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ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, December 3, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3C Classical performance features former Bulldogs Desert Arts Council 2016-17 calendar By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Described as exceptionally talented musicians, a pair of Hermiston High School grad- uates will take the stage during the first concert of the Desert Arts Council 2016-17 season. Kelly Kuo (piano) and Ron Blessinger (violin) are featured during “Evening with the Classics.” A homecoming for the duo, the former Bull- dogs have a surprise for the show’s encore. “It was a special community and it still is,” Blessinger said about Hermiston. “It’s very meaningful to be able to play there. It formed who I am.” The show is Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Hermiston High School auditorium, 600 S. First St. Advanced tickets are $20 for adults or $10 for students. Tickets purchased at the door are an additional $5. Also, while in town for the performance, Kuo and Bless- inger will return to their alma mater to teach master classes. Blessinger, who studied at the New England Conserva- tory of Music, is the artistic director for Third Angle New Music in Portland and also performs with the Oregon Symphony. The 1983 Hermiston grad- uate was wildly applauded while performing as a guest violinist during a 2004 Oregon East Symphony performance in Pendleton. Kuo, artistic director for the Oregon Mozart Players and music director/conductor of the Butler Opera Center in Austin, Texas, attended the Manhattan School of Music. “Evening with the Classics” •Saturday, Dec. 10; 7 p.m. •Hermiston High School, 600 S. First St. $20/adults, $10/students. Features Hermiston High School graduates Ron Blessinger and Kelly Kuo. Dancing with the Hermiston Stars •Saturday, Jan. 14; 7 p.m. •Hermiston High School, 600 S. First St., Hermiston. $20/adults, $10/students. The Utah Ballroom Dance Company will jive, salsa and shake things up with a new lineup of communi- ty stars, who will waltz away with money for local charities. “The Princess and the Pea” •Saturday, Feb. 25; 7 p.m. •Hermiston Conference Cen- ter, 415 S. Highway 395 $15/adults, $5/student. Mis- soula Children’s Theatre featuring area youths. Details about sig- nups will be released after the first of the year. Restless Vocal Band Contributed photo Contributed photo Ron Blessinger, a 1983 Hermiston High School graduate, will perform Dec. 10 during “Evening with the Classics,” the open- ing concert for the 2016-17 Desert Arts Council season. Kelly Kuo, a 1990 Hermiston High School grad- uate, will perform Dec. 10 during “Evening with the Classics.” A 1990 Hermiston graduate, Kuo also spent time as a free- lance conductor, crisscrossing the United States, including stints with Opera International as music director at the Music Center at Strathmore Hall, near Washington, D.C. While Blessinger and Kuo are connected in several ways — Blessinger’s mom was Kuo’s first piano teacher and Blessinger, himself, instructed Kuo on violin — they have never taken the stage together. Blessinger is looking forward to playing with his former student. “Kelly has really made a career for himself as a conductor,” Blessinger said. “He’s had tremendous success.” Both men have expressed appreciation for their parents’ support in fostering their interest in music. While in high school, Blessinger’s parents transported him to Pullman, Washington, for lessons. The Kuos traveled to Portland for their son’s individual lessons. Kuo said he and his brother often would start practicing inside the van during the trips — Kelly on clarinet and Calvin on trombone. “This is so above and beyond the call of duty,” Kuo said in a 2010 East Oregonian BRIEFLY Holiday Cheer features Oregon authors PORTLAND — More than seven dozen Oregon authors — including Jane Kirkpatrick and Rebecca Waggoner — are featured in the annual holiday book sale and signing at the Oregon Historical Society. The public is invited to mingle with authors during Holiday Cheer. The event is Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at 1200 S.W. Park Ave., Portland. The festive event helps people get into the spirit of the festive season with hot cocoa, books available for sale and holiday tunes by The Dickens Carolers. There is no admission charge. For more information, contact 503-222-1741, orhist@ohs.org or visit www. ohs.org, which includes a list of available books and descriptions. Wyden secures historic maps for interpretive center BAKER CITY — An 1846 book of historic pioneer maps from the Library of Congress is headed to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden secured the 170-year-old book, which features the topographical map of the Oregon Trail from Missouri to Oregon. It will be presented to Sarah LeCompte, interpretive center manager, Friday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. by Kathleen Cathey, the senator’s field representative. “As the son of a librarian, I am always gratified when a significant piece of history finds its proper home,” Wyden said. “That’s why I am so pleased to play a part in bringing this book of maps to Baker City where it can be appreciated for generations to come.” The Senate ordered the creation of the seven-section map in 1846 from the field notes and journal of frontiersman John C. Fremont along with the sketches and notes of his assistant, Charles Preuss. The map includes temperature readings, altitude, and weather patterns for each day of the journey, as well as extensive notes describing the terrain, flora and fauna, and the American Indian tribes encountered. The interpretive center is located at 22267 Highway 86, Baker City — to get there, take Exit 302 off Interstate 84. During the winter, the center is open Thursday through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.blm.gov/or/oregontrail or call 541-523-1843. interview. “It’s almost ridicu- lous how dedicated they were ... they encouraged us to excel at whatever we were doing.” Desert Arts board member Mary Corp is excited about the 32nd season, which includes music, dance and theater. Responding to community feedback, there’s a mix of new activities, as well as bringing back a few favorites. “This season is sure to be another sparking success,” Corp said. The always popular Dancing with Hermiston Stars returns for a fifth year. The Utah Ballroom Dance Company, along with a new lineup of community stars, will jive, salsa and shake things up while raising money for local charities. The show is Saturday, Jan. 7. Recruiting cast members from local communities, the Missoula Children’s Theatre will present “The Princess and the Pea.” Details about signups will be released after the first of the year for the Saturday, Feb. 25 production. The Restless Vocal Band will finish the performance lineup season, playing popular and powerful a cappella music from numerous decades and genres, including Bill Withers, Bruno Mars, The Temptations •Saturday, April 15; 7 p.m. •Hermiston High School, 600 S. First St., Hermiston. $20/adults, $10/students. Pop- ular and powerful a cappella group performs music from numerous decades and genres. Eastern Oregon Arts Festival •May 12-13 •Downtown Hermiston Details to be announced in January. *Tickets to all performances are an additional $5 if purchased at the door. and Taylor Swift. The concert is Saturday, April 15. The Eastern Oregon Arts Festival is the second weekend in May. Additional details will be available in January. Individual and season tickets are available at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, Hermiston Parks & Recreation and www.deser- tartscouncil.com. WHAT TO DO Festivals Pendleton Festival of Trees •Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Family Day •Pendleton Convention Cen- ter, 1601 Westgate www.sahpendleton.org Free. Includes tree viewing, games, activities and live enter- tainment. Hermiston Festival of Trees •Saturday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m.; dinner, gala event •Sunday, Dec. 4, noon; Fam- ily Day •Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395 www.facebook.com/hermis- tonfestivaloftrees $35/dinner. Features din- ner, tree viewing and live/silent auction. If tickets are sold out, people may attend the auction free of charge. Family Day is $5 suggested donation per family, includes tree viewing, games, activities and live entertainment. Holiday Barrel Tasting •Dec. 2-4 •Various wineries in Mil- ton-Freewater, Walla Walla region www.wallawallawine.com Free/some events, fee/for others. Wineries and tasting rooms celebrate the holiday season in unique ways with tast- ings, music, food, live entertain- ment and more. Old Fashioned Holiday Stroll •Saturday, Dec. 10; 3-7 p.m. •Downtown Pendleton Free. Celebrate the holiday season while admiring winter window displays and drinking free hot cocoa. Holiday car- ols performed by local musical groups. Also, specials and dis- counts at many local shops and venues. Art & Museums First Saturday Spin-In •Saturday, Dec. 3; 1-4 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. Free. Fiber enthusiasts can drop-in and bring a project to work on. Coffee, tea and work space provided. 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 holiday gift shopping of more than 35 art- ists. Also, in the gallery are gor- geous antique American stained glass windows from the collec- tion of Frank Duff. Handcrafted furniture by Bruce Gianotti and Jeff Blackwood also on display and available for sale. Runs through Dec. 31. “Deadly Medicine: Creat- ing the Master Race” •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. Fea- tures a traveling exhibit from the United States Holocaust Memo- rial Museum, which examines how Nazi leadership used sci- ence to help legitimize perse- cution, murder and, ultimately, genocide. Runs through Jan. 7. Jean Ann Mitchell & Ariel Anderson •Saturdays/Sundays; noon- 5 p.m. •Arts Portal Gallery, 508 N. Main St., Milton-Freewater Free. Exhibit features Mitch- ell (watercolors) and Anderson (mixed media). Donations accepted Hermiston Senior Center. Fishtrap Fireside •Sunday, Dec. 4; 1-4 p.m. •Echo Ridge Cellars, 551 N. Thielsen St., Echo Free. Enjoy chocolate sam- ples, wine tasting and meet the chocolatiers from Alexander’s Chocolaterie & Vino Bistro. Wine & Chocolate Pairing •Friday, Dec. 9; 7 p.m. •400 E. Grant St., Enterprise www.fishtrap.org Free. Hear new works by local authors. Featured writers are Lisa Hollingsworth, Barrie Qualle and Danny Weaver. An open mic follows for audience to share their stories. Whiskey Wednesday Game Night •Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Xbox 360, Ninten- do Wii, PlayStation 3 and Nin- tendo 64. “Drunk Strange Waters” •Monday-Fridays, noon-4 p.m. •Nightingale Gallery, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande www.eou.edu/art/nightin- gale-gallery Free. John Michael Byrd’s solo exhibit’s title is derived from Biblical passage II Kings 19:24. Images inspired from a Bible coloring book the artist had as a child and recently rediscovered. Runs through Dec. 6. Digital Karaoke •Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston 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. “Borderline” •Monday-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. •Betty Feves Memorial Gal- lery, BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Free. In conjunction with a mental health awareness cam- paign on campus, Michigan art- ist Jill Miller work examines an autobiographical understanding of depression through a series of figurative paintings. Gallery also open by appointment by calling 541-278-5952. Runs through Dec. 8. “Celebrate Family” •Monday-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. •Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn St., Baker City www.crossroads-arts.org Free. Features the Bingham family artists Pam Bingham (pot- tery), Greg Johnson (woodwork- ing), Seth Bingham (metal art) and Amanda Jakobson (sign maker). Much of the artwork is for sale. Runs through Dec. 31. Paul Hoelscher •Tuesday-Sundays, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. •Peterson’s Gallery, 1925 Main St., Baker City www.petersonsgallery.net Free. Features the charcoal and ink artwork of Paul Hoe- lscher. Runs through Dec. 31. Music Oldies Night in Mil- ton-Freewater •Saturday, Dec. 3; 7 p.m. •Wesley Methodist Church, 816 S. Main St., Milton-Free- water. Free. BJ the DJ spins tunes from 1981. Snacks available from The Frogs. Shanks Pony •Saturday, Dec. 3; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission Williams & Ree •Thursday, Dec. 8; 7 p.m. •Rivers Event Center, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. www.wildhorseresort.com $29 premium seats (with free barbecue gift), $19 general ad- mission. Better known as “The Indian and the White Guy,” the musical-comedy team of Bruce Williams and Terry Ree present their popular politically incorrect show. 21-and-older. The Nightmare Before Christmas •Friday, Dec. 9; 5:30 p.m. •Main Street Studios, 207 W. Main St., Walla Walla www.monumentalshows. com for Wine tasting •Fridays, 4-8 p.m. •Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo. Open Mic Contributed “A Christmas Story: The Musical” is being staged though the holiday season at the Elgin Opera House. Elgin Opera House stages holiday favorite ELGIN — ‘Tis the season — the Elgin Opera House has just the performance to get you into the holiday spirit. “A Christmas Story: The Musical” is based on one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time. Set in the 1940s, the story follows Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts — an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. The 9-year-old plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun. The performance will be staged Fridays and Saturdays (through Dec. 23) at 7:30 p.m. and matinée shows are Saturdays (through Dec. 24) at 2:30 p.m. Tickets range from $8 to $17. Reservations are highly recommended as some shows have already sold out. For more information, call 541-663-6324 or visit www.elginoperahouse.com. $10. All-ages show features Seeker, Hollow Earth, The Drip, Narrow Minded, Fail Yourself and more. Guy Johnson Band •Friday, Dec. 9; Saturday, Dec. 10; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission An Evening with the Classics •Saturday, Dec. 10; 7 p.m. •Hermiston High School au- ditorium, 600 S. First St. www.desertartscouncil.com $20 adults, $10 youths ($5 additional at the door). Desert Arts Council presents Hermis- ton’s own Kelly Kuo (piano) and Ron Blessinger (violin) will per- form classical music. Holiday Music Festival •Sunday, Dec. 11; 3:15 p.m. •Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton www.oregoneastsymphony. org $20 adults, $15 students, seniors, $45 family. Presented by the Oregon East Symphony, a holiday celebration featuring a variety of community groups in- cluding Sisters in Song and The Pendleton Big Band. Sunny Ledfurd •Saturday, Dec. 17; 9:30 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston https://thepheasant.tick- etleap.com $25. An evening of music with Sunny Ledfurd and Cory Peterson. Night life NFR Watch Party •Saturday, Dec. 3; 7 p.m. No cover. •Mac’s Bar & Grill, 1400 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton 21 and older. Watch NFR on TV, listen to live country/classic rock band featuring five Portland firefighters. DJ music •Saturdays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Karaoke w/DJ David •Saturdays; 8 p.m. •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla Charity Pool Tournament •Saturday, Dec. 10; noon-9 p.m. •Midway Tavern, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston •First/third Friday each month, 8 p.m.-midnight •The Packard Tavern, 118 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton Karaoke w/DJ David •Fridays; 8 p.m. •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla DJ and dancing •Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Cimmi’s Late Night Mar- tini Lounge •Fridays; 9 p.m.-midnight •Virgil’s at Cimmiyotti’s, 137 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. Features martinis, mixology and music. Theater, stage & film Journey to Bethlehem •Dec. 2-4; 5-8:30 p.m. •Hermiston Seventh-day Ad- ventist Church, 855 W. Highland Ave. Free. Experience life in a Bethlehem village with live ac- tors and animals. Features the sights, sounds and smells of Biblical times. “Nutcracker” •Dec. 9-10; 7 p.m. •Dec. 10-11; 2 p.m. •Richland High School, 930 Long Ave. www.midcolumbiaballet.org $27 adults, $13 children, $18 students & seniors. The hol- iday classic is presented by the Mid-Columbia Ballet. Tickets for shows, which typically sell-out, go on sale Nov. 1. Hot tickets •Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: Dec. 30, Moda Center, Portland; Dec. 31, Key Arena, Seattle. $41- $76 via www.ticketmaster.com •Dancing with the Hermis- ton Stars: Jan. 14. $20/adults, $10/students ($5 more at the door) via www.desertartscouncil. 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.
