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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (May 28, 2016)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, May 28, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3C La Luz surfs into Pendleton for Rivoli fundraiser L a Luz has an unfortunate connection to northeastern Oregon. In November 2013 the band wrecked their van on Cabbage Hill after hitting a slick patch. After exiting the vehicle to survey the damage, a semi-truck hit the same patch of ice and plowed into the van, destroying all their equipment. The Seattle by-way-of Los Angeles band La Luz returns to Pendleton to play J.D. the Great Paciic Kindle on Tuesday, May Comment 31 as part of a fundraiser for the Rivoli Theater restoration project. The four-piece band fuses a garage-y take on surf rock with ’60s girl group vocal arrangements a la The Shirelles. Currently on tour in support of their latest album “Weirdo Shrine,” keyboardist Alice Sandahl was able to answer some questions for me from the back of their tour van while in Calgary, Alberta. How did you come to join La Luz? I was in a band several years ago in Seattle for quite a while with Marian, the drummer, in a band called The Pica Beats and that band broke up but we remained friends. Mary Ann was in a band with Shana [the guitarist and vocalist] — a very incestuous community in that town. Everybody is in a band with everybody. When their band Curious Mystery broke up Shana and Marian wanted to start this project and they invited me to play keyboard. La Luz relocated to Los Angeles this past December. What prompted the move? Contributed photo La Luz will play their brand of surf rock at the Great Paciic in Pendleton on Tuesday, May 31 as a fundraiser for the Rivoli Theater. I don’t know what prompted it. The answer for all of us was just looking for a change. Seattle had really supported us a whole lot and gotten us to where we were. It had gotten to the point where we were on the road a lot and felt like we needed a bigger scene. I think a lot of it was personal too. We had been in Seattle for a long time. Some of us really wanted out and some of us really wanted a change. Seattle is a great town but change brings growth. So we’re in LA now and iguring out what that means for us. How have you adjusted to your new home base and how has it affected the inner workings of the band? I don’t feel like we have been there quite long enough to adjust. Because we actually were all inally down there in mid-February. We were only there for two weeks then we went on tour. The adjusting process for me has been slow. Lena grew up in LA so she’s ine. Obviously weather is the easy answer. It’s put the band as even more of a focus in our life because we made this move together. I felt like it was a priority and now I feel it’s even more of a priority. Figuring out how to work this whole business we’ve developed in a new city and continuing to thrive. In the past you’ve worked as an elementary school music educator. How has that come to inluence the work you do in the band? I don’t really know how much that inluences me in the band. I think the opposite would be true. Working in bands in Seattle really inluenced my work as an elementary school teacher. I though it was really important to connect kids with the music they were surrounded by in their town. I did a lot of work with local musicians a few years in a row. I did a small choir performing pieces by local musicians. It was important for WHAT TO DO Festivals Heart of the Country Rodeo •Saturday, May 28; 12:30 p.m. •Quantum 9 Arena, Helix www.helixrodeo.org $10/adults, $5/ages 5-12, free/under 4. Features rodeo action and activities for kids (barrel racing/12 and under, stick horse racing/6 and under, mutton bustin’/ ages 4-8 and 55 pounds and under. Cal- cutta to bid on favorite rough stock rider Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m. at the Helix Pub. Live music in the beer garden after the ro- deo with Tylor Bushman & the Train Rob- bers. Century Ride of the Centuries •May 28-30 •Base: Wildhorse Resort & Casino www.cyclependleton.com $195/all-inclusive, $155/ages 13-17, $130/under 12, $75/non-riders (special events and meals). Registration deadline May 23. From rolling whet ields and cen- tury farms to the picturesque Blue Moun- tains, the ride offers routes for novices to veteran cyclists. Old Iron Show •Friday, June 3, Saturday, June 4; 8 a.m.-dusk •Sunday, June 5; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. •Roy Raley Park, 1205 S.W. Court Ave., Pendleton www.heritagestationmuseum.org Free. Display features vintage farm equipment, antique cars and other old iron machinery. Pioneer Days •Friday, June 3, Saturday, June 4 •Weston Memorial Hall, Elliott Park Free admission (charge for some events). Event kicks off Friday honoring JoAnn Fox, Valerie Smith and Bob Smith. Saturday activities include a ireman’s breakfast, parade, vendor booths, Pioneer Picnic, barbecue cook-off, kids’ games, stage entertainment, alumni dinner and street dance with Tylor and The Train Rob- bers. •Thursday, June 16; 7 p.m. •Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St., Joseph. Free. Book release event for Wallowa County author Pamela Royes. Includes food, refreshments and a multi-media pre- sentation. Music Derek Michael Marc & Double AA •Saturday, May 28; 8 p.m. •Red Lion, 304 S.E. Nye Ave., Pend- leton www.derekmichaelmarc.com. No cover. 21-and-over show features rock, blues and soul from the Portland-ar- ea band. Cadillacs for Everyone •Saturday, May 28, Sunday, May 29; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Re- sort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. La Luz •Tuesday, May 31; 7:30 p.m. •Great Paciic Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton www.rivolifundraiser.brownpapertick- ets.com $10/advance, $12/door. All ages fund- raising event for the Rivoli Theater Resto- ration Coalition. Features the Seattle surf- rock-punk band La Luz. Also, James Dean Kindle & the Eastern Oregon Playboys will open the show. Explore Evolution •Saturday, May 28 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last day) •Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org $10/adults, $9/senior citizens, $6/ youths, free/5 and under or $25/family of four. The exhibit features the work of scien- tists 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. Nika Blasser •Thursday, June 2; 5:30-7 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free. Opening reception featuring Blasser’s recent works that provide an en- vironment of relection. “Central Dreams” •Saturdays/Sundays; noon-5 p.m. •Arts Portal Gallery, 508 N. Main St., Milton-Freewater www.facebook.com/artsportalgallery Free. Exhibit features Central Middle School student-created artwork commu- nicating their hopes and dreams for them- selves, their families and community. Also includes adult artists. “Book Sort” •Monday-Thursdays; 10 a.m-8 p.m., •Friday-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. •Pendleton Public Library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave. www.pendletonlibrary.weebly.com Free. Exhibit featuring more than two dozen documentary photographs by Tere- sa Rae. Runs through June 30. An artist’s reception to be scheduled. All-Campus Juried Student Exhibition •Monday-Fridays; noon-4 p.m. •Nightingale Gallery, Loso Hall •Eastern Oregon University, La Grande www.eou.edu/art/nightingale-gallery Free. Features artwork of EOU stu- dents from all disciplines. Runs through June 9. “Temperance Creek: A Memoir” •Saturdays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Herm- iston Sisters in Song set spring concert Whiskey Wednesday Game Night PENDLETON — A local women’s choir will perform its spring concert, which features lullabies and love songs. The Sisters in Song concert is Sunday, June 5 at 4 p.m. at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. Tickets are $10 each and are available in advance at the arts center or at the door. Among the pieces to be performed are “Beati in Domo Domini” by James Kantor, “African Lullaby” by Joan Szymko and “Sicilian Lullaby” by Mary Carpenter Davis. Other traditional pieces are mountain ballads arranged by Ron Nelson, “Oh, Dear! What Can the Matter Be?” arranged by John Carter, “Down in the River to Pray” arranged by Matthew Culloton and Appalachian folk song “Cedar Swamp,” arranged by Jay Broker. Guest musician Cathy Muller will accompany two numbers with lute. Sisters in Song was founded in 2012 and is directed by Lezlee Flagg and accompanied by Suzi Wood. For more information, contact Cheryl Carlson at chermom5@gmail.com or 541-429-0160. •Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Herm- iston No cover. Drink specials, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 64. Thursday Night Comedy •Thursdays, 8 p.m. No cover. •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Re- sort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. June 2: Adam Lee; June 9: Vince Royale Digital Karaoke •Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Herm- iston 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/pendle- tonopenmic Karaoke Yosi Mesbah •Thursday, June 2; 7 p.m. All ages. No cover. •Great Paciic Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton •Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Herm- iston DJ and dancing Decade X Brass Fire •Saturday, June 4; 7-10 p.m. No cover •Red Lion, 304 S.E. Nye Ave., Pend- leton Sisters in Song Art & Museums BRIEFLY DJ music •Fridays 8 p.m. (9 p.m. if game on) •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla •Friday, June 3; Saturday, June 4; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Re- sort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. •Sunday, June 5; 4 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. $10. Pendleton women’s choir pres- ents spring concert of lullabies, love songs and other traditional pieces and mountain ballads. Jilt •Friday, June 10; Saturday, June 11; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Re- sort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. “Young at Heart” •Saturday, June 11; 6 p.m. •Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. www.oregoneastsymphony.org $25/general, $45/premium, $75/con- cert, dinner and auction ticket. Beneit event for Oregon East Symphony (tickets available at www.wildhorseresort.com). Features Rossini’s “Barber of Seville Overture,” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Strauss’ “Blue Danube,” Brahms’ “Hun- garian Dance No. 5,” Anderson’s “Chicken Reel” and “The Looney Tunes Theme.” Bram Brata •Sunday, June 12; 5-7 p.m. •Heppner City Park, 444 N. Main St. Free. The popular steel drum band form the Tri-Cities will kick off Heppner’s monthly Music in the Park series. Food will be available for purchase. Dallin Puzey •Monday, June 13; 7 p.m. •Boardman Marina Park Free. Hermiston musician kicks off the Music in the Parks series, which alternates weekly between Boardman and Irrigon marina parks. Food will be available for purchase. Night life Elements Party •Saturday, May 28; 9 p.m. •Sub Zero Restaurant & Lounge, 100 W. Highway 730, Irrigon No cover. Come dressed as your fa- vorite element — water, ire earth or air. Prize money for best costumes. The Lucky Coyotes will perform Coyote Ugly dancing. Party also features a live DJ, face painting and a money booth. Call 541-922-4374 for reservations. me — even as a study — to bring that into the classroom and look at more mainstream music and its importance in the creative process for children. La Luz has had a less than pleasant history with Eastern Oregon: In November of 2013 the band was involved in an auto collision on Cabbage Hill. Do you have any trepidation about being back in the area? Only when the weather is questionable and that’s just something that’s not just in Eastern Oregon. That’s how we make decisions around our tours and driving now. We really don’t travel once its gets into the cold season and we don’t travel at night. We just don’t go through areas where it’s going to be a little sketchy. I think it’s always hard for us going past that spot, even now. It hasn’t been that long since we’ve had to drive that route. It’s always kinda hard because you know that’s where it was and you’re anticipating that route where it got a little scary. The trepidation is there but it’s not debilitating. We’re happy to be there in Pendleton and support the Rivoli fundraiser. What are the band’s plans after wrapping up this current tour? We have got a lot of writing and work to do. We have some plans to do recording into fall. We’ve got some new tunes and we’ve worked out some demos. Once the record comes out we’ll hit the road hard again and dig into our new home for a bit. ■ J.D. Kindle is a Pendleton musician and the executive director of the Oregon East Symphony. Contact him at jamesdeankindle@gmail.com Theater & ilm “Captain America: Civil War” •May 28-29 & May 31; 7:30 p.m. •May 28-29; 3 p.m. •The Liberty Theater, 344 E. Main St., Dayton, Wash. www.libertytheater.org $8/adults, $7/students and seniors, $6/12 and under; $1 discount for matinées. Political interference in the Avengers’ ac- tivities causes a rift between former allies Captain America and Iron Man. The histor- ic 1910 theater is operated by the Touchet Valley Arts Council. “The Little Mermaid” •Monday, June 6, Tuesday, June 7; 6 p.m. •Ione Community School, 445 Spring St. Free. The Ione Choir will present the familiar Broadway musical. “MILTON” •June 16-19; 7 p.m. •June 18-19; 2 p.m. •McLoughlin High School, 120 Main St., Milton-Freewater www.skyovermilton.com/town/mil- ton-freewater-or Free/Milton-Freewater residents, $5- $15 suggested donation from others. The story behind “MILTON,” a play about ive towns named Milton (and Milton-Freewa- ter) and the constellation they create. Lo- cal presentation is presented bi-lingual in English and Spanish. Child care provided during the Sunday matinée. Hot tickets •Vanilla Ice and Morris Day & The Time. July 30 at Wildhorse Resort & Ca- sino. Tickets ($29-$59) available via www. wildhorse.com •KISS. July 10, Toyota Center, Kenne- wick. Tickets ($39.50-$125) via www.tick- etmaster.com •Umatilla County Fair Main Stage en- tertainment: A Thousand Horses (Aug. 9), The Bellamy Brothers (Aug. 10), Brothers Osborne (Aug. 11) Baile (Aug. 12), Cree- dence Clearwater Revisited (Aug. 13). Festival seating free with fair admission; reserved seats are $12. (541-567-6121). •Hunter Hayes. Aug. 26, Ben- ton-Franklin Fair, Pasco. Also Salt N Pepa (Aug. 23). Tickets ($15) available via Ken- newick Ranch & Home or www.benton- franklinfair.com ——— Want to get your event listed in our cal- endar? Send information to tmalgesini@ eastoregonian.com, or c/o Tammy Malge- sini, 333 E. Main Street, Hermiston, OR, 97838. Musical makes splash in Ione IONE — A magical performance of adventure and fantasy will come alive as the Ione Choir presents “The Little Mermaid.” The event is Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria stage at Ione Community School, 445 Spring St. The public is invited free of charge to enjoy the popular Broadway musical. Donations will be accepted at the door. For more information, contact Jordan Bemrose-Rust at jordan.bemrose@ionesd. org. Bram Brata kicks off Heppner concert series HEPPNER — Bram Brata, a steel drum band from the Tri-Cities, will kick off Heppner’s monthly Music in the Parks concert series. The performance is Sunday, June 12 from 5-7 p.m. at Heppner City Park, 444 N. Main St. People are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the free concert in the park. In case of inclement weather, an alternate venue will be arranged. The concert series takes place the second Sunday of each month through September. There will be local fundraisers on hand selling food during each performance. The July performance features Slipshod. The featured performer for August is Jezebel’s Mother. In September, The Tailgators will perform in honor of the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. For more information, call 541-676-5036. Wallowa County author celebrates book release JOSEPH — A book release party with Pamela Royes is planned in Joseph. In celebration of the release of “Temperance Creek: A Memoir,” Royes will make a multi-media presentation and read from the book. The event also will include food, refreshments and a book signing. The free event is Thursday, June 16 at 7 p.m. at Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St., Joseph. Royes lives with her husband, Skip, in Wallowa County. She has been involved with Fishtrap, which promotes writing. “Temperance Creek” is her irst book. From the back of a horse, Royes takes readers from overlook to water crossings and down trails as she shares about falling in love with a place, a man and the price extracted for that love. For more information, contact Mike Midlo at mike@ ishtrap.org or 541-426-3623. Tony presenters will include Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett NEW YORK (AP) — James Corden will have some big names helping him hand out Tony Awards: Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett, Carole King, Audra McDonald, Saoirse Ronan, Patina Miller and Nathan Lane have signed up to help present. Corden, a Tony winner and the host of CBS’s “The Late Late Show,” will make his debut as the emcee June 12 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. It will be televised on CBS. Comedy god Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer- songwriter Edie Brickell will also help present. The pair is up for a Tony as the writers of the musical “Bright Star,” a complex love story set against the American South.
