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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 2015)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, December 19, 2015 Snyder Preus Rome Ganvoa East Oregonian Cissna Page 3C Briscoe Hermiston ‘stars’ prepare for the stage Third annual dance competition is Jan. 9 By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian The newest group of Hermiston “stars” will take the stage in hopes of dancing their way to victory while raising money for a handful of local nonpro¿t organizations. Presented by Desert Arts Council, local residents will be partnered with members of the Utah Ballroom Dance Company during the third installment of Dancing with the Hermiston Stars. Those learning dance moves from the professionals include Dan Briscoe, Debbie Cissna, Blaine Ganvoa, Cam Preus, Jesus (Chuy) Rome and Shannon Snyder. The event is Saturday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Hermiston High School, 600 S. First St. The bo[ of¿ce opens at 6 p.m. and the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Advanced tickets are $35 for adults and $17.50 for those under 18. Admission at the door is an additional $5. Event chairs Mary Corp and Karen Davis said the event has become a highlight of the Desert Arts season. Corp said the community is great at helping local nonpro¿ts. The show, she said, provides a fun way to provide ¿nancial support. “It just makes it very personal to have our local dancers put them- selves on the line for something they are passionate about,” she said. Regardless of who takes home the coveted mirror ball trophy, all the organizations the stars are dancing for will be winners. Between the judges and an inter- active audience, the winner will be announced at the conclusion of the show. In addition, people can make donations at www. desertartscouncil.com/event/21 on behalf of their favorite star — each dollar counts as one vote. Money will go to the dancer’s selected charity. The stars, where they work and their charities are: Dan Briscoe, vice president of Apollo Mechanical — Vange John Memorial Hospice. Debbie Cissna, center director of Pregnancy Care Services in Hermiston — Pregnancy Care Services in Hermiston. Blaine Ganvoa, athletic director at Hermiston High School — Martha’s House. Cam Preus, president of Blue Mountain Community College — BMCC Foundation. Jesus Chuy Rome, Umatilla Morrow Head Start program manager — CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program of Head Start. Shannon Snyder, owner and photographer at De¿ning Details — Made to Thrive. Members of the Utah Ballroom Dance Company will train with the local stars for a week and then dance with them the ¿rst half of the show. After the intermission, members of the dance company will perform various ballroom dance routines as a troupe. The evening also includes a special guest performance by local children dancers choreographed by the Utah Ballroom Dancers. They will open the show and provide a festive intermission, which allows the local stars an opportunity to secure audience votes. Tickets are available at www. desertartscouncil.com, the Herm- iston Chamber of Commerce at 541-567-6151 and Hermiston Parks & Recreation, 180 N.E. Second St. For more information about the dance company, visit www. utahbdc.com. MOVIE REVIEW ‘Force Awakens’ is fun fan service By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” ۻۻۻۼ PG-13, 135 minutes ingly awe-¿lled, capable and J.J. Abrams may not elevate magnetic. She is the new anchor. the language of “Star Wars,” She is our Luke, and she’s much but he sure is Àuent in it. “Star cooler than he ever was. Wars: The Force Awakens” is no Driver’s Kylo Ren is also a more and no less than the movie disarmingly powerful presence, that made us love it in the ¿rst whose wickedness seeps through place. In fact, it’s basically the the mask. Boyega is appealing as same thing. Isn’t that what we all Finn, too, even if his character wanted anyway? doesn’t quite make sense on It’s hard to talk rationally paper. (How do empathy, guilt about “Star Wars.” It is a deeply and personality develop in a man silly thing, with a genuine, unde- who has been trained since birth niable hold on our culture. Chalk to be a Stormtrooper?) But that’s it up to nostalgia, collective taking things too seriously. arrested development or the inef- Others are less memorable, fable. But for many, the magic of including Gwendoline Christie’s “Star Wars” is inseparable from Film Frame/Lucasilm via AP the magic of the movies and, This photo provided by Lucasilm shows Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Captain Phasma, and Andy Serkis’s preposterous-looking “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” directed by J.J. Abrams. hey, that’s no small thing. Supreme Leader Snoke. And These movies make us lose while Abrams captures the lot of fun to watch. said droid. There’s the reckless kid vanished. Those are the ¿rst words ourselves in the spectacle. They From the opening scroll to the uncertain of his allegiances (John on the screen and the last we’ll say lively, hokey and practical visual fun make us forget our best instincts. of the originals, he occasionally slips They make us love the advertising sequel-setup ending, he manages Boyega’s Finn). There’s the cocky about the big mystery. into generic blockbuster mode. But to hit each beat of its 38-year-old pilot (Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron). The action is nearly non-stop, as much as the art. They make us predecessor. There’s the powerful, masked villain, as is the humor, which kicks into those moments pass, and all it takes kids again. Abrams has essentially passed too (Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren). gear when Han Solo (Harrison is a perfect John Williams music cue In this way, “The Force The plot is as unwieldy and Ford) ¿nally shows up. Ford is in to transport you back into the cozy Awakens,” the seventh movie in the torch on to its new cast by this improbable yet inevitable series, making them amalgamations of the Mac*uf¿n-¿lled as one might his element — delightful, energetic, blanket of that gala[y far, far away. Loving “Star Wars” without originals. You’ll know it when you e[pect. It almost serves no purpose funny, brash and fully Han, bantering delivers. It’s a movie made by someone see it. Who cares if it’s “Star Wars” to go into the speci¿cs at this point with Chewie and everyone with the reserve isn’t an easily justi¿able beyond the fact that the gala[y is in same verve he showed nearly 40 thing, and neither is the fun of “The who loves “Star Wars” deeply. Mad-Libs? Force Awakens.” They are intrinsi- disarray, an evil army is growing (as years ago. There’s the resistance-af¿liated Someone who can see more clearly If only the same showcase was cally linked. To love the original is to than even its creator what made it so droid, who ends up stranded on is a resistance), and a series of coin- special to so many people. Abrams a desert planet carrying a secret cidences help Rey collect a “Wizard given to Carrie Fisher, who is love this one. On its own, “The Force has taken everything that we adore message (BB-8). There’s the nobody of Oz”-worthy posse to help get woefully, ine[cusably underused Awakens” probably isn’t much. It’s not likely to convert anyone, either. as Leia. about that ¿rst ¿lm, delicately mi[ed with the dead-end job and a Jedi BB-8 back to its rightful owners. But for the rest of us — even the obsession (Daisy Ridley’s Rey), who As for the new characters, Ridley’s This time, it’s all because of Luke up a few elements, and churned out a reverent homage that’s a heck of a has a life-changing encounter with Skywalker (Mark Hamill). He’s Rey is a dream. She is feisty, endear- most casual of fans — it ¿ts the bill. WHAT TO DO Ring in the new year Submit New Year’s Eve party information, including the time, place, age restric- tions (i.e.: 21-and-older) and if there’s an admission fee to: community@eastoregonian. com or drop off to the atten- tion of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renée Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541-966- 0818 with questions. The deadline for the entertain- ment calendar is Wednesday, Dec. 23 by 6 p.m. Doktor Kaboom puts Santa to the test WALLA WALLA — Doktor Kaboom puts science and magic to the test in a science comedy at the Power House Theatre. “The Science of Santa” is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at 111 N. Si[th St., Walla Walla. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youths. Doktor Kaboom (David Epley) will keep audience members of all ages laughing as he declares that St. Nick must be the world’s greatest scientist and sets about to recreate all of Santa’s wonders in his lab. The holiday show e[plores basic scientific principles, WiFi signals, nanotechnology, absorption polymers and the chemical composition of snow. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 509-529- 6500 or visit www.phtww.com. Festivals Holiday Festival Thursday-Saturday nights Every 30 minutes from 5-9 p.m. Second & East Main streets, Hermiston Free. Also, live entertain- ment each Thursday at 6 p.m. Christmas Light Show Daily through Jan. 1 4:30 p.m.-midnight SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, Boardman www.visitsage.com Free outdoor display. Toy Train Christmas Saturdays, Sundays Through Dec. 20; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1RUWKHUQ 3DFL¿F 5DLOZD\ depot 10 Asotin Ave., Toppenish, WA ZZZQSU\PXVHXPRUJ $8/adults, $5/ages 12 and XQGHUSKRWRVZLWK6DQWDDUHH[- tra. Take a caboose ride to see Santa and receive candy canes, KRWFKRFRODWHDQGFRRNLHV9LHZ model trains in action and deco- rated Christmas trees. Art & Museums Art of the Gift Tuesday-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free. Unique items created by the best craftspeople from the region and beyond. Includes IXQFWLRQDO DQG ZHDUDEOH LWHPV just in time for Christmas shop- ping. Runs through Dec. 31. World War I Posters Monday - Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tamástslikt Cultural Insti- tute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org $10/adults, $9/senior cit- izens, $6/youths, free/5 and under or $25/family of four. Fea- tures 65 original posters from the World War I era and other artifacts from the time period. Runs through Jan. 2. Heritage Station Museum Tuesday-Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 108 S.W. Frazer Ave., Pendleton www.heritagestationmuse- um.org $5/adults, $2/student, $4/se- niors, $10/family. SAGE Center Monday-Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 101 Olson Road, Boardman www.visitsage.com $5/adults, $3/students, se- niors, free/under 5. An interac- tive visitor center highlighting sustainable agriculture and en- ergy. On-site store features local DUWMHZHOU\IRRGZLQHDQGJLIWV Music Decade X Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off +LJKZD\0LVVLRQ Sunny Ledford Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston www.facebook.com/TheP- heasantCafeLounge $25. Call 541-567-3022 for reservations. Christmas Extravaganza Sunday, Dec. 20; 4 p.m. *UHDW3DFL¿F:LQH&RIIHH Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. Celebrate the sea- VRQZLWKJUHDW&KULVWPDVURFNµQ¶ roll. James Dean Kindle & The (DVWHUQ 2UHJRQ 3OD\ER\V ZLWK special guests and lots of sur- prises. Happy Canyon New Year’s Bash Holiday Beer Pong Challenge Thursday, Dec. 31; 8 p.m. Pendleton Convention Cen- ter, 1601 Westgate $5. All ages. Those 21-and-older receive a compli- mentary $5 gaming chip. Fea- tures music by Tylor & the Train Robbers, table and card games and no-host bar. Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. 0DF¶V %DU *ULOO S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton 21 and older. No entry fee. FDVK SUL]H WR ZLQQLQJ WHDP 0DF¶V JLIW FDUG IRU best holiday team name and for EHVWXJO\VZHDWHURUIHVWLYHRXW- ¿W+DSS\KRXUDWSPJDPHV start at 10 p.m. Nuketown Friday, Dec.25; Saturday, Dec. 26, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover. Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off +LJKZD\0LVVLRQ Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Masquerade Thursday, Dec. 31; 7 p.m.- 1 a.m. Hermiston Conference Cen- WHU6+LJKZD\ $25/couple, $15/single, available in advance at band Facebook page, the conference center or by calling 541-571- 2588. Tickets purchased at the door are $20. Features Blue Tattoo and TroubleMaker. Ticket includes party favors, prizes for EHVWURFNµQ¶UROOFRVWXPHVEHVW tattoo and best air guitar. Funk Factory Thursday, Dec. 31, Friday, Jan. 1; Saturday, Jan. 2 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off +LJKZD\0LVVLRQ Night life White Elephant Party Saturday, Dec. 19; 7-10 p.m. 40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/1669103936703140 1R FRYHU %ULQJ D ZUDSSHG gift valued at up to $20 for Dirty 6DQWDJLIWH[FKDQJH Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Wednesday, Dec. 23; 9 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Karaoke and lip sync your favorite tunes. Bad Santa Costume Party Saturday, Dec. 26; 9 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Prizes for best costume, DJ music, beer pong and other games. Mac’s Trivia Night Thursdays; 8 p.m. 0DF¶V %DU *ULOO S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton No cover. 21 and older. Triv- LDO %HHUVXLW LV ZHHNO\ WKURXJK Dec. 17. Teams of 2-8 compete in trivia contest. Live host and prizes. Wine tasting Fridays, 4-8 p.m. Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo. Open Mic First/third Friday each month, 8 p.m.-midnight The Packard Tavern, 118 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton Karaoke Fridays 8 p.m. (9 p.m. if game on) Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 6L[WK6W8PDWLOOD DJ and dancing Fridays, 8 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Whiskey Wednesday Game Night Theater & stage Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Drink specials and JDPHV LQFOXGLQJ ;ER[ Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 64. “Doktor Kaboom: The Science of Santa” RocKaraoke Third Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off High- ZD\0LVVLRQ No cover. Live band karaoke the third Wednesday of each month through December. Thursday Night Comedy Thursdays, 8 p.m. Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off High- ZD\0LVVLRQ Digital Karaoke Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Tuesday, Dec. 22; 6:30 p.m. 3RZHU +RXVH 7KHDWUH 16L[WK6W:DOOD:DOOD $ 20/adults, $10/youths. The KROLGD\ VKRZ SXWV VFLHQFH DQG PDJLF WR WKH WHVW ZKLOH HQWHU- taining audiences members of all ages. Hot tickets Flashdance the Musical. Jan. 22, Windermere Theatre, .HQQHZLFN 7LFNHWV available via ticketmaster. Black Sabbath: The End. Feb. 6, Tacoma Dome. Tickets ($35-$150) available via www. ticketmaster.com Harlem Globetrotters. Feb. 7R\RWD &HQWHU .HQQHZLFN Tickets ($80.50-102.50) avail- able via www.ticketmaster.com Want to get your event listed in our calendar? Send information to tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com, or c/o Tammy Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street, Hermiston, OR, 97838.
