Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 2016)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, April 30, 2016 BRIEFLY SAGE Center awakens ‘Star Wars’ BOARDMAN — Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo, Princess Leia and the rest of the cast take movie-goers on another adventure in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to attend a viewing during the SAGE Center Movie Weekend. The PG-13 lick will be shown Friday, May 6 at 7:15 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 at 2:15 p.m. at the SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, Boardman. The cost is $5 per person and includes a free bag of popcorn. In addition, water is available for purchase. The SAGE Center is an interactive visitor center highlighting sustainable agriculture and energy. An on-site store features local art, jewelry, food, wine and gifts. For more information, call 541-481-3257 or visit www. visitsage.com. Music association offers free piano workshop PENDLETON — A free workshop for pianists and piano teachers is being offered by a Boston University graduate who studied with the renowned pianist and pedagogue Leonard Shure. Presented by Deborah Cleaver, “The Taubman Approach” is Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Presbyterian Church, 201 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. It’s open to anyone who is interested. Pre-registration is not required. After inishing her degree, Cleaver worked closely with Shure as his teaching assistant at New England Conservatory. She also has spent many years studying the performance practice of the Baroque and Classic periods with such luminaries as Sandra Rosenblum, Edward Parmentier and Elisabeth Wright. Cleaver teaches at Lewis & Clark College and Reed College as well as in her private studio. An avid performer, she has appeared with many ensembles and has had performances aired on the classical music program “Played In Oregon.” The free workshop is made possible by the Umatilla- Morrow District of the Oregon Music Teachers Association in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation and the Nellie Tholen Fund. For more information, contact Sue Nelson at musicdoc3@mac.com. For more about the Oregon Music Teachers Association, visit www.oregonmta.org. Maryhill offers poetry, art workshops GOLDENDALE, Washington — The public is invited to get their creative juices lowing during with a poetry workshop with Tim Barnes. Presented at Maryhill Museum of Art, participants will draw inspiration from the Columbia River Highway and historic photographs by Albert Barnes to create poems and a handmade book. The free workshop is Saturday, May 7 from 1-4 p.m. at the museum. Although it’s free, registration is required. Other upcoming workshops include an Evening Art Party with hors d’oeuvres and wine. Participants will explore wet felting with Nancy Skakel Thursday, May 26 from 6-8 p.m., and oil painting with Cathleen Rehfeld Thursday, June 28 from 6-8 p.m. The evening workshops are $40 for non-members and $35 for members. Maryhill is located off Highway 97 at 35 Maryhill Museum Drive, Goldendale, Washington. To get there, drive west on Interstate 84 and take Exit No. 104. To register for any of the events, call 509-773-3733 extension 20. For more information about Maryhill programs, visit www. maryhillmuseum.org. ——— Contact entertainment editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539 East Oregonian Page 3C Art from a hotel room Thomas Paul’s latest album recorded during Boise music experiment T he title of Boise musician Thomas Paul’s third full- length album, “Singalongs,” is obviously ironic: There is not a single vocal on the entire record (unless you count the light strains of casual conversation picked up by the microphone during the recording session). On Friday, May 6, Thomas Paul, a longtime counselor at Pendleton’s Rock and Roll Camp, will bring his album of J.D. impressionistic, Kindle art-rock Comment instrumentals together for a rare full band performance at the Pendleton Arts Center. The album production for “Singalongs” was rather unorthodox. The recording sessions were part of Modern Art, a First Thursday event in Boise at The Modern, a boutique hotel. Modern Art, which is entering its tenth and inal installment this May, is an annual event where the hotel turns each of its rooms into a makeshift art studio for a night. Each room houses a painter, photographer, performing musician(s), theater troupe, etc., producing their craft. Attendees wander from room to room observing works of art in progress. In Thomas Paul’s case, he decided to go one step further than presenting a live musical performance and turn his hotel room (Room 242) into a recording Contributed photo Thomas Paul will perform Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. studio. The main bedroom sported Paul on guitar, bassist Bob Nagel, drummer Todd Chavez, and recording engineer Nate Agenbroad, while the bathroom became an isolation booth for saxophonist Eric Dewitt, violinist Jonah Shue, and lautist Jeffrey Barker. Audiences would ill up what little space was left in the hotel room, be hushed while the band knocked out a take, listen to the irst 15 seconds of playback, then be ushered out so the next group could observe the recording process. Being an instrumental album, one can’t help but conjure up images to associate with each song. This was certainly by design. “A lot of these songs started with a cinematic idea,” says Paul. “Some pieces go back as far as the early ‘90s — they’ve been percolating for a long time. There are all kinds of origin stories for each piece. Each was written as a ‘short ilm.’” Many of songs on “Singalongs” have an ominous, ilm noir-esque vibe and are indebted to composer Angelo Badalamenti, best known for his soundtracks for the ilms of David Lynch. Paul is quick to note the inluence saying, “The song ‘Thrift Shop Noir’ is dripping with David Lynch. I remember when I was 23 I saw ‘Fire Walk With Me’ and purchased the soundtrack. There are only two songs on that album that have lyrics. The music said so much. It probably helps that I was enamored with the ilm — at least Festivals their families and community. Also includes adult artists. WHAT TO DO Music Wooden Shoe Tulip Fes- tival Debbie McIntosh Razzvio •March 18-May 1; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. •33814 S. Meridian Road, Woodburn www.woodenshoe.com $5/person or $20/carload. Stroll through 40 acres of color- ful lowers. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase food onsite. Catch a ride on the cow trains or enjoy daily wine tasting available from the Wooden Shoe Vineyards. View the website for the current ield report and special weekend events. Cinco de Mayo Celebra- tion •April 30-May 1 •East Main Street, Hermiston Free admission. Live music, parade, food and family-friendly fun. Milton-Freewater Jr. Show •May 2-8 •M-F Jr. Show Grounds www.mfjrshow.com Free. Area youths compete in home economics, natural sci- ence, livestock and other 4-H contests. Also features a youth dance, livestock auction and awards. Eastern Oregon Arts Festival •May 6-7 •East Main Street, Hermiston www.desertartscouncil.com $10/Friday; free/Saturday. Regional artists display their work. Event includes live mu- sic, art activities and food. Fri- day evening gathering features meet-and-greet with the artists and juror, live music and light refreshments. Art & Museums “Central Dreams” •Saturday, April 30; 2-4 p.m. •Arts Portal Gallery, 508 N. Main St., Milton-Freewater Free. Features Central Mid- dle School student-created art- work communicating their hopes and dreams for themselves, •Monday-Fridays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. •Saturdays; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. •Pendleton Art + Frame, 36 S.W. Court Ave. Free. An exhibit featuring the Pendleton photographer’s imag- es will be on display and for sale through April 30. “Figuratively Speaking ...” •Monday-Fridays; noon-4 p.m. •Nightingale Gallery, Loso Hall •Eastern Oregon University, La Grande www.eou.edu/art/nightin- gale-gallery Free. Features artwork of graduating seniors Erica Hitz- man of Pendleton and Victoria Davis, Sheyenne Johnson, Don- ni Later and Madeline Royce, all of La Grande. Runs through May 6. Open Regional Photogra- phy Exhibit •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. Features amateur and professional photographers from across the region. Visitors can cast votes for the $200 Jac- queline Brown People’s Choice Award. Runs through May 27. Explore Evolution •Monday-Saturdays; 10 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. The exhibit features the work of sci- entists who are making leading discoveries about the evolution of life. The interactive displays provide visitors with an opportu- nity to experience how scientists conduct research on evolution. Runs through May 28. •Saturday, April 30; 6 p.m. •Nookies/Hermiston Brewing Co., 125 N. First St., Hermiston No cover. Design •Saturday, April 30, 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Brass Fire •Saturday, April 30; 5-7 p.m. •Sweet Productions Restau- rant & Bakery, 233 N. Main St., Heppner No cover. All ages event fea- tures regional brass band play- ing jazz, blues and rock. Northwest Community Gospel Choir •Saturday, April 30; 7 p.m. •Power House Theater, 111 N. Sixth St., Walla Walla www.phtww.com $35. Directed by Pilot Rock native Gary Hemenway, the cul- turally diverse Portland-based group performs a rare concert in eastern Washington. Corey Peterson and Linderstrom •Saturday, April 30; 9 p.m. No cover •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston. Walla Walla University Big Band the visuals.” That isn’t to say that all of “Singalongs” will make the listener feel like they are about to stumble upon a body in wrapping plastic. “Billy’s Lullaby” was written as a lullaby for a friend to play his twin daughters while “Look!” functions as a rooftop chase sequence. Of the sentimental and pastoral opening track, “East River Road,” Paul says it “was written at my childhood home, out in the country. If you wanted to go into the town of Idaho Falls I would have to walk or bike three miles. At the time, being a younger person, it seemed like an epic journey. It used to be more of a country road — now it is golf courses and subdivisions — but 25 years ago it was very rural.” “I’ve always thought of (Stanley) Kubrick and the way he used music,” says Paul. “It’s very prevalent in his ilms. I’ve always noticed the music part of movies. I noticed early on that I didn’t care for grand, sweeping Hollywood themes like ‘My Heart Will Go On.’ It seems like with big Hollywood ilm composers, the music is telling you what you’re supposed to be feeling. I tended to like movie music that asked you what you were feeling, but then maybe I was drawn more to those movies.” ■ J.D. Kindle is a Pendleton musician and executive director of the Oregon East Symphony. Contact him at jamesdeankindle@ eastoregonian.com. www.pendletonarts.org $12. Album release event for “Singalong,” an all-instrumental album recorded live at The Mod- ern Hotel in Boise. (see story on this page). pendletonopenmic Bart Budwig DJ and dancing •Tuesday, May 17; 7 p.m. All ages, no cover. •Great Paciic Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton Hillfolk Noir •Saturday, May 21; 8 p.m. All ages. No cover. •Great Paciic Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton Night life 80s Party •Saturday, April 30; 9 p.m. •Sub Zero Restaurant & Lounge, 100 W. Highway 730, Irrigon $3 cover. Coyote Ugly-style ‘80s party, dress up in favorite decade attire and party all night long with DJ music and dancing. DJ music •Saturdays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Whiskey Wednesday Game Night •Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Drink specials, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Play- Station 3 and Nintendo 64. Thursday Night Comedy Cinco de Mayo Party Wine tasting Thomas Paul •Friday, May 6; 7 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. •Fridays 8 p.m. (9 p.m. if game on) •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla •Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Theater, stage & ilm “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” •Sunday, May 1; 6:30 p.m. •Milton-Freewater Commu- nity Building, 109 N.E. Fifth St. $7/advance, $10/door. Un- der the direction of Michael Agidius, the concert will perform classic and contemporary big band music. For tickets, contact 509-527-2563 or music.walla- walla.edu •Thursday, May 5; 9 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Features DJ mu- sic, $1 tacos and drink specials. Karaoke •Thursdays, 8 p.m. No cover. •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Digital Karaoke •Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston •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/ •Friday, May 6; 7:15 p.m. •Saturday, May 7; 2:15 p.m. •SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, Boardman www.visitsage.com $5/person. View movie and receive free bag of popcorn with admission. Hot tickets •Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. May 10, Windermere Theater, Ken- newick. Tickets ($47-67) avail- able via www.ticketmaster.com •KISS. July 10, Toyota Cen- ter, Kennewick. Tickets ($39.50- $125) via www.ticketmaster. com •Umatilla County Fair Main Stage entertainment: A Thou- sand Horses (Aug. 9), The Bel- lamy Brothers (Aug. 10), Broth- ers Osborne (Aug. 11) Baile (Aug. 12), Creedence Clearwa- ter Revisited (Aug. 13). Festival seating free with fair admission; reserved seats are $12. (541- 567-6121). •Hunter Hayes. Aug. 26, Benton-Franklin Fair, Pasco. Also Salt N Pepa (Aug. 23). Tickets ($15) available via Ken- newick Ranch & Home or www. bentonfranklinfair.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 In Key & Peele’s ‘Keanu,’ the true gangster has paws By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer If you dropped a cute kitten into Michael Mann’s “Heat,” would Robert De Niro have gone all soft and goo-goo eyed? Might Wesley Snipes’ drug empire in “New Jack City” been brought to its knees by a cuddly face with whiskers? Could Al Pacino’s rage in “Scarface” have been melted away by a feline “little friend”? Such is the question of “Keanu,” Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s satisfyingly ridiculous and consistently funny big-screen debut for the slyly disarming brand of humor they nimbly practiced on their recently ended sketch comedy series, “Key & Peele.” Much of that show’s easy rhythm and skillful unmasking of masculinity have been transferred “Keanu” ★★★☆ R, 98 minutes intact. “Keanu” was written by Peele and Alex Rubens, a former “Key & Peele” writer, and directed by Peter Atencio, also an alumnus from the show. Whereas some in their leap into movies opt for grander, swaggering personas, Key and Peele have instead chosen a movie centered on a cat named Keanu, who, in one dream sequence, is voiced by Keanu Reeves. This, and this alone, is enough to warrant a Nobel, if not an Oscar. The kitten, formerly a drug lord’s pet, shows up on the Los Angeles doorstep of Rell Williams (Peele) like pint-sized salvation for the recently dumped Rell. But soon after Rell begins posing him in movie scenes, Keanu is taken from him. Rell pursues Keanu with his cousin Clarence (Key). One is a lazy pothead, the other a nerdy, high-strung father; both are about the furthest thing from “hard.” Their search leads them from their comfortable suburban environs and into a violent crime underworld where the kitten is surprisingly valuable currency. No one, not even Method Man’s drug kingpin Cheddar, can resist him. Clarence and Rell unconvincingly improvise thuggish identities but manage to be mistaken for fearsome hit men. The jokes come out of not just their poor gestures at being tough guys but of the soft hearts within even murderous gangsters. See “Keanu” for its divine absurdities. Do not see it for its neat narrative or scene-to-scene tonal consistency — things which are, after all, less vital for movies revolving around a kitten named after the guy from “The Matrix.” There also isn’t quite as much of Key and Peele’s trademark social justice satire here, even once the cops show up; the parodies of “Keanu” are more cuddly than biting. But few make better playthings of racial stereotype than Key and Peele. Take, for instance, the white, hip-hop-loving weed dealer (Will Forte) who cries when his De La Soul albums are smashed. This is Key and Peele’s love letter to 1990s action movies. Driving a minivan and chasing a cat, they enter a movie land populated by Hollywood clichés of black men, and emerge ludicrous, triumphant heroes, kitty in tow. Be a Part of Walla Walla’s Wine Future! Become a Winery Owner Groundbreaking Celebration May 15th. Preferred Stock at an offering price of $4.35 per share earning a 5.1% annual dividend. The minimum purchase is 200 shares ($870). Traded on the NASDAQ as WVVIP. To obtain a Prospectus, please call 503-588-9463 or visit www.w v v.com/ownership. Jim Bernau, Founder/CEO • Willamette Valley Vineyards
