Special Events

Compiled by Susan Hardie


HOLIDAY IN JAZZ A special holiday treat is in store as the Spokane Jazz Orchestra performs Duke Ellington's arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and also showcases the voice of Seattle's Charlotte Carruthers on Dec. 4 at 8 pm. Tickets: $26.50. The Met, 901 W. Sprague (325-SEAT)





INSPECTING CAROL Spokane Interplayers presents this off-the-wall holiday farce through Dec. 18 on Tuesdays-Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays at 8 pm, and Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm. Tickets: $16-$20. 174 S. Howard St. www.interplayers.com (624-7529)





SEUSSICAL Imagine a world where anything's possible... that's what you'll find in this musical re-imagining of Dr. Seuss's most famous characters on Nov. 19, 26, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16-17 at 7:30 pm and on Nov. 20-21, Nov. 27-28, Dec. 4-5, Dec. 11-12 and 18 at 2 pm. Tickets: $19; $16, seniors; $12 students. Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. (325-2507)





THE NUTCRACKER This traditional holiday treat is presented by the Spokane Symphony with the Alberta Ballet and Ballet British Columbia on Dec. 3 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 4 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Dec. 5 at 2 pm. Tickets: $17-$34; $13, children 12 and younger. Opera House, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (624-1200)





POLAR EXPRESS SUITE The Spokane Symphony's Holiday Pops features the world premiere of Alan Silvestri's orchestral suite from the holiday movie on Dec. 18 at 8 pm and Dec. 19 at 2 pm. Tickets: $17-$38 for Saturday evening performance; $16-$25; $10 for children on Sunday matinee. Spokane Opera House, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (624-1200)





FESTIVAL OF FAIR TRADE Make a difference in the world at this holiday sale featuring fairly traded handcrafts from around the world on Nov. 26-28 from 10 am-6 pm. Free. The Community Bldg., 35 W. Main Ave. (838-0664)





DOLLY PARTON The great country diva visits Spokane with special guests the Grascals on Dec. 18 at 8 pm. Tickets: $34-$54. Spokane Arena, Boone Ave. and Howard St. (325-SEAT)





TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Big sound for a happy holiday on Dec. 27 at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $33-$43. Spokane Arena, Boone Ave. and Howard St. www.trans-siberian.com (325-SEAT)





SINGING WITH THE NUNS "Christmas in Our Towne" features the Singing Nuns with special guests Chad Mitchell and Randy Shaw on Dec. 14-15 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets: $20; $16, seniors and youth. The Met, 901 W. Sprague (325-SEAT)





BALLET AND BUBBLY Theatre Ballet presents its 17th annual "Ballet and Bubbly," a New Year's Eve favorite with its elegant champagne and chocolate reception and fabulous dancing on Dec. 31 at 8 pm. Tickets: $17. The Met, 901 W. Sprague (325-SEAT)





FIRST FRIDAY Downtown galleries celebrate the Spokane arts scene with receptions and extended gallery hours on Dec. 3 and the First Friday of every month from 5 pm-8 pm. Free. Downtown Spokane (456-0580)





COMEDYSPORTZ Enjoy improv comedy played like a sport as two teams perform a series of improv scenes based on audience suggestions. Shows every Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets: $8; $10, at the door. Free pizza at sold-out shows. 227 W. Riverside Ave. www.spokanecomedy.com (363-1279)





NEW FILM READING Hear a live reading of the new North by Northwest film project Stuck in Neutral based on the novel by Spokane author Terry Trueman on Dec. 5 at 7 pm. Free. Studio Theatre at Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. (325-1413)





THE SANTALAND DIARIES See this one-man rendition of a slacker working as an elf at Macy's Santaland on Dec. 5 at 3 pm and on Dec. 11 at 3 pm and 8 pm. Tickets: $15; $25,for two. The Met, 901 W. Sprague (325-SEAT)


HOLIDAY MARKETS Spokane Marketplace is the place to get into the holiday spirit with an artisans' village, special music and warm hearted spirit on Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 17-18 from 9 am-5:30 pm. 809 N. Washington St. (456-0100)





NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS & amp; CULTURE Look for the new Smithsonian Photgraphy exhibit, "Picturing the Century: One Hundred Years of Photography from the National Archives" from Dec. 10-Jan. 23. "Ancient Threads, Newly Woven," will continue its first stop on a national tour in Spokane through Nov. 28. Keiko Hara's "Seasons" is on display through Jan. 16. "Spokane Memories," a collection of photographs from the permanent collection, runs through April. "MAC Art: Eye on the Permanent Collection," a full-scale exhibition of the MAC's permanent collection, runs through Sept. 4, 2005. MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. (456-3931)





YULETIDE Enjoy the festive atmosphere of this holiday fine arts and crafts show and sale while choosing your favorites among the works of more than 50 artists on Dec. 3 from 10 am-8 pm, Dec. 4 from 10 am-6 pm, and Dec. 5 from 11 am-4 pm. Free. Spokane Art School, 920 N. Howard St. (328-0900)





MONSTERS ON ICE Treat the kids to some chilly fun as Disney on Ice presents Disney/Pixar's Monsters, Inc. on Dec. 1-3 at 7:30 pm, on Dec. 4 at 11:30 am, 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and on Dec. 5 at 1 pm and 5 pm. Tickets: $12-$35. Spokane Arena, Boone Ave. and Howard St. www.ticketswest.com (325-SEAT)





BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Treat the family to breakfast with the Big Guy hosted by Twigs at River Park Square, then ride a train to Imax to watch The Polar Express on the big screen, and then get a special gift from Santa and ride the Carousel - all to benefit the Ronald McDonald House on Dec. 4 at 9 am. Tickets: $25. Must preregister. (624-0500)





MONROE STREET ANTIQUES OPEN HOUSE Visit the antique stores just north of the bridge and get a chance to win the Grand Prize on Dec. 3 from 10 am-6 pm, on Dec. 4 from 10 am-5 pm and on Dec. 5 from noon-5 pm. (324-2018)





SANTA'S BREAKFAST AT THE DAVENPORT The Children's Museum presents a delicious breakfast buffet, a photo with Santa, make-and-take crafts and more on Nov. 27 from 8-11 am. Tickets: $20. Must preregister. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. (624-KIDS)





FREE HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES on Fridays from 3-8 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from noon-5 pm and a special Christmas Eve ride from noon-3 pm. Main & amp; Wall. (456-0580)





GINGERBREAD HOUSE SHOWCASE Stop by River Park Square to see Gingerbread wonders auctioned off for local nonprofits. While you're there, let the kids create a house of their own that they may take home for a $5 donation on Dec. 3-5. River Park Square, 2nd level, 808 W. Main Ave. (363-0304)





CHRISTMAS TREE ELEGANCE Enjoy the holidays in grand style with Christmas Tree Elegance, featuring 14 lavishly decorated trees laden with donated gifts to be raffled, family entertainment and more on Nov. 16-Dec. 4 from 9 am-9 pm. Tickets $1, with proceeds going to the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. (458-TREE)


THE BIG PICTURE Get into the holiday spirit in a very big way with IMAX, now showing The Polar Express: The Imax Experience daily at 11 am, 1:40 pm, 4:20 pm, and 7 pm. Tickets: $9; $8, seniors and military; $7, kids 12 and under. Nightly discount shows at 9:35 pm. Tickets: $7:50; $6.50, seniors and military; $5.50, kids 12 and under. A short film, Santa vs. the Snowman, shows daily at 12:55 pm, 3:35 pm, 6:15 pm and 8:50 pm. Tickets: $5. IMAX, Riverfront Park at the Ice Arena. (625-6686)





SPORTS AT THE ARENA See the Gonzaga Bulldogs play EWU Eagles on Dec. 21 at 6 pm. Tickets: $15-$35. See WSU vs. Stanford on Dec. 31 at 5 pm. Tickets: $12-$35; $6-$35 youth. Watch the Spokane Chiefs play the Kelowna Rockets on Nov. 26. The Chiefs play the Swift Current Broncos on Dec. 10, followed by the Everett Silvertips on Dec. 11, the Portland Winter Hawks on Dec. 15, the Kootenay Ice on Dec. 17 and Kelowna again on Dec. 29. All games at 7 pm. Tickets: $8-$16. Spokane Arena, Boone Ave. and Howard St. (325-SEAT)





FIRST NIGHT SPOKANE This New Year's Eve event just keeps getting bigger and better, with lots of new performers, artists and more venues, many close to the downtown core. Activities in Riverfront Park include free carousel rides, free ice skating (skate rental fees apply) and discounted admission to IMAX with a First Night button. On Dec. 31 with Grand Procession at 6 pm, Opening ceremony at 6:30 pm and Northern Quest Fireworks Finale at midnight. Tickets: $10. (252-2057)





CHRISTMAS AT NOON SERIES Enjoy great music while you munch on your lunch during this gift to the community from Westminster Congregational Church. The Inland Northwest Cello Ensemble plays on Dec. 2, members of the Spokane British Brass Band play on Dec. 9, and the Westminster Chancel Quartet and Friends sing on Dec. 16 at noon. Donations requested. 411 South Washington St. (624-1366)