Northwest Arts Review

Northwest Arts Review is just about done packing in preparation for its first vacation in three years, but we're not going anywhere until we welcome Cheryl Coughlin of the Wallowa Valley's Josephy Center with truly exciting news about that great cultural resource. Plus, a Nathan Weinbender review and a few musical and music-related gems from our first season, including a nugget of wisdom from pianist Stephen Hough and a return visit to a unique Inland Northwest performance space courtesy of flutist Alicia Mielke.

We're all about music on this week's Northwest Arts Review. The Spokane Symphony's Mateusz Wolski drops by to share insights learned during the pandemic year, Andrea Olsen fills us in on the Spokane Valley Summer Theatre's upcoming in-person events, and we'll meet Bozeman Symphony Orchestra composer-in-residence Scott Lee. We've also got music from our studio, one of the student performances recently recorded, and Classical era sounds from the Spokane Symphony's online spring series, beginning with this Mozart.

This week on Northwest Arts Review we take a trip south to investigate the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival, back this summer after a COVID-enforced hiatus in 2020. Artistic Director Timothy Christie fills us in on the festival's offerings and we'll hear a bit of music from an earlier season that is part of this year's festivities as well. Also, Dan Webster is by to offer his take on a new pandemic-inspired film, and we'll have music in and out from our studio, courtesy of pianists Archie Chen and Rhona Gouldson-Chen.

On this edition of Northwest Arts Review , we dip into our archives for segments from two interviews with author Timothy Egan, whose fascinating true life crime story Breaking Blue is currently featured on The Bookshelf . Also up are Nathan Weinbender and Dan Webster's takes on the new sci-fi thriller A Quiet Place, Part II and the final installment of music from our recent Sibling Revelry Kids' Concert, featuring the Treis family of St. John, Washington.

Today, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture history curator Freya Liggett drops by to tell about the range of exhibits available at the MAC this summer. The Spokane Symphony's James Lowe checks in with his thoughts surrounding the orchestra's now completely available virtual spring concert series. Doug Nadvornik shares a story of artistic achievement by two of our region's students and, from our most recent Kids' Concert, we'll hear from the Morizov family, trumpeter Sam, and violinist Jessie.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, Chris Maccini welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning author and next Hagan Series speaker, Hilton Als. We'll also meet Gatie Nicario-Geelan, artist and recent immigrant to Spokane from the Philippines. Music is from another of the families who contributed to our latest Kids' Concert.

Today, Chris Maccini welcomes Trent Reedy and Jawad Arash, two writers from opposite sides of the globe who are collaborators on a new young adult novel, Enduring Freedom . Dan Webster reviews Without Remorse, the latest Tom Clancy screen adaptation, and we have music from the Girges family, performers in our latest Kids' Concert.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, Chris Maccini welcomes Marnie Rohrholm from SAGA grant awardee, Spokane Valley Summer Theatre, Verne Windham chats with Lieutenant Chris Cornette, leader of the Navy Band Northwest in honor of Navy Week in Spokane. Also, Nathan Weinbender offers a movie review, and Navy Band Northwest has music for us.

Today, Chris Maccini welcomes the next SCC Hagen Center “Diversity Dialogues” speaker, Luis Rodrigues. Two of Verne Windham’s recent From the Studio guests, Sandpoint Conservatory director Karin Wedemeyer and the Spokane Symphony Music Director James Lowe offer their observations and strategies for dealing with the current state of pandemic affairs through engagement with music. A particularly sublime moment from a young pianist and some Spokane Symphony sounds complete the aural picture on this edition of NWAR

Today, we continue to celebrate winners of the most recent SpokaneArts grants as Chris Maccini talks with Garfield Elementary School teacher, Samuel Rasmussen. Verne Windham presents reflections by Spokane Poet Laureate Chris Cook on his Poetry in the Neighborhood project. I’ll talk with Gonzaga University’s Matt McCormick about this Friday’s Student Film Festival, and we’ll have music from out studio, courtesy of pianist Melody Puller.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, we continue to celebrate winners of the most recent SpokaneArts grants as Chris Maccini talks with Charity Doyle and Sam Song of Northwest Winterfest. We’ll also welcome comedian Aries Spears, who performs in Spokane this weekend, and Soundspace host Zan Agzigian with excerpts from her interview with US Poet Laureate and musician Joy Harjo. Plus music from our studio played by Whitworth University senior Mikah Turpin.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, we celebrate winners of the most recent SpokaneArts grants as Chris Maccini talks with Ponies in the Park team Mary Carpenter and, Mary Pat Kanaley, and Verne Windham’s guests are Jennifer O’Bannon and Phillip Baldwin from the SYS. Nathan Weinbender offers his insights on an Oscar-nominated film, and we have music from EWU students recorded in our studio.

Today, Chris Maccini has a conversation with author Kate Lebo who, among her many other accomplishments, co-hosts the popular regional Pie and Whisky events. Gonzaga university music student Henry Mauser plays some delightfully gentle music by Domenico Scarlatti for us, and Dan Webster assesses a now-streaming 2019 film he managed to miss the first time around. And, Jim Tevenan investigates a traditional Scandinavian musical meditation called “Looflirpa,” with one of its most enthusiastic proponents, Bjorn Yeshterdeh.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, we welcome Karen Mobley, whose paintings are part of a new three-woman show opening soon at Spokane’s Terrain Gallery We’ll also get an update from Art Spirit Gallery owner Blair Williams on repairs to that flood-damaged space. Dan Webster has a review and we’ve got some music from pianist Melody Puller

This week on Northwest Arts Review, Chris Maccini reports on the Washington State Poetry out Loud finals, Jim Tevenan checks in with Bozeman Symphony music director Norman Huynh on his first year in the job, and Nathan Weinbender critiques a movie sequel. The Bozeman Symphony provides the music.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, we celebrate the notorious (and fun) poetic form, the limerick, as well as meet artist Ryker Murdock. Music is from EWU students and their latest Second Tuesday Piano Bench program.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, Chris Maccini’s guest is muralist Daniel Lopez. Jim Tevenan talks again with music therapist Kim McMillin, and Dan Webster is Stayin’ Alive with his review of a new Bee Gees documentary. Music is from Floating Crowbar, the band for our upcoming KPBX Kids’ Concert.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, Chris Maccini talks with professor and author Dr. Anu Taranath , latest in the series of Hagan Center for the Humanities presenters at SCC. We’ll also welcome Neal Schlindler, co-chair of the Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival that begins next week. Dan Webster is by with a movie review and we have a bit of turn-of-the-(twentieth) century music from EWU.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, Chris Maccini welcomes Spokane author, Sharma Shields, I introduce emerging artist Robin Milligan, and Dan Webster has a review a recent HBO offering, The Little Things . In honor of the just past Presidents Day, our music if from the Air National Guard Band of the Northwest.

This week on Northwest Arts Review, poet and New Yorker poetry editor Kevin Young chats with Chris Maccini, the Spokane Symphony’s Mateusz Wolski shares insights on performing during a pandemic, Rich Wandschneider of the Wallowa Valley’s Josephy Center and the Art Spirit Gallery’s Blair Williams are on hand, too, plus there’s music from our studio courtesy of EWU students.

Today, Chris Maccini introduces us to poet, Yale University professor, and this year’s Race and Racism lecture presenter, Claudia Rankine. We’ve also got Verne Windham’s chat with Stage Left Theater’s Susan Hardie, director of their current production, An Illiad . I’ve got the latest from the CdA Music Conservatory executive director Julienne Dance. And Nathan Weinbender has a review of a new documentary film, Some Kind of Heaven . Music, in honor of Black History Month, is from composers Florence Price, R. Nathaniel Dett and William Grant Still, played by pianist Jenny Slotchiver, a recent virtual guest on the Piano Bench program.

jtevenan@kpbx.org (Jim Tevenan)

On this week's Northwest Arts Review, Spokane Symphony Music Director James Lowe checks in from Scotland and Chris Maccini introduces us to Seattle-based historian and author Dr. Daudi Abe, one of this year’s speakers at Spokane Community College’s “Diversity Dialogues” series. Dan Webster weighs in on a new Netflix romance novel adaptation, and we’ll enjoy a bit of music form the Spokane Piston and Rotary Cl ub, too.

We explore finding connection in a time of isolation on this week’s Northwest Arts Review: Chris Maccini talks with Spokane Arts grant awardee Skyler Oberst about his new video series, and Jim Tevenan discusses the neglected art of letter writing with Spokane Correspondence Club organizer Nicki Sabalu. Cinematic thoughts from Nathan Weinbender and music from the WSU Solstice Wind Quintet round out this edition of NWAR.

This week’s NWAR includes Chris Maccini’s conversation with Spokane Poet Laureate Chris Cook around the state of poetry in this time of pandemic. Pianist and music educator Jody Graves reflects on her earliest experiences with her instrument, Dan Webster’s offers his take on a new Ryan Murphy film musical, and we get a reminder from James Lowe about a virtual Spokane Symphony performance happening very soon.

This week’s NWAR features two hopeful conversations about regional music as we check in with SSO MD James Lowe and Music Conservatory of CDA Executive Director Julienne Dance. Also, Chris Maccini continues his series of talks with the latest Spokane Arts Award grantees, this time welcoming writer and illustrator, Chelsea Martin. And the Clarion Brass provide some sonic seasonal cheer.

This week’s Northwest Arts Review celebrates the latest round of grants from Spokane Arts as Chris Maccini talks with one of the recipients, artist, writer and yoga instructor Donell Barlow. Also, Jim Tevenan introduces emerging artist Tayler Jakeway, and Dan Webster has a movie review for us. We’ll also have music from two of our favorite pianists, Archie Chen and Rhona GouldsonChen.

NWAR is back from a Thanksgiving holiday with three guests from the world of literature and the arts as Chris Maccini welcomes Lydia Boss, program manager at Artists’ Trust of Washington, I’ll chat with ceramic artist Gina Fruen about the new Cup of Joy show at the Trackside Gallery, and Verne Windham shares his conversation with public radio icon Garrison Keillor.

Our focus today is music and art in the Lake City, Coeur d’Alene. We’ll visit with Blair Williams, owner of The Art Spirit Gallery and Julienne Dance, Executive Director of the Music Conservatory of CdA. Dan Webster offers some cinema wisdom, and our Mozart is from the String Orchestra of the Rockies.

Northwest Arts Review returns from a pre-election hiatus with a literary and visual arts focus. Chris Maccini talks with Spokane author Jess Walter about his new novel, The Cold Millions , and we’ll take a virtual trip to the Wallowa Valley to learn about the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture in Joseph, OR. Dan Webster drops by for a film review, too, and we celebrate our return with some spirited music from the EWU Wind Ensemble, led by Patrick Winters.

Virtual theatre and music are on the NWAR menu this week as we hear from Whitworth University theatre professor Andy Christensen about an upcoming production, and NWBachfest artistic director Zuill Bailey on insights he has gained during the pandemic. Plus, Dan Webster tells us about a new classic detective tale from Netflix. NWAR, Thursday at noon on KPBX

Guests from Spokane and Kallispell, MT are part of this week’s NWAR. Wes Jessup of the NWMAC and John Zoltek of the GSO share news on the art and music fronts, and Dan Webster gives us the lowdown on a new film. Music from the Glacier Symphony rounds out the offerings this Thursday.

This time around on NWAR, we’ve got a nice mix of music, theatre and literature. Chris Maccini introduces us to Spokane theatre artist Sid Al Thumali, the Spokane Symphony’s James Lowe drops by for one of our periodic chats, and Verne Windham has a surprise guest!

This time around on NWAR, we again focus on visual arts, with guests Gina Freuen, co-founder of the Little Spokane Artist Studio Tour, and Ginger Oakes, owner of the Go Art Center on the South Hill. Both have stories to tell of art and artists in challenging times. Nathan Weinbender reviews a new film set in the art world, and the Spokane String Quartet provides the music.

This week, we focus on visual arts, catching up on the health of the local art scene with Spokane Arts Executive Director Melissa Huggins and previewing another innovative Art on the Go event happening this weekend with organizer Morgan Walters. Dan Webster checks in with a film review and we enjoy a bit of poetry, courtesy of frequent SPR guest, Mike Aleman. Our music is from a visit by the Pan Pacific wind ensemble last January.

Vanessa Veselka. She is the author of the novel Zazen , which won the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for debut fiction. Her new novel is The Great Offshore Grounds , a sweeping story of a family drama tackling social status, death, love, femininity, American greed and mythology, the current state of the US healthcare system, sky-high rents, and the struggle to get by.

This week, String Orchestra of the Rockies Artistic Director Maria Larionoff joins us with the good news about the orchestra’s new season, which starts this weekend with live performances in Missoula. Chris Maccini introduces us to author Vanessa Vaselka and her new novel, The Great Offshore Grounds . Nathan Weinbender drops by with his take on a new Netflix offering, Project Power , and we’ll enjoy a bit of flute and piano music from our performance studio archive, played by Jennifer Slaughter and Melody Puller .

This week, conversations with Spokane Poet Laureate Chris Cook and Inland Northwest Opera General Director Dawn Wolski, both key figures at the intersection of pandemic and the arts. Dan Webster offers his take on a documentary that explores the winning-is-everything mindset of contemporary politics, and we get some soothing sounds from our studio courtesy of guitarist Jacob Johnson.

This week, NWAR features Jim Tevenan's monthly long-distance chat with Spokane Symphony Orchestra Music Director James Lowe in Scotland, blended with music from Mexican-American enclaves in southern Idaho along with details from Idaho folk and traditional arts director, Steven Hatcher. Also, we’ll meet Ginger Ewing, Executive Director and CoFounder of Spokane's Terrain arts organization, including information about their current show/auction, “Art in the Time of Quarantine.”

This week, we mix conversations from the present with music from the first months of this program. Chris Maccini talks with Spokane tribe member and glass artist, Shawn Brigman, I’ll contribute a chat with emerging area artist, DJ Moon, and Denny Carman drops by to tell about his newest drive-by art project. Music includes sounds from the African children’s choir from their 2018 visit to KPBX. Click here to view the 15th annual In The Spirit Contemorary Native Arts Virtual Exhibition .

On this week's Northwest Arts Review, visual art takes the spotlight as we contemplate a virtual art on the Green, learn about a new weekly pop-up art market in Spokane, and discover a brand new piece of downtown public art. Also in the mix, a couple of features from 2018 as we celebrate the program’s second birthday.

On this week's Northwest Arts Review, a conversation with the Idaho Arts Commission's Director of Folk and Traditional Arts, Steven Hatcher, also Chris Maccini lets us know about a special virtual event mounted by Auntie's Bookstore this weekend, we'll hear a musical tribute on the 100th birthday anniversary of a legendary Spokane teacher, Margie May Ott, and Nathan Weinbender lets us know about a pair of new films that paint a less than ideal portrait of 1950s America.

This week, Chris Maccini introduces us to Carter Hudson, another NPR Tiny Desk Contest entrant from the Inland Northwest, also we meet the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra Music Director-elect, Norman Huynh , and hear a Dan Webster movie review. Music in and out is from a Bozeman Symphony Orchestra concert conducted by Norman Huynh last December.

Last week, we brought you the story of Coeur d’Alene musician Jackson Roltgen and his submission to this year’s NPR Tiny Desk Contest. This week, Spokane Public Radio’s Chris Maccini talks with another young musician, this time from Spokane, who also submitted a video for the national contest. Watch Carter Hudson's full YouTube video submission here .

This week, one of long-time leaders of the Inland Northwest arts community, Karen Mobley, pays a visit to talk about her newest creation, a book of poetry. Also, Chris Maccini introduces us to a regional singer-songwriter who took the plunge and entered NPR’s country-wide Tiny Desk Concert competition, and Dan Webster offers his take on a new movie. Music today is a bit of ragtime piano from the Methow Valley’s Bill Hottell.

The Tiny Desk Concert has become a mainstay of internet music. Intimate concerts from well known and obscure musicians performing at Bob Boilen’s desk at NPR headquarters. And for the past several years, NPR has opened up the Tiny Desk Contest, asking musicians from around the country to submit videos performing at their own tiny desks. This year, one of those entrants was Jackson Roltgen, a musician from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, who talked with SPR's Chris Maccini. Watch Jackson's full YouTube video here.

Today, we meet the host of a program new to KPBX, but familiar to KSFC listeners. Her name is Sarah Aronson, and her program, The Write Question , which now follows NWAR each Thursday afternoon on KPBX . Also, Spokane Symphony Music Director James Lowe reports from his home in Edinborough, Scotland, updating us on his hopes and trepidations as the Symphony plans it next steps. And Dan Webster will be by with a film review. Our music going in is courtesy of Ludwig Van Beethoven, by way of the Spokane String Quartet.

jtevenan@kpbx.org (Jim Tevenan)

Today, two positive and I think uplifting conversations: we meet Diane Sherman, a Spokane artist who merges yoga, journaling, painting and drawing into her work, teaching, and way of living. We’ll also check in with cellist and director of the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival Kevin Krentz, whose creativity has been more than stretched in these difficult times . Music is from the 2017 Methow Valley Music Festival.

This Week's NWAR takes us to Coeur d'Alene's Art on the Green, a traditional event available only virtually this year. We'll also hear from a young musician on the rise, violinist Yvette Kraft, back from a successful time at the Grumiaux Festival in Belgium. And we check in with David LaFever of the Methow Valley Interpretive Center. The Center recently received one of the federal government's CARES grants.

As we continue our series on how arts organizations are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, we hear from Mike Ferrians, manager of Dayton's iconic Liberty Theatre, and from Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's Artistic Associate Chuck Etheridge. Dan Webster offers his take on the film Portrait of a Lady on Fire , and we'll hear music from Kevin Brown, host of KPBX's Front Porch Bluegrass .