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Sidewalks Heat Up With Annual 'Street Music Week'

Street music week
Ben Joy

The streets of Spokane and Coeur d Alene are filled with music this week, all in the name of a good cause. The event is now in its 13th year on the streets of Spokane.

If you're downtown Spokane you may hear Jim Lyons guide the musicians to their places.

Lyons: “Here’s a bucket and badge..what’s the latest you’re going to be here?..."

Lyons is a longtime volunteer and self described "almost-high-commander".

This year the event has expanded to Coeur d'Alene as well. It features musicians who get to perform as buskers on the sidewalk, with all proceeds going to help the 2nd Harvest Food Bank. There is no limit to the type of musicians that can help: all musical genres are welcome. Jim Lyons says it’s pretty much an open format.

Lyons: "Its about generosity, not virtuosity. You get a bucket and badge and find a corner."

Any one interested in participating in the event can just show up at noon, at the Starbucks across from Riverpark Square,  the Gathering place in the Garland neighborhood, or the Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene to sign up and participate.

Street music week is June 8th-12th.

Steve was part of the Spokane Public Radio family for many years before he came on air in 1999. His wife, Laurie, produced Radio Ethiopia in the late 1980s through the '90s, and Steve used to “lurk in the shadowy world” of Weekend SPR. Steve has done various on air shifts at the station, including nearly 15 years as the local Morning Edition host. Currently, he is the voice of local weather and news during All Things Considerd, writing, editing, producing and/or delivering newscasts and features for both KPBX and KSFC. Aside from SPR, Steve ,who lives in the country, enjoys gardening, chickens, playing and listening to music, astronomy, photography, sports cars and camping.
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