are $7–$9. Call 509-747-7045 for reservations.

Uncle D’s Comedy Underground at Bluz at the Bend hosts live stand-up comedy in Spokane’s only Las Vegas style showroom with full bar and dinner service. Doors open at 6:30 and shows start at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $12; call 509-483-7300 for reservations. On February 14, Tuesday, at 8:00 p.m., there will be a special “Singles Awareness Day” show, perfect for singles or anyone wanting to go out with friends on Valentine’s Day.

Beauty and the Beast Broadway Musical Starts Thursday!

Stephanie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:53:40 +0000

If you loved Disney’s 1991 film Beauty and the Beast but don’t have tickets yet to the Broadway musical version that comes to Spokane’s INB Performing Arts Center this week, you should order fast. Most performances are almost sold out; your best bet for good tickets is to go either Thursday at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The live, colorful musical about a provincial young woman and a prince who has been turned into a beast and must learn to love and be loved in order to be turned back features the Academy Award winning score from the Disney film, plus additional scores. This Disney musical follows the film version from 1991 closely (the original French fairy tale dates back to the 1700s).

Part of West Coast Entertainment’s Best of Broadway series, which brings Broadway shows to Spokane, this Beauty and the Beast production is a national tour that was developed by the original creators of the Broadway run that began 15 years ago. Amy Burger of KDHX Radio in St Louis, where the show recently played, wrote: “The show is a complete feast for the senses with detailed, colorful, multi-layered sets, special effects and elaborate period costumes.” If you saw the very popular 1999 show in Spokane, you’ll recognize some of the great special effects. For a video preview of the beautiful show, click here. Can’t get enough and want some Beauty on your computer? You can download a Beauty and the Beast widget and wallpaper here.

Beauty and the Beast runs January 26–29, 2012, at the INB Performing Arts Center in downtown Spokane. Click here for directions. Parking is available in pay lots (one is across the street and another is just a block away) for around $10.00. For tickets, go to TicketsWest.com. Seats are $42.50 to $92.50.

Night Skiing at Mt. Spokane Now Just $19!

Stephanie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:47:59 +0000

It’s finally snowing here in Spokane, so now is the time to hit the slopes while the powder is fresh. Our closest resort, Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, is offering cheap night skiing Wednesday–Saturday through March 10 (always call first, as dates and times are condition dependent). For just $19, you can ski under the lights from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. Day lift tickets purchased Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday include the night session when available, so you can ski all day and night for the price of one day lift ticket! Day lift tickets are $18–$47; click here for a list of prices.

Night skiing offers some unique perks besides being a bargain: less crowds, a fun date night, and sometimes live music at the lodge (click here for Mt. Spokane’s Foggy Bottom Lounge schedule).

Tips for Night Skiing

Have a ski buddy. The slopes are brightly illuminated, but the forested surroundings are dark, and someone should always know where you are.
Dress warmly and pile on more layers, as the temperature will typically decrease at least 10 degrees, plus wind chill, when the sun goes down.
Make sure your car battery and lights are fully functional to avoid a very dark, long walk down the mountain or a long, cold wait for AAA.
Bring ski goggles that are clear or yellow.