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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 2020)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, January 18, 2020 East Oregonian C3 BRIEFLY Grande Ronde Symphony chamber series Nelson Coughlan Johann Melonville gets ready to yuk it up in 27th year EOTEC hosts annual comedy festival By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian HERMISTON — Fea- turing three funnymen, tickets are still available for the Melonville Comedy Festival. In its 27th year, the event is Friday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. at the Eastern Ore- gon Trade and Event Cen- ter, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston. A no-host bar is available when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. The head- liner is James Johann, the featured comedian is Tra- vis Nelson and the emcee is Jeremiah Coughlan. Born and raised in the Midwest, Johann started his standup career in Kan- sas City. Incorporating a self-deprecating sense of humor and high-energy style, Johann offers every- thing from advice on rais- ing kids and dating to the different types of rock ’n’ roll. He provides a glimpse of life how he sees it. In addition to headlin- ing in comedy clubs across the country, Johann par- ticipated in a theater tour “Paying For The New Trailer” (Blue Collar Com- edy Tour) starring Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy. Also, from 2005-07, he was a part of “The Slackers Tour,” a national tour from one of the producers of The Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Raised near the rainfor- ests of Washington, Nel- son attributes the lack of sunshine and his abundant intake of caffeine as feed- ing his obsessive person- ality. On stage, he offers a mixture of personal sto- ries and experiences with absurd and imaginative thoughts — inviting audi- ences to escape into the recesses of his mind. Nelson has performed in comedy clubs, theaters, colleges, bars, cruise ships and numerous comedy fes- tivals, including the 2016 Seattle International Com- edy Competition and he placed first in the “Best of the Fest” at the Burbank Comedy Festival in 2018. He also appears on Sirius XM satellite radio. Coughlan, who attended Kennewick High School, is now based in Portland. He is said to physically resemble what would hap- pen if Chris Farley ate Bob Ross. On stage, Coughlan creates a paradoxical mix of chaos and control. He offers a conversa- tional brand of self-dep- recating humor and has become a regular per- former at clubs all across the Pacific Northwest. He’s also been invited to per- form in festivals in New York, Boise, San Francisco and Toronto, Canada. Melonville Comedy Festival tickets are $35 if purchased in advance or $40 at the door. Ticket pur- chases help support the local Special Olympics program. They are avail- able at www.melonville- comedyfestival.com, or Last Chance Tavern (240 S.W. 11th St.) and Mid- way Bar & Grill (1750 N. First St.), both in Hermis- ton. Also, tables of 10 are available for $300. For questions, contact 541-567- 5180 or events@midway- bargrill.com. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4539. 805-5574, 541-519-7234 or grsymphony2@gmail.com. LA GRANDE — The Grande Ronde Symphony Association kicks off the decade with a unique cham- ber series concert featur- ing musical selections from Tony award-winning com- poser and lyricist Jason Robert Brown. The event, which fea- tures vocalists Renee Wells (soprano) and Devin Fra- sier (tenor), will entertain audience members in an intimate home setting. The event is Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at 307 C. Ave., in La Grande. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. In the performance, Wells and Frasier will take on the roles of a married cou- ple dealing with the circum- stances of life. Selections are from Brown’s modern play that shares an emo- tional musical journey about two New Yorkers in their 20s who fall in and out of love over the course of five years. While singing selec- tions from the play, Wells and Frasier will delight the audience with the magic of telling a story through song. Single tickets may be purchased at the door for $25 each. Also, Chamber Series season ticket passes for the remaining four per- formances may be pur- chased for $100 per person through the GRSA at P.O. Box 824, La Grande, OR 97850 or via www.grand- erondesymphony.org. For more information, contact Alice Trindle at 541- OES youth orchestra presents free concert PENDLETON — A piece by Pendleton-born Hollywood composer Chris Thomas is featured during an upcoming performance by the Oregon East Sym- phony Youth Orchestra. The concert is Thurs- day, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pend- leton. There is no admis- sion charge. The program also features The Preludes Orchestra and students from the Symphony Strings after- school program. Thomas took piano les- sons as a youth from Sue Nelson. In a 2012 East Ore- gonian interview, Nelson said he was talented as a player but initially couldn’t read music, much less write it down at that time. Since that time, Thomas has soared — creating com- positions for TV and movies. Also, he was commissioned by the Central Oregon Sym- phony Association to write a piece to celebrate the nat- ural wonders and commu- nities in the Harney County Basin. Its world premier was last May in Burns. For more information about the Oregon East Sym- phony and its programs, contact contact 541-276- 0320, info@oregoneastsym- phony.org or visit www.ore- goneastsymphony.org. — EO Media Group WHAT TO DO FESTIVALS Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race •Jan. 22-25 •Joseph, Enterprise, Fergi Ski Area www.eaglecapextreme.com Free, except Saturday night banquet ($20/adults, $12/vol- unteers $9/ages 5-12) Peo- ple can watch races, which include the Iditarod & Yukon Quest qualifiers; meet-and- greet with mushers at vet checks; Race Central and Kids’ Corner. Melonville Comedy Festival •Friday, Jan. 24; 8 p.m. •EOTEC, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston www.melonvillecomedyfes- tival.com $35/advance, $40/door, $300/table for 10. Features headliner James Johann, fea- tured comedian Travis Nelson and emcee Jeremiah Cough- lan. (541-567-5180). Walla Walla BrewFest •Saturday, Feb. 8.; noon-4 p.m. •Downtown Walla Walla www.downtownwallawalla. com/brewfest $40/advance, $50/door. Admission includes a wrist- band, commemorative tast- ing glass and 5 scrip. Features 15 downtown Walla Walla venues and 25 breweries. Daddy Daughter Dance •Saturday, Feb. 8; 6-9 p.m. •Sunridge Middle School, 700 S.W. Runnion Ave., Pendleton www.pendletonparksan- drec.com $20/person. DJ music, dancing, prize drawings, hors d’oeuvres and a posed por- trait. For fathers and their daughters in kindergarten through eighth grade. Regis- ter by Jan. 24 or until sold out (541-276-8100). Daddy Daughter Dance •Saturday, Feb. 15; 6-8:30 p.m. •Boardman Pool & Rec- reation Center, 311 N. Olson Road www.boardmanpool.com $30/couple; $10/additional daughters (tickets available soon). For dads and their daughters ages 3 and up. Includes DJ music, snacks, portraits and craft proj- ect to make a photo frame. (541-616-1050). ART, MUSEUMS & AUTHORS “Watercolor Views in Dif- ferent Hues” • M o n d ay -T hu r s d ay s , 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. •Betty Feves Memorial Gal- lery, BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Free. Features the works of seven watercolor artists from eastern Washington. Gallery also open by appointment by calling 541-278-5952. Runs through Feb. 6. MUSIC Brass Fire •Saturday, Jan. 18; 7-10 p.m. •Red Lion, 304 S.E. Nye Ave., Pendleton No cover. Features regional horn band, playing Big Band Era music as well as blues, soul and rock. Joe Slick Band •Saturday, Jan. 18; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. James Dean Kindle & The Eastern Oregon Playboys •Saturday, Jan. 18; 8 p.m. •hq, 112 Depot St., La Grande www.lagrandehq.com $5. The all-ages show will feature the Pendleton-based band performing a set featur- ing songs from The Cars. Martin Luther King Jr./ Musical Tribute •Monday, Jan. 20; 6 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. All ages. Featur- ing a variety of local artists performing songs from the Civil Rights Movement. The Phoenix •Friday, Jan. 24; Saturday, Jan. 25; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. Bart Budwig LP release •Tuesday, Jan. 28; 7 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. All ages. Enter- prise-based folk-Americana musician offers up “Another Burn On The Astroturf.” Youth Winter Concert •Thursday, Jan. 30; 7 p.m. •Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton www.oregoneastsymphony. org Free. (see brief this page) Open Mic at GP •Thursday, Jan. 30; 7 p.m. •Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton No cover. All ages are wel- come. Bring your instrument, voice, family and friends. Cory Wilds •Friday, Jan. 31; Saturday, Feb. 1; 8 p.m. No cover •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. NIGHT LIFE The Brew Bro’s Takeover •Saturday, Jan. 18; 4-8 p.m. No cover •40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton No cover. Drink specials and giveaways. Time for BINGO •Saturday, Jan. 18; 6-9 p.m. •Neighbor Dudes., 405 N. First St. Suite 104, Hermiston No cover. Alonna and Ash- leigh lead the charge. Karaoke w/DJ David •Saturdays; 7 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. Ms. Pac-Man Tournament •Saturday, Jan. 25; noon-9 p.m. •Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery, 511 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton No cover. Adult and chil- dren’s divisions — top three in each division win prizes. Food and drink specials all day. Beers and Bingo •Saturday, Jan. 25; 6-9 p.m. No cover •40 Taps, 337 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton No cover. First bingo card is free; also a 50-50 raffle. Creepy Tiki Night •Monday, Jan. 20; 4-9 p.m. •Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery, 511 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton No cover. Special Tiki cock- tails and Polynesian-inspired food available. Screening of “Creature from the Black Lagoon” at 7 p.m. Karaoke Party •Wednesdays & Thursdays; 9 p.m. No cover. •The Pheasant Blue Col- lar Bar & Grill, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Wino Wednesdays •Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. •Echo Ridge Cellars, 551 N. Thielsen 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. Trivia w/Two Dads Tipsy Trivia •Thursday, Jan. 23; 6-8 p.m. •Ordnance Brewing, 405 N. Olson Road, Boardman No cover. Teams of five compete. (541-314-8720). LOL Comedy Night •Thursdays; 8 p.m. •Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wild- horse Resort & Casino, off I-84 Exit 216, Mission. No cover. Jan. 23: Marc Yaf- fee, Vanessa Dawn; Jan. 30: BJ Johnson, Jesse Warren Karaoke Night •Thursdays; 9 p.m. •Union Club, 201 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Performers receive 15% off drink tab. Karaoke •Thursdays, 9 p.m. •The Pheasant Blue Col- lar Bar & Grill, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston 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 Col- lar Bar & Grill, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Karaoke •Fridays; 9 p.m. •Midway Tavern, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston First Thursday Wine Tasting •Thursday, Feb. 6, 5-7 p.m. •The Gathering Place at Bellinger’s, 1823 S. Highway 395, Hermiston Free. Featured winery or cellar TBA THEATER, STAGE, FILM & LECTURES Sensory Friendly Movie •Saturday, Jan. 18; 10:30 a.m. •Hermiston Stadium 8 Cin- ema, 355 W. Theater Lane w w w.facebook .com/ arcofumatillacounty $6. In conjunction with The Arc Umatilla County, senso- ry-friendly screening of “Dolit- tle” with lights up a little and volume down. HOT TICKETS •College Community The- atre-Blue Mountain Commu- nity College: “The Sound of Music” (February), and “The Two Gentleman of Verona” (May) individual performances and season tickets available via www.collegecommuni- tytheatre.com. •Capital Theatre in Yakima: “Peter and the Wolf” (Jan. 27, $7); ”Beautiful: The Car- ole King Musical” (Jan. 28-29, $12-$84); “The Lonely: Cel- ebrating the Music of Roy Orbison” (Feb. 9, $48); “Chi- cago: The Musical” (Feb. 25-26, $12-84). Tickets avail- able via www.capitoltheatre. org. These shows are all ages. (509-853-2787). ——— Want to get your event listed in our calendar? Send informa- tion to community@eastore- gonian.com, or c/o Tammy Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street, Hermiston, OR, 97838.
