Entertainment Briefs for December 16, 2011

Clemons concerts begin tonight

Violinist Diana Clemons has three concerts, "Carol of the Bells," coming up to raise money for her nonprofit organization and another as well.

Clemons is performing at 6:30 tonight at the Harding Family Center, 411 N. 15th St. Proceeds will go to the Harmony Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, which Clemons operates from her Rathdrum home to benefit special needs children. Parents Reaching Out to Parents will also benefit from the show.

She will also perform at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at HighRoad Human Service Inc., 7905 Meadowlark Way.

A third concert is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, again at HighRoad Human Service.

Tickets for each show are $10 for adults, $5 for children and $25 for a family.

For tickets, call 819-2603.

Exhibit concert debuts Saturday

COEUR d'ALENE - Before computers, before television, before radio, there was still music to help working people through their days.

A concert presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, "The Way We Worked," - Dec. 16 through Jan. 28 - will be presented by Gary Eller, Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., in the Community Room at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library. Admission is free.

Eller will perform selections from, "How We Worked in Idaho," a CD/booklet of 24 songs written before radio (1923) about Idaho's early working men and women.

He has played American roots music since he grew up in rural West Virginia. Following a 30-year career as a nuclear scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, he retired to Nampa and immediately became deeply involved in Idaho history and music.

With funding from the Idaho Humanities Council in 2007 and 2008, he compiled almost 200 historically rooted songs of our region and performs them at many events throughout Idaho.

Eller works closely with regional museums and universities to collect, archive and bring to life through performance and interpretation the wonderful windows into Idaho's heritage that these songs present.

Cowboy Ball to be held April 6

The Cowboy Ball will be the centerpiece of the first North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation fundraiser.

The event is scheduled April 6. It will feature the Kelly Hughes Band, dance lessons, auctions, western-dressed contest, food, beer and wine.

Sponsorships are being sold on three levels with the "Stetson" level providing $1,000 scholarships for some 2012 graduating high school seniors.

Other levels are "Branding Iron," with corporate logo recognition and the "Horse Shoe" for a table of eight, including dinner and drinks.

Funds raised by the foundation benefit the Kootenai County Fairgrounds and educational scholarships.

Information: Barb Renner, 772-5471

Artist proposals due by April 16

COEUR d'ALENE - The city of Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission is seeking artists to participate in its "ArtCurrents" program.

Artists interested should submit applications of their works for consideration. If chosen, they'll be displayed downtown for one year. The displayed works will also be offered for sale, with the city receiving a 25 percent commission.

Up to 15 pieces will be selected and the artist or artist team will be awarded a $500 stipend to cover the cost of shipping. The selected artwork will be displayed along Sherman Avenue, Lakeside Avenue and City Park.

Information packets are available at City Hall, 710 E. Mullan Ave., or online at www.cdaid.org. Artist proposals are due by 5 p.m. April 16. Installation will begin the week of June 4.

Info: Steve Anthony, 769-2249