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
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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
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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.
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S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton
21 and older. No entry fee.
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WHDP 0DF¶V JLIW FDUG IRU
best holiday team name and for
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¿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
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gift valued at up to $20 for Dirty
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Ugly Christmas Sweater
Party
Wednesday, Dec. 23; 9
p.m.
The Pheasant, 149 E. Main
St., Hermiston
No cover. Karaoke and lip
sync your favorite tunes.
Bad Santa Costume
Party
Saturday, Dec. 26; 9 p.m.
The Pheasant, 149 E. Main
St., Hermiston
No cover. Prizes for best
costume, DJ music, beer pong
and other games.
Mac’s Trivia Night
Thursdays; 8 p.m.
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S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton
No cover. 21 and older. Triv-
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Dec. 17. Teams of 2-8 compete
in trivia contest. Live host and
prizes.
Wine tasting
Fridays, 4-8 p.m.
Sno Road Winery, 111 W.
Main St., Echo.
Open Mic
First/third Friday each
month, 8 p.m.-midnight
The Packard Tavern, 118
S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton
Karaoke
Fridays 8 p.m. (9 p.m. if
game on)
Riverside Sports Bar, 1501
6L[WK6W8PDWLOOD
DJ and dancing
Fridays, 8 p.m.
The Pheasant, 149 E. Main
St., Hermiston
Whiskey Wednesday
Game Night
Theater & stage
Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m.
The Pheasant, 149 E. Main
St., Hermiston
No cover. Drink specials and
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Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and
Nintendo 64.
“Doktor Kaboom: The
Science of Santa”
RocKaraoke
Third Wednesdays, 8 p.m.
Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild-
horse Resort & Casino, off High-
ZD\0LVVLRQ
No cover. Live band karaoke
the third Wednesday of each
month through December.
Thursday Night Comedy
Thursdays, 8 p.m.
Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild-
horse Resort & Casino, off High-
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Digital Karaoke
Thursdays and Fridays, 8
p.m.
The Pheasant, 149 E. Main
St., Hermiston
Tuesday, Dec. 22; 6:30 p.m.
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$ 20/adults, $10/youths. The
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taining audiences members of
all ages.
Hot tickets
Flashdance the Musical.
Jan. 22, Windermere Theatre,
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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.