Buzz Bin

by Inlander Staff


Farewell, Mr. Nostalgia -- Here in the Bin, we were saddened to note the recent passing of Warren "Mr. Nostalgia" Durham, who died last week of cancer. In a 1995 interview with The Inlander, Durham talked about how his love of Big Band music had become his life's work.


"At 11 o'clock every night across the land, all the big bands would originate from ballrooms in different parts of the country," he said. "The live broadcasts were the very fuel of the music of the era."


Durham would know. As a nationally recognized radio announcer for those very broadcasts, his friends and business associates included such luminaries as Frank Sinatra and Johnny Carson. Born in Spokane, Durham got his big break doing radio announcing for four local radio stations while still a student at Rogers High School. After the war, he settled into Spokane's north side with his wife and tried to figure out ways to keep big bands alive, even with rock 'n' roll snapping at their heels. In the 1980s, he launched the television program Big Band Days, which ran for more than 10 years on the now-defunct Channel America satellite network. In that time, he also collected more than 7,000 audio and visual clips from the Big Band era and most recently, hosted the "Big Band Classics" radio show. We'll miss him.





Big Mac Art Attack -- Isn't it finally time to take down your oh-so-'90s pre-Raphaelite prints and Titanic movie posters? This Friday, you can score some collectible or original art while supporting one of the region's cultural treasures. The MAC's Wall-to-Wall Art Sale, which takes place on Oct. 25 from 8 am-4 pm, features "gently used" jewelry, painting, sculpture, prints, textiles, books, photography, frames and art supplies, with all proceeds going to the museum. This will be the first Wall-to-Wall art sale at the Browne's Addition location in nearly three years, and you may have to arrive early for the best selection: Museum members get a sneak preview on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6:30-8 pm. Yvonne Lopez Morton, the MAC's media relations/publications manager, says that in years past, "people have been lined up even before we opened in the morning." For more information, call 363-5330.





Another Tankard, Milady... -- The place to be Friday night was six feet under -- give or take an additional 10 feet or so -- for the preview opening of downtown developer Rob Brewster's hip new hang, the Catacombs. Wrought-iron design elements, rich tapestries and a blazing wood stove gave the place a cozy, convivial feel, and even though it was packed, everyone seemed to enjoy the free eats and yummy beer.