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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 2018)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, February 24, 2018 East Oregonian Page 3C PENDLETON Area bars to mix it up for hall of fame By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Director John Ford ‘A guy who made Westerns’ I t was how he said he wanted to be remembered, and typically understated: A guy who made Westerns. When asked what artists he studied, Akira Kurosawa replied, “I study John Ford.” Steven Spielberg says that before he makes a movie, he has to watch Ford’s 1956 classic Western “The Stewart Searchers” for Kirby inspiration. Comment In the 1971 documentary “The Amer- ican West of John Ford,” John Wayne says, “He doesn’t just point the camera, he paints a picture with it.” The pictures he painted were often at odds with history. “Jack used history,” says Henry Fonda. “He didn’t feel he was married to it.” A six-time Academy Award winner, Ford never won an Oscar for a Western. He made his first Western in 1917 at the age of 22, a two-reeler starring himself. Notable among the 145 films he eventually directed, “Young Mr. Lincoln” (1939), “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940), and “My Darling Clementine” (1946), all starring Henry Fonda. But it was his choice to give a young assistant prop man a chance on screen that changed history, for better or worse. John Wayne (real name Marion Morrison) starred in his first Ford picture with “Stage- coach” (1939). This was Ford’s first talkie Western, and his first shot in Monument Valley. Located on the Arizona-Utah state line near Four Corners, the mesa-rich region is also called John Ford Country for the nine films he shot there. (2013’s “The Lone Ranger,” starring Johnny Depp, was shot largely in Monument Valley.) The problem with Ford’s Westerns is the totally inaccurate depiction of Native Americans. It’s easier to appreciate Ford’s films because they’re more accessible than the overtly racist works of film- making pioneer D.W. Griffith, but the accessibility also eases the racism along. In later years he dismissed concerns with his films by saying, “but my best friend is Woody Strode.” In “The Revenant” (2015) and the new film “Hostiles,” racial conflict is essential to the action. What would help is if we could all watch films sitting next to Martin Scorsese. For example, of “The Searchers,” Scorsese sees Ethan Edwards, the character played by John Wayne, as a “poet of hate” who “acts out the worst aspects of racism” when he shoots the eyes of a dead man so that, in accordance with the beliefs of his people, the man will never find paradise in the after-life. John Wayne liked the character so much, he named one of his kids after him. According to Jimmy Stewart, who starred with John Wayne and Lee Marvin in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” (1962), “For John Ford, there was no need for dialogue. The music said it all.” “Ford had the best eye,” says director John Milius. “The visuals in John Ford movies have never been surpassed.” To see why John Ford ranks with Orson Welles and Alfred Hitchcock as one of the most beloved and studied directors, check out “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (1949), “Rio Grande” (1950), or “The Quiet Man” (1952). ——— Stewart Kirby lives in La Grande. For stories and more, check out stewartkirby.blogspot. com Bartenders from nine local bars are getting ready to rumble as they raise money for the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame. The friendly competition features two-time winner Crabby’s Underground Saloon. Other returning competitors include Sundown Bar & Grill, Vigil’s at Cimmiyotti’s, Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon, Mac’s Bar & Grill, Sister’s Cafe, Wildhorse Sports Bar and Cadillac Jack’s Saloon & Grill. Also tossing their hat into the ring this year is The Prod- igal Son Brewery & Pub. The public is invited to help determine who will be File photo crowned “Best of West.” In Jennifer Thomas, center, pours the Pistol Whip while competing during a past its eighth year, the Battle of Battle of the Bars. This year’s event, which raises money for the Pendleton the Bars is Friday, March 2 Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame, is March 2 in the Let ‘er Buck Room. from 6-8 p.m. in the Let ’er Buck Room, located on the whichever establishments isn’t just a fun gathering — ging rights. Also, the hall Round-Up Grounds, 1205 they choose and cast a it provides crucial funding of fame wins by receiving S.W. Court Ave., Pendleton. vote for their favorite. to help support the hall of additional operating funds. The Pendleton Lions There is no cover charge for Also, a tasting portion fame, which is run entirely will be offered for those by volunteers. Club will sell dinner the 21-and-older event. As the clock edges throughout the event, Each establishment that would like to try each hamburgers, will create a signature concoction before voting, toward 8 p.m., the votes including drink containing Pendleton said Cydney Curtis, hall of will be tallied to determine cheeseburgers and German the winning bar, which will dogs. After the “Battle,” Whisky. People will be able fame publicity director. The event, Curtis said, receive a plaque and brag- the Let ’er Buck Room will to purchase a drink from remain open until 11 p.m. The 2017 Battle of the Bars drew record numbers, Curtis said. She expressed appreciation to the people that attend and the bars that participate. “They donate their time, staff and even some ingre- dients,” she said. “We could not do this without them.” Founded in 1969, the hall of fame preserves the history of Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon. Exhibits include everything from a full-sized teepee, wagons and clothing to delicate beadwork, saddles and photographs. In 2011, it received honorable mention in True West Magazine’s Top Western Museums. Located across from the Round-Up Grounds at 1114 S.W. Court Ave., the museum is open Monday through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admis- sion is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for kids under 10. For more information, call 541-278-0815 or visit www. pendletonhalloffame.com. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539 WHAT TO DO Festivals A Wee Bit O’Ireland •March 16-18 •Heppner No cover. The celebra- tion includes lots of food, fun events, great entertainment and a chance to win a pot o’gold. •Saturday, March 17; noon- 3 p.m. •Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo No cover. Downtown ven- dors, food and fun for the whole family. Race information to be announced. p.m. www.ticketfly.com •Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 Airport Road, Hermiston $20-$50. Features the best independent talent in the Pacif- ic Northwest as well as former WWE superstars. Matches in- clude Filthy Tom Lawlor vs MV Young, Mike Santiago vs Julian Whyt, Sonico vs Kaine Jaiden, Guerrero De Neón vs León Negro and more matches to be announced. Art, Museums & Authors “A Perception of Failure” •Saturday, Feb. 24; 6:30- 8:30 p.m. •Monday-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. •Betty Feves Memorial Gal- lery, Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Free. The first solo exhibit of artist Claire B. Jones encourage viewers to examine their ideas and experiences of failure. Gal- lery also open by appointment by calling 541-278-5952. Runs through March 22. “Eastern Oregon Regional High School Art Exhibition.” •Monday-Fridays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. •Nightingale Gallery, Loso Hall •Eastern Oregon University, La Grande www.eou.edu/art Free. Features the art- work of high school students form across the region. Runs through March 21. Wilderness & Sublimity: Pho- tography and the Conservation of Hells Canyon •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. Photographer Kend- rick Moholt organized two col- lections of photos (late-1960s to early 1970s and 2016) for a the exhibit that showcases the beauty of Hells Canyon. Runs through Feb. 24. 2018 ArtWORKz Junior Art Show & Competition •Jan. 27-March 17; 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. •Tamástslikt Cultural Insti- tute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org $10/adults, $9/senior citi- zens, $6/youths. View exhibit featuring youth artists from the region. Runs through March 17. 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. The work of Photog- raphy Club members is on dis- play. Runs through Feb. 28. Sweet Exhibit •Tuesday-Sundays, 10 Karaoke w/DJ David Acousta Noir •Fridays, 8 p.m. •The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Yaquina Bay Contributed photo • Friday, March 30; 7-11 Main St., Echo. •Saturday, Feb. 24; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. •Saturday, Feb. 24; 9 p.m. •Hamley Steakhouse & Sa- loon, 8 S.E. Court Ave., Pend- leton No cover. Features Joshua Esterline with his unique brand of folk, Americana and stomp rock music. Red to Red XC MTB Race Prestige Wrestling 4: Do or Die 24/7 The Milton-Freewater Downtown Alliance is pre- senting “Unlucky Charms,” a murder mystery din- ner presentation. Tickets are now available for the March 17 event. Downtown alliance rolls out St. Patrick’s Day event MILTON-FREEWATER — A St. Patrick’s Day-inspired meal and professional actors are featured during a murder mystery dinner event sponsored by the Milton-Freewater Downtown Alliance. “Unlucky Charms” is Saturday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Milton-Freewater Community Building, 109 N.E. 5th Ave. Advance tickets are $40. If available, tickets purchased at the door are $45. People are encouraged to tap into their inner Sherlock Holmes and attend the interactive event while supporting the downtown alliance. In addition, wine and beverages from the local Rocks District will be available for purchase. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call 541-969-4485 or visit www.facebook.com/ MFdowntown. Big Read features comic books presentation ENTERPRISE — Mike Lawrence, an Enterprise High School graduate who is an award-winning illustrator, will share about his work as part of the Big Read. Fishtrap’s signature winter event dives into the genre of comics and graphic storytelling with Lawrence, who will help make a connection with the novel, “Station Eleven,” which is the event’s focus. The book’s title comes from a mysterious graphic novel that the main character carries with her like a sacred artifact from the past, and becomes an important part of her future. The free event is Thursday. March 8 at 7 p.m. at Enterprise High School. Lawrence will reveal how the ancient art of graphic storytelling fires the imagination and inspires creative thinking through drawing. In addition, he’ll create a comic during the event and share why graphic storytelling is considered an important part of the literary tradition. For more information, contact Mike Midlo, Fishtrap program manager, at 541-426-3623 or mike@fishtrap.org. For more about the Big Read, including a full schedule, visit www.fishtrap.org. •Friday, March 2; 8-10 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Cof- fee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pend- leton No cover. All ages. Features the country music warrior who carries his guitar like a sword. Aaron Crawford •Friday, March 2; Saturday, March 3; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Young Artists Competition •Saturday, March 11; TBA •Hermiston High School •Saturday, March 3; regis- tration deadline www.inlandnorthwestmusi- cians.com Free. Inland Northwest Musicians seeks instrumental and voice participants up to age 25 for annual competition. (amassey@wtechlink.us or 541-379-5564). West My Friend •Wednesday, March 7; 7 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org $12. Hailing from Victoria, British Columbia, the band presents sonically adventurous acoustic music falling between Canadian folk and indie-pop. Advance tickets recommended. (541-278-9201). Gotcha Covered •Friday, March 9; Saturday, March 10; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Night life Zwickelmania •Saturday, Feb. 24.; 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. •Ordnance Brewing, 405 N. Olson Road, Boardman No cover. Beer tours, tast- ings and meet brewer and team. Battle of the Bars •Friday, March 2; 6-8 p.m. •Let ‘er Buck Room, 1205 S.W. Court Ave., Pendleton No cover. Adults 21 and old- er are invited to purchase drinks from nine bars that are creating concoctions with Pendleton Whisky. The winning bar will be crowned “Best of West.” Bene- fits Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame. Refreshments served until 11 p.m. Food available for pur- chase. Karaoke w/DJ David a.m.-6 p.m. •Peterson’s Gallery and Chocolatier, 1925 Main St., Baker City www.petersonsgallery.net Free. Features the work of regional artists. Also, check out the artisan chocolates just in time for Valentine’s Day. Runs through Feb. 28. Kids + Art = Fun! •Saturday, Feb. 24; 1-4 p.m. •Tamástslikt Cultural Insti- tute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org Free. Pepsi Primetime @ the Museum offers a family art project. The event is held in conjunction with the current exhibit, 2018 ArtWORKz Junior Art Show & Competition. Fishtrap Fireside •Friday, March 2; 7 p.m. •400 E. Grant St., Enterprise www.fishtrap.org Free. Features a trio of Wal- lowa County writers. An open mic follows for audience to share their stories. Music “Carnival of the Animals’” •Saturday, Feb. 24; 4 p.m. • Columbia Basin College, 2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco www.inlandnorthwestmusi- cians.com Free, donations accepted. The Inland Northwest Orches- tra, an ensemble of the Inland Northwest Musicians, performs Camille Saint-Saens’ “Carni- val of the Animals” and “Grand Canyon Suite” by Ferde Grofe. •Saturdays; 8 p.m. •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla DJ & Trivia •Saturdays; 9 p.m. •Midway Tavern, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston Thirsty Thursdays •Third Thursday; 6 p.m. •Midway Bar & Grill, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston No cover. Hosts a local brewery offering tastings. LOL Comedy Jam •Thursdays; 8 p.m. •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. No cover. March 1: Todd Johnson, PJ McGuire; March 8: Gabriel Rutledge, Casey Mc- Lain Wine tasting •Fridays, 4-8 p.m. •Sno Road Winery, 111 W. •Fridays; 8 p.m. •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla DJ and dancing Karaoke •Fridays; 9 p.m. •Midway Tavern, 1750 N. First 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, mixology and music. Theater, stage, film & lectures “Annie” •Feb. 22-24 & March 1-3; 7:30 p.m. •Feb. 25 & March 4; 2 p.m. •BMCC Bob Clapp Theatre, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pend- leton Feb. 22 is pay-what-you- can preview night; other per- formances, $20/adults, $10/ students. College Community Theatre presents the popular musical. Early reservations are encouraged as ticket sales are expected to be high (541-278- 5953). “The Fantasticks” •Feb. 22-24; 7:30 p.m. •Saturday, Feb. 24; 2:30 p.m. •Elgin Opera House, 104 N. Eighth St. www.elginoperahouse.com Reserved $17/$8. The long-running Off-Broadway mu- sical shares a fable of love that grows with the seasons. “Talking About Dying” •Wednesday, Feb. 28; 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. •Good Shepherd Medi- cal Center, 610 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston www.oregonhumanities.org/ calendar Free. The Conversation Project facilitates discussion about death and dying. “Unlucky Charms” •Saturday, March 17; 6:30 p.m. •Milton-Freewater Commu- nity Building, 109 N.E. Fifth Ave. $40 ($45 at the door). This St. Patrick’s Day murder mys- tery dinner event features a catered meal and professional actors. Limited seating (541- 969-4485). Hot tickets •Blue Oyster Cult (April 20, $24-$59) and Hal Ketchum (May 26, $25-$45), at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Buy tickets for the 21-and-older shows via the Wildhorse Gift Shop or www. wildhorseresort.com •Buddy — The Buddy Hol- ly Story. Feb. 25, Toyota Cen- ter, Kennewick. Tickets ($27- $67) via www.ticketmaster.com •Eagles. May 5, Moda Cen- ter, Portland. Tickets ($59-$400) via www.ticketmaster.com •Summer Concert Se- ries: Hunks the Show (June 2, $29-$65); Kim Russo: The Happy Medium (June 16, $65); Naughty by Nature, hip hop party w/ Sir Mix-A-Lot & Tone Loc (July 27, $49-$99); and Ra- mon Ayala (July 28, $49-$129) at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. All shows are 21-and-older, ex- cept the hip hop party, which is 18-and-older. Tickets available via the Wildhorse Gift Shop or www.wildhorseresort.com ——— Want to get your event listed in our calendar? Send information to community@ea- storegonian.com, or c/o Tammy Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street, Hermiston, OR, 97838.
