From the Studio

Acclaimed pianist Lara Downes is in town for a couple of shows, and she visited our studio to give us the scoop on her new album: “Holes in the Sky.” A collection of songs written and performed by Lara and other leading female artists, it celebrates the contributions of phenomenal women to the past, present, and future of American music. She will be performing in Thomas Hampson’s “Song of America: Beyond Liberty” concert at 8 PM this Friday in the Martin Woldson Theatre at The Fox, and a Girls

Grammy Award-winning baritone Thomas Hampson has returned to his hometown for a concert of his own creation, entitled “Song of America: Beyond Liberty,” and he came to our studio to tell us a little bit about it. The show will feature Thomas, acclaimed pianist Lara Downes and an ensemble of musicians from the Spokane Symphony as they explore more than 250 years of American history through music and poetry. The performance will be at 8 PM on March 1 in the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

Grammy Award-winning baritone Thomas Hampson has returned to his hometown for a concert of his own creation, entitled “Song of America: Beyond Liberty,” and he came to our studio to tell us a little bit about it. The show will feature Thomas, acclaimed pianist Lara Downes and an ensemble of musicians from the Spokane Symphony as they explore more than 250 years of American history through music and poetry. The performance will be at 8 PM on March 1 in the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

Director Kristi Bell and actors Lisa Benscheidt and Millie Brumbaugh of the Pend Oreille Players made the pilgrimage to our station to discuss their production of “Good Neighbors,” a touching new play which depicts the personal growth experienced by a widow after her husband’s death, aided by her relationship with the new neighbors. Performances will be at 7 PM on March 1 & 2 and 3 PM on March 3, with more times next weekend. This show is suitable for general audiences.

Director Andrew Start and actors Will Gilman, Marvin Hughes, and Aubree Peterson came to us from Spokane Civic Theatre’s Firth J Chew Studio to give a preview of their upcoming show “The Flick.” Focusing on three underpaid employees of a run-down Massachusetts movie theater, it reveals the comedy and conflict that plays out in the empty aisles as their lives become more intertwined. Performances will be at 7:30 PM on March 1 & 2 and 2 PM on March 3, with more each weekend through March 24.

Earlier today, Spokane Symphony Assistant Conductor Jorge Luis Uzcátegui came to our studio and broke down the program of their upcoming “Baroque 2: Handel’s Journey” concert. Performed alongside the Spokane Symphony Chorale, it is designed to take audiences on a journey through Europe in the Baroque tradition with pieces by Handel, Corelli and more. The two performances will be at 7 PM on February 23 in the Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ, and 3 PM on February 24 in the

The KPBX studio was visited this morning by explorer, filmmaker and artist Cory Trépanier. His touring multi-media exhibition, “Into the Arctic,” showcases a collection of over 60 oil paintings and three films documenting his expeditions into the Northern Canadian wilderness. “Into the Arctic” is currently on display at the MAC, and each of the films will be screened on February 23 at 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM & 6:30 PM, respectively, with more showings every Thursday and Saturday through May 12. For

Actor Michael Schmidt braved the cold weather today to give us an inside look at Spokane Stage Left Theater’s latest production: “Hecuba.” This modern rewrite of the ancient Greek tragedy written by Euripides endeavors to show a more realistic depiction of the events following the fall of Troy, with the main focus on the fate of its queen. Performances will be at 7:30 PM on February 22 & 23 and 2 PM on February 24, with more shows each weekend through March 10. This play may not be suitable

On this cold, snowy morning, two musical men arrived at our station for an interview: Spokane Symphony Music Director Finalist and Guest Conductor James Lowe and accomplished pianist Haochen Zhang, who will feature in the symphony's upcoming “Classics 6: Passion’s Pursuit” concert. Performances will be at 8 PM on Saturday, February 16 and 3 PM on Sunday, February 17 in the Martin Woldson Theatre at The Fox.

It was a pleasure to have actor Tim Behrens and composer, arranger and musician Olivia Brownlee in to talk with us today about “My Favorite Toy Was Dirt: An American Story in Concert.” Penned by the late, great humor writer Patrick F. McManus, the production features Tim vs. seven musicians who interrupt, interject, and interfere with the proceedings as they play Olivia’s original score. The two Spokane performances will be at 7:30 PM—one on February 15 in the SCC Lair Auditorium, and the other