ENTERTAINMENT
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Artists and
health care
East Oregonian
Page 3C
KENNEWICK
T
he imminent repeal of the Affordable
Care Act will no doubt have
repercussions for persons working
within the arts. Historically artists in the
United States have always dealt with a
lack of health care: The health care system
is structured in such a way that access is
determined by one’s ability to pay for it. By
and large most artists, musicians, writers,
etc, live on an extremely tight budget if they
are living off their work at all, or else they
supplement their income with a “day job”
that may or may not come
with employer-provided
health insurance.
I asked a range of
persons from within
northeastern Oregon how
their access to health
care, through its many
forms — be it employer-
provided insurance,
J.D.
private insurance with a
Kindle
federal subsidy, socialized
Comment
medicine through the
Indian Health Service, or
otherwise — have impacted the ability to
produce art.
Pendleton Center for the Arts executive
director and book maker Roberta Lavadour
recently started receiving health coverage
through the PCA but is worried that
removing the ability to deny coverage due to
preexisting conditions could jeopardize that.
“Even though I have employer provided
health insurance right now I could lose it
due to rheumatoid arthritis,” she said.
Prior to having health insurance
Lavadour says, “My wellness program
was to go donate blood so I knew I wasn’t
anemic and my blood pressure was good.”
When she eventually paid for a private
health insurance plan, its premium was
$300, which doubled after her diagnosis of
rheumatoid arthritis. When the ACA went
into effect her premium was reduced.
“To be able to make art, you have your
life grounded and feel secure in the world
so you can feel confidence in expressing
your point of view and not going bankrupt
or being homeless because of a medical
emergency,” says Lavadour. “To know my
entire safety net could be wiped out by one
operation is terrifying.”
Enterprise recording engineer and
country singer-songwriter Bart Budwig
embodies this statement. He found that
the coverage offered to him through the
ACA was a contributing factor in allowing
him to pursue the entrepreneurial task of
being a self-sustaining musician, as well as
prevented him from sidetracking his career.
“I’ve been covered since January of
2015,” says Budwig. “I’ve pretty much —
to my knowledge — had full coverage. Last
year I had to go to the ER for a kidney stone.
With my kidney stone I would’ve had to
have a job to help pay it off, which would’ve
made it so I couldn’t be a full-time artist.”
Prior to transitioning into working
full-time as a musician, Budwig had a
full-time job as a certified nursing assistant
in Moscow, Idaho, which did provide him
with insurance though it still required him to
pay a $100 monthly premium.
“I’m super thankful to have it,” Budwig
says of his current coverage. “I’ve been
way more productive being able to focus on
art. I’ve recorded between ten and twelve
albums this past year and there’s no way
I could’ve done anything close to that if I
had a full-time job on top of making music.
Most artists are happy doing something they
love, so if they have their basic needs met it
makes a really big difference.”
Northeastern Oregon’s most well-
known artist, James Lavadour, expresses
ambivalence about the impending repeal
of the ACA since he is an enrolled member
of the Confederated Tribes resceives care
through the Indian Health System and is also
on Medicaid.
Lavadour acknowledges there are
inherent risks in being a working artist, lack
of health care access being one of them, but
that shouldn’t be an impediment to pursuing
vocation. “I worked a long time without
health insurance. It’s a risky, no-guarantee
kinda business — you do it whether you
have health insurance or not. You find a way
to get by though.”
However, a repeal of the ACA may affect
the services that Lavadour receives. The
ACA includes a permanent reauthorization
of the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act,
which authorizes the federally-administered
Indian Health Service. His Medicare
coverage may be affected as well since
the proposal transforming Medicaid into a
block grant program has been one of the few
replacement options voiced.
Whatever the ACA replacement looks
like, it is hoped that it won’t unintentionally
lessen the flourishing cultural scene in
northeastern Oregon by dissuading artists
from pursuing their craft in order to focus on
more pressing issues of how to pay medical
bills.
Roberta Lavadour remains cautiously
optimistic about her prospects for the
continuation of her health coverage, though
other may not be as fortunate. “I may be
okay now that I have insurance through
[the Pendleton Center for the Arts] — since
I’m already in there they may not kick
me off because it’s not a private plan. It’s
such human nature when something isn’t
affecting you personally to put it in the
back of your mind. It’s human nature to say,
‘I’ve got mine, you’re not working hard
enough.’”
■
James Dean Kindle is a Pendleton
musician and executive director of the
Oregon East Symphony. Contact him at
jamesdeankindle@gmail.com.
Contributed by Lindsey Evans
“Night Air,” an oil painting by Lindsey Evans of Umatilla is
among the featured artwork during the Feb. 4 gallery open-
ing of Badder Ink Tattoo Shop/Art Gallery in Kennewick.
Tattoo shop/art gallery
features local artists
By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
A New York City tattoo artist,
Badder Israel, is opening a new
shop in the Tri-Cities.
Several area artists are
featured in the gallery opening
of Badder Ink Tattoo Shop/
Art Gallery in Kennewick.
The opening reception, which
includes a pair of DJs and artists
from New York, Washington and
Oregon, is Saturday, Feb. 4 from
5-10 p.m. at 7520 W. Clearwater
Ave., Kennewick. Free food and
drinks will be available from 6-8
p.m.
The work of Oregon artists
include Ozark Hippie (AKA Kim
La Plant of Hermiston), Lindsey
Evans of Umatilla, Shaelynn
Marie Boyd of Hermiston, Olivia
Trendy (AKA Olivia Steffey of
Hermiston), Allison Sharrard of
Pendleton and Jacob Gunnels of
Pendleton.
La Plant’s moniker refers
to her Arkansas roots. She is
a self-taught artist who added
watercolors to her repertoire a
few months ago.
The Hermiston woman has
mostly worked with charcoal,
acrylics, carving and wood-
working. When symptoms of
lupus flared up, La Plant looked
for a new medium to dabble in.
“My hands got tired, so I tried
it and fell in love,” she said about
watercolors.
Evans, too, has some physical
limitations that impact her ability
to work on projects. Past bouts
with cancer and injuries have
taken a toll on her body.
Although she had plans to
attend art school in her younger
days, Evans put her talents on
hold during her law enforcement
career. When she retired, Evans
was at a loss for things to do.
“I don’t have many hobbies
because my body is pretty
messed up,” she said. “Then I
realized I can paint, just slowly.”
Evans got to know Israel
while he worked on her back
tattoo. During the long sessions,
he encouraged the Umatilla
woman to pick up a brush again.
Calling herself a hobby artist,
Evans has enjoyed the therapeutic
benefits of painting. Working in
Contributed by Ozark Hippie
“She Chose Peace,” a watercolor by Ozark Hippie — AKA
Kim La Plant of Hermiston — is among the featured artwork
during the Feb. 4 gallery opening of Badder Ink Tattoo Shop/
Art Gallery in Kennewick.
oils is perfect, she said, as she
can only paint for short periods
of time.
The two pieces Evans is
showing — the “Night Flight”
series — took a year to complete.
They are black and white portraits
of an owl and eagle in flight —
“Night Owl” and “Night Air.”
One of La Plant’s friends told
organizers at Badder Ink about
her Ozark Hippie artwork. They
reached out to La Plant and the
show will feature eight of her
watercolors.
Both women are looking
forward to the gallery opening.
“I’m excited for the opportu-
nity to support my friend Badder
in the Badder Ink and Art Kartel,”
Evans said.
For more information, text/
call 347-743-9651 or visit www.
facebook.com/kennewick.
badder.ink.
———
Contact Community Editor
Tammy Malgesini at tmalge-
sini@eastoregonian.com
or
541-564-4539
WHAT TO DO
Festivals
Performance jazzes up familiar tunes
Melonville Comedy Festival
WALLA WALLA — A fresh and jazzy spin on familiar TV and
movie themes will be performed by the Dmitri Matheny Group
during an upcoming show in Walla Walla.
“Jazz Noir” includes new works and
jazz classics, including a Noir Medley
of cinematic favorites — “Touch
of Evil,” “Laura,” “Chinatown,”
“Vertigo,” “Taxi Driver” and
“Blues in the Night.” The
performance also features an
original Crime Scenes suite, a
dreamlike series of vignettes
linked together with voice-over
narrative in the hard-boiled
detective style of Dashiell Hammett
and Raymond Chandler.
The event is Friday, Feb. 10 at 7
Contributed photo by Hank Hirschfeld
p.m. at the Power House Theatre, 111
N. Sixth St., Walla Walla. Tickets, which are $24-$29 for adults
and $18 for students, are available at www.phtww.com or by
calling 509-529-6500.
•Saturday, Jan. 28; 8 p.m.
•Hermiston Conference Center,
415 S. Highway 395
www.melonvillecomedyfestival.
com
$35. Features Dwight Slade, Ga-
briel Rutledge and Chase Mayers. No-
host bar and food available.
Robert Burns Supper
•Saturday, Jan. 28; 2 p.m.
•Elks Lodge
$30/couple, $17/single. In its 20th
year, the event celebrated the poet
Robert Burns with food, fun and a
toast to the Scottish national poet.
The Big Read
•Thursdays through Feb. 9; 7 p.m.
•Various venues in Wallowa Coun-
ty
www.fishtrap.org
Most events free. This year’s book
is “The Things They Carried,” a novel
by Tim O’Brien. The Feb. 9 screen-
ing of “Good Morning Vietnam” is
$5. Event finale ($10) features a ‘60s
Fashion Show, potluck dinner and
dance party Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7
p.m.
Spirit of the West Cowboy
Gathering
•Feb. 17-19
•Ellensburg, Washington, various
venues
www.ellensburgcowboygathering.
com
$90/weekend pass, $35-$55/indi-
vidual days, free/downtown venues
and open mics. A whole host of cow-
boy fun — poets, Dutch oven cook-
ing, vendors, fiddle contests, demon-
strations and free kids’ activities.
Musicians include Barbara Nelson of
Pendleton, 2012 Academy of Western
Artists’ Will Rogers Cowboy Award
winner, and main stage performers
Waddie Mitchell, Juni Fisher, Horse
Crazy Cowgirl Band and the Cowboy
Celtic Band.
Art, Museums & Authors
Photography Club Exhibit
•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
Free. Best photos from past year
by club members on display.
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blank”
•Monday-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-
1:30 p.m.
•Betty Feves Memorial Gallery,
BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave.,
Pendleton.
Free. Features collage art of Cory
Peeke, director of Nightingale Gallery
and art professor at Eastern Oregon
University. Gallery also open by ap-
pointment by calling 541-278-5952.
Runs through Feb. 9.
Biennial Faculty Exhibition
•Monday-Fridays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
•Nightingale Gallery, Loso Hall
•Eastern Oregon University, La
Grande
www.eou.edu/art
Free. Gain an in-depth look at the
recent studio practices of exhibiting
professors Jaime Gustavson, Nathan
Prouty, Michael Sell, Jessie Street and
Kerri Rosenstein. Runs through Feb.
10.
Student art display
•Monday-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5
p.m.
•Crossroads Carnegie Art Center,
2020 Auburn St., Baker City
www.crossroads-arts.org
Free. Features art created by stu-
dents of Baker County. Runs through
Jan. 28
New Year 2017
•Tuesday-Sundays, 10 a.m.-6
p.m.
•Peterson’s Gallery, 1925 Main
St., Baker City
www.petersonsgallery.net
Free. Features a collection of
some of the most sought after and
requested artists represented at the
gallery in 2016. Runs through Jan. 31.
First Saturday Spin-In
•Saturday, Feb. 4; 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.
“The Path of Totality”
•Monday, April 3; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.,
art accepted
•Friday, April 7; 5:30-8 p.m., open-
ing reception
•Crossroads Carnegie Art Center,
2020 Auburn St., Baker City
www.crossroads-arts.org
$15/members, $20/non-members.
Up to three pieces accepted by ama-
teur and professional artists depicting
the theme inspired by the upcoming
Aug. 21 total solar eclipse. Show and
sale runs April 7-29.
Music
Jilt
“Jazz Noir”
•Friday, Feb. 10; 7 p.m.
•Power House Theatre, 111 N.
Sixth Ave., Walla Walla
www.phtww.com
$24-$29/adults, $18/students. A
fresh and jazzy spin on familiar TV
and movie themes will be performed
by the Dmitri Matheny Group.
Staci Collins
er.
•Friday, Feb. 10; 6-9 p.m. No cov-
•Nookie’s/Hermiston Brewing Co.,
125 N. First St., Hermiston
Roots & Boots Concert
•Friday, Feb. 10; 8 p.m.
•Rivers Event Center, Wildhorse
Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216,
Mission
$69.99/premium, $49.99/general,
$125/VIP. Features Sammy Kershaw,
Aaron Tippin and Terri Clark. VIP in-
cludes seating in the first two rows, a
meet-and-greet pass and more.
Chamber Winds
•Postponed
•Hamley Slickfork Saloon, 8 S.E.
Court Ave., Pendleton
www.oregoneastsymphony.org
$20/adults, $15/students, se-
niors, $45/family. New date to be an-
nounced.
Night life
•Saturday, Jan. 28; 8 p.m. No cover
•Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse
Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216,
Mission
DJ music
Martin Sexton
Karaoke w/DJ David
•Sunday, Jan. 29; 7 p.m.
•The Scarlet Room Foundation for
the Arts, 2820 N. Road 72 Pasco
www.thescarletroomfoundation.
com
$23. The singer/songwriter per-
forms for a Scarlet Room fundraiser.
Also includes Brady Goss of Wallowa
County.
Quinell
•Friday, Feb. 3; 9 p.m. No cover
•Hamley Slickfork Saloon, 8 S.E.
Court Ave., Pendleton
Gala Ball
•Saturday, Feb. 4; 6:30 p.m.
•Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main
St., Echo
$25/couple, $15/single. Enjoy
dancing, desserts and music with
Frazer Wambeke. Formal attire. For
tickets, contact info@snoroadwinery.
com or 541-376-0421.
Cale Moon
•Saturday, Feb. 4; 9 p.m. No cover
•Midway Tavern, 1750 N. First St.,
Hermiston
•Saturdays, 8 p.m.
•The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St.,
Hermiston
•Saturdays; 8 p.m.
•Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth
St., Umatilla
Whiskey Wednesday Game
Night
•Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m.
•The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St.,
Hermiston
No cover. Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii,
PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 64.
Digital Karaoke
•Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m.
•The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St.,
Hermiston
LOL Comedy Jam
•Thursdays; 8 p.m. No cover.
•Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse
Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216,
Mission.
Feb. 2: Gibran Saad and Nico Ad-
jemian; Feb. 9: Tyrone Hawkins and
Max Faulkner.
Mac’s Trivia Night
•First Thursday of month, 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.
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/pend-
letonopenmic
Zerba Cellars Wine & Choco-
late Tasting
•Friday, Feb. 3; 4-7 p.m.
•Alexander’s Chocolaterie & Vino
Bistro, 363 S. Main St., Pendleton
No cover. Stop in and sample
the award-winning wines paired with
chocolates and shop for Valentine’s
Day.
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 Martini
Lounge
•Fridays; 9 p.m.-midnight
•Virgil’s at Cimmiyotti’s, 137 S.
Main St., Pendleton
No cover. Features martinis, mix-
ology and music.
Theater, stage & film
“The Producers”
•Jan. 28, Feb. 3-4, 10-11; 7:30
p.m.
•Jan. 29, Feb. 5; 2 p.m.
•1130 Sumach St., Walla Walla
www.ltww.org
$15. Hilarity ensues during the
Mel Brooks comedy musical when a
producer and his accountant aim to
stage a flop to bilk backers out of their
money.
Valentine’s Comedy Dinner
Show
•Saturday, Feb. 11; 6 p.m.
•Sub Zero Restaurant & Lounge,
100 W. Highway 730, Irrigon
$10. Alex Elkin from 6-8 p.m.,
Lucky Coyotes dancing starts at 9
p.m. Flat screen TV giveaway, raffles
and coupon for meal discount. Call
541-922-4374.
“RENT” 20th Anniversary
Tour
•Monday, Feb. 27; 7 p.m.
•Toyota Center, Kennewick
www.yourtoyotacenter.com
$37-$82 (tickets via www.ticket-
master.com). The Pulitzer Prize and
Tony Award-winning rock musical fol-
lows an unforgettable year in the lives
of seven artists struggling to follow
their dreams without selling out.
Hot tickets
•RENT 20th Anniversary Tour.
Feb. 27, Toyota Center, Kennewick.
$37-$82 via www.ticketmaster.com
•Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly
Weekend: April 13-16, Las Vegas.
Early bird four-day pass ($140) through
March 15 via www.vivalasvegas.net
•Northwest World Reggae Fes-
tival: (music, camping, food, vendors)
July 28-30, Marcola, 20 miles north-
east of Eugene. Super early bird prices
($100) through Feb. 1 via www.nwwrf.
com
———
Want to get your event listed in our
calendar? Send information to com-
munity@eastoregonian.com, or c/o
Tammy Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street,
Hermiston, OR, 97838.