ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, March 2, 2019 East Oregonian Young rapper riding the beat Lil X-Rey cashing in on music streams, live shows The pulsating beat and poetic words of urban rap and hip-hop provided an escape from boredom for a 16-year-old Hermiston youth. Lil X-Rey has parlayed his talents into hundreds of thousands of listens and gigs across the Northwest. A sophomore at Hermiston High School, Rey is inter- ested in business and mar- keting as a way to promote himself in the future. One of his classmates came up with the moniker Lil X-Rey from his given name of Rey Rodriguez. The teen was the sophomore prince on the HHS home- coming court in the fall. “It’s kind of a popularity thing,” he said about being crowned. “A lot of people know me for my music.” While he used to play a lot of basketball, Rey spends a lot of his time these days writing lyrics. Rey admits he’s just an average stu- dent, instead focusing his energies on riding the wave of his popularity on music platforms, writing lyrics and performing at shows. “I currently have over 250,000 streams of my music, 13,000 Instagram followers and have con- certs all over Boise, Seattle, Tri-Cities and recently had Tylor & the Train Robbers rolling into town The Boise-based band Tylor & the Train Robbers is hitting the road, including three area performances. Featuring Helix native Tylor Ketchum, they per- form Americana folk with country grit. The group is on the road promoting their upcoming release “Best of the Worst Kind.” The April 26 album is now available for pre-order. Upcoming perfor- mances include Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at Ten By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Contributed photo Lil X-Rey, an up-and-coming rap artist from Hermiston, engages the crowd during a Feb. 15 performance at the Funhouse in Seattle. one in Umatilla,” he said. Rey started out perform- ing with his friends and put- ting a couple of his songs on Soundcloud and other music platforms. His first song attracted 1,000 listens within a week. “I thought that was a lot,” Rey said. “Then one song did like 20,000 in a week.” Currently, “Zooted Up,” a collaboration with Ghou- lavelii, has more than 87,300 plays on Soundcloud. After networking with other art- ists in the region, he got the attention of promot- ers. Last spring, Rey said his first packed house per- formance in the Tri-Cities drew upward of 500 people. “My Hermiston area crowd and Tri-City area crowd came supporting me,” he said. “It just blew up from there.” Rey is currently under a management company. He’s hopeful with continued suc- cess and additional knowl- edge, he can learn more about the business end of decision-making, managing and promoting himself. “I like making music,” he said. “I write all my stuff. I pretty much put on some LED lights for the mood and put on the beat.” Many of his songs have the Parental Advisory label for explicit content. With lyrics featuring strong lan- guage and depictions of sub- stance use, sex or weapons, Rey said it’s not really what he’s about. “It’s just part of the show,” he said. “I don’t really smoke. I don’t do drugs. It’s just all part of the show. You know, it sells.” Rey describes himself as a fun person who likes to make jokes and hang out with his friends. He’s excited about the future and a bit surprised by his success. “It does blow my mind, though, because I’m from Hermiston,” he said. C3 Depot Station, 10 Depot St., La Grande; Friday, March 8 at 9 p.m. at Ham- ley Steakhouse & Saloon, 8 S.E. Court Ave., Pendle- ton; and Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton. There is no cover charge for the shows. For more information about the band or to pre-or- der their upcoming release, visit www.tylorandthet- rainrobbers.com. Duos take stage during Tunesmith Night ENTERPRISE — The upcoming monthly show- case of original musicians will feature a pair of duos during Tunesmith Night. Presented by the Wal- lowa Valley Music Alli- ance, the Saturday, March 9 show includes songwrit- ing duos Wanderlodge from Portland and Wal- lowa County’s Jezebel’s Mother. The show begins at 7 p.m. at Sugar Time Bakery, 107 N. River St., Enterprise. The cost is $10 for the all-ages event. Sugar Time’s kitchen will be open, offering soups, sandwiches and sweet treats. There is no adult beverage service, but peo- ple may bring their own. Featuring Matt Cadenelli and Kris Stu- art, Wanderlodge weaves together several musi- cal styles to offer melo- dious vistas aligned with insightful lyrical mus- ings. Jezebel’s Mother highlights the songwrit- ing prowess of song- writing friends Carolyn Lochert and Janis Carper, who present a swirling sound with rhythms and harmonies. Tunesmith Night is presented monthly. For more information, contact info@wvmusicalliance. org or visit www.wvmusi- calliance.org. New Disney area to immerse parkgoers in a Star Wars story By JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. Associated Press Disney Parks/Lucasfilm via AP This rendering released by Disney and Lucas- film shows people on the planned Inside Mil- lennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction, part of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. LOS ANGELES — The world of Star Wars is coming from a galaxy far, far away to become the largest sin- gle-themed land created in a Disney park. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is an adventure through the grungy planet Batuu where guests can build their own droids and lightsabers, inter- act with aliens and climb into the cockpit of the massive Mil- lennium Falcon, where you will discover your mission and engage in a dogfight with tie fighters. The sprawling 14-acre land is set on a remote world in the newest “Star Wars” trilogy — so don’t expect appearances by Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader. But some familiar faces including Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and fan-favorite Chewbacca will be a part of the adventure as visitors explore the immer- sive world. Galaxy’s Edge is set to open this summer at the Disney- land Resort in Anaheim, Cal- ifornia, then in the fall at Dis- ney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. The lands at both parks are nearly iden- tical and offer a mix of trad- ing outposts, a cantina and even a wooded area where Resistance fighters have set up camp. Entry is included with a park ticket, but it’ll cost more for guests who want to create their own lightsaber or pur- chase their own droid modeled on R2-D2 or BB-8. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Cha- pek said guests inside Gal- axy’s Edge will have persistent interaction with Star Wars ele- ments, whether it’s Storm- troopers barking orders or the up-tempo, swinging music of a grimy cantina that yes, serves Star Wars-themed alcohol. “You will not think you’re in a theme park,” he said. “Every cast member will be in charac- ter, the food and beverage and language will be in story. The merchandise inside the shops won’t be in boxes that say Dis- ney on them. Everything is very, very immersive.” WHAT TO DO FESTIVALS A Country Music Experience •Saturday, March 2; 5:30 p.m. •Let’er Buck Room at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds, 1205 S.W. Court Ave. www.eventbrite.com $40. The Woolery Project fea- tures Jodi harms and the Harms Way band, a chuckwagon dinner and a no-host bar. Live music for listening and dancing. Beer MaXfest 2019 •Friday, March 8, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, March 9; 4-10 p.m. •Maxwell Siding Pavilion., 255 N. First St., Hermiston www.hermistonbrewingcom- pany.com VIP & general tickets/TBA. Craft beer festival in celebration of the grand opening of Maxwell Siding Pavilion. Features craft brews, music, food and friends. (Call 541-289-7415 or stop by Nookie’s/Hermiston Brewing Co., 125 N. First St.). A Wee Bit O’Ireland •March 14-17 •Heppner, multiple venues www.facebook.com Free admission. The fami- ly-friendly 37th annual celebra- tion features lots of food and drinks, fun events (Welly toss, Great Green Parade, fun run/ walk), great entertainment and with the luck of the Irish, maybe you’ll win a pot o’gold. Red to Red XC MTB Race •Saturday, March 16; 11 a.m. •Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo www.echored2redxc.com No spectator fee. $20-$50/ race entry. Food, drink music available Friday, March 15 from 5-9 p.m. during race registration. Activities in downtown Echo during the race. Awards/raffle at about 3:30 p.m. (Stephanie, 541-289-2444). ART, MUSEUMS & AUTHORS “On the Tip of my Tongue” •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. Features the collage art- work of Cory Peeke, professor of art at Eastern Oregon University and director of Nightingale Gal- lery. Also, latest work by Emily Taylor Cress is displayed in the Lorenzen Board Room Gallery. Runs through March 2. 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 artwork of high school students from throughout the region. Runs through March 15. “ArtWORKZ Junior Art Show & Competition” •Monday-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. •Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org $10/adults, $9/seniors, $7/ youths & students. Youths through age 18 compete for awards. Awards presentation is March 9 at 1 p.m. Exhibit runs through March 30. “Women on the Edge” •Monday through Saturdays; noon-4 p.m. •Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St., Joseph www.josephy.org Free. In conjunction with Women’s History Month, the exhibit celebrates talented women. Exhibit opening March 2 at 7 p.m. Runs through April 18. “How it Looks on Paper” •Monday-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. •Betty Feves Memorial Gal- lery, BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Free. Features the work of Marie Noorani, who both creates and destroys as she takes apart and reassembles each piece. Gal- lery also open by appointment by calling 541-278-5952. Runs Feb. 18 through March 14. Artist reception is Thursday, March 14 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. MUSIC Oldies Night in Milton-Freewater •Saturday, March 2; 7 p.m. •Wesley Methodist Church, 816 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater. Free. Highlighting the British Invasion, BJ the DJ spins tunes of 1964. Come an hour early for bonus songs. Expertease •Saturday, March 2; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Mise with Monica •Wednesday, March 6; 7 p.m. No cover, all ages •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton Austin Lindstrom Live! •Friday, March 8; 6:30 p.m. No cover. •Nookie’s/Hermiston Brewing Co., 125 N. First St., Hermiston No cover. The 2011 Pendle- ton High School graduate traded in his spurs for a guitar. The for- mer steer wrestler and tie-down roper plays solo shows and with the band, Wheatlanders. Jeff Crosby and the Refugees •Friday, March 8; 7 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. All ages. Nash- ville-dwelling Americana artist Jeff Crosby has picked up some recent song-writing awards and is riding the wave from his most recent release “Postcards from Magdalena.” Talbott Brothers •Friday, March 8; 7 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org $10. Portland-based duo known for their harmonies, sto- rytelling and infectious melo- dies. (541-278-9201). The Mix •Friday, March 8; Saturday, March 9; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Matt Hopper & the Roman Candles •Wednesday, March 13; 7 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. All ages. Offers a dizzying array of music rooted in classic rock tradition and mod- ern rock experimentation. Sway •Friday, March 15; Saturday, March 16; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Cale Moon •Friday, March 15; 9 p.m. •Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon, 8 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton •Saturday, March 16; 9 p.m. •Midway Bar & Grill, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston No cover. Nashville recording artist who has played through- out the region and beyond. Hailing from the Tri-Cities, sev- eral years ago Moon’s family purchased a recreational vehi- cle and hit the road — and he’s still tearing up the highways and byways, strumming along the way. Stompin’ Ground •Saturday, March 16, 8 p.m. •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla $7/cover at 7 p.m. High-en- ergy country rock band from the Tri-Cities. THEATER, STAGE, FILM & LECTURES Sensory Friendly Movie •Saturday, March 2; 10:30 a.m. •Hermiston Stadium 8 Cin- ema, 355 W. Theater Lane w w w.w w w. fa ce b o o k . co m / arcofumatillacounty $5.50. In conjunction with The Arc Umatilla County, sen- sory-friendly screenings with lights up a little and volume down. Doors open at 10 a.m. “How to Train Your Dragon: Hid- den World.” “Godspell” •Sunday, March 3; 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. •BMCC Bob Clapp Theatre, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton www.cctpendleton.com $15/adults, $10/students & children over 3. College Com- munity Theatre presents the popular musical, which features modern-day reenactments of biblical parables. (Box office 541-278-5953) “Ralph Breaks the Internet” •Friday, March 15, 7:15 p.m.; Saturday, March 16; 2:15 p.m. •SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, Boardman www.visitsage.com $3/person. Children must be accompanied by an adult. View movie and receive free bag of popcorn with admission. Water is available for purchase. HOT TICKETS •Masters of Illusion. (March 16, $49-$69), at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Buy tickets for the 21-and-older show via the Wild- horse Gift Shop (20 percent off for military personnel) or www. wildhorseresort.com •Midget Wrestling Enter- tainment. (March 30, $20-$40), at The Pheasant Blue Collar Bar & Grill, Hermiston. Buy tickets for the 21-and-older show at the bar or via https://thepheasant.tick- etleap.com (541-567-3022). •The Rolling Stones. No Filter Tour. May 22, CenturyLink Field, Seattle. Tickets ($94-$494+) via www.ticketmaster.com •Jackalope Jamboree. June 29, Happy Canyon Arena, Pend- leton. Early bird tickets ($35- $55+) via www.brownpapertick- ets.com ——— Want to get your event listed in our calendar? Send information to community@eastoregonian.com, or c/o Tammy Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street, Hermiston, OR, 97838.