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.