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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2020)
6 Thursday, February 13, 2020 GO! magazine — A&E in Northeast Oregon Get reading — The Big Read kicks off next week NORTHEAST OREGON — Wallowa and Union counties are joining together in The Big Read, a nation-wide event in which every- one reads the same book between Feb. 19 and March 19. The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read “broadens our un- derstanding of our world, our com- munities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book.” This year’s selection is “When the Emperor was Divine” by Julie Otsuka. The story follows one Japanese family uprooted from its Berkeley, California, home after the start of World War II. The family is taken to a racetrack in Utah then forcibly relocated to an internment camp. They spend two harrowing years there before returning to a home far less welcoming than it was before the war. Events are planned for readers in Union and Wallowa counties. Organized by Fishtrap and Art Center East, most events are free and all are open to the public. The Big Read kickoff is “A Day of Remembrance” with Chisao Hata at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Enterprise Christian Church. Community book discussions are set for 4-6 p.m. Feb. 22 and Feb. 29 at JaxDog Cafe and Books in La Grande. Additional discussions will be held March 7 and 14. On Feb. 23, there will be a Japa- nese Tea Ceremony with Kiyomi Oliver at 2 p.m. at the Josephy Center in Joseph. An OPB documentary about Oregon’s Japanese Americans will be screened at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at Fishtrap. On Feb. 29, a haiku poetry work- shop with Whitney Chandler will be held 9-10:30 a.m. at Fishtrap. This is free, although registration is required at www.fi shtrap.org. On March 3 at noon, the Brown Bag lunch at the Josephy Center will address “How do we deal with difference?” A Wallowa County book discus- sion will happen at 10:30 a.m. March 4 at The Blythe Cricket in Joseph. A “Big Read Youth Day” is set for 2-4 p.m. March 7 at Art Center East in La Grande. This free event will include activities for K-12 readers inspired by the companion titles “So Far From the Sea,” “Write to Me” and “Paper Wishes,” fea- tured in La Grande school library curriculum during the Big Read. Youth will create art inspired by the books’ illustrations, see names written in Japanese characters and make onigiri, a popular Japanese snack food. This event is sponsored by Mountain Valleys Reading Council. On March 10, a second discus- sion centered on “How do we deal with difference?” will be held at the Wallowa City Hall at 7 p.m. with David Bruce. The next day, March 11, brings a book discussion at Fishtrap at 10:30 a.m. On March 15, a “tea in the gal- lery” event will feature a tasting of Japanese teas at Art Center East in La Grande. Participants will also learn about the Japanese tea tradition. Space is limited. This is a paid event, and registration may be completed at www.artcentereast. org. Cost is $20 members or $25 nonmembers. The teaching artist is Sarah West, owner of Teahouse, a small business in La Grande that specializes in premium teas. Art Center East will offer a workshop on “Snow Dye Shibori & Sake” 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 20. Participants will create unique scarves using shibori, a traditional Japanese dye technique using indigo to create blue and white pat- terns on silk. Space is limited. This is a paid event, and registration may be completed at www.artcen- tereast.org. Cost is $35 members, $45 nonmembers. Final events for the Big Read include a performance by Portland Taiko, a Japanese drum perfor- mance group, on March 19 at the OK Theatre in Enterprise. Cost is $15, free for ages 18 and younger. The group will give an evening performance, a school assembly and teach a drum workshop. The workshop costs $15 and is limited to 12 participants. Go to www.fi shtrap.org or www. artcentereast.org for more details. Eastern Oregon University’s SAGE, Mountain Queers, SHAG presents... Come See All Our Winter Deals 20% off all kids snow boots 30% off all Bear Paw apparel 60% off all cleats And So Much More! 2700 Bearco Loop La Grande 541-963-8898 Featuring an ensemble cast of students and community members. Directed by Beckie Juarez. February 28th @ 7 PM EOU Hoke Union Building RM 339 Hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and dessert will be provided. February 29th @*7PM Admissions $6 for Students $12 General Admission *Cash or check only at the door. HQ 112 Depot St. *Doors open at 6:15PM Purchase tickets at EOU Bookstore, EOU Box Office, or at the door. All proceeds will be donated to shelter from the storm. Disclaimer: This show contains mature themes and language.
