If you were fortunate enough to catch a performance of Spokane Civic Theatre's Assassins, you saw this season's second-best community theater production in the nation. That's according to the adjudicators at last weekend's American Association of Community Theater convention in Charlotte, N.C. Three Civic actors also won individual awards: Marianne McLaughlin for best supporting actress, George Green for best supporting actor, and Patrick McHenry-Kroetch for best actor. Assassins also won for Best Hair and Makeup and for "most professional" backstage crew. Congratulations to director Troy Nickerson and everyone at the Civic. Visit www.aact.org.
Maasai Might
Nicholas Sironka showed up in traditional Kenyan garb for the premiere on Friday night of four of his batik prints at the Gallery of Thum, 106 S. Madison St. The prints -- which depict vignettes from pastoralist Maasai society, and which will be on display indefinitely -- represent only part of Sironka's fund-raising efforts in support of reducing the birth rate and eliminating the practice of female circumcision in Kenya, along with improving the educational opportunities for Kenyan girls and young women. Sironka also acts in films and guides a dance troupe -- and while he will travel home to Kenya next week, he'll be back with his dancers for Spokane performances in late September. Visit www.thumthins.com or call 624-1519.
The Bells of St. John's
If it's July, it's time for some resounding bell tower music at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 12th Ave. and Grand Blvd. For a memorable Fourth of July, take a picnic, sit on the hillside, listen to Cathedral carillonneur Andrea McCrady and "freelance carillonneur" Toru Takao play at 9 pm, and then watch the fireworks. Additional carillon concerts, all at 7 pm (and free!), will take place on all four Thursdays in July and on Sunday, July 22. Call 838-4277 ext. 17.
Double Plays at Patterson
With some of their remaining home games (before the Aug. 1 home season finale) rescheduled for Avista Stadium, tonight (at 7 pm) and Friday (a doubleheader beginning at noon) might be good times to catch the Spokane Riverhawks at Gonzaga's Patterson Baseball Complex. Visit www.spokaneriverhawks.com or call 747-4991.
