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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2016)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, February 6, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3C PENDLETON Western author shares gold nuggets By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Weaving words as people tell their tales, author Rick Steber creates a tapestry of people’s lives. The award-winning author has interviewed thousands of people over the course of his career. “Writing a story is like gold mining,” Steber said. “You have to sort through a whole lot of gravel before you ¿nd the nugget.” Over the years, Steber has polished a number of nuggets with upwards of 40 books under his belt and sales of more than a million copies. The Prineville-based author has received numerous awards for his writing, including the Western Writers of America Spur Award, Western Heri- tage Award, Oregon Literary Arts Award and the USA Best Book Award. Three of his books have been optioned to movie production companies. In addition to writing, Steber has the unique ability to make his charac- ters come to life as he tells a story. “I try to use the voices of the people as I remember when they told their stories,” he said. Steber will share some of those stories during Heritage Station Muse- um’s Terri¿c Tuesday. The event is Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at 108 S.W. Frazer Ave., Pendleton. Admission is free. “The art of storytelling has been replaced by movies, TV, the computer and YouTube, so it’s kind of nice to listen to a few stories,” Steber said. Among the stories Steber shares include a blind horse trader, a high climber injured in a tragic accident and an Indian who rode round-trip on horseback from Klamath Marsh to the Pendleton Round-Up. “He said, ‘I never crossed a single fence. There wasn’t a single fence. It ain’t that way anymore,’” Steber recounted in the voice of the Indian. Steber, who grew up in rural Klamath County, initially attended Eastern Oregon University before graduating from Southern Oregon University. Majoring in economics with a minor in journalism, Steber landed a job in the mayor’s of¿ce in Portland. “When I was young, I thought I wanted to be in politics,” he said. “And then I got in the middle of it and saw what a nasty business it was.” Realizing he needed a base Rick Steber Tuesday, Feb. 16; 7 p.m. Heritage Station Museum 108 S.W. Frazer Ave., Pendleton Free income while he established himself as a writer, Steber began writing his “Oregon Country” column. To promote it, the cowboy saddled up his horse and rode to all the weekly news- papers in the Willamette Valley — the column ended up running in nearly 60 publications. These days, Steber spends about a third of his time writing — “from when the snow comes on until it comes off.” Another third is spent researching and the last third he’s on the road promoting his books. “Writing a book is kind of like having a band. You have to get out and play all the county fairs,” Steber said. “You have to get people to know what you do ... you have to be able to share your passion.” ——— Contact Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539 WHAT TO DO BRIEFLY Fishtrap Fireside gathers Feb. 12 ENTERPRISE — A trio of Wallowa County writers will share their works in the upcoming Fishtrap Fireside. The featured writers are Benjamin Curry, Jean Falbo and Andrew Wallace. Curry is a native of Flora who has a master’s degree in poetry from Eastern Washington University. Falbo, who writes poetry and essays, has worked 14 summers as a naturalist at Acadia and Yellowstone national parks. A self-proclaimed daydreamer, Wallace has lived in a sheep barn at the foot of the Wallowa 0ountains for the past ¿ve years. The event is Friday, Feb. 12 from 7-9 p.m. at 400 E. Grant St., Enterprise. There is no admission charge and light refreshments are available. The ¿reside also includes an open mic for audience members to share their stories. The Fishtrap Fireside is the second Friday of each month from October through April. For more information, contact Mike Midlo at mike@ ¿shtrap.org, 41-426-62 or visit www.¿shtrap.org. Exhibit features Portland’s Chinatown PORTLAND — An upcoming exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society features both rare and seldom seen objects like Chinese opera costumes, theatrical sets, bilingual text, audiovisual media and interactive visitor stations. Beyond the Gate: A Tale of Portland’s Historic Chinatowns opens Monday, Feb. 29 and runs through June 21. It tells a sprawling transnational story of contact and trade between China and the West, focusing on Portland’s old 10-190 and new Chinatown 190- 190. Another current exhibit features the changing relationship between the United States and China. Chinese American: Exclusion/ Inclusion runs through June 1. Among the museum’s permanent exhibits is Oregon My Oregon, which received a MUSE Award in 200. Encompassing 7,000-square- feet, it features some of the most important pieces from the society’s collection of artifacts. Regular museum hours are Monday through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to p.m. and Sundays from noon to p.m. It is closed Monday, Feb. 1 in observance of President’s Day. Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors/college students and $ for youths ages 6-1. For more information, contact 0-222-1741, orhist@ohs.org or visit www. ohs.org. ——— Submit information to: community@eastoregonian. com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541-966- 0818 with questions. Photo contributed by Mary Alice Wilson Award-winning author Rick Steber brings the real west to life as he shares about colorful characters of Eastern Oregon and beyond during a free Terriic Tuesday presentation Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Heritage Station Museum in Pendleton. Festivals Eastern Oregon Bridal Show Sunday, Feb. 21; noon-4 p.m. Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395 www.eobridalshow.com $7/door, $5/advance, addi- tional discounts for brides who buy tickets in advance. Offers one-stop wedding planning. Wedding fashion show at 1:30 p.m. Beerex Fest Saturday, Feb. 27; noon-7 p.m. Nookies/Hermiston Brew- ing Co., 125 N. First St., Herm- iston w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/207152289629450 $10/advance, $15/at the door, $25/couple. Features 15+ breweries, live music and smoked food specials. 21-and-older. Art & Museums First Saturday Spin-In Saturday, Feb. 6, 1-4 p.m. Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. Fiber obsessed folks can drop-in and bring a project to work on. Cof- fee, tea and work space provided. ArtWORKz 2016 Saturday, Feb. 6; 1 p.m.; awards reception Monday-Saturdays, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tamástslikt Cultural Insti- tute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org Free reception, regular ad- mission is $10/adults, $9/se- nior citizens, $6/youths, free/5 and under or $25/family of four. Youth art show and competition features original artwork from area youths. Runs through Feb. 27. In The Footsteps of Charles Heaney 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. Exhibit features the work of Tom Prochaska and Christy Wyckoff, who created sketches and prints based on the travels of Oregon landscape artist Charles Heaney (1897- 1981). Arts Center Happy Hour Wednesday, Feb. 10, 6-7 p.m. Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free. Hang out with friends, have a drink and make art. Wine and beer available by donation Terriic Tuesday Tuesday, Feb. 16; 7 p.m. Heritage Station Museum, 108 S.W. Frazer Ave., Pendle- ton www.heritagestationmuse- um.org Free. Featuring storyteller Rick Steber, the author of more than 40 books. See story on this page. 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 art, jewelry, food, wine and gifts. Music Dakota Brown Saturday, Feb. 6; 6-9 p.m. No cover Mac’s Bar & Grill, 1400 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton 21-and-older. Mom’s night out featuring live music, drink specials while the guys are at the Daddy Daughter Dance. Masquerade Ball Saturday, Feb. 6; 7-9:30 p.m. Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo $15/person, $25/couple. Dress up, wear a mask and dance to Briana Renea. Wine, delicacies and desserts avail- able. For tickets, contact info@ snoroadwinery.com or 541-376- Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. 0421. Oldies Night in Mil- ton-Freewater Saturday, Feb. 6; 7 p.m. Wesley Methodist Church, 816 S. Main St., Milton-Free- water. Free. BJ the DJ spins tunes from the Great White North. Come and enjoy an evening of Canadian hits from 1961-84. The Kimberly Hall Band Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. Bart Budwig Tuesday, Feb. 9; 7 p.m. Great Paci¿c Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton Thursday, Feb. 11; 7:30 p.m. House show, 340 Locust St., Walla Walla No cover charge for Pend- leton show. Tickets are $15 at the door or $11 in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com. Both are all-ages shows, which includes solo artist Bryan John Appleby. Jilt Friday, Feb. 12; Saturday, Feb. 13, 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. Country Hoedown Saturday, Feb. 13; 1-4 p.m. Milton-Freewater Neigh- borhood Senior Center, 311 N. Main St. $2/admission. Live music, dancing and singing. Refresh- ments available for purchase. The Tenors Saturday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m. Rivers Event Center, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off High- way 331, Mission. www.wildhorseresort.com $89/with dinner; $59/pre- mium seats, $49/general ad- mission. 21-and-older. Dinner packages start prior to the show, which features vocal quartet from Canada, at 6 p.m. Valentine’s Bash Saturday, Feb. 13; 9 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Party with friends, live music by No Dice and danc- ing. Rock-Bot Karaoke Friday, Feb. 19; Saturday, Feb. 20, 9 p.m. No cover Fun Addicts Friday, Feb. 26; Saturday, Feb. 27, 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. Night life St., Hermiston 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 www.facebook.com/groups/ pendletonopenmic Karaoke Comedy Dinner Show Saturday, Feb. 13; 5 p.m. Sub Zero Restaurant & Lounge, 100 W. Highway 730, Irrigon $10 cover. Dinner specials at 5 p.m., comedy at 7, followed by Lucky Coyotes, a Coyote Ug- ly-style dancing show at 9 p.m. (541-922-4374). DJ music Saturdays, 8 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Sunday Fundays Sundays; 4 p.m. Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla No cover. Food/drink spe- cials Whiskey Wednesday Game Night Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Drink specials and games, including Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 64. RocKaraoke Third Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off High- way 331, Mission. 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- way 331, Mission. Mac’s Trivia Night Thursdays, 8 p.m. No cover Mac’s Bar & Grill, 1400 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton 21-and-older. East. Drink. Think. Teams of 2-8 compete in trivia contest with other teams. Live host and prizes. Series runs through Feb. 25. Digital Karaoke Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main Fridays 8 p.m. (9 p.m. if game on) Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla DJ and dancing Fridays, 8 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Theater, stage & film “Ant-Man” Saturday, Feb. 6; 2:15 p.m. SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, Boardman www.visitsage.com $5/adults, $3/seniors, stu- dents. Free popcorn with ad- mission. A Temptations Revue Friday, Feb. 12; 7 p.m. Hermiston High School au- ditorium, 600 S. First St. www.desertartscouncil.com $40/adults, $22.50/youths ($5 discount if purchased in advance). Desert Arts Council presents the A Temptations Re- vue featuring Barrington “Bo” Henderson, former lead singer of the Temptations. Hot tickets The Illusionists - Live from Broadway. Feb. 12, Wind- ermere Theatre, Kennewick. Tickets ($42-$67) available via www.ticketmaster.com Harlem Globetrotters. Feb. 21, Toyota Center, Kenne- wick. Tickets ($80.50-102.50) available via www.ticketmaster. com ——— 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. MOVIE REVIEW ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ is a silly muddle By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is as silly as it sounds, and not nearly as fun as it should be. In this adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s bestselling genre mashup of Jane Austen’s classic and, well, zombies, the Bennet sisters don’t just have marriage and love and class obstacles to fret about, there’s also the imminent threat of the undead overtaking the land. Here, the Bennet sisters aren’t merely unmarried gals looking for a suitable match, either. They’re trained warriors who can and do protect their homestead. The most passionate, of course, is Elizabeth “Cinderella’s” Lily James. Early on the girls (Bella Heath- cote, Ellie Bamer, Millie Brady, and Suki Waterhouse get to show their blade-wielding might against the fast-moving, brain-craving predators. It’s actually pretty enjoyable, if a little manic. But director Burr Steers’ attempts at melding these genres into one coherent ¿lm are clumsy at best. The ¿lm adheres sincerely to the beats of Austen’s story — the balls, the scheming, the misunderstandings between Lizzie and Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley, the iconic scenes — while peppering most with a zombie scare or two. There is some wit in the simpler moments — a stoic shot “Pride and Prejudeice and Zombies” ۻۻۼۼ PG-13, 108 minutes Jay Maidment/Screen Gems, Sony via AP This image released by Screen Gems shows Jess Radomska in a scene from “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” of the Bennet sisters in the living room cleaning guns in their day dresses, for example, or the few famous verbal showdowns that are choreographed as all out ¿ghts. But that’s the best that Steers can do to integrate the two very disparate tones sincerely. Otherwise it feels as though we’re watching a number of movies patched together. Matt Smith and Lena Headey, in particular, seem to be acting in their own Terry Gilliam ¿lm that was kept secret from the rest of the cast. James is the anchor of the ¿lm — as she should be — but she is really the only one with any verve or conviction at all. It makes up for a lot of the ¿lm and the story’s de¿ciencies, but ultimately not enough to save it. Riley’s Darcy is a growling bore for most of the ¿lm and the others barely register at all. This story might have been better suited to a television adaptation. The characters would have been allowed to breathe for a beat in that case. Here, the action and violence take up the space that would have generally been used for character development. That this ¿lm is rated PG-1 is a questionable decision, too, with all the skull smashing, head-chopping and gut thrashing. With its literary origins and promise of some butt-kicking female protagonists, the story seems perfect for a younger audience. But Steers and company went dark and violent — still not enough for the horror crowds, mind you. And, save for Elizabeth, the warrior ladies really only get that one scene before letting the male soldiers take up the zombie ¿ght. The choice of Steers as director is perhaps the most peculiar of all. Directors can and should reach outside of their comfort zone this might have been a side step too far. The Austen scenes are ¿ne, but the action and horror don’t land. Steers reverts to jump scares and the odd technique of blurring the shot to show a character’s panic when a zombie attacks. It’s likely meant to stress out viewers, but it’s more annoying than anything else. A simple cut would have suf¿ced. The ¿lm is all over the board stylistically and tonally, and the elements of both horror and comedy fall Àat. By the climax you’re almost forgotten what you’re watching and who you’re supposed to care about. For now, it seems only Edgar Wright has really conquered the modern genre mashup. But that’s an unfair standard for any mortal, or undead, to live up to.
