Spring is looking a lot like summer, though that season is more than a month away. But with outdoor festivals cropping up, we’ll count on weekend sunshine. And if it rains, keep to the plan, then duck into the indoor events to dry off.
May 16-18
Pullman ArtFest, encompassing visual, theater, dance, music and the culinary arts, kicks off May 16 with a social mixer with artists and merchants from 6 to 8:30 in the Regional Theatre of the Palouse Theatre downtown at 122 N. Grand Ave.
May 17 features artist receptions in 11 venues and businesses downtown from 4 to 8 p.m. Some also will include hours May 18.
May 18 is the Street Fair from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with most activities taking place on Olsen Street (which will be closed) alongside Neill Public Library, 210 N. Grand Ave. There, on the main stage, the Mayor’s Art Award will be presented by Mayor Glenn Johnson at 11:30 a.m. to Mitch and Mary Jo Chandler. Following that presentation, live music will take over the Main Stage until 8 p.m.
The fair also will include food and arts and crafts vendors, as well as booths representing nonprofit organizations.
A more complete schedule may be found in the calendar.
May 17
An exhibit featuring sculptural works by three artists opens with a reception at 5:30 p.m. May 17 at the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts & History in downtown Lewiston.
The exhibit is titled “Descendant Constructs” and will continue through June 29.
Rob McKirdie, Cozette Phillips and Tyber Newcomer have a variety of sculptures on exhibit, ranging from small works on pedestals to large-scale floor works, according to a news release. McKirdie and Newcomer are on the arts faculty at Spokane Falls Community College, while Phillips is an assistant professor of art at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.
Each of the artists will join in a talk about their exhibit at 1 p.m. June 29 at the center.
Hours at the center are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
May 18
Inland Harmony Chorus, a women’s a capella singing group, will perform in a concert at 2 p.m. May 18 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of their charter as a chapter of Sweet Adelines International.
“Sing and Celebrate! 50 Years of Harmony” is the title of the concert, which will be in the Silverthorne Theater of the Lewis-Clark State College Administration Building on the Lewiston campus, 800 Fifth Ave.
Mainly singing in the barbershop style of four-part harmonies, the chorus features members from all over the Quad Cities region.
Following the concert, in keeping with a barbershopping tradition, an “Afterglow” celebration with singing will be held in the LCSC Student Union Building. The cost is $15, and includes a buffet of Italian food.
The group was chartered in 1969 as the Lewis-Clark Chapter of Sweet Adelines International. The name was changed in 1989 to its current Inland Harmony Chorus, and the group rehearses in Genesee. Jane Johnson, a charter member of the chorus, remains a performing member of the group.
The program will feature music and costumes from throughout the history of the group including “Unchained Melody,” “That Old Gang of Mine” and “When You Wish Upon a Star” as well as songs by the Beatles. Three quartets also plan to perform.
Admission is $10, with all former members admitted to the concert free.
May 18
Stephen Pitters, a Spokane poet, will give a presentation about his writing at 2 p.m. May 18 at the Asotin County Library in Clarkston.
Pitters is author of “Eye of the Spirit.” The library is at 417 Sycamore St.
May 18
The Spalding Park picnic area is the site for the annual Nez Perce National Historical Park’s Culture Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18.
The community event about the Nez Perce people will feature dancers, drummers, tepees and a horse parade.
The day’s schedule is: 10:30 a.m. — opening ceremony; 10:45 a.m. — Elders of the Year presentation; 11 a.m. — horse parade; noon — choir performance; 12:30 p.m. — flute program.
Spalding Park, below the historical park visitor center, is 12 miles east of Lewiston at 39063 U.S. Highway 95.
May 21
The Hasslers of Seattle will bring Americana and alt-country to the stage May 21 at John’s Alley in Moscow. Music is set to begin at 9:30 p.m.
Members, according to the band’s social media page, are Matt Hassler (vocals, banjo, guitar, harmonica), Ben Haber (bass, vocals), Joey Boyd (drums, percussion), Kate Dinsmore (vocals, guitar), Owen Thayer (guitar, pedal steel) and Steven Haber (keys, vocals).
Cost is $5 for admission to the venue at 114 E. Sixth St.
