THere's plenty of entertainment as 2018 kicks off

SANDPOINT – We roll into 2018 with renewed spirit and a taste for entertainment. Good thing the calendar is cooperating!

Check out the Oscar-worthy film, ‘Three Billboards’ at the Panida this week, starting tonight. The Bonner County History Museum hosts its First Free Saturday event this weekend – a fun chance to learn more about this fascinating place we call home.

In terms of live music, well, it’s every venue and every imaginable genre this week, including Bright Moments playing jazz at Eichardt’s on Friday night and local faves such as the Steve Neff Duo, Devon Wade, Mike & Shanna Thompson and Baregrass rounding things out through the weekend.

Next Wednesday, ‘The Conversation’ at Ivano’s Ristorante looks into how The Inland Northwest Community Strategies Grant Program in the area of ‘Arts & Culture’ has been awarded to our own Arts Alliance, dba Creations for Sandpoint, for the purpose to assist in its renovation of its children’s museum on the Cedar Street Bridge. Cool project!

Lots to do – plan accordingly:

Thursday, Jan. 4

‘Three Billboards’

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

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Emotionally powerful with language you might not want to sit next to your mother to watch, but this film delivers. There is Oscar buzz all around this movie by Writer/Director, Martin McDonagh, because of the powerhouse cast that deliver his powerhouse script.

Frances McDormand gives one of the best performances of the year as the foul-mouthed, anguished mother of a brutally murdered girl, and she’s out for revenge, deliverance, redemption, you name it she wants it. Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell give her the biggest obstacle to tackle and she is up to the task.

Rated R for violence, language throughout, and sexual references.

Admission: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Students $6 and Children $5, available online at panida.org

Friday, Jan. 5

Bright Moments Jazz

Venue: Eichardt’s Pub, 212 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7-10 p.m.

There’s music – and there’s the kind of transcendent music played by this top-drawer, local jazz band. You won’t want to miss this one!

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Devon Wade

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

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Devon is an independent country music artist out of Sandpoint Idaho with a strong love for what country music has always been, songs about real life.

Admission: Free to those 21 and over.

‘Three Billboards’

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

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Emotionally powerful with language you might not want to sit next to your mother to watch, but this film delivers. There is Oscar buzz all around this movie by Writer/Director, Martin McDonagh, because of the powerhouse cast that deliver his powerhouse script.

Rated R for violence, language throughout, and sexual references.

Admission: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Students $6 and Children $5, available online at panida.org

Steve Neff Duo

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

Time: 5-8 p.m.

Steve is back with guest Jesse Ahmann and his cello.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

The Party Mountain Band

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

Time: 9 p.m.

The Party Mountain Band is back by popular demand. Come out and give this new garage rock group of Sandpoint local musicians a warm welcome!

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

Barry Aiken Duo

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

Time: 6 p.m.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Baregrass

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

Time: 5 p.m.

Admission: Free to those 21 and over.

Saturday, Jan. 6

First Free Saturday

Venue: Bonner County History Museum, 611 S. Ella Ave., in

Sandpoint.

Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Join your friends at The Museum for a day of soaking up our rich local and regional history. The museum is always filled with fascinating exhibits, so this is a great chance to check them out if you haven’t already.

Admission: Free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of local sponsors Paul & Sue Graves.

Information: 208-263-2344

‘Three Billboards’

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

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

Emotionally powerful with language you might not want to sit next to your mother to watch, but this film delivers. There is Oscar buzz all around this movie by Writer/Director, Martin McDonagh, because of the powerhouse cast that deliver his powerhouse script.

Frances McDormand gives one of the best performances of the year as the foul-mouthed, anguished mother of a brutally murdered girl, and she’s out for revenge, deliverance, redemption, you name it she wants it. Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell give her the biggest obstacle to tackle and she is up to the task.

Rated R for violence, language throughout, and sexual references.

Admission: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Students $6 and Children $5, available online at panida.org

Harold’s IGA

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

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Harold’s IGA used to be a community grocery store, now it’s an indie rock band with an ever-changing cast of characters. They play a ton of originals from their three albums.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

Mike & Shanna Thompson

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

Time: 8 p.m.

Enjoy a night out listening to this talented Sandpoint acoustic duo as they entertain you with rock, bluegrass, Americana, folk, and jazz/blues.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.

Browne Salmon Truck

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

Time: 5 p.m.

Admission: Free to those 21 and over.

Mike Johnson

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

Time: 6 p.m.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Sunday, Jan. 7

‘Three Billboards’

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

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Emotionally powerful with language you might not want to sit next to your mother to watch, but this film delivers.

Rated R for violence, language throughout, and sexual references.

Admission: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Students $6 and Children $5, available online at panida.org

Monday, Jan. 8

Truck

Mills

Blues Jam

Venue: Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, located at 212 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Jan. 9

Backgammon Tourney

Venue: Laughing Dog Brewing, 805 Schweitzer Plaza Drive, Ponderay.

Time: 5 p.m. Tuesdays

Admission: Free and open to the public (sign up on the Laughing Dog Brewing Facebook page.

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. 10

‘The Conversation’

Venue: Ivano’s Ristorante, 102 First Ave., in Sandpoint.

Time: 6-8 p.m.

The Inland Northwest Community Strategies Grant Program in the area of ‘Arts & Culture’ has been awarded to our own Arts Alliance dba Creations for Sandpoint for the purpose to assist in its renovation of its children’s museum on the Cedar Street Bridge. As a 501(c) 3 non-profit, Creations for Sandpoint is a cultural and educational institution focusing on creating more meaningful, innovative experiences for children through exploration of its collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment.

The Conversation is a monthly gathering that is graciously sponsored by the non-profit Creations for Sandpoint on the Cedar St. Bridge. Bring a friend!

Admission: Free and open to the public (please support the host venue by planning to dine at Ivano’s).

Information: 208-263-1592

Truck Mills

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

Time: 7 p.m. – Wed., Jan. 10

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.

Trivia Takeover

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

Time: 5:30-7 p.m.

A first for the winery, come check out their newest event. Specials on glasses of wine as well.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Open Mic Night

Venue: Skal Tap Room, 476930 U.S. 95 (next to Sandpoint Sports). in Ponderay

Time: Wednesdays

Skal Taproom invites musicians and comedians to step up and show their stuff.

Admission: Free and open to the public.

Thursday, Jan. 11

Open Mic with Kevin Dorin

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

Time: 6:30 p.m.

MickDuff’s Beer Hall and Kevin Dorin are excited to welcome all local artists over 21 years of age for a fun and open night of playing at the Beer Hall. Come out for a positive environment to share your passion or just come to take it all in. All levels of performers are welcome. The set will be recorded live and artists will have access to the audio. Also, this an opportunity for you to work with a professional sound guy who will work to mic you up and get your levels to show the best version of you.

Admission: Free for those 21 and over.