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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2016)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, January 23, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3C Koala Cowboys bring ‘surf country’ to Pendleton W hen asked to give a succinct description of the sound of his backing band, The Koala Cowboys, Brian Bovenizer is quick to reply, “surf country.” It makes sense Sur¿ng is a popular pastime near Astoria where Bovenizer and his band hail from, and having pedal steel guitar and twangy guitar in the mix of instruments places the band in country territory. He is also very quick to praise them as well. “I’m pretty blessed to have this band. I’ve never been comfortable enough to do it alone.” Considering his backing band is a Paci¿c Northwest J.D. indie-rock supergroup, Kindle saying he is blessed is Comment almost an understatement: Guitarist Jeff Munger was one third of Sally Ford’s former backing band The Sound Outside, bassist Luke Ydstie is a member of indie folk bands Blind Pilot and Hook & Anchor, Luke’s drummer brother Olaf has been a touring member of Portland band John Heart Jackie, and pedal steel guitarist James Owen Greenan most recently did time in the coastal alt-country band The Cedar Shakes. The Koala Cowboys marks Bovenizer’s ¿rst musical proMect after leaving Holiday Friends, a fellow Astoria band, in late 2012. Without a band commitment he was content to ful¿ll his duties as “ambassador of marketing and music ambiance” at Fort George Brewery while quietly working on a batch of his own songs in collaboration Photo contributed by Cabell Tice Brian Bovenizer & The Koala Cowboys’ debut show at the Voodoo Room in Astoria in October. with Luke Ydstie. He had no intention on performing the songs in a band until Ydstie asked Brian to open up for all three of his solo album release concerts this past fall. It presented the perfect opportunity for Bovenizer to reach out and work with the Astoria-based musicians that he had admired. Originally from Chicago, Bovenizer started his music career as a teenager working for Peterson Electro-Musical Products, a company specializing in high end instrument tuning devices. “I was in charge of artist relations and marketing back when Myspace was a thing,” says Bovenizer. “I redesigned the Myspace page, put up videos and made sure that the top players representing the brand were taken care of.” With Peterson being the brand of choice for many professional pedal steel guitar players, it didn’t take long for him to start meeting country musicians and developing an appreciation for the genre. “That’s where I started to learn about country and folk music,” recalls Bovenizer. WHAT TO DO HERMISTON Temptations Revue features Motown hits Festivals Robert Burns Supper East Oregonian A perfect prelude to Valentine’s Day features Barrington “Bo” Henderson, former lead singer of the Temptations, with A Tempta- tions Revue. Henderson, who sang with the group from 1998- 2003, is one of the only Temptations lead singers to have received a Grammy, which was for the album “Phoenix Rising.” As part of the Desert Arts Council season, the evening features unforgettable Motown hits and choreo- graphed dance steps. The show is Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Hermiston High School auditorium, 600 S. First St. Tickets purchased in advance are $35 for adults and $17.50 for students. Tickets bought at the door are an additional $5 each. Called a dynamic and driving show, it spans more than a decade of Tempta- tions classics. They feature the most recognizable and culture-de¿ning songs in pop music history, including “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” “Just My Imagination,” “I Wish It Would Rain” and many more. According to Phyllis Shovelski, Desert Arts Saturday, Jan. 23; 2 p.m. Condon Elks Lodge, 117 S. Main St. $17/single, $30/couple. A celebration of Condon’s Scot- tish heritage — coinciding with the birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland’s beloved bard — featuring music, recitations, shortbread contests, Scottish trivia contest, oral family histo- ries, food, merriment and more. The event continues into the night. Contact 541-384-2421 or times-journal@jncable.com for more information. Melonville Comedy Festival Contributed photo A Temptations Revue featuring Barrington “Bo” Henderson, former lead singer of the Temptations, is presented by Desert Arts Council Feb. 12 in the Hermiston High School auditorium. Council president, the show will recreate the great harmo- nies and choreographed dance steps that made the Temptations famous. In addition, it features a six-piece band that is a show in itself. The musicianship is second to none, and many of the players have backed up or opened up for many of the original Motown artists, including other former members of the Temptations. Henderson has sung with groups such as The Dramatics and Lakeside before being recruited into the lead position in the Temptations in 1998. He toured both domestically and internationally in front of tens of thousands of people, including the King and Queen of Denmark. Desert Arts Council members said seeing the show is an opportunity of a lifetime. Shovelski urges people to purchase tickets for you and your sweetheart for an evening that will create new memories of the great Motown sounds. Tickets are available at www.desertartscouncil.com, the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce at 541-567- 6151 and Hermiston Parks & Recreation, 180 N.E. Second St. For additional information, visit www. facebook.com/desertarts or call 541-379-6992. BOOK REVIEW Eco-disaster meets teen angst in new novel A mysterious sludge is contaminating Cullaby Creek near the mountain hamlet of Mist, Washington, and the wildlife is starting to ... change. But that’s not the scariest thing happening when Portland transplant Savannah Tucker and her family move into the old Henderson house. First animals go missing. And then people. “The Cats of Cullaby Creek” is a “Twilight”-esque young adult novel set in western Washington state. Teen heroine Savannah is caught in a good vs. evil struggle between warring factions at her new school, while her father becomes more reclusive about his Mob at the plant that is Mist’s largest employer. Vannah would be miserable if not for the magnetic Kyle Castle, who practically purrs with charm. There are no sparkly vampires in “Cullaby Creek,” but Portland author Kimbra Kasch supplies enough teenage angst, danger and intrigue to keep readers hooked until the end. And parents will appreciate the lack of profanity, sex and graphic violence. The cliffhanger ending suggests the book is the ¿rst of a series. The book is available on Amazon and iTunes, and from publisher Clean Reads at www.cleanreads.com Saturday, Jan. 30; 8 p.m. Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395 www.melonvillecomedyfes- tival.com $35. Features stand-up comedians Greg Hahn, Drew Barth and Travis Nelson. masterpieces. Mac’s provides canvas, paints, easels, brush- es, aprons and a lively atmo- sphere with music. Reserva- tions required. (541-276-5531). American Art Masterpieces Monday-Thursdays; 11 a.m-7 p.m., Friday-Saturdays; 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave. www.hermistonlibrary.us Provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, artwork by John James Audu- bon, Norman Rockwell and oth- ers are on display through the month of January. BMCC Faculty & Staff Art Show Art & Museums Monday-Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Betty Feves Memorial Gal- lery, Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Free. Gallery also open by appointment by calling 541- 278-5952. The exhibit runs through Feb. 4. ArtWORKz 2016 Music Opens Saturday, Jan. 23 Monday - Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tamástslikt Cultural Insti- tute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org $10/adults, $9/senior citi- zens, $6/youths, free/5 and un- der or $25/family of four. Youth art show and competition fea- tures original artwork from area youths. Prizes presented Sat- urday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. during an Awards Reception. Runs through Feb. 27. “We Won’t Forget You, Mr. McGillicuddy” Saturday, Jan. 23; noon-2 p.m. Armchair Books, 39 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Book-signing with Ira White. The book explores the everyday heroics of a family dealing with ¿QDQFLDO ZRUULHV UHODWLRQVKLS issues and grandpa’s dementia. Call 541-276-7323 to reserve a copy of the book. Wine & Design Paint Nite Monday, Jan. 25; 7 p.m. Mac’s Bar & Grill, 1400 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton $20. 21-and-older. Girls Night Out participants follow instructions to create unique James Dean Kindle & The Eastern Oregon Playboys Saturday, Jan. 23; 7 p.m. Hamley Saloon, 8 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/929270377163726 $5. Join Kindle & the Play- boys for a concert which in- FOXGHV D ¿OP FUHZ IRU D IXWXUH documentary of the band. Rounding out the musical tri- fecta are Brian Bovenizer & The Koala Cowboys of Astoria and Misty Mouth of Pendleton for a night as decadent as the walls of the Slickfork Saloon. Colleen Heauser Saturday, Jan. 23, 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. Expertease Friday, Jan. 29; Saturday, Jan. 30, 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. Winter Chamber Music Festival Saturday, Jan. 30 ; 6:30 p.m. Vert Club Room, 345 S.W. Fourth St., Pendleton www.oregoneastsymphony. org $20/adults, $15/students, seniors, $45/family. A series of chamber ensembles, including many Oregon East Symphony players. Includes beer and wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres. Mardi Gras Party Saturday, Jan. 30; 9 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Party with friends, a special guest DJ and dancing. Stage & film “Minions” Saturday, Jan. 23; 2:15 p.m. SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, Boardman www.visitsage.com $5/adults, $3/seniors, stu- dents. Free popcorn with ad- mission. “Having It All” Sunday, Jan. 24; 1 p.m. Power House Theatre, 111 N. Sixth St., Walla Walla www.phtww.com Free. A documentary screening about three women who set out to live their dreams of balancing career, marriage and children. Each learns what “having it all” really means. “The Murder of Handsome Jack” Saturday, Jan. 30; 5:30 p.m. Agape House, 500 Harper Road, Hermiston $35/admission ($20 tax-de- ductible). A murder mystery din- ner presentation features prime rib meal and dessert. (541-567- 8774). Cabin Fever Dessert Concert Sunday, Jan. 31; 3 p.m. Heppner Elementary School, 235 E. Stansbury St. $15/admission. Includes Dutch oven dessert by Sharon’s Sweet Treats. John Wambeke & Friends provide an evening of music and humor. Tickets available at the door, or in ad- vance at The Cottage in Herm- iston and the Ione and Heppner branches of the Bank of Eastern Oregon. ——— Want to get your event listed in our calendar? Send information to tmalgesini@eas- toregonian.com, or c/o Tammy Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street, Hermiston, OR, 97838. Cover photo courtesy Clean Reads Heritage Station Museum hosts local author PENDLETON — Heritage Station Museum will host local author Peg Willis as she introduces her new book, “Rise Above.” The author will be on hand for a Terri¿c Tuesday event, which offers free admission to the museum, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at 108 S.W. Frazer Ave., Pendleton. Regular museum hours are Tuesday through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Willis will share about the unexpected cloudburst “It wasn’t till I was 19 or 20 that I learned country could be cool and it didn’t have to be rhinestones and bubblegum. I got a call from Ricky Skaggs one day and almost (expletive) my pants.” Of course there were elements of Chicago’s local music scene that also had an impact on Brian’s perception of country music. He cites fellow Illinoisan John Prine as one of his primary musical inÀuences. “Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, he was a hero of mine. He was big in opening up alt-country, I hate to say outlaw country, but that true country that is trying to tell a story — not sell a song.” Bovenizer is optimistic about the future of his new band. “We’re doing these shows to tighten up the songs before we head into the studio. Hopefully we can cut it live to tape, then overdub on top of that,” says Bovenizer. Although it probably won’t happen for their debut record, Bovenizer is hoping to have a full-Àedged professional studio in Astoria available for subsequent recordings. North Coast Range, as he has christened it, will be a turn-key studio designed for bands along with their studio engineers to escape to the coast for a weekend. “Right now I have a temporary studio where we are demo-ing things. Late 2016 or early 2017 is a realistic timeline.” Brian Bovenizer & The Koala Cowboys play Hamley’s Slickfork Saloon, Saturday, January 23 at 8 p.m. Ŷ James Dean Kindle is a Pendleton musician and executive director of the Oregon East Symphony. Contact him at jamesdeankindle@gmail.com. that turned an otherwise mild day in 1903 into one that the little community of Heppner would never forget. A novel, Willis blends factual accounts and real heroes of the Heppner Àood with a ¿ctional storyline about residents affected by the disaster. For more information, call 541-276-0012. For a book review, visit www. eastoregonian.com/eo/book- reviews/20151212/tragic- Àood-basis-of-new-novel A Drama By Tennessee Williams BY PERMISSION OF DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE January 29, 30, February 5, 6, 7*, 12, 13, 14* 2016 ltww.org | 1130 E. Sumach Directed by Jef Schlicher Produced by Marion Inglis & Judy Schlicher For more information or questions, call 509-529-3683. * Matinee performance
