THEATER

The description “theater” doesn’t quite do justice to everything the Garland does. It’s arguably the most recognizable part of the district and street of the same name, thanks to its flashy marquee. But calling it just a “theater” — as in a physical space where films are projected onto a screen in an auditorium with folding seats — sells short its history and status as a neighborhood anchor.

That history is one of note: It opened in 1945, part of significant post-World World II growth in entertainment venues across the country. Like all theaters, it’s seen ups and downs, financially and reputationally, and for a short time showed X-rated movies. It closed for two years in the 1980s before reopening as a discount theater — still its reputation today. Spokane historic preservation advocate Katherine Fritchie bought the Garland in 1999 and has worked to restore its original look and feel.

More than a cool-looking building, it’s carved out a reputation as a neighborhood anchor. That wasn’t quite on the radar of Jasmine Barnes when she got a job there as a Whitworth University student. Coming to Spokane from California, she wasn’t familiar with its history. She admits to just thinking of it as a “college job.” But she’s quick to point out: “I also really love movies.”

That was nine years ago, and Barnes is now general manager, overseeing both the theater and the attached Bon

Bon bar, where on a recent Monday night staff were busy cleaning dishes and prepping for the regular trivia night.

Barnes says the appeal of the Garland is much more than the nostalgic movies. (On this night, there’s a 25th anniversary showing of The Big Lebowski, complete with people in robes drinking White Russians.) Rather, it’s the whole community formed around the theater and the Spokane neighborhood it anchors.

Barnes liked the job — and the area — so much, she bought a house nearby.

“I am fully invested,” she says, not just of owning a house in a desirable neighborhood, but in the sense of connection living near the theater allows. “I am a Garland District lifer.”

— SCOTT A. LEADINGHAM

2nd PLACE: AMC River Park Square

3rd PLACE: The Magic Lantern NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Regal Riverstone, Coeur d’Alene

BEST INDOOR CONCERT OF THE PAST YEAR PAUL McCARTNEY, SPOKANE ARENA

Beatlemaniacs got to cross a major item off their bucket lists last year when none other than Sir Paul McCartney himself graced the Lilac City to kick off his Got Back tour in May 2022. I was one of them, and it truly did go down as a once-in-a-lifetime experience to never forget. Paul, here?! In Spokane?! Even now, it takes a second to sink in… Among the night’s many highlights from a nearly three-hour set was the Lennon-McCartney “duet” for “Get Back,” featuring newly isolated vocals of the late John Lennon, recorded during the Beatles’ final rooftop performance back in 1969. (CS)

2nd PLACE: Backstreet Boys at Spokane Arena

3rd PLACE: Iron Maiden at Spokane Arena

BEST OUTDOOR CONCERT OF THE PAST YEAR PHOEBE BRIDGERS, SPOKANE PAVILION

The queen of millennial folk-rock bummers delivered the best show under the stars in 2022. In front of a packed age-spanning crowd, Bridgers tore through a set of the songs from her star-making album Punisher and her stellar debut Strangers in the Alps with a combination of poetic grace and sorrow-filled angst. As someone who was a fan of Bridgers before she’d even put out her first LP, it was a thrill to see hordes of teens tearfully singing along with every word of her beautiful prose. While we may have felt deeply seen when she crooned, “Jesus Christ, I’m so blue all the time,” at least for one night we felt bliss in our communal sadness. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Tenacious D at BECU Live at Northern Quest

3rd PLACE: Brett Young at BECU Live at Northern Quest

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Kaleo at Festival at Sandpoint

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE BECU LIVE AT NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO

You know a venue is hitting the sweet spot for folks when it’s only open for limited stretches during the year and still ranks No. 1. It’s safe to say that people in the Inland Northwest love their outdoor summer concerts, as Northern Quest’s musical hotspot came out on top. BECU Live delivers what fans crave: very good outdoor sound, seating that’s not a pain, food and drink options, and — most importantly — great artists performing. Last year saw everyone from Tenacious D to Maren Morris to Goo Goo Dolls, while the upcoming 2023 slate features Counting Crows, Boyz II Men, Ghost, Jason Mraz and more. (SS)

2nd PLACE: The Fox Theater; 3rd PLACE: Lucky You Lounge; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Nashville North, Post Falls

BEST RADIO DJ OR TEAM

DAVE, KEN & MOLLY, KZZU

Dave Sposito, Ken Hopkins and Molly Allen have been a staple on local airwaves for decades, so much so that they feel like family to the station’s loyal listeners. The trio appears on 92.9 KZZU every weekday morning, cementing themselves into morning routines throughout the Spokane area as well as making it known that they’re dedicated to doing good within the community via their annual Christmas Wish program, through which they make Christmas brighter for families in need. (MP)

2nd PLACE: Jay & Kevin & Slim, Coyote Country; 3rd PLACE: Electric Bender with AnT_EyE, KYRS

Best Escape Room Unit 55 Horror Games

“I love the fact it’s a family-run establishment. All the extra time they put into every event, the fine details in the art, in the makeup and the actor’s passion, among many other things, is why I always come back.” (Amy S.); “Always something completely new and inventive!” (Makenzi K.); “Scary and fun!” (Barbara M.)

2nd PLACE: Think Tank Escape Rooms

3rd PLACE: 59: Escape Adventures, Post Falls

BEST BAND, MOSTLY COVERS BRUISER

“Outstanding musicians that play something for everyone. Pop, rock and country.” (Jason G.); “Amazing band! Variety of music! Their lead singer is phenomenal!” (Amanda M.); “Well-seasoned musicians that kill it every time they hit the stage.” (Todd W.)

2nd PLACE: The Rising

3rd PLACE: The Moops

BEST HIP-HOP ARTIST/GROUP

EXZAC CHANGE & MATISSE

“They are HANDS DOWN the best hip-hop artists we have in Spokane! Spreading that positive message to the people!” (Tif S.); “Best hip-hop duo in the state! Their recent show at Lucky you was so fun!” (Chris B.); “Love the community!” (Zachary H.)

2nd PLACE: Jango; 3rd PLACE: T.S The Solution

Best Arcade Chaos Arcade

While there are a few options for great retro arcade gaming around, no locale focuses on the modern arcade experience quite like Chaos Arcade. Unlike some of the other top arcades, Chaos has an array of skill machines that spit out tickets in exchange for prizes — giving folks that nostalgic Chuck E. Cheese-esque throwback experience. Add in the Chaos Café’s offerings, ranging from boba tea and sweet frappes to beer and booze, and you’ve got a spot that appeals both to kids and grown-up kids-at-heart. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Jedi Alliance

3rd PLACE: Gamers Arcade Bar

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Blue Shell, Coeur d’Alene

Best Recording Studio Amplified Wax

Recording music and putting it out into the world can be an incredibly stressful process. Amplified Wax does its best to alleviate some of those anxieties. The incredibly professional spot in downtown Spokane can serve as a one-stop shop for artists — recording, mixing, mastering, and even graphic design and promotional materials for albums and singles. With past clients including everyone from national standouts like Myles Kennedy and Tech N9ne to local favorites like the Nixon Rodeo and Jango, Amplified Wax can handle pretty much any style under the sun. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Panoramic Dreams

3rd PLACE (tie): Spokane Public Library, SpoKast

Don’t judge Atari Ferrari by its cover. The melodic rock outfit can be a little disorienting at first glance. The group features guys in their 50s, 40s, 30s and one who just turned 20.

“Sometimes when we walk in, [the audience] look at our combination of people and they’re like, ‘What the hell is this gonna be?” Atari Ferrari frontman Matthew Joseph Hughes says with a laugh.

A 33-year-old Spokane native, Hughes started releasing solo music as Automatic Shoes pretty much as soon as he picked up a guitar in 2006. Inspired by ’70s singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell and metal acts like Megadeth and Ozzie Osborne, Hughes’ music — led by his sweet and inviting vocals — has a penchant for eclecticness. Automatic Shoes songs tap into Hughes’ folky warmth with an underpinning of alienated optimism.

“I feel like that probably runs through a lot of my music — being a loner, but also hopeful,” says Hughes.

Atari Ferrari actually formed after BaLonely frontman Norman Robbins organized a David Bowie tribute concert and invited Hughes to sing a few songs with the house band Robbins had assembled. Hughes clicked with the other guys, and they became his Atari Ferrari bandmates.

While Atari Ferrari touches on a host of sounds across its three LPs, thanks to its range of members, it’s undergirded by a base of old school retro rock.

“It’s good to not be on the same page and be like, ‘This is exactly what our idea is going to sound like,’” Hughes says. “I can bring something and I have no idea what it’s gonna sound like with these guys.”

Currently Atari Ferrari is trying to work on new songs for the first time in almost three years. The group has also taken a step back from Spokane shows for a while, kind of feeling a bit burnt out by how hard it is to get people out and motivated to go to shows, especially when they get a better response pretty much anywhere else.

The exception will likely be playing Pride at the Pavilion. While he’s not loud about being gay, Hughes enjoys Pride crowds’ enthusiastic responses and getting the straight dudes who comprise Atari out of their normal comfort zone.

“I try not to be like out and in your face about my sexuality, but it feels like kind of a backdoor vehicle with the music we make and the band I have,” Hughes says. “We can go play some dive bar where there’s probably people who would never talk to me. And then we can win them over.”

— SETH SOMMERFELD

BEST BAND, MOSTLY ORIGINALS

2nd PLACE: Snacks at Midnight

3rd PLACE: Free the Jester

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER

2nd PLACE: Cami Bradley (Carmen Jane, The Sweeplings)

3rd PLACE: Blake Braley

Best Record Store 4000 Holes

Unless you’re digging crates for something highly specialized, one sign of a good record store is to be slightly overwhelmed as soon as you walk in the door. That’s certainly the case upon entering 4000 Holes. While the shop doesn’t hide its fondness for classic rock — especially the Beatles — there is an absolute trove of vinyl to explore regardless of genre affiliation. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can help guide those feeling overload anxiety, while pro collectors can spend hours blissfully riffling their way through the worn LP jackets. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Resurrection Records

3rd PLACE: Total Trash Records & Sound

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Long Ear, Coeur d’Alene

Best Touring Broadway Musical Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton. His name is Alexander Hamilton. And there’s a million things he hasn’t done… but topping our reader’s poll is not one of them. It’s no shock that the one true musical theater sensation in recent memory didn’t throw away its shot to blow away Inland Northwest audiences after its long-delayed (thanks, COVID) arrival. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s historical hip-hop musical is loaded with undeniably memorable and varied songs, frenetic rap flow, and complex characters. It felt fresh whether you were a traditional theater patron for whom hip-hop almost feels like a foreign language or a kid energized by seeing non-stuffy music and diversity presented on a grand stage. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Hadestown; 3rd PLACE: The Book of Mormon

Best Local Comedian Deece Casillas

“He can do anything from family friendly to crude humor — nothing throws him off. He’s truly a joy to be around. I booked him once, would def do it again.” (Desiree A.); “He is awesome! Loved seeing him at Spokane Comedy Club!” (Ramona K.)

2nd PLACE: Dan Cummins; 3rd PLACE: Harry J. Riley

BEST GAMING/COMIC BOOK SHOP MERLYN’S COMICS AND GAMES

“The coolest vintage comics! The vibe in this shop is the best. I appreciate that they are an independent book shop. Not only vintage comics and games, but also some pretty obscure new stuff that I would not find anywhere else!” (Lynda W.); “John Waite is a good soul and provides a great space for young people.” (Cheryl C.)

2nd PLACE: The Comic Book Shop

3rd PLACE: The Gamer’s Haven

BEST LOCAL PLAY OF THE PAST YEAR NEWSIES, SPOKANE VALLEY SUMMER THEATRE

“The dancing was phenomenal! So much energy from so many local young kids. Awesome!” (Jeanne F.); “It was a spectacular show with a killer Broadway set and fantastic dancing, singing and acting.” (Erin W.)

2nd PLACE: The Rocky Horror Show, Stage Left Theater

3rd PLACE: The Wizard of Oz, Spokane Civic Theatre NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Mamma Mia!, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre

SINGER/SONGWRITER CAMI BRADLEY

This local singer-songwriter was on the heels of an appearance on America’s Got Talent when she was voted Best Singer/Songwriter in 2015. At the time, Bradley had no plans to leave Spokane. But times change. In January this year, the singer — who now performs as Carmen Jane — told the Inlander she was taking the next step in her career and moving to Los Angeles. “It’s tough, because Spokane is awesome and our music scene is growing,” Bradley said of the move.

— NATE SANFORD