Exclusive RAWK Rights
By Isamu Jordan • Staff writer • APRIL 18, 2008
The Big Dipper is a RAWK venue – now both in perception and on paper.
Over the years the building at 171 S. Washington has been a key all-ages venue downtown, as well as a hotspot for police.
RAWK, a Christian-based nonprofit concert promoter, has run a number of events at The Big Dipper and has a reputation for holding safe, youth-friendly events that appeal to the general market. But the building was also available for private events that sometimes got out of control.
When The Big Dipper's cabaret license was yanked last summer, RAWK moved most of its shows, including the annual Final Four all-ages band battle, to the larger-but-less-central Service Station, 9315 N. Nevada.
Under a new deal, RAWK will have exclusive handlings of all events at The Big Dipper, public and private, said Dale Strom, Secretary/Treasurer for RAWK's board.
"The bottom line is that the agencies involved know RAWK and trust it and that's why we have this opportunity," Strom said.
RAWK is required to control booking and have an on-site manager present for all events at The Dipper. Those managers are ERC affiliate Ryan Levey and longtime RAWK volunteer, local rock photographer and ex-Empyrean booking agent Rhea Beumer.
The building's occupancy has been publicized at around 135 capacity, but such details were still being finalized at press time. However, Strom is confident The Dipper will be legit in time for its inaugural show, The Facedown Fest label showcase on Sunday. Check www.myspace.com/bigdippernw for updates.
This is also a win-win for the local music scene because now that RAWK's presence has established The Service Station as a viable venue, there are more options for larger shows, such as RAWK's show tonight with Family Force 5 (Maverick Records).
In essence, The Service Station is filling the 500-plus void left by the 2006 closure of Fat Tuesday's Concert Hall, while the Dipper can handle smaller strong shows that could grow into The Service Station. For example, Seattle indie-rocker Rocky Votolato's prior Spokane stops were cozy at The Shop, then overflowing at The Dipper, but last fall he packed The Service Station.
Atlanta's Force Family 5 has a fierce reputation as live act and Seattle indie-pop opener Barcelona has grown its local following through a slew of Platform Presents shows, including Elkfest '07.
Indie-folk pioneer Ani DiFranco rocks The Service Station on Saturday, but that show was booked by Seattle's Square Peg Concerts. Her previous appearances have been at The Bing (The Met) and Big Easy. Square Peg also brought freak-phenom Buckethead to The Service Station last month.
"We'll continue to bring the bigger shows to The Service Station, assuming they get offered to us," Strom said.
Family Force 5 is supported by touring acts The Maine, Ivoryline and Barcelona tonight at 7 p.m. at The Service Station. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, through The Service Station; TicketsWest, www.ticketswest.com, (509) 325-SEAT, 4000 Holes, 1610 N. Monroe St.; Whitworth and Gonzaga student ticket offices; and The Long Ear in Coeur d'Alene.
The Facedown Fest show features bands from the hardcore label, Life In Your Way, Means, For Today, Adai, plus locals The Deadhorse Express and Skies Burn Black on Sunday at 6 p.m. at The Big Dipper, 171 S. Washington St. Tickets are $10 at the door.
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