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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 2019)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, November 30, 2019 East Oregonian ’Tis the season for holiday music C3 BRIEFLY By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian HERMISTON — I have a confession to make — I’ve already been jamming ahead with the Christmas spirit. I’ve been “fa la la la la-ing” driving down the street in my Jeep since before Halloween. While many people wait until Thanksgiving to break out the holiday tunes, I usually start hitting play on Nov. 1. However, a week or so before the big candy grab, my husband popped a CD he found at Goodwill into my player — and the rest is holiday history. “Songs of Christmas” is a collection of 10 instrumen- tal carols played on acoustic guitar by Carl Tosten. The musician, who grew up in Eastern Washington, plays superbly on a DL Noble baritone guitar. While I don’t have fine-tuned ears for music, it seems to have a calming effect — much dif- ferent than the screeching vocals and power chords of Twisted Sister. And, although the ‘80s metal band loudly pro- claims in one of their hit songs, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” — they did. The band released “A Twisted Christmas” in 2006, tak- ing their piece of the pie in regards to Christmas music sales. However, I think Neil Diamond is the one who really cashed in over the years with a handful of Christmas albums. In a 2016 interview with National Public Radio, Dia- mond said he was denied celebrating Christmas tra- ditions while growing up Jewish. He called making Christmas albums “a joy- ful experience.” For me, lis- tening to his rugged bari- tone-bass voice lifts my spirits. Being married to Johnny Vinyl has many benefits — one of them is his interest in sharing his love for music. He has helped me amass quite the varied catalog of Christmas tunes — despite the fact that he loathes most traditional holiday music. A decade ago, John ordered Bob Dylan’s “Christmas in the Heart.” We’re both big fans and I Photo contributed by Vicky Hart Various ensembles featuring more than 200 musicians per- form at Eastern Oregon University for the Holiday Music Festival each December. This year’s concerts are Dec. 7-8. By Twisted Sister “A Twisted Christmas” By Neil Diamond “Acoustic Christmas” By Bob Dylan “Christmas In The Heart” was excited. After listen- ing to it several times, I told my husband that maybe tra- ditional Christmas music wasn’t where it was at for Dylan. Designed as a joyous hymn, his version of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” was more like a funeral march. John was a bit incensed — yet I continued, “Do You Hear What I Hear.” No offense, but yes, Zimmy I do, and it sounds like you’re “Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door.” I feel like I can say that because I take it literally where the Bible says “Make a joyful noise.” The latest being added to my collection is “Season’s Greetings from moe.” It originally came out in 2002, but never before on vinyl — until now, as part of the Record Store Day Black Fri- day releases. It features old favorites, such as “Linus and Lucy,” an obscure gem with “We’re A Cou- ple of Misfits,” and several original tunes, including “Together At Christmas” and “Home.” Referring to them as a jam band, Johnny Vinyl said, “It’s Christmas music I can endorse.” ——— Tammy Malgesini is the community editor. Her column, Inside my Shoes, includes general musings about life and appears reg- ularly in the Hermiston Her- ald. Contact her at tmalge- sini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539. Music festival rings in this holiday season Crow’s Shadow announces holiday open house LA GRANDE — More than 200 regional perform- ers will ring in the holiday season during the Observ- er’s 28th Annual Holiday Music Festival in La Grande. The concerts are Satur- day, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m., in McKenzie Theater on the Eastern Oregon University campus. Ensembles to per- form include the Grande Ronde Symphony Orches- tra, Community Band Northeast, the EOU Cham- ber Choir, the Grande Ronde Community Chorus, EOU’s 45th Parallel Ensemble, EOU African Drumming Group, and the EOU Fiddle Ensemble. Also, this year’s spe- cial guest is the Elgin High School Calypso Band, directed by Tucker Mur- phey. Comprised of 12 stu- dents and a physical educa- tion teacher, the group plays traditional calypso and soca music from Trinidad and Tobago. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the Red Cross Drug and EOU Bookstore, both in La Grande, or via www.eou.edu/music. All proceeds from the event go to the music funds held in the EOU Foundation. The community-wide festival features traditional holiday music from around the world and “is a wonder- ful beginning to the holiday season,” said Peter Wordel- man, EOU music professor. For more information, contact Wordelman at 541- 962-3352 or pwordelm@ eou.edu. MISSION — The com- munity is invited to visit the Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts fine printmaking studio as well as see some of the resulting works hang- ing on the gallery walls. The annual holiday open house is Sunday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 48004 St. Andrews Road, Mission. The free event is family-friendly. Light refreshments will be served. Crow’s Shadow is housed at the historic Saint Andrews Mission on the Umatilla Indian reserva- tion, about 10 miles out- side of Pendleton. The non- profit organization was founded 27 years ago under the guidance of local art- ists James Lavadour (Walla Walla), Phillip Cash Cash (Cayuse and Nez Perce), and their creative friends. It was envisioned as a place for creative folks from the area to foster artistic development. In 2001, CSIA turned its focus toward fine print- making and hired a master printer. Since then, its rep- utation for publishing fine art lithography has grown and artworks produced in the studio have gone on to many venerable institu- tions, including the Library of Congress, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Portland Art Museum, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. For more informa- tion, contact info@crows- shadow.org, 541-276-3954 or visit www.crowsshadow. org. — EO Media Group WHAT TO DO FESTIVALS ART, MUSEUMS & AUTHORS Hermiston Farm Fair & Trade Show •Dec. 4-6 •Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 Airport Road; BMCC/ OSU HAREC, 2121 S. First St. Hermis- ton Community Center, 415 S. High- way 395 www.hermistonchamber.com $40/banquet tickets (Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the community center. Vendors, seminars, displays. (541-567-6151). Pendleton WinterFest •Friday, Dec. 6; 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 10 a.m.-2p.m. •Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate sah.ticketleap.com $40/evening gala, free/Fam- ily Day. (541-276-5121). Gala event includes dinner, dancing live/silent auctions of holiday decor. Family Day offers a chance to view trees and engage in holiday activities. Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend •Dec. 6-8 •Various wineries in Walla Walla, Milton-Freewater area www.wallawallawine.com Some events free. Amidst the fes- tive atmosphere of the season, wine- makers and cellar staff provide sam- ples of future releases straight from the wine barrel. Echo Toy Run •Saturday, Dec. 7; noon departure •Main Street, Echo www.facebook.com Free. Participants (motorcycles, cars, trucks) bring a new, unwrapped toy to deliver to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. After- wards, gather at the fallen rider bench at the Hermiston Cemetery (Amanda Silvani 541-720-9304). Hermiston Festival of Trees •Saturday, Dec. 7; 6-10 p.m. Sun- day, Dec. 8; noon-4 p.m. •Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395 $40/evening gala event sold out, $5/Family Day suggested donation. Get in the Christmas spirit with hol- iday-themed decor. Family Day fea- tures activities, entertainment and pictures with Santa. The Art of the Gift •Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturdays; noon-4 p.m. •Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free admission. The East Orego- nian Gallery features creative gifts from craftspeople from across the nation. Runs through Dec. 31. “Yellowstone in Winter” •Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m-8 p.m., Friday/Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. •Pendleton Public Library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave. www.pendletonlibrary.weebly. com Free. Exhibit features the pho- tography of Debbie McIntosh. Runs through Dec. 31. “This Good Land: Contempo- rary Native Artists from Oregon” •Monday-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. •Betty Feves Memorial Gal- lery, BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Free. Features prints made at Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts in Mission. Gallery also open by appointment by calling 541-278- 5952. Runs through Dec. 5. “Timber Culture” •Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. •Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org $10/adults, $9/senior citizens, $6/ youths. A visual and interpretive look at the history of Oregon’s multicul- tural logging industry. Runs through Dec. 31. Crow’s Shadow Holiday Open House •Sunday, Dec. 8; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. •48004 St. Andrew’s Road, Mission www.crowsshadow.org Free. Tour the printmaking studio, view works in the permanent collec- tion and enjoy light refreshments. MUSIC Design •Saturday, Nov. 30; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. WHISKEY, WINE, BEER AND WEED •Thursday, Dec. 5; 7 p.m. •40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton No cover. Americana Acid Grass is live in the tap room. Holiday Concert •Saturday, Dec. 7; 4 p.m. •Echo Community Center, 20 S. Bonanza St. www.inlandnorthwestmusicians. com Free. Ensembles of the Inland Northwest Musicians usher the season in with song. Reservations encouraged (541-289-4696). Holiday Music Festival •Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Sun- day, Dec. 8, 3 p.m. •McKenzie Theatre @ Eastern Ore- gon University, La Grande www.eou.edu/music $10/adults, $8/students & seniors. Featuring a variety of musical ensem- bles, more than 200 regional per- formers will ring in the holiday sea- son. (541-962-3352). Sum People •Thursday, Dec. 12; 7 p.m. •40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton No cover. Features reggae rock. NIGHT LIFE Karaoke w/DJ David •Saturdays; 8 p.m. •Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla Saturday Night Trivia •Saturdays; 9 p.m. •Midway Bar & Grill, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston Free. Show what you know for fun and prizes. Karaoke Party •Wednesdays & Thursdays; 9 p.m. No cover. •The Pheasant Blue Collar Bar & Grill, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Wino Wednesdays •Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. •Echo Ridge Cellars, 551 N. Thiel- sen St., Echo 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 and food pairings. Karaoke •Thursdays, 9 p.m. •The Pheasant Blue Collar Bar & Grill, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Repeal Day at the Distillery •Thursday, Dec. 5; 4-9 p.m. •Oregon Grain Growers Brand Dis- tillery, 511 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton No cover. Celebrate with Prohibi- tion-era cocktails and appetizer spe- cials. A small funeral procession for the 18th Amendment, champagne toast and wake at 7 p.m. Period attire encouraged. First Thursday Wine Tasting •Thursday, Dec. 5, 5-7 p.m. •The Gathering Place at Bell- inger’s, 1823 S. Highway 395, Hermiston Free. Featured winery or cellar TBA 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 Blue Collar Bar & Grill, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Karaoke •Fridays; 9 p.m. •Midway Tavern, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston THEATER, STAGE, FILM & LECTURES Sensory Friendly Movie •Saturday, Nov. 30; 10:30 a.m. •Hermiston Stadium 8 Cinema, 355 W. Theater Lane www.facebook.com/ arcofumatillacounty $6. In conjunction with The Arc Umatilla County, sensory-friendly screening of “Playing with Fire” with lights up a little and volume down. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” •Nov. 29-30 & Dec. 6-7; 7:30 p.m. •Nov. 30, Dec. 1 & Dec. 7-8; 2 p.m. •1130 Sumach St., Walla Walla www.ltww.org $15-$20. The timely comedy will surely tickle the funny bones of audi- ence members while getting them primed for the holiday season. “The Sound of Music” auditions •Monday, Dec. 2; Tuesday, Dec. 3; 6:30-8 p.m. •BMCC Music Department, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton www.collegecommunitytheatre. com Open auditions for ages 7 and up. See website for song selections (541-215-9917). “The Nutcracker” •Thursday, Dec. 5, Friday, Dec. 6; 7 p.m. •Saturday, Dec. 7; Sunday, Dec. 8; 2 p.m. •Bob Clapp Theatre at BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave. www.facebook.com $8/adults, $4/children under 12. Pendleton Ballet Theatre under the direction of Julie Sneden-Carl- son presents the holiday favor- ite. Advance tickets highly recom- mended, which are available Nov. 30 from 10 a.m.-noon at Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St. (970-261-5331). HOT TICKETS •College Community The- atre-Blue Mountain Community College: “The Sound of Music” (February), and “The Two Gentle- man of Verona” (May) individual performances and season tickets available via www.collegecommuni- tytheatre.com •Mannheim Steamroller Christ- mas (Dec. 5; $40-$80) at Toyota Cen- ter, Kennewick; tickets via www.tick- etmaster.com •“The Juice Joint is Jumping!” (Dec. 31, $40-$70), at Schoolhouse Village in Pilot Rock. Reserve tickets for the murder mystery dinner the- ater (541-975-4845 or 541-970-4622). ——— 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.
