Spokane is Reading with Chris Cleave

This Friday, October 12th, will be the 11th Annual Spokane is Reading. If you've never been before, Spokane is Reading is a series of events organized by the Spokane Public Library, the Spokane Country Library District, and Auntie's Bookstore. Every year, they bring an influential author to Spokane to discuss one of his or her books with the community.

This year's visiting author is Chris Cleave, who will discuss his international bestseller Little Bee at two free presentations:

The Garland Theater - 1pm
924 W Garland Ave

The Lincoln Center, Monroe Ballroom - 7pm

Not familiar with the novel? The publisher has this to say...

"We don't want to tell you too much about this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this: It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific. The story starts there, but the book doesn't. And it's what happens afterward that is most important. Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds."

Chris Cleave is the author of Incendiary (2005), which inspired the film of the same name. His most recent novel is Gold (2012).

For more information about Chris Cleave, visit his website: chriscleave.com

For more about Spokane is Reading, visit: spokaneisreading.org/2012

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!