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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2019)
6 Wednesday, November 13, 2019 GO! magazine — A&E in Northeast Oregon ACE Writing Project EOU theater department saves rock ’n’ roll features Joan Burbick & Alex Kuo By Sabrina Thompson LA GRANDE — The ACE Writ- ing Project is a monthly author reading series hosted by Art Center East. The Nov. 20 Writing Project will feature two writers with recent publications from La Grande-based publishers, Redbat Books: Joan Burbick and Alex Kuo. The authors will read selections of their work followed by time for discussion. A community open mic will conclude the eve- ning. Open mic sign-up is at 6:45 p.m., and the readings begin at 7 p.m. Born in Alex Kuo Boston, Alex Kuo lived his early childhood in the French Concession of occupied Shanghai for most of World War II. As a bridge gen- eration writer and teacher, he has lived and held academic appoint- ments on both sides of the Pacifi c. Kuo taught American literature in Beijing in its political spring of 1989 and has returned to it every other year since to lecture at vari- ous universities. He was a professor of English at Washington State University until his retirement in 2012. The author of several books of poetry, fi ction and nonfi ction, Kuo won an American Book Award for his short fi ction collection “Lipstick and Other Stories.” His most recent novel, “Mao’s Kisses,” explores Beijing’s 1989 Tiananmen Square incident. For more than 30 years, Joan Burbick lived in the Palouse region of Joan Burbick Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington writing and teaching at Washington State University with periodic stints as a visiting professor at universities in Beijing, Hong Kong and Warsaw. She now lives on an island off the coast of Washington. Her two nonfi ction books, “Rodeo Queens and Gun Show Nation: Gun Culture” and “American Democracy,” were based on years of interviewing people about how the myths of the West shape everyday life. These interviews led her to many people whose lives were dramatically altered by violence. Their stories led her to “Stripland,” her fi rst novel. The ACE Writing Project meets every third Wednesday at Art Center East, 1006 Penn Ave., La Grande. The sessions are always free to the public and are supported in part by the Oregon Cultural Trust. LA GRANDE — Queen is com- ing to La Grande in the form of a rock musical. “We Will Rock You” marks the return of EOU’s theater department after summer break. Directed by theater professor Mike Heather, the show takes on the musical stylings and performance energy of the late Freddie Mercury. “It’s like a concert with a story,” Heather said. In this story, live music and instruments have been long forgot- ten in the wake of digitally created music and virtual reality. Only a few long to return to what they can’t quite remember: the bohemi- ans in search of the rhapsody. The hero, Galileo Figaro, portrayed by senior music and theater student Jeremiah Dockweiler, has dreams of forgotten music and lyrics and artists. He is the only hope for the bohemians. While navigating his relationship with fellow rebel Scaramouche, portrayed by junior music student Destiny Abeyla, he must fi nd the last musical instru- ment on the planet. Dockweiler said one it was a 1PGN6JCNLSIKUKNI&CXHROM PM (OR4GSGRUCěKONS BEEF • SEAFOOD • CHICKEN • SALAD BAR Annual Thanksgiving %JTELVCION$TėGě REGULAR HOURS: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri at 4:30 pm Sat 3:30 pm & Sun 12:30 pm • Closed Tues 10 miles north of Baker City on Hwy 30 in Haines, Oregon 541-856-3639 • www.hainessteakhouse.com challenge bringing his performance to the level of Freddie Mercury without damaging his voice in the rehearsal process. Dockweiler’s tenor vocals, matched often with Abeyla’s harmonic tone, bring clas- sic Queen songs to life. Abeyla’s character is a confi dent, independent and strong-willed woman. Although sometimes Scaramouche can come across as abrasive and stubborn, Abeyla’s portrayal brings a softness through (continues on page 7) Subscriber ONLY Presale Only $10.00 Each (reg. price $12.00 ea.) If you are a subscriber to The Observer you can purchase your tickets at The Observer office Monday 11/11/19 - Friday 11/15/19 Offer good thru 11/15/19. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. In it’s 72nd season as the oldest, continuously running Orchestra in Oregon, the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra presents Unfinished Business Featured Artist: Viet Block, violinist Violin Concerto in G Minor by Max Bruch Emperor Waltz by Johann Strauss Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished) by Franz Schubert Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 7:00pm McKenzie Theater Eastern Oregon University Saturday, November 23, 2019, 1:00pm Saint Francis de Sales Cathedral Baker City Adults: $12 Seniors: $8 EOU Students: $2 Highschool Students: $1 Tickets available on nline: www.granderondesy ymphony.org Direct Music Source e (La Grande) & Betty’s Books (Ba aker City)
