By Dallas Callahan dlcallahan@lmtribune.com
Need something to do this week? Lucky for you, there are many choices. Take your pick of live music, current events discussions or book readings. More events can be found in the calendar.
Today MOSCOW — The League of Women Voters has its second Hot Topics and Cold Beer session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the backyard of the McConnell Mansion, 110 S. Adams St. League members and the public will have an informal discussion of the “hot topics” filling news feeds. Attendees are welcome to bring a topic to share, an interesting article to discuss or questions. Beer and wine will be available at a no-host bar, and light refreshments will be provided. Attendees are also welcome to bring a snack to share.
Tonight through Saturday MOSCOW — Three days of music starts tonight with an open jam session from 8 to 10 p.m. at Bucer’s Coffeehouse Pub, 201 S. Main St. A group effort in Moscow, the Vandal Town Block Party is 6 p.m. Friday. Skinny the Kid, will play some rock ’n’ roll followed by Landrace, a ska/reggae band, from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday in front of Bucer’s. More details for the block party can be found at www.moscowchamber.com. The Moscow Mules will perform bluegrass music at 8 p.m. Saturday at Bucer’s. All events are family friendly with no cover charge.
Today and Saturday MOSCOW — Author David Leonard, of Pullman, will read from his novel, “Playing While White,” from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at BookPeople, 521 S. Main St. Leonard is a professor in the Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies at Washington State University. “Playing While White” argues that whiteness matters in sports culture, on and off the field. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing. Children’s author and former NASA astronaut John Herrington, of Lewiston, will read from “Mission to Space,” at 11 a.m., Saturday, at BookPeople. The book looks into astronaut training and Herrington’s mission to the International Space Station. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Friday PULLMAN — A casual evening of food and live music is slotted from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday for the Beethoven, Beers and Barbecue event at Banyan’s on the Ridge, 1260 Palouse Drive. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at www.washingtonidahosymphony.org or at Neill’s Flowers, 234 E. Main St. There will also be a silent and dessert auction. Proceeds benefit the Washington Idaho Symphony.
Tuesday PULLMAN — Feeling jazzy? A performance of the Washington State University Faculty Artist Series is at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Kimbrough Concert Hall, 260 Kimbrough Hall, WSU. Gator Tail, a faculty quartet featuring saxophonist Greg Yasinitsky, organist Brian Ward, guitarist Brad Ard and percussionist Dave Jarvis, will put on a show called “Jazz, Drenched in Blues and Funk.” A special guest for the program is Teo Ciavarella, an Italian jazz pianist. Gator Tail produces a jazz sound with the addition of blues and funk. The program will include originals by members of the group, including Ard’s “Digsville” and “Undercurrent,” Yasinitsky’s “Partial Eclipse” and “Nights of Wind and Water,” along with tunes from the recent Gator Tail CD including Ward’s “Count Dutch.” General admission is $10, $5 for seniors and non-WSU students and free for WSU students. Proceeds go to support music scholarships in the WSU School of Music.
Wednesday PULLMAN — To change up the sound, On Ensemble, a taiko drum group, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Washington State University’s Jones Theatre, 1060 E. College Ave. On Ensemble is a world fusion blend, mixing ancient Japanese taiko drumming traditions with musical elements ranging from jazz, rock and electronica to Central Asian overtone singing. Reserved seating is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (age 60 and older), and $9 for non-WSU students and youth. WSU student admission is free with a valid ID. A discounted rate of $14 per person is available to groups of eight or more. Tickets are available at all TicketsWest outlets, including online at TicketsWest.com, by phone at (800) 325-SEAT, and in person at WSU’s Beasley Coliseum (open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday) and Rosauers in Lewiston. Advance tickets are subject to convenience charges unless purchased at the Beasley Coliseum ticket office. The Daggy Hall box office opens for ticket sales and will-call beginning two hours before the performance. Parking for the performance will be available without permits or fees in the Daggy Hall parking garage, and in the Green 3 lot directly across the street from Daggy Hall.
