10 Days Out: Feb. 20, 2014

Friday, Feb. 21

• North Town Coffeeshop looks better than ever in its new location in the historic railroad depot in downtown Yakima, and it has maintained its place in the local music scene, hosting weekly open mike nights.

Now, for its official grand opening, North Town will host Planes on Paper, the new collaboration between former Not Amy bandmates Navid Eliot and Jennifer Borst. The duo, who do a quieter, more contemplative version of the folk-Americana stuff that made Not Amy local favorites, will play at 7 p.m. But get there early for the grand opening pomp and circumstance at 5 p.m. It’s a beautiful venue.

North Town is at 32 N. Front St. Admission is free.

For information, visit www.northtowncoffee.com or www.facebook.com/planesonpaper or call 509-895-7600.

Saturday, Feb. 22

• Josh Hodgins, the creator, writer, director and leading actor behind locally made TV show “Jackson Horn,” premieres his latest feature film, “White Roses,” a melodrama touching on issues of domestic violence, as part of a charity event to help victims of such abuse.

“Y Roses,” the premiere event benefitting the YWCA of Yakima, is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St. The movie itself begins at 7 p.m. It’s $10 in advance, $15 at the door. VIP tickets, which include lounge admission before and after the show, are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

For information, visit www.whiterosesmovie.com or www.ywcayakima.org.

• Tribute bands — those folks who dress, play and sing like famous bands but are not, in fact, those famous bands and are, in fact, entirely different people — are an interesting phenomenon, and one I’ve never been able to really get into.

But I will tell you this: If you want to see a band that looks and sounds like Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Three, The Cold Hard Cash Show has got to be about as good as it gets. I mean, there are tribute bands, and then there are tribute bands who have been on Letterman. These guys are the latter, and the reason is they really do quite an impression.

They’re at The Speakeasy, 104 S. Third St., at 9 p.m. Admission is $7.

For information, visit www.thecoldhardcashshow.com or www.facebook.com/thespeakeasy or call 509-453-4762.

Sunday, Feb. 23

• I know what you probably think about scholastic art shows: that they’re a great way to encourage creativity among students but they’re probably worth going to only if you know one of the kids involved. That’s fine, if you think that. But, in the case of the annual Educational Service District 105 Regional High School Art Show, at least, there are always at least a few pieces that are worth your time.

In fact, there are often pieces in this show that wouldn’t be out of place in any of the local juried professional exhibits. Now in its 41st year, the show includes an opening reception and awards ceremony from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the JA World facility at 650 University Parkway in Yakima. Admission is free.

Thursday, Feb. 27

• The Yakima Valley Museum enlisted a trio of the area’s most-respected names to design the next installment of its Diversions series, “Words & Music of the Civil Rights Movement.”

Longtime community activist and former Southeast Yakima Community Center Director Ester Huey, author and former Yakima Valley Community College professor Inga Wiehl, and founding Yakima Symphony Orchestra conductor Brooke Creswell will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act with a program of words and music aimed at depicting the triumphs of the movement as well as its ongoing struggle.

The program begins with dinner and drinks at 6 p.m. followed by a musical program at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30.

For information, visit www.yakimavalleymuseum.org or call 509-248-0747.

• I enjoy jazz, but I make no claim to being an expert. What I do know is that if you’re the youngest person ever included in the Down Beat magazine critics poll, as saxophonist Grace Kelly was at 16 in 2009, you’re pretty good. I also know that if Wynton Marsalis says you “play with intelligence, wit and feeling,” as he said of Kelly, that’s a strong recommendation.

So, Kelly is legit. You can see for yourself at The Seasons Performance Hall, 101 N. Naches Ave. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $22 and $32.

For information, visit www.seasonsyakima.com or call 509-453-1888.

Saturday, March 1

• Seattle singer-songwriter Ian McFeron was one of those guys who played the Yakima Sports Center a lot back when Dan Craig was booking shows there. And Dan Craig knew what he was doing.

McFeron, whose music is generally thoughtful if nonthreatening, nevertheless has commanded the room each time I’ve seen him. If you saw him last summer as part of the Summer Sunset Concert Series at Franklin Park, you know what I mean.

He’s at Bale Breaker Brewing Co., 1801 Birchfield Road in Moxee, from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free.

For information, visit www.balebreaker.com or www.ianmcferon.com or call 509-424-4000.

— Pat Muir