The Port Townsend Writers' Conference

Some people are new to writing, discovering for the first time the trance that writing down one's thoughts brings. Others have been writing for years, filling journals, publishing books, and running blogs in an effort to share themselves with the world. Whatever your level of skill, the Port Townsend Writers' Conference works to provide the connections and resources you need to help you grow as a writer.

Running from July 8-22 at the Fort Worden State Park, this writing conference has been an annual event since 1974, catering to writers and aspiring writers in the Pacific Northwest. Every year since its founding has seen more and more people attend, lured by the workshops, creative freewrites, vibrant readings, and knowledgeable lectures. Various writers and poets make up the 2012 conference faculty, offering their experience and advice on how to keep your thoughts moving and the pages filled.

Mornings will see conference goers engaged in workshops with faculty members assigned to their groups; afternoons workshops are taught by both faculty members and visiting writers that focus on specific topics regarding writing. In the evenings, two faculty members will present their lectures at the Joseph F. Wheeler Theater, available to all participants.

Entrance into the Port Townsend Writers' Conference does cost a fee, ranging from $50-$695, depending on how much you register for. However, scholarships and tuition assistance are available.

Success has followed this conference for 39 years, watching writers disperse with new knowledge. Whether you're here to create new work and hone existing skills, or relax and lose yourself in a writing retreat, the experience you'll gather here is unparalleled to any other. For more information, check out the Port Townsend Writers' Conference informational webpage.

Sharma Shields - Author Reading

Auntie's Bookstore is excited to welcome back Sharma Shields into their midst. A former staff member of Auntie's, Shields will be reading from her collection of stories entitled Favorite Monster. Filled with tales of mythical creatures and downright nightmares, the surprising end result reveals that sometimes, the greatest monsters of all are just plain human. Cyclops and werewolves, reality and fantasy, sweet dreams and darkness - all are intertwined within the pages of this delightful book.

Sharma Shields' writing has appeared in many places, such as the Kenyon Review, the Iowa Review, Fugue, and the Sonora Review. She is the recipient of several awards, including being the winner of the Autumn House Fiction Contest, which led to the publication of Favorite Monster. Shields has a BA in English Literature from the University of Washington, and a MFA from the University of Montana. She currently lives in Spokane, WA with her husband, their son, and their beautiful newborn daughter.

Shields will be taking time from from her busy schedule to hang out at Auntie's, visiting the staff and customers, and reading from Favorite Monster. Don't miss her! Come listen on Wednesday, June 27th, at 7:00pm.

Storytime for Kids

We've all heard that rumor that exposing your child to classical music boosts their brains cells and makes them smarter. We've come across articles in parenting manuals that swear by reading to your children, because it strengthens the relationship and prepares them for academic excellence.

Well, the Spokane County Library District certainly has it covered when it comes to introducing kids to exciting stories and vibrant pictures. Every week each branch of the Spokane county library holds Storytime, a twenty minute period dedicated to stories, songs, and mini lessons. This time is spent helping to stimulate a passion for learning and literature. Weekly Storytime is separated into three age groups:

1. Baby Lapsit for 0-18 months - This one-on-one time between baby and parent focuses on nursery rhymes, songs, and stories to introduce the baby to rhythm and music. It works to foster an early love of the written language.
2. Toddler Storytime for ages 1 1/2 to 3 years - Designed for toddlers, this story-time uses picture books, puppets, and finger-play to engage children in arts and culture.
3. Preschool Play Learn for ages 3-5 years - This activity goes for an hour instead of the usual 20 minutes. It brings stories, songs, and finger-play into the mix to introduce concepts of math, science, art, and literature.

All of these weekly programs focus on helping children to develop cognitively, becoming aware of their educational surroundings through fun activities that promote bonding with parents. To find out what times each library branch holds their Storytime, click the here, or visit the Spokane County Library District website directly at http://www.scld.org/. 

Kelly Milner Halls - Author Reading

Auntie's Bookstore is presenting a Spokane bestselling author Thursday, June 21, at 7:00pm. Children's author Kelly Milner Halls jokes that she has always been the weird kid--she asked too many questions, didn't like to play with dolls, and couldn't stop talking to neighbors. Now, her childhood oddities have paid off; she holds dozens of honors and awards, has 19 books published, and is even the proud owner of a four-foot rock iguana aptly named Gigantor.

On the 21st of June, she'll be speaking about her latest book, Hatchlings: Life-Size Baby Dinosaurs. This bold and visually detailing book has its pages filled with life-size baby dinosaurs, giving kids an up close and personal view about these age-old reptiles. The colors are bright, the pictures are vivid, and the memories of reading this story to your children will last for a lifetime. So bring your kids and meet up with Kelly Milner Halls at Auntie's to explore the beauty of these dinosaurs.

The Blue Door Theatre

"Serving Spokane's Improv Needs Since 1996." This is the logo situated beneath the online banner of The Blue Door Theatre (BDT), the Inland Northwest's Premier Improv Company. Laying low in the heart of the Garland district, this tiny, intimate theater is bursting with ad lib talent and comical performances, all at the hands of local volunteers. Originally called Unexpected Productions: Spokane, it was founded in 1996 by Mark Robbins, who rented a variety of spaces to put on his shows every Friday night. Four years later, the company dropped into a more permanent residence in downtown Spokane and changed its name, so called because of the blue door entrance. 2002 saw another move happen, this time to its current location in the Garland district.

The BDT specializes in both long- and short-form improvisation. In addition to the evening productions, the company hosts adult and youth/teen improv classes that "introduce, emphasize, and reinforce the skills" that improvisation requires. Some students even transition to volunteers, helping around the theater, working admissions, and even performing on stage for both the general admission productions, and the Safari shows (fast-paced, wild, and not always suitable for all ages). Running $8 for general admission, and $7 for student, military, senior, and Safari shows, the shows are typically an hour long, perfect enough to grab a bite to eat after.

This month's special feature is called "Artsy Pants"; the audience draws little, unrelated caricatures before the show begins, and the players act them out, performing as historians sent to interpret the drawings. These shows happen every Friday night. If you plan on going, be sure to call ahead and schedule a reservation. Let the hilarity ensue!

Jess Walter - Author Reading

Most of our readers know him and his work fairly well, but we never miss an opportunity to hear Jess Walter read. Not only was he was a headlining author of EWU's  Get Lit! Festival in April, reading with Colson Whitehead as well as participating in the Comedy as Commentary  panel, but he's been a longtime supporter of the literary arts in Spokane. He's the author of five novels and one nonfiction book, including The Zero (2006), The Financial Lives of Poets (2009), and most recently, Beautiful Ruins (2012). He is the winner of the Edgar Allen Poe award, a National Book Award Finalist, and has been published in a variety of magazines, literary journals, and newspapers. His books have been sold in fifteen different countries, translated into thirteen languages, and his success won't stop with his latest publication- he already has another book on deck, a collection of short stories to be released in March 2013.

Beautiful Ruins, the novel, begins on the sun-drenched shores of an Italian coastline, featuring a relationship between a simple innkeeper and a dying American actress. Their romance, whose origins lay in 1962 Italy, are rekindled 50 years later and half a world away on American soil. History, dreams, and memories arise in the novel, which he'll read from at Auntie's Bookstore on June 12 at 7 p.m.You won't want to miss it!

The 8th Annual Elkfest

In 1995, three friends came together with a single purpose in mind: dish out some mouth-watering grub, pair it with an array of sweet microbrews, and serve it in an atmosphere complete with warm smiles and friendly faces. This concept brought about the opening of Moon Time in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Soon after, John Grollmus, Brad Fosseen, and Jeff Meagher opened up three other restaurants: The Elk right here in Spokane, The Two Seven over on the South Hill, and The Porch in Hayden Lake, Idaho.

"Great music. Good beer. Corn pasta." That's the mantra so modestly placed at the center of this year's Elkfest poster, promoting Spokane's 8th annual Elkfest, the creative baby of The Elk restaurant. This true indie music festival caters to those looking to make some sweet summer memories and party on the streets of downtown Spokane. Friday, June 8th at 5 pm kicks off the start of the good times, beginning with the BBBBandits and some Northwest rock and roll. The line-up continues until 9 pm, but no worries... It continues Saturday, June 9th at 1pm, and again Sunday, June 10th at 1pm. Show up to get a taste of artists like My Goodness (a two man garage-blues band with tones akin to the Black Keys); Real Life Rockaz (cue the easy beats of reggaeton, hip-hop soul, and jazz ); and Whiskey Dick Mountain (for those throngs of hipsters and aging punks).

Whatever your tune of choice, Elkfest is sure to have something for you to rock out to. Join the festivities on the streets of Browne's Addition, and get a taste of history along with the good chow and great music. Here's a toast to seein' you there!

ArtFest 2012

It's back, ladies and gents! The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC)'s 27th annual ArtFest began at noon on Friday, June 1, and continues through 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 3. This three-day summer event features over 160 art booths and artists, delicious food, awesome music, and loads of creative fun. A Make-It-Art tent is set-up to engage children in some hands-on activities, and for those adults that harbor a taste for fine wine, you can relax at the beer and wine garden.

Coeur d'Alene Park will be boasting all the craftiness this year--about two blocks from the MAC in Spokane's historical Browne's Addition. There's no cost to attend this festival, so there's no reason not show up, grab a bite to eat, and take a glance or two at the different artwork displayed throughout the grounds.

For more information contact 509.456.3931, email artfest@northwestmuseum.org, or www.northwestmuseum.org.

First Friday Features

From gallery shows to historical tours, you might be surprised at the cultural opportunities that Spokane has to offer. In the midst of things, people tend to forget that this city has history tucked between the brick buildings and paved streets. That's where First Friday comes in: the first Friday of every month holds many events that take you out and about the Spokane scene. This past First Friday, for instance, May 4, saw the Vino! Wine Shop provide decadent wine selections for a wine tasting party, and Hotel Ruby's Sapphire Lounge provided some good ol' rockabilly blues from folk rock country singer Jack Mattingly.

What specials does Spokane have in store for us the first Friday of this month, June 1? The Spokane Convention Center will be holding a Fire on the Runway fashion show, complete with models and firefighters. Or check out the Spokane Aerial Performance Arts Performance Troupe as they fly through a "Cirque du Spokane" show at the Savory Restaurant | Lounge. To top it off, Savory brings these high-flying performers back the first Friday of every month!

So if the dreary weather is making you think there's nothing exciting in store for you, think again. Head downtown and take advantage of the many First Friday events and specials.