SANDPOINT — Is it just me, or has this been one of the oddest years ever? Certainly, it had its share of joy and goodness. Without a doubt, it also had strife and weirdness in equal measure.

And so we roll on, ever on, into another New Year with hopes of all things positive. My hope is that we all pull a little closer, try a little harder and love a little stronger as we navigate the coming year. One way to do that, I truly believe, is to throw our soul-weight behind the arts as a way to create a ripple effect in our lives.

After all, what better way to celebrate life than to revel in beauty and light? There is so much of both waiting, like a fading ember, to be raised back into a glorious glow.

As far as the calendar, this week brings us a feast of activities — from music to movies — and a host of New Year’s Eve parties to fit your taste.

Happy New Year, friends.

Thursday, Dec. 28

‘The Greatest Showman’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Zendaya.

Tickets available at panida.org

Devon Wade

Venue: Taps, Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Time: 3-6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 29

Tennis Brewery Bash Show

Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: Doors at 7 p.m.; Music starts at 8 p.m.

Sandpoint’s House Band is back! Tennis is ready once again to help kick off the NYE Weekend, as the Beer Hall clears out a dance floor in the brewery and sets the mood for a rockin’ night filled with dancing and singing.

Admission: $5 cover for those 21 and over. Tickets available at the Beer Hall — get them early!

‘The Greatest Showman’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Inspired by the imagination of P. T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Zendaya.

Tickets available online at panida.org

Mike Wagoner Trio

Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 5-8 p.m.

Returning as a trio, these guys always bring a great time with classic rock and country!

Admission: Free and open to the public.

The Somethings

Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 9 p.m.

Come out and enjoy this dynamic duo (Megan Turner and Chris Lynch) as they work their melodic magic with a wide variety of popular songs and music featuring swing, jazz and rockabilly.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

Marty Perron & Doug Bond

Venue: Cedar Street Bridge Wine Bar, corner of First & Cedar, in Sandpoint.

Time: 6 p.m.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Mostly Harmless

Venue: Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 5 p.m.

Admission: Free to those 21 and over.

The Dimestore Prophets

Venue: Taps, Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Time: 3-6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 30

‘The Greatest Showman’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Zendaya.

Tickets available at panida.org

Devon Wade Band

Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: Doors at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m.

After debuting his self-titled album “Devon Wade” this fall, MickDuff’s Beer Hall is excited to welcome the Devon Wade Band for another Brewery Bash! Plus, the band is helping everybody out by giving an early excuse to celebrate the New Year and an extra day of recovering from the party.

Admission: $5 for those 21 and over, available at the beer hall.

Browne Salmon Truck and Tap Takeover

Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: Tap takeover, all day; Music starts at 9 p.m.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be entertained by Browne Salmon Truck and enjoy an all day Georgetown Brewing tap takeover. This Sandpoint trio of Drew Browne, Samantha Carston and Truck Mills play traditional to contemporary blues, jazz, Latin and more. Three Georgetown beers will be flowing with glassware available on a first come, first served basis. Best of all — it’s a fundraiser for 24 Hours for Hank!

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

Doug Bond & Patrice Webb

Venue: Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 5 p.m.

Admission: Free to those 21 and over.

Brian Jacobs

Venue: Cedar Street Bridge Wine Bar, corner of First & Cedar, in Sandpoint.

Time: 6 p.m.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

The Rub

Venue: Taps, Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Time: 2-5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 31

‘The Greatest Showman’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Tickets available online at: www.panida.org

Orgone New Year’s Eve show

Venue: The Hive, 207 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: Doors open at 9 p.m., show begins at 10:30 p.m.

Orgone delivers dirty, organic, soul with heart; music that grabs you by the collar, pulls you to your feet and shoves you right to the dance floor. To top it all off, a portion of each ticket goes to benefit The Angels Over Sandpoint.

Admission: $30 in advance, $35 at the door for ages 21 and older.

Information: www.livefromthehive.com

Josh Hedlund

Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Long time Sandpoint local, Josh Hedlund is excited to share his catalog of original tunes that pull at your ear and soul for attention. He is one of the true talents of Sandpoint and revered by the local musicians. Come out for a night you will enjoy.

Admission: Free and open to those 21 and over.

Harold’s IGA

Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 9 p.m.-2018

This Sandpoint favorite multi-instrumental trio plays folk rock originals and off-the-beaten track covers from artists like Ween, Talking Heads and Violent Femmes.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

One Street Over

Venue: Taps, Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Time: 2-5 p.m.

Electric Cole Show

Venue: Chimney Rock Restaurant at Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Time: 5:30-9 p.m.

Enjoy a fireside meal with a fantastic musical accompaniment of guitar melodies and solos blended with a new age touch through the genres of Jazz, Latin, Rock, Blues, Funk and World.

Admission: Free and open to diners at Chimney Rock (reservations recommended.)

Information: 208-263-9555

Spokane Symphony: ‘Beethoven’s Ninth’

Venue: Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., in Spokane.

Time: 8 p.m.

Celebrate the New Year with Beethoven’s triumphant Ninth Symphony, his most glorious masterpiece! A moving testament to the human spirit, it features the exhilarating hymn, ‘Ode to Joy.’

Admission: $18-$45, available at the box office (might already be sold out) and all TicketsWest outlets.

Information: 509-624-1200

Big Band Dance Contest

Venue: Doubletree Hotel, 322 N Spokane Falls Ct., in Spokane.

Time: 7-11 p.m.

Some Sandpoint dancers are traveling to Spokane to compete in this contest — maybe you should be there to cheer ‘em on! Winners will take home the $1,000 grand prize. Live music by the fabulous Tuxedo Junction Big Band.

Tickets and Information: www.firstnightspokane.org

Midnight Celebration

Venue: Schweitzer Mountain Resort Clock Tower

Time: 11:45 p.m.-12:15 a.m.

Ring in the 2018 New Year with a toast and celebration at the clock tower. Simply show up to join the fun complete with complimentary sparking apple cider and sparklers while supplies last!

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Information: 208-263-9555

Monday, Jan. 1

‘The Greatest Showman’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Tickets available online at: www.panida.org

Tennis

Venue: Taps, Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Time: 3-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 2

‘The Greatest Showman’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time 7:30 p.m.

Tickets available online at panida.org

Night-Out Karaoke

Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 9 p.m.

Sing to your heart’s content, or just enjoy the show as locals gather to show their stuff.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

West African Traditions Drum Class

Venue: Embody Studio, 823 Main St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 5:30 p.m. (and subsequent Tuesdays)

This group explores the rich tradition of West African drumming styles under the expert leadership of Ali Thomas.

Admission: Suggested donation of $5-$15

Information: Call 208-597-1892 to reserve a djembe for class, or visit online at dununbabe.com

Wednesday, Jan. 3

‘The Greatest Showman’

Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Inspired by the imagination of P. T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Zendaya.

Tickets available online at panida.org

Truck Mills

Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7 p.m.

Famed Sandpoint musician Truck Mills and a special guest will be jamming at the Niner! Come out and chill out with friends to great blues, folk, gospel and jazz tunes.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.