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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2017)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, March 11, 2017 BRIEFLY Dave Stamey saddles up for tour DAYTON, Wash — Referred to as “the Charlie Russell of Western Music,” Dave Stamey will perform an upcoming show in Dayton, Washington. Not someone who merely wears a 10-gallon Stamey hat and rides horses, Stamey has been a cowboy, mule packer and dude wrangler. In addition, he’s an award-winning entertainer. Among the notches in his belt are being named Entertainer of the Year by the Western Music Association and receiving the Will Rogers Award from the Academy of Western Artists. Stamey will perform Friday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at the Liberty Theater, 344 E. Main St., Dayton. Tickets are $20 each and are expected to sell out. For more information, contact kirsten@libertytheater. org, 509-382-1380 or visit www. libertytheater.org. CCT sets double auditions for ‘The Odd Couple’ PENDLETON — College Community Theatre is hosting auditions for the classic comedy “The Odd Couple.” However, the production will go beyond classic, as they will present both a “male” and female” version of the familiar show. “Odd Couple” is the story of two friends who unexpectedly find themselves roommates — one a total slob, the other an obsessive neat freak — and the hilarious clash of personalities, priorities and sensibilities that ensues. The “male” and “female” versions of the show will alternate performances over the two-week run in May. Directed by Craig McIntosh, Blue Mountain Community College theatre arts instructor and CCT artistic director, the “male” version calls for a cast of six men and two women. The “female” version, directed by CCT president Steve Bowen, needs six women and two men. Roles in the play are open to everyone in the community. No advance preparations are needed. The auditions are Wednesday, March 15 and Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. in Bob Clapp Theatre, located in Pioneer Hall at BMCC in Pendleton. The performance dates are May 11-14 and 18-21. For more information, contact 541-278- 5928 or cct@bluecc.edu. PENDLETON — A group of Pendleton stars will hit the dance floor to help raise money for area nonprofit organizations. Professionals with the Utah Ballroom Dance Company will help hone the skills of participants as they waltz away for their chosen charities during Dancing With Your Pendleton Stars. The event, which is in its third year is sponsored by Community Action Program East Central Oregon. The local dancers and who they are dancing for include Kristen Swaggart (Pendleton Warming Station), Donna Biggerstaff (Pendleton Young Life), Danny Bane (United Way of Umatilla County), Debbie McBee (Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon), Scott Fairley (Pioneer Relief Nursery) and Mike Ciraulo (Pregnancy Care Center of Pendleton). The event is Saturday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at the Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Tickets are $20 and are available at CAPECO, Dave’s Chevron and the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce. Money from ticket sales go to support CAPECO programs. Money donated on behalf of each dancer goes to the charity of their choosing. In order to have donations count for the dancer’s overall score, the money must be submitted prior to the show. For more information, call 541-276-1926 or stop by the CAPECO office, 721 S.E. Third St, Suite D, Pendleton. Watch for an upcoming article that introduces people to the dancers and their charities. Page 3C New documentary explores Oregon’s native tribes and the land they lost Oregon Public Broadcasting PORTLAND — This month, OPB will premiere a new Oregon Experience documentary “Broken Treaties,” which examines the history of the native people of Oregon, and how they went from possessing 100 percent of the state’s land to nearly none of it. The one-hour documentary premieres March 20 at 9 p.m. on OPB TV and will be available to watch online at opb.org/ brokentreaties at the same time. Oregonians today generally know little about the first inhabitants of the region, the tribal people who lived here for thousands of years before European contact. Indians still have a significant presence, with nine federally recognized tribes located around the state, yet they continue to live “off the radar” of most non-Indians. Before Euro-Americans came West, this region was home to a diverse and remarkable mix of Indian tribes and native languages. What is now Oregon was Indian country—hundreds of villages in an environment of natural abundance, in which most people thrived. In the early 1830s, the Oregon Trail established a direct route to the Pacific Northwest. The government encouraged Americans to make the journey and settle here to strengthen its claim to the territory. Two “Broken Treaties” The one-hour documentary premieres Monday, March 20, at 9 p.m. on OPB TV and will be available to watch online at opb.org/brokentreaties. It is written and produced by Eric Cain and edited by Lisa Suinn Kallem. Image from OPB “Broken Treaties” premieres March 20, 9 p.m. on OPB TV and online. Congressional laws, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and The Organic Act of 1848, each declared the United States’ commitment of good faith and fair treatment toward the native people. Early settlers often did not heed these pronouncements. They settled where they pleased, which began the slow but relentless acquisition of the Indians’ most valued asset: their land. The transfer of land away from the Indians took more than a century and assumed many forms—and it was effective. In 1850, before any treaties had been signed or any land legally acquired from the Indians, Congress passed the Donation Land Act, giving 320 acres of Indian land to every settler who wanted it. Within five years, they would claim 2.8 million acres of it. Congress sent envoys to acquire Indian land legally through treaties, even as the government—before any documents were ratified— continued to promote settlement there. Frequent conflicts broke out between the newcomers and the Indians. Ultimately, most tribes, weakened by introduced disease and fearing extermination, signed treaties. This typically entailed ceding most of the tribes’ land to the government and moving the Indians to a reservation. Sometimes those treaties were not ratified and never became legally binding, yet the government kept the land and kept the Indians away. Today, the native people’s history remains punctuated with unfulfilled promises and unfinished business. Yet most Indian populations, education levels and economic power are on the rise. Most Oregon tribes contribute significantly to their surrounding communities through natural resource improvements, casino jobs and philanthropic giving. Though many others may still not know much about them, the tribes of Oregon are increasingly making their presence known. The new Oregon Experience documentary “Broken Treaties” offers an introduction to the Indian tribes of Oregon, the treaties they signed and the land they lost. It examines the injustice endured by the tribes and illuminates a chapter of Northwest history that is rarely talked about. It features interviews with Umatilla tribal member Bobbie Connor, director at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. WHAT TO DO Festivals dy’s costume. Wee Bit O’ Ireland Celebration •9 p.m. •149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. St. Patrick’s Party features green beer, food and drink specials. Pure Romance Bingo! Cards ($2 each, 3/$5, or 8/$10) from 10 p.m. to midnight for a chance for prizes. •March 16-19 •Heppner, various locations www.heppnerchamber.com Free. Get your green on and get ready for some Irish fun. Live music, Irish brogue contest, parade, sheep dog tri- als, Cruz-In car show, Welly Toss, Road Bowling, meals, vendor displays, fund- raisers and fun for youths. Echo Red 2 Red XC The Pheasant Bar & Grill Art, Museums Let’s Call It Spring •April 1 •Intersection Main/Dupont streets, Echo www.echored2red.com $45/adults, $20/youths. In its ninth year, riders start and finish in downtown Echo. Includes all ages and skill levels with awards and a raffle after the race. Race postponed from March due to trail conditions. •Tuesday-Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. •Peterson’s Gallery and Chocolatier, 1925 Main St., Baker City www.petersonsgallery.net Free. Features a collection of bright and colorful artwork by favorite artists. In addition, new spring chocolate line is available. Opening reception held in conjunction with the First Friday Artwalk. Runs through March 31. St. Patrick’s Day •Tuesday-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free. Chuck Close: Portraits, from the collection of Jordan Schnitzer. •Friday, March 17 Midway Bar & Grill •11 a.m. to close •1750 N. First St., Hermiston No cover. St. Patrick’s Party features food and drink specials, including corned beef cabbage and green beer. Karaoke at 9:30 p.m. Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon •4 p.m. to close •8 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton No cover. Live music features the Lucky Charms. Food and drink specials, and a chance to win prizes. Chuckwagon Cafe •11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. •81027 N. Highway 395, Hermiston No cover. Food specials Friday and Saturday, including corned beef and cab- bage. Red Lion Pendleton stars to raise money for local charities East Oregonian •7 p.m. •Red Lion, 304 S.E. Nye Ave., Pend- leton No cover. Features live music by Brass Fire, a regional horn band, playing the music of Santana, Chicago, Elvis, Earth Wind & Fire and more. Sub Zero Restaurant & Lounge •9 p.m. •100 W. Highway 730, Irrigon No cover. St. Patrick’s Party includes a scavenger hunt, raffles and door prizes. The Packard Tavern •Morning and evening •118 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton No cover. Morning special for the ear- ly birds, beer pong, green beer, raffles and contest for most ridiculous St. Pad- Chuck Close Laura Ahola-Young exhibit •Monday-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. •Thursday, March 16; 4:30-6:30 p.m., closing reception •Betty Feves Memorial Gallery, BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pend- leton. Free. Features paintings by Idaho State University art professor. Gallery also open by appointment by calling 541- 278-5952. Runs through March 16. First Draft Writers’ Series •Thursday, March 16; 7 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free. Features Pamela Royes, au- thor of the memoir “Temperance Creek,” set in Hells Canyon. Also, short open mic readings from the audience. Eastern Oregon Regional High School Exhibit •Monday-Fridays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. •Nightingale Gallery, Loso Hall •Eastern Oregon University, La Grande www.eou.edu/art Free. Features talented high school artists from across the region, including art students from Pendleton and Echo high schools. Runs through March 21. “The Path of Totality” •Monday, April 3; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., art accepted •Friday, April 7; 5:30-8 p.m., opening 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 amateur and professional artists depicting the theme inspired by the upcoming Aug. 21 total solar eclipse. Show and sale runs April 7-29. Music Gotcha Covered •Saturday, March 11; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Re- sort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission “Sunrise Mass” •Saturday, March 11; 7:30 p.m. •Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton www.oregoneastsymphony.org $20/adults, $15/students, seniors, $45/family. Oregon East Symphony con- ductor Beau Benson leads the sympho- ny and chorale in the orchestral chorale work by contemporary Norwegian com- poser Ola Gjeilo. Live Music Thursday •Thursdays 7-9 p.m. No cover •40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton Gary Hemenway & Clairece Rosati •Friday, March 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m. •Plateau, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Varies. Dining experience with local wines and music. Reservations recom- mended (541-966-1610). 4More •Friday, March 17; Saturday, March 18; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Re- sort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission Dufur Hoot •Saturday, March 18; 6:30-9 p.m. •Historic Balch Hotel, 40 S. Heimrich St., Dufur www.balchhotel.com No cover. Featuring an evening of Central Oregon Bluegrass. Jam Night •Friday, March 24; 6:30-9 p.m. •Historic Balch Hotel, 40 S. Heimrich St., Dufur www.balchhotel.com No cover. Brewers Grade •Friday, March 24; Saturday, March 25; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Re- sort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission Theater & film “Fiddler on the Roof” •March 11; 7 p.m. •Hermiston High School, 600 S. First St., Hermiston. $10/adults, $6/youths & seniors citizens. Hermiston High school drama and music students present the popu- lar musical. “The Odd Couple” auditions •Wednesday, March 15, Thursday, March 16; 7 p.m. •BMCC Bob Clapp Theatre, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton Free. College Community Theatre will present a “male” and “female” ver- sion of the classic comedy. All commu- nity members are welcome to audition. “Moana” •Friday, March 31; 7 p.m. •Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton www.pendletonparksandrec.com Free. Family-friendly movie. Con- cessions available for purchase. Hot tickets •Dave Stamey (award-winning cowboy entertainer): April 7, Liberty Theater, Dayton, Washington. ($20) via www.libertytheater.org •2-Day Midget Wrestling Fiesta! (Micro Wrestling Federation): April 14-15, Midway Bar & Grill, Hermiston. VIP, front row and general admission ($20-$40) via thepheasant.ticketleap. com •Chippendale’s: April 29 at Wild- horse Resort & Casino. Tickets ($34- $54) available via www.wildhorsere- sort.com •Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend: April 13-16, Las Vegas. Early bird four-day pass ($140) through March 15 via www.vivalasvegas.net •What the Festival: June 16-19, Wolf Run Ranch, near Dufur. Three- day music, art, film and interactive fes- tival. Features 90 electronic music DJs on eight stages and the largest splash pool in North America. Camping op- tions available ($300-$2,500) via www. whatthefestival.com •Northwest World Reggae Fes- tival: (music, camping, food, ven- dors) July 28-30, Marcola, 20 miles northeast of Eugene. Early bird prices ($120) 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. MOVIE REVIEW In ‘Skull Island,’ Kong gets drafted into Vietnam By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer Not since Marlon Brando in “Apocalypse Now” murmured of “the horror” has such a brooding beast lurked deep within a war-ravaged jungle as the King Kong of “Kong: Skull Island.” Yes, the big ape is back, this time with a rollicking Vietnam War backdrop and the Creedence Clearwater-thumping soundtrack to match. The year is 1973, Nixon is pulling troops out of Vietnam and American explorer Bill Randa (John Goodman) has convinced a senator (Richard Jenkins) to bankroll a quick expedition on the way out to an uncharted South Pacific island where “myth and science meet.” Unlike Brando’s Colonel Kurtz, we don’t have to wait very long for our errand boys — a cobbled- together team lead by Lieutenant Colonel Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) — to encounter Kong on the exotic island. No sooner has their swarm of helicopters penetrated the island’s permanently stormy perimeter is Kong swatting them away like flies, and the soldiers —fresh off the failed “Kong: Skull Island” ★★☆☆ PG-13, 118 minutes Warner Bros. Pictures via AP This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows a scene from “Kong: Skull Island.” war — yet again find themselves in a gruesome quagmire. What’s a gorilla got to do with Vietnam? Well, that’s the 800-pound metaphor in the room. “Kong: Skull Island” is the latest in a long line of reboots going back to the 1933 original. The disappointment of Peter Jackson’s lavish but bloated 2005 attempt pushed producers to explore some other kind of evolution for the chest-pounding primate. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts has uprooted the tale from its imperialist origins (beware of what you plunder abroad) and commissioned Kong as a stand-in for the folly of Vietnam. The shift, which follows a brief World War II preamble, gives “Kong: Skull Island” a strange and surreal energy. An “Apocalypse Now” with monsters is about as bizarre a fit as you’d expect. It is, at least, not the cookie-cutter monster movie it might have been, and Vogt-Roberts — who fills his movie with napalm gas, a chattering Nixon bobble head and fireballs in dense jungles — gleefully plunges into his cartoonish, digitally rendered heart of darkness. The result is at turns grim and goofy. “Kong: Skull Island,” penned by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein and Derek Connolly, is never quite sure which it wants to be, but Vogt-Roberts is having too much fun to care. The team includes a British ex-spy (Tom Hiddleston, who tries to do little beyond handsomely smolder through the film), a self-described “anti-war” photojournalist (Brie Larson, mostly just running with the pack and, later, catching Kong’s eye), and a handful of Vietnam vets under Packard’s command. Ultimately, the film’s Vietnam setting is less about warfare and history than finding an intoxicating canvas for a pretty old story. “Kong: Skull Island” is more about the monster clashes and, as the post-credit clip (a true commercial) proves, setting up future installments. A wider kaiju-verse is planned. King Kong, like many before him, has merely been drafted into a war not his choosing.
