Downtown Spokane Holiday Guide 11/15/2017 by The Inlander

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2017

WN SPOK A O T N NE W O

y a d i l o HGUIDE 2017

S H O P • D I N E • P L AY • S TAY

FREE FAMILY FUN!

FREE SANTA PHOTOS

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

(CO RNER O F M AIN A N D WASHIN GTO N)

Old Fashioned Christmas celebr ation EVERY SATURDAY

November 25 - December 16 from 11-2pm

COME VISIT SANTA CLAUS!

The one and only Old World Style Liberty Santa will be available to mingle, chat and share a peppermint stick with you every Saturday from 11am-2pm. Feel free to take your own photos.

11:00 AM Children’s Story Time

11:30 am-2:00 pm 12:00 - 2:00 PM Children’s FREE PHOTOS Craft Project WITH SANTA

Free Cookies and Cocoa

YOUR DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY PLANS START RIGHT HERE!

A River of Ice L

ocals and visitors alike will get a preview of the grand redesign of Riverfront Park when the ICE RIBBON officially opens on Dec. 8. The term “ice ribbon” might sound unusual, but that’s only because it’s a concept that departs from the traditional skating rink. The ribbon is a gently winding path, roughly 16 feet wide, that loops around the southwest corner of the park across THIS IS A PUBLICATION OF THE DOWNTOWN SPOKANE PARTNERSHIP from City Hall. DowntownSpokane.org “It’s not a flat oval rink,” explains Riverfront Park Director Jonathan Moog. “It’s definitely going to be a different experience, more for recreational, family-oriented skating.” Unlike a typical rink, the ribbon has “some elevation changes” over its continuous 692-foot run and is enhanced by central landscaping and other features.

“Because you wind around the meadow, you get different views of the park and the city from different areas,” says Moog. “As you round the bend on the north end, there’s a fire pit that you can only access from the ice itself, where you can stop and warm up for a bit.” Additional fun activities are planned as part of the official opening and dedication. “We’ll have an ice lounge with couches and a bar built out of ice, crafts for the kids, and there will be a lot of activities on the ice itself,” says Moog. “The fire pits will be activated at that time, too, and we’ll have food trucks available, as well as our own café.” Moog says that once the ice ribbon is open, it will continue to be the centerpiece of a broader event program called, simply, The Ice. That program will feature promotional days, theme nights, free ice-skating lessons, Skating with Santa, art classes, winter workouts and much more. “We’re layering different experiences on top of the ice ribbon,” he says. “With it, we’re hoping to change the experience you have daily.” «

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

Find vintage decor at 1900 House and Home

Shop, Dine, Sip F

acing an ever-growing Christmas shopping list? Don’t worry, downtown Spokane has you covered. With retailers that cater to all tastes and interests, you’re bound to find a special gift for everyone. And there are plenty of unique places to break up the retail therapy with a bite to eat — or a glass of wine at a local tasting room. A sister shop of the popular Fringe Boutique, &KLOTH (875 W. Main) specializes in stylish and high-quality women’s attire, jewelry and accessories as well as home décor. Their attractive, affordable fashions range from comfy casual to urban chic and are carefully selected to have cross-generational appeal. If you need a little pick-me-up after browsing their extensive clothing selection, grab a DOMA coffee at the shop’s trendy frontside café called &Kup.

Known for its wide but meticulously curated selection of contemporary designer denim, CUES (108 N. Washington) is a women’s clothing and accessories boutique that has managed to set itself apart from the crowd. Designer items from the likes of Pam & Gela, Citizens of Humanity and Noel Asmar make it a must-visit destination for any fashionista looking to stay ahead of the curve. 1900 HOUSE AND HOME (114 W. Pacific) is slightly off the beaten path, but what else would you expect from a retailer that takes such a bold, inspired approach to vintage home décor and furnishings? Located in downtown’s historic warehouse district, 1900 House and Home offers all the right essentials and accessories to outfit any home: tinted hammered glass, iron fittings, decorative metalwork, rustic furniture and linens,

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2017 embroidered accent pillows and plenty more. For more than a century, PENDLETON (River Park Square) has crafted luxurious wool blankets and clothing that are synonymous with comfort and quality. The justopened Spokane location features a range of coats, shirts, sweaters and sleepwear for both men and women as well as Pendleton’s intricately woven blankets, which hark back

With an atmosphere that’s as sophisticated as it is relaxed, the award-winning WILD SAGE BISTRO (916 W. Second) is proof that you don’t have to wear a black tie to enjoy incredible fine dining. Ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible, and the mouth-watering menu has a feast of options for those with dietary restrictions. It’s ideal for both a large holiday party or a quiet din-

A Wild Berry Panna Cotta from Wild Sage Bistro

to ancient Native American designs. The line of fashionable hats, scarves and gloves also makes great winter gifts for friends and family.

hould all that holiday shopping give you an appetite, it’s never very far to a transcendent culinary experience in downtown Spokane. The natural warmth and charm of MIZUNA (214 N. Howard), with its classic brick walls and wooden flooring, doesn’t just make it an ideal winter respite. It also complements a menu that prides itself on the freshness and quality of its ingredients — not to mention its vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The best thing is that you can share the dining experience with anyone on your Christmas list, thanks to Mizuna gift certificates.

ner after a day of shopping. As the name suggests, EUROPA (125 S. Wall) is a cozy restaurant with a distinctly continental flair. Starter and entrée samplers offer you a pick-and-mix selection of equally tempting house specialties, making them perfect for the undecided. And the gourmet calzones and pizzas — each with a delicious assortment of build-your-own options — are also great for personalizing your meal to suit to your appetite du jour. What’s the quintessential quality of a home-cooked meal? That it was made from scratch! That’s the philosophy behind SCRATCH ( 1007 W. First), where contemporary American dishes are prepared from premium seasonal vegetables, painstakingly sourced meats and fresh seafood. The signature hot pot, featuring scallops, prawns, SEE PAGE 6 T

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE T clams, langostino and andouille sausage in a spicy tomato sauce, consistently gets rave reviews.

fter dinner, take a stroll around downtown’s CORK DISTRICT (visitspokane. com/cork-district), where you can sample and — gift alert! — purchase unique regional wines from established as well as up-and-

coming vintners. The hobby-turned-passion of two local attorneys, BARRISTER WINERY conveniently has two locations that you can visit to sample its widely acclaimed full-bodied reds, including the ever-popular Rough Justice. One site is the winery itself (1213 W. Railroad Ave.), which hosts tastings and large social events. The other is the dedicated

MORE CORK DISTRICT STOPS DOWNTOWN BARILI CELLARS 608 W. Second COUGAR CREST ESTATE 8 N. Post CRAFTSMAN CELLARS 1194 W. Summit Pkwy. EMVY AND BRIDGE PRESS 39 W. Pacific

MARYHILL WINERY 1303 W. Summit Pkwy. Suite 100 OVERBLUFF CELLARS Washington Cracker Co. Building, 304 W. Pacific PATIT CREEK CELLARS 822 W. Sprague

TERRA BLANCA Chronicle Building 926 W. Sprague VA PIANO Historic Davenport Hotel 10 S. Post V DU V WINES 12 S. Scott

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2017 tasting room at 203 N. Washington, in the Auntieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building, where the opening hours are extended slightly. TEMPUS CELLARS (8 N. Post) is by no means a newcomer to the Washington wine scene, but it is a relatively recent addition to the Cork District, having opened its downtown tasting room in May. The family-owned boutique winery sources grapes from the Walla Walla and Columbia valleys and has won plaudits for its 2013 Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, among other varietals. Often hailed as one of the best wineries in Spokane, ROBERT KARL CELLARS (115 W. Pacific) is an estate winery, which means that it sources grapes from its own vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills, an American Viticultural Area in the Columbia Valley. The results are evident from the first mouth-dazzling sip of their handcrafted varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Claret, Merlot and Syrah. ÂŤ

presented by

Thank you event partners Riverfront Park VIP Productions KISS 98.1 First Night Spokane Mobius Spokane River Park Square Lights courtesy by

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

Season of Giving I

n Spokane, the season of giving runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, but during the holidays, charitable organizations and selfless individuals make a special effort to ensure that the Christmas spirit reaches every corner of our community. This winter, the TREE OF SHARING celebrates its 35th year. The nonprofit works with 60 agencies throughout the region to solicit and fulfill gift requests — modest items like towels, bedding, socks, deodorant and batteries. “The people that we reach are the often-forgotten,” says Joan McConnell, who runs Tree of Sharing with her husband Carl. “If it weren’t for Tree of Sharing, they might have nothing for the holidays. About twothirds of our recipients are children.” You can find the Tree of Sharing gift-tag tables at three area malls, inTREE OF SHARING cluding River River Park Square Mall, Park Square. Nov. 10 to Dec. 17 Also inside SANTA EXPRESS River Park River Park Square Mall, Square this second level year is SANTA (next to Urban Outfitters) EXPRESS. This Nov. 24 to Dec. 23 is set up like a WASHINGTON TRUST conventional TREE GIVEAWAY retail store, 706 W. Second except it’s Dec. 9 at 10 am designed for shoppers aged 4 to 12. Each child is paired with a volunteer “elf” who helps them shop for friends and family. “Santa Express allows kids to have the same shopping experience as adults. They

An elf assists a tiny shopper with his purchase at Santa Express.

pick out the gift, they wrap the gift, so they get the joy of the gift of giving,” says the organization’s executive director, Hayley Lydig. All proceeds benefit the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, a safe shelter for children in crisis situations. In its first-ever local FREE TREE GIVEAWAY, Washington Trust Bank is distributing 50 Christmas trees to families on a first-come, first-served basis. The trees are locally grown at Carver Farms and purchased from the Hutton Settlement Christmas Tree Fundraiser. “After the positive feedback we received about our tree giveaways in the Boise area, we are excited to bring this event to Spokane,” says Washington Trust's Alyssa Gibbar. “It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community and really show what ‘Watrustology’ is all about.” «

Happy Holidays HOLIDAY GUIDE 2017

Every year Larry H. Miller Downtown Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employees and their families volunteer at Union Gospel Mission during the holidays serving meals to the homeless. For every vehicle purchased in the month of November, Larry H. Miller Downtown Toyota will donate a turkey to the Union Gospel Mission. From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

toyotaspokane.com | 509.381.7156 | 1128 West 3rd Ave.

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

The Days Dates of Christmas D

owntown Spokane is abuzz throughout the year, but it always seems like there’s twice as much on offer when its busy sidewalks are dressed in holiday style. The Yuletide season gets off to its earliest start with SANTA’S ARRIVAL AND TREE LIGHTING at River Park Square on Nov. 17. As the spectacular lights on the massive indoor tree are set aglow, kids will have the chance to see jolly old Kris Kringle for the first time this year. As it happens, FIRST FRIDAY falls on Dec. 1 this year, so you can celebrate the unofficial start of winter with a wide range of art and entertainment — including visual art, live performances and seasonally themed dining,

as well as shopping that’s sure to offer something for everyone on your Christmas list. What better way to get into the Christmas mood than with the official DOWNTOWN TREE LIGHTING in Riverfront Park on Dec. 2? As part of the event sponsored by Washington Trust Bank, you can enjoy additional activities, such as a concert after the evening’s lighting ceremony. Santa is also scheduled to fly in from the North Pole to make a special appearance. Christmas lights powered by Senske. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, you can experience the combined forces of the State Street Ballet and Spokane Symphony in Tchaikovsky’s classic Christmas ballet THE

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2017

CAN'T MISS MOMENTS THESE GREAT EVENTS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DOWNTOWN SPOKANE AND WASHINGTON TRUST BANK

SEARCHING HIGH AND LOW Find Rudolph Scavenger Hunt is Nov. 24 through Dec. 18 Pick up passports at River Park Square, Auntie’s and more than 20 other downtown locations. FUN FOR THE YOUNG Kids Day at Mobius Children’s Museum and Mobius Science Center is Dec. 8 TEST OUT THE RIBBON Family Skate Night is at Riverfront Park on Dec. 18 More details about these events at DowntownSpokane.org

NUTCRACKER. The State Street corps will be augmented by dozens of local ballerinas and ballerinos performing as the bonbons and toy soldiers. Get swept away by the enchantment of

THE WIZARD OF OZ at the INB Performing Arts Center on Dec. 5 and 6. Once you’re whisked over the rainbow along with Dorothy in this family-oriented homage to the classic film, you’ll encounter all your favorite characters — the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Scarecrow and, yes, even the Munchkins and the flying monkeys. When the SPOKANE CHIEFS host the Seattle Thunderbirds at the Spokane Arena on Dec. 9, be sure to bring your teddy bears and stuffed animals for the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss. After the Chiefs score their first goal, you can throw the toys onto the ice to be collected and donated to children in need. Let’s see if we can beat the current record of 6,787 stuffed animals! The expression “home sweet home” has never rung as true as it does during Christ Kitchen’s GINGERBREAD BUILD-OFF, Dec. 10 at the Davenport Grand Hotel. Marvel as culinary experts assemble and decorate elaborate gingerbread houses in the heart of one of Spokane’s most iconic buildings. The Spokane Symphony Chorale and area youth choirs will join the Spokane Symphony

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From left: The Nutcracker, Straight No Chaser, and A Christmas Story, the Musical

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

Candy cane conducting at Holiday Pops

T for the family-friendly HOLIDAY POPS CELEBRATION on Dec. 16 and 17. There will be plenty of songs and carols in the spirit of the season — and even a visit from Santa himself! For a hearty, holiday-style helping of nostalgia and humor, you can catch A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL at the Spokane Civic Theatre through Dec. 17. Veteran local actress Kathie Doyle-Lipe directs this faithful

The Spokane Chiefs Teddy Bear Toss

(and fun) song-and-dance adaptation of the beloved 1983 film. On Dec. 22, blues musician and regional vocal superstar SAMMY EUBANKS will treat audiences to his Blue Christmas holiday concert at the Knitting Factory. He’ll be joined by Big Honey and the Bobby Patterson Band for this rockin’, crowd-pleasin’ Inland Northwest seasonal tradition. It was a clever rendition of “The 12

(509) 747.2867 lolospokane.com

319 west second avenue, spokane wa. 99201 14

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2017

AN AFTER-EVENT MEAL No matter which event you attend, downtown Spokane has plenty of food options to sate your post-entertainment appetite. The BROOKLYN DELI & LOUNGE (1001 W. First) features a full menu of mouth-watering soups and sandwiches, the perfect comfort food when the weather turns chilly; the Pastrami Stacker is a consistent favorite. For a great selection of burgers, beers and other bar-style fare, stop in at POST STREET ALEHOUSE (1 N.

Days of Christmasâ&#x20AC;? that turned STRAIGHT NO CHASER into an international musical sensation. This professional group serves up unforgettable and unadulterated a cappella singing with flourishes of fun and stunning vocal acrobatics. Catch them on their 201718 Speakeasy Tour when they hit the Fox

Post). Bear in mind that the signature fried pickles have a mysterious tendency to vanish quickly when shared. And the STEELHEAD BAR & GRILLE (218 N. Howard) has earned a reputation for being a go-to after-show spot due to its extensive list of salads, sandwiches and seasonal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having trouble deciding among all those choices, the blue cheese fries and steak bites never fail to impress.

Theater on Dec. 28. FIRST NIGHT SPOKANE keeps getting bigger and better every year. To usher in 2018, the event has adopted a Renaissance theme, and venues all across downtown Spokane are getting in on the action with everything from

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

Original artifacts from the ill-fated steamer.

Set Sail for

here were nine passengers on the RMS Titanic who were scheduled to continue on to Spokane once the ship docked in New York City. An iceberg and overconfidence cut their journey tragically short. More than a century after its infamous

sinking, the Titanic itself â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that is, key mechanical and decorative parts of the ship, along with salvaged personal effects â&#x20AC;&#x201D; has instead come to Spokane. For your next trip downtown, build some shopping and dining around a visit to TITANIC: THE ARTIFACT

FRESH SEASONAL ROTATING MENU

1007 West 1st | Spokane | 509.456.5656 | ScratchSpokane.com

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2017

A model of the Titanic under 12,000 feet of ocean.

EXHIBITION at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (2316 W. First) in beautiful, historic Browne’s Addition. “It’s the biggest exhibition the MAC has ever hosted,” says Executive Director Wesley Jessup. “It’s an internationally touring exhibition that we were very fortunate to get, so it’s a big event for the entire region.” Artifacts include everything from the massive rivets to stairway banisters retrieved from the vessel’s resting place at an ocean depth of more than 12,000 feet. There are also modern room recreations as well as photographs of the legendary ship in various phases of construction. Along with ship-related items, the exhibition focuses the lives of the passengers, telling

their stories through recovered objects like stationery and even bottles of perfume. “The perfume is still in the bottle, which is phenomenal when you think about that,” says Jessup. “There are so many different things that give you a sense of everyday life on this ship. It’s a 360-degree view.” In conjunction with the Titanic exhibition, the halls of the nearby Campbell House will be decked with holiday trimmings from the same period (circa 1912) from Dec. 16 to 31. “There will be a Christmas tree and really festive house decorations,” says Jessup. “Also, there will be live interpreters in historical costume. You’ll be able to interact with them, and they’ll share information about the house from their views as workers or residents.” «

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

Spaceman Coffee

A Hipster’s Holiday D

owntown Spokane has a young, hip side that’s become a regular destination for local socializers and trendsetters who prefer what’s new and quirky over the usual mainstream options. So why not add some edge to your holiday fun?

COOL EVENTS

A modernized retelling of Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT is the rock musical that more or less redefined the genre by tackling taboo social issues through incredible tunes. Experience the current nationally touring production from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at the INB Performing Arts Center as part of the Best of Broadway series. The surfer-stoner persona who dubbed himself “The Weasel” and rocketed to fame via MTV back in the 1990s? That’s yester-

day’s PAULY SHORE. He’s long since returned to his roots in standup, crisscrossing the country with a solid comedy act. He appears at the Spokane Comedy Club on Dec. 3. FOO FIGHTERS play the Spokane Arena on Dec. 4 as part of their national tour in support of their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold — an ambitious, expansive rocker that’s meant to encompass all the contrasts and paradoxes of our age. It’s the band’s only scheduled performance in the state of Washington. Dec. 9 marks the return of the annual NOLI FROSTFEST, but this year the event takes place at the Spokane Arena. The brewhouse will have a dozen brand-new small-batch beers for tasting, and there will be a winter carnival with food, performers and lots of fun — you can even get a discount ticket to

HOLIDAY GUIDE 2017 the Spokane Chiefs hockey game later that evening. Go dressed in winter attire and you might just win one of several prizes.

UNDERGROUND NIGHTLIFE

Run by a father-and-son duo passionate about ales, WHISTLE PUNK BREWING (122 S. Monroe) handcrafts bold stouts, IPAs and lagers inspired by the Pacific Northwest. The cozy, rustic industrial feel of the brick, stone and wood interior makes for the perfect social setting. Members of Water Monster, Cathedral Pearls, Mama Doll and other local bands will help ring in 2018 over the course of two nights (Dec. 30 and 31) at the Bartlett (228 W. Sprague) as SUPER SPARKLE, a collaborative music venture that describes itself as â&#x20AC;&#x153;groovy and fun indie pop with a slightly retro vibe.â&#x20AC;? ONE TREE CIDER (111 S. Madison) has become well known for their huckleberry and lemon-basil ciders. To sample even more of their flavors, order a taster tray at their

new downtown tasting room. A pint of your favorite one will pair well with their housemade pizzas. Amid all the holiday overindulgence, a few good rounds of DOWNTOWN TRIVIA can keep your brain from turning into Christmas pudding. Globe Bar & Kitchen (204 N. Divi-

Super Sparkle at the Bartlett.

sion) hosts Bent Trivia every Tuesday. And on Thursday evenings, you can flex your mental muscles at Iron Goat (1302 W. Second).

TRENDY FOOD

One of the constellation of restaurants run by local foodies Kate and Jeremy Hansen, BISCUIT WIZARD (19 W. Main) takes the

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DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

Biscuit Wizard

T fresh-baked biscuits from Common Crumb Bakery and turns them into craveworthy meals like the Chupacabra (chorizo, mole gravy, red pepper, cilantro) or the Home Brewer (bratwurst, egg, parsley, maple gravy). BOOTS BAKERY & LOUNGE (24 W. Main) is one of Spokane’s most popular downtown hangouts, hosting everything from social media meetups to board-game tournaments. Their food menu changes regularly, but two things are consistent: 100 percent vegan ingredients and a selection of coffee straight from well-known local roasters committed to organic and sustainable practices. CHRONIC TACOS (next to Carhartt on Main) isn’t your typical fast-casual food. Not only do they dish up tasty SoCal Mexican-style munchies like tacos and burritos, they use all-natural meats, non-GMO torti-

SHOP LOCAL Support locally owned downtown businesses all year, but especially on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25 llas, eco-friendly paper products and offer many gluten-free options. Word on the street has it that SPACEMAN COFFEE (228A W. Sprague) makes one of the finest cups of coffee in the Inland Northwest.

It’s a narrow, funky café with eye-catching art on the walls and great conversation at the counter.

SHOPS WITH ATTITUDE

Regardless of whether your habitat is snow or concrete, PISTOLE BOARDSHOP (523 W. Sprague) has the boards and the gear you need to shred like a pro. There are regular arrivals from Welcome and Almost skateboards as well as Burton and Lib Tech snowboards. Terrain’s POP UP SHOP (159 S. Lincoln) sprang into existence as a launch pad for local artisans and makers. It features handcrafted ceramics from KJ Pottery, plush collectibles from Burgleteens Art Lab, bath and beauty items from Kani Botanicals, vintage signs from Staggs & Staggs and tons more. WOLLNICK’S (421 W. Main) has revived and contemporized the model of the traditional general store with an upscale and conscientious mix of eco-friendly housewares, mother and baby items, pet goods, children’s toys, cutting-edge electronics and green cleaning supplies. There’s no mistaking what GIANT NERD BOOKS (709 N. Monroe) is about. The name says it all. So throw any semblance of cool to the wind, embrace your inner Poindexter and browse its teeming shelves piled high with new, secondhand, antiquarian and ultra-collectible books on every subject under the sun. «

Yeti. rudolph. bin 7. Found only once a year, our Bin7 is always a rare beauty. The 2017 hails from a small farm in San Juancito, Honduras. A unique natural drying process brings notes of plum and strawberry with a raw sugar sweetness —a sure way to sweeten your holidays. Available at all Hammer stores. Only for a limited time.

Holiday Bliss

Nov 30 - Dec 3

EVENING AND MATINEES AVAILABLE