ENTERTAINMENT
Saturday, March 17, 2018
East Oregonian
JOSEPH
BRIEFLY
Josephy Center shines spotlight on women
By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
Three inspiring and talented
Wallowa County women take center
stage during a National Women’s
Month event in Joseph.
Featuring writers Pamela Royes,
Mary Emerick and musician Gail
Swart, A Women’s Tea is Sunday
at 4 p.m. at Josephy Center for Arts
and Culture, 403 Main St., Joseph.
Admission is free.
Published in June 2016, Royes’
memoir, “Temperance Creek,”
continues to fly off the shelves. As
a 20-something suburban college
student, she dropped out of school
in the mid-1970s after a chance
encounter with Skip Royes, a recently
returned Vietnam Veteran. The next
day, they embarked on a four-year
wilderness journey on horseback as
wandering sheepherders in the far
reaches of Hells Canyon.
Four decades later, Royes set
out on a new adventure — to write
her memoir. To hone her skills, she
participated in writing workshops
through Fishtrap, a nonprofit literary
organization based in Enterprise.
Sharing about the lifestyle and
landscape in her debut publication,
readers describe Royes’ writing as
lyrical. The narrative shares deep
emotions in an imaginative way
that paint detailed images. Royes
is currently working on her second
book, a work of fiction.
Growing up in the Midwest,
Emerick graduated with an English/
creative writing degree from Mich-
igan State University. Even while
working as a wildland firefighter
and embarking on a career with the
United States Forest Service, she’s
been a lifelong writer — from jour-
naling and blogging to anthologies
and magazines.
However, Emerick’s goal was to
eventually publish a book. It took
a handful of years of intermittent
writing as she juggled her day job
before finally releasing her first
novel in November 2015.
Inspiration for “The Geography
of Water,” Emerick said, spilled
into her head during wilderness
kayaking trips along the Alaskan
Panhandle’s rugged coastline.
Meeting people while passing
villages and communities sparked
her interest in how living in such
isolation impacted relationships.
During an EO Media Group
interview before the book’s launch,
Emerick said transitioning from
writing environmental analysis and
wilderness plans for her USFS job
to creating fiction proved difficult
at times. Participating in Fishtrap’s
A Wee Bit O’Ireland
•March 16-18
•Heppner
No cover. The celebration
includes lots of food, fun events,
great entertainment and a
chance to win a pot o’gold.
Red to Red XC MTB
Race
•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.
Hermiston Home & Out-
door Show
•Friday, March 23, 12-7 p.m.;
Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m.-6
p.m.; Sunday, March 25, 10
a.m.-2 p.m.
•Hermiston Community Cen-
ter, 415 S. Highway 395
www.mycolumbiabasin.com
Free admission. More than
45 vendors to assist with plan-
ning spring and summer proj-
ects. Food available for pur-
chase and activities available
for kids.
Prestige Wrestling 4: Do
or Die
• Friday,
March 30; 7-11
EO Media Group file photo
Described as Wallowa County’s favorite music teacher and musician, Gail Swart, is featured during a
National Women’s Month event Sunday in Joseph.
Imnaha Writers Retreat, she said,
helped her gain focus.
The rewards include being
chosen as a top-five finalist for the
2017 Ken Kesey Award for Fiction.
Although disappointed Oregon
Book Awards judges didn’t select
her novel, she has garnered positive
feedback.
“What matters are the emails, the
messages, the conversations I’ve
had with readers, who appreciated
and loved the book,” she said.
Less than two years later,
Emerick published “Fire in the
Heart: A Memoir of Friendship,
Loss, and Wildfire.” It recounts
her personal journey as a wildland
firefighter for more than two
decades. Emerick shares about her
fears, triumphs and transformation
from a timid and insecure youth to a
confident professional.
Nearly a native, Swart was
5 when she moved to Wallowa
County with her family. As a
youngster, her mother told her she
was blessed with a God-given talent
and had a responsibility to share it
with others. Now an octogenarian,
Swart taught in Enterprise for
more than 40 years and has been
recognized numerous times for her
service to the community.
Rich Wandschneider, Fishtrap’s
a.m.-1:30 p.m.
•Betty Feves Memorial Gal-
lery, Blue Mountain Communi-
ty 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 Re-
gional 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 artwork
of high school students form
across the region. Runs through
March 21.
2018 ArtWORKz Junior
Art Show & Competition
•Saturday, March 17; 10
a.m.-5 p.m. Last day
•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.
Spring at Peterson’s
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 Jaid-
en, Guerrero De Neón vs León
Negro and more matches to be
announced.
Art and Museums
Louise Bourgeois
•Tuesday-Sundays, 10 a.m.-
6 p.m.
•Peterson’s Gallery and
Chocolatier, 1925 Main St., Bak-
er City
www.petersonsgallery.net
Free. Features the work of
regional artists, including new
pieces by Tom Diamond, Shirlee
Severs and Jeannie Schroder,
as well as new chocolate items
from the Spring 2018 menu.
Runs through March 31.
Music
Pendleton Jazz Club 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. Exhibit features works
of Louise Bourgeois (1911-
2010), a French-American artist
whose work explores themes of
childhood, domesticity, family,
gender roles and sexuality. On
loan from the collection of Jor-
dan D. Schnitzer Family Foun-
dation. Runs through May 5. To
arrange after ours group view-
ings, call 541-278-9201.
•Saturday, March 17, 7 a.m.-
7 p.m.
•Rainbow Cafe, 209 S. Main
St., Pendleton
No cover charge. Event
starts just after 7 a.m. with short
parade. Numerous local musi-
cians perform throughout the
day. Guest musicians are Don’t
& Triplet (Portland), Dusty &
Moira (Joshua Tree, CA) and
Monica (Astoria). Open jazz jam
from noon to 3 p.m. Event con-
cludes with a parade at 7 p.m.
“A Perception of Failure”
•Saturday, March 17; 7-10
p.m.
•Monday-Thursdays,
9:30
Women’s month
crescendos with
showcase event
JOSEPH — The conclusion
of the month-long recognition
of National Women’s Month,
a celebration is planned in
Joseph.
In its fifth year, the Women,
Words & Music Showcase is
Saturday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at
the Josephy Center for Arts and
Culture, 403 Main St., Joseph.
Admission is $10 per person.
Everyone is invited to
help celebrate the women’s
talents and achievements.
The gathering includes
musical entertainment by the
a capella group Harmony
Rising, and musicians Lauren
Bihr, Meredith Brann, Emma
Carlson, Janis Carper, Carolyn
Lochert, Heidi Muller and
Laura Skovlin. Featured readers
are Lauren MacDonald (“Circle
Of Seasons Zine”) and Kristy
Athens (“Get your Pitchfork
On”). It’s also the final day of
an exhibition showcasing the
works of female artists.
For more information, call
541-432-0505 or visit www.
josephy.org.
EO Media Group file photo
Author Pamela Royes is fea-
tured during National Women’s
Month Sunday in Joseph. In
2016, she wrote about her four-
year wilderness journey during
the 1970s in Hells Canyon.
founding director, refers to Swart as
“Wallowa County’s favorite music
teacher and musician.”
“Her music has touched us for
decades, her piano notes ringing
in Enterprise school classrooms,
churches, the OK Theater, concert
halls, and the Wallowa Lake Lodge,
carrying us along from kindergarten
to Christmas,” Wandschneider said.
EO Media Group file photo
Mary Emerick juggled work as a
wildland firefighter and a career
with the United States Forest
Service before finally reaching a
goal of publishing a book. She
is part of a National Women’s
Month event Sunday in Joseph.
Also, as part of National
Women’s Month, an exhibition
showcasing the works of female
artists is on display at the Josephy
Center. The main gallery is open
Monday through Saturdays from
noon to 4 p.m. For more informa-
tion, call 541-432-0505 or visit
www.josephy.org.
WHAT TO DO
Festivals
Page 3C
St. Patrick’s with the
Irish Singers
•Great Pacific Wine & Coffee
Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton
No cover. All ages show fea-
tures traditional Irish tunes, with
stomping and clapping required.
Willow Creek Symphony
•Saturday, March 17; 7 p.m.
•Armand Larive Middle
School, 1497 S.W. Ninth St.,
Hermiston
•Sunday, March 18; 4 p.m.
•Gronquist Building, 11650
Railroad Ave., Arlington
www.inlandnorthwestmusi-
cians.com
Free, donations accept-
ed. An ensemble of the Inland
Northwest Musicians. Reception
follows to visit with performers.
Expertease
•Saturday, March 17; 8 p.m.
No cover
•Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild-
horse Resort & Casino, off I-84
Exit 216, Mission.
Mamabird Records Show-
case
•Monday, March 19; 7-9 p.m.
•Great Pacific Wine & Coffee
Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton
No cover. All ages event.
The American West
•Wednesday, March 21; 7-9
p.m.
•Great Pacific Wine & Coffee
Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton
No cover. All ages show
features Portland songwriter
Matthew Zeltzer and Maria Mai-
ta-Keppeler.
Cory Peterson
•Thursday, March 22; 7 p.m.
•40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant
Ave., Pendleton
No cover during Live Music
Thursday.
Caitlin Jemma Band w/
Bart Budwig and his
Band
•Thursday, March 22; 7-9
p.m.
•Great Pacific Wine & Coffee
Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton
No cover. All ages show fea-
tures a double bill.
Jilt
•Friday, March 23; Saturday,
March 24; 8 p.m. No cover
•Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild-
horse Resort & Casino, off I-84
Exit 216, Mission.
Weston Simonis
•Thursday, March 29; 7 p.m.
•40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant
Ave., Pendleton
No cover during Live Music
Thursday.
Open Mic at GP
•Thursday, March 29; 7-9
p.m.
•Great Pacific Wine & Coffee
Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton
No cover. All ages are wel-
come during the last Thursday
of each month. Bring your instru-
ment, voice, family and friends.
Night life
Karaoke w/DJ David
•Saturdays; 8 p.m.
•Riverside Sports Bar, 1501
Sixth St., Umatilla
Saturday Trivia Nights
•Saturdays in March; 9 p.m.
•Midway Bar & Grill, 1750 N.
First St., Hermiston
No cover. Join in for trivia fun
and a chance to win prizes. Also
features DJ music.
Karaoke at the Packard
•1st/3rd
Wednesday,
9
p.m.-midnight
•The Packard Tavern, 118
S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton
No cover.
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 22: Travis
Nelson, Bo Johnson; March 29:
Monica Levi, Brent Flyberg
Wine tasting
•Fridays, 4-8 p.m.
•Sno Road Winery, 111 W.
Main St., Echo.
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
Karaoke
•Fridays; 9 p.m.
•Midway Tavern, 1750 N.
First 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 & lectures
“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. (541-969-4485).
Our Opioid Crisis
•Tuesday, March 20; 7 p.m.
•BMCC, Room ST-200, 2411
N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton
$5/adults,
free/students.
Eastern Oregon Forum panel
features Eric Holeman, clinical
pharmacist; Dr. Joel Rice, board
certified psychiatrist specializing
in addiction medicine; Dr. Chuck
Hofmann, medical director at
New Directions Northwest, an
addiction treatment center; Mike
Stensrud, Umatilla County’s
Eastern Oregon prescription
drug overdose prevention co-
ordinator; and Stuart Roberts,
Pendleton police chief.
“The Last Hot Lick”
•Saturday, April 14; 3 p.m.
•BMCC Bob Clapp Theatre,
2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pend-
leton
$11/general, $8/ Round-
Up and Happy Canyon Hall of
Fame members. Advance tick-
ets available beginning March
12 at the Pendleton Round-
Up and Happy Canyon Hall of
Fame, 1114 S.W. Court Ave.,
Pendleton (541-278-0815). The
film, which includes scenes shot
in Pendleton, Rufus, Wasco and
the Painted Hills, stars Jamie
Leopold and Jennifer Smeija,
two Portland musicians. A per-
son attending the screening will
win a new Pendleton Woolen
Mills Bucking Horse Blanket.
Hot tickets
•Umatilla County Fair main
stage performers (cost TBA).
Reserved and premium seating
go on sale April 4. Watch for de-
tails in upcoming edition.
•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
•Eagles. May 5, Moda Cen-
ter, Portland. Tickets ($59-$400)
via www.ticketmaster.com
•Summer Concert Series:
Hunks the Show (June 2, $29-
$65); Kim Russo: The Happy
Medium (June 16, $65); Naugh-
ty by Nature, hip hop party w/
Sir Mix-A-Lot & Tone Loc (July
27, $49-$99); and Ramon Ayala
(July 28, $49-$129) at Wildhorse
Resort & Casino. All shows are
21-and-older, except the hip hop
party, which is 18-and-older,Tick-
ets available via the Wildhorse
Gift Shop or www.wildhorsere-
sort.com
———
Want to get your event list-
ed in our calendar? Send in-
formation to community@eas-
toregonian.com, or c/o Tammy
Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street,
Hermiston, OR, 97838.
Post-Americana
group to make stop
in Pendleton
PENDLETON — Fresh
from featuring from a European
tour, The American West is
making a stop in Pendleton.
The post-Americana duo
features Portland’s Matthew
Zeltzer (guitar/vocals) and
Maria Maita-Keppeler (vocals,
violin). They are currently
promoting their new album,
“The Soot Will Bring Us Back
Again.”
The event is Wednesday,
March 21 from 7-9 p.m. at
Great Pacific Wine & Coffee
Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton.
There is no cover charge for the
all-ages show.
For more information, call
541-276-1350. For more about
the The American West, visit
www.theamericanwestmusic.
com.
FILM
New film reveals
Muppet secrets
By SANDY COHEN
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES — Only
Miss Piggy’s creator knows the
depths of her tragic origin story.
Frank Oz, who gave life to the
character in the early 1970s,
says Piggy left her hometown
farm for life in the big city after
her dad died in a tractor accident
and she had a falling out with
her mother.
Piggy went to charm school
once she got to
the Big Apple,
Oz says, “but she
had to pay for it,
so she did some
things she wasn’t
proud of.” (A
bacon commer- Frank Oz
cial, he adds.)
Gonzo’s
daring nature was born out
of puppeteer Dave Goelz’s
personal insecurities, and actor/
puppeteer Jerry Nelson drew on
Eeyore’s depressive demeanor
to create Snuffleupagus’ signa-
ture phrase — “Oh, dear” — on
“Sesame Street.”
It takes more than a wacky
voice to bring a Muppet to life.
Every character has a detailed
backstory dreamed up by the
puppeteer behind it — or rather,
beneath it. The artists who created
some of the Muppets’ most
beloved characters — Cookie
Monster, Grover, Count von
Count, Bunson Honeydew,
Animal, Prairie Dawn and Pepe
the King Prawn — shed light on
their creative processes and their
characters’ secret backstories in a
new documentary, “Muppet Guys
Talking ,” available online Friday.
“This is a great opportunity
to show people who the people
were underneath,” says Oz, who
directed the film. “Besides the
idea of showing the world the
culture in which we lived and
worked because of (Muppets
creator) Jim (Henson).”
Featuring original Muppet
performers Oz, Goelz and
Nelson, along with Fran Brill
and Bill Barretta, the 65-minute
documentary is a love letter
to Henson and the creative
community he developed. The
five artists discuss their memo-
ries, moments of inspiration and
the challenges of working with
puppets.