BackFire Station heats up with comedy

PENDLETON — Laughter is on tap at BackFire Station, 911 SW Court Ave. The show is Wednesday, March 29, 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 each. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Headlining the event is Nate Ford, a Boise-based comic with more than 20 years of experience. In addition to performing at bars, clubs and theaters, he has been on “Last Comic Standing.”

Opening the show is Tanner Carey. A 2014 Pendleton High School graduate, Carey performed at numerous open mic nights before making his stage debut in his hometown in February 2022. Since then, he hasn’t quit laughing.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to reserve a seat early, as the show is expected to sell out. For tickets, call 541-512-6969.

Fundraiser supports Lake Creek Youth Camp

JOHN DAY — The annual fundraiser and auction for the Lake Creek Youth Camp is set for Saturday, April 1, at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 411 NW Bridge St.

Advance tickets are $30 for adults, or $20 for ages 12 and younger. Buy tickets at Benchmark Surveying, the Grant County Planning Department, State Farm or Rude Logging. Tickets at the door are $40.

For more information about the camp, visit lakecreekcamp.org.

BlueMountaineers monthly dance is March 25

LA GRANDE — The BlueMountaineers end-of-the-month dance is happening Saturday, March 25, 6-9 p.m. at the La Grande Senior Center, 1504 N. Albany St.

Admission is $5, or free for ages 12 and younger. The evening features a finger food potluck.

Join an online writing workshop

Fishtrap is offering an online writing workshop with Catherine Johnson on how to defeat writer’s block. Sessions start April 5 and meet Wednesdays in April from 6-8 p.m.

Registration is $240 or $215 for Fishtrappers. Register at fishtrap.org.

In this workshop, Johnson will talk about logistical writing challenges, strategies for overcoming writer’s block, how to be real about balancing your writing with your life, and how to dedicate workshop time for your own practice. This is for writers of any genre, at any stage in the writing process.

Registrants can expect to get practical ideas for breaking through their specific obstacles, but also dedicated time during the workshop when they can count on having the time to write.

Johnson has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Portland State University, and was a 2021 Fishtrap Fellow. She is an assistant lecturer at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

Spring break fun at the Baker County Library

BAKER CITY — The Baker County Library is offering activities for children of all ages during spring break, March 26-31.

On Monday, March 27, families can stop by for a movie at 10 a.m. Popcorn is provided.

Teen Crafternoon is set for Tuesday, March 28, at 3 p.m.

Wednesday, March 29, is busy with a kids art session at 10 a.m., and a teen movie at 6 p.m.

The week wraps up with a Lego Movie extravaganza on Thursday, March 30, at 10 a.m. and the Makers Club on for tweens and teens on Friday, March 31, at 3 p.m.

Chorale presents concert March 25 in Waitsburg

WAITSBURG, Washington — The Inland Northwest Chorale will perform on Saturday, March 25, at 4 p.m. at Waitsburg High School, 421 Coppei Ave. Students from the elementary and advanced music classes will be performing as well, and the concert will end with the song “Give us Hope” performed by all musicians.

Gun and outdoor show happening March 25-26

JOHN DAY — The Strawberry Mountain Gun and Outdoor Show is happening March 25-26 at the Trowbridge Pavilion on the Grant County Fairgrounds, 411 NW Bridge St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $5 each day. Concessions will be provided by Snaffle Bit.

Weekly jam sessions happening on Wednesdays

BAKER CITY — Powder River Music Revue is planning weekly jam sessions at The Ison House Bed and Brew, 1790 Washington Ave., on Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m.

The all-acoustic sessions are open to all musicians regardless of experience level. Vocalists are also encouraged to attend.

While offered as an “acoustic” jam, those with electric instruments will not be turned away. However, they will be asked to keep their sound level equal to the level of the other musicians playing. Drummers and percussionists using a cajón or smaller percussion instruments may join the sessions as well.

Follow The Ison House Bed and Brew and Powder River Music Revue for updates and information regarding the jam sessions and other upcoming events.

Fishing derby reels in fun

UMATILLA — Hermiston Parks & Recreation is hosting a Kids Fishing Derby. The free event is Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. to noon at McNary Ponds, located near McNary Lock and Dam, Umatilla. The fish will be plentiful, as they are being stocked with trout ahead of the event.

Kids ages 2-12 have a chance to win prizes if they catch specially tagged fish. Adults can begin casting at noon after the derby.

Participants need to bring their own poles and gear. All normal fishing regulations are in effect. For more information, visit bit.ly/4025Nrg or call 541-667-5018.

Chocolate Derby gallops into Pendleton

PENDLETON — Don your best Kentucky Derby attire and get ready to indulge in chocolate. Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center is hosting its fifth annual Chocolate Derby.

The fundraiser is Saturday, April 1, 6 p.m. at the Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate. Tickets are $40 each via bit.ly/3lcvaYA.

In addition to tasting a variety of delectable chocolate, the event features a horse racing game, silent/live auctions and music by Whiskey for Breakfast. Also, a no-host bar will be available.

A nonprofit organization, Dream Catcher provides people with physical, emotional and developmental challenges an opportunity to discover their abilities and stir up hope through equine activities. Participants engage in riding, grooming and bonding with horses.

For more information, visit www.dreamcatchertrc.org. For questions, contact Morgan Matteson at 541-377-1479 or morgan@dreamcatchertrc.org.

‘A Day at the Derby’ mystery dinner is May 6

LA GRANDE — Grande Lumiere Events will present a Kentucky Derby themed murder mystery dinner on May 6. The “Day at the Derby” event starts at 6 p.m. and includes dinner, a no-host bar, mint juleps and awards, including best hat.

Tickets are $49 per person. Make reservations in advance by calling 541-963-2253 or stop by Le Bebe Cakes Bakery, 1101 Washington Ave.

Canadian comic resurrects popular act

WALLA WALLA — If you didn’t catch Mike Delamont’s “God is a Scottish Drag Queen” stand-up comedy show five years ago in Walla Walla, you won’t want to miss the sequel, “God is a Scottish Drag Queen: The Second Coming.”

Dressed in a floral power suit, the Canadian comic expounds on everything from the platypus to Pocahontas. An award-winning comedian, Delamont created the character in 2006. Initially, it was only planned for one tour. As it grew in popularity, he resurrected the not-so-dainty deity with several installments. Each performance is a stand-alone show, so people don’t need to see them in order.

The stand-up performance is Saturday, March 25, 7 p.m. at the Power House Theatre, 111 N. Sixth Ave. Reserved seats are $30-$35 for adults and $20 for students. For tickets, visit bit.ly/3HfZPMT or call 509-529-6500. For more about Delamont, search www.mikedelamont.com.

Clint Black, Craig Morgan co-headline Round-Up concert

PENDLETON — A pair of country singer-songwriters will co-headline the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Kick-Off Concert. Clint Black and Craig Morgan will take the stage on Sept. 9, 7 p.m. at Happy Canyon Arena. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 23.

A Grammy award winner, Black has more than 20 million album sales since his 1989 debut release, “Killin’ Time.” He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to touring throughout North America, Black hosts “Talking in Circles,” a television talk show on Circle TV.

A Grand Ole Opry inductee, Morgan’s Billboard chart hits include “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Almost Home” and “International Harvester.” In September 2022, he released “God, Family, Country: A Memoir.” He shares about his music, his military career and work as an undercover agent fighting sex traffickers in Thailand.

Tickets range in price from $55 to $162 and can be purchased at www.pendletonroundup.com or by calling 541-276-2553.