Catch ‘The Luck of the Irish’ in Pendleton

PENDLETON — Opera House Shakespeare Company presents “The Luck of the Irish” this weekend at the Vert Little Theater, 480 SW Dorion Ave.

Described as “an evening of entertainment,” “The Luck of the Irish” will feature Irish music, dance and poetry, as well as two one-act plays by Irish playwright John Millington Synge: “Riders to the Sea,” a tragedy, and “In the Shadow of the Glen,” a dark comedy.

“It’s really a sort of celebration of the Irish and the Emerald Isle and particularly of this playwright who I think is underappreciated,” director Grant Turner said. “There seems to be a tug of war between is this fate, is this our destiny, or do we manifest our own destiny.”

The small cast, four in each play, features actors familiar to audiences in Pendleton: Carly Elder, Dutch Meerdink, Karen Taylor, Cassandra Johnson, Anne Turner, Chris Dennett and Brady Morgan.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $18 and available at www.elginoperahouse.com.

Join an art or music workshop in Pendleton

PENDLETON — Weekly classes start soon at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. Register at pendletonarts.org, call 541-278-9201 or stop by the center. Here are the details:

• Pottery — Beginning Wheel Throwing: April 5-May 17, Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. All materials are supplied, including clay and studio time. $120 members, $125 nonmembers ($50 materials fee).
• Pottery — Continued Wheel Throwing: April 6-May 18, Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. $120 members, $125 nonmembers ($50 materials fee).
• Guitar for Beginners: April 4-June 6, Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Learn basic guitar skills and build a foundation for playing all kinds of music. No guitar experience necessary. Please bring a guitar — visit Pendleton Music Co. for affordable instrument rentals. Join any time at a prorated rate. $60 members, $65 nonmembers.
• Guitar for Beginners 2: April 4-June 6, Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Continue learning and practicing songs as a group. Bring your guitar or visit Pendleton Music Co. for affordable music rentals. Join any time at a prorated rate. $60 members, $65 nonmembers.
• Hand Built Clay Forms: April 4-May 9, Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m. $120 members, $125 nonmembers ($50 materials fee).
• Teen Clay: April 4-June 6, Tuesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Learn how to sculpt, build and construct clay. No experience necessary. Free, but registration is required.
• Teen Actors of Pendleton Club: April 4-June 6, Tuesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Learn audition preparation, character development, scene/monologue writing and more. It all culminates in a final showcase. Free.
• Teen Creative Journaling: April 5-19, Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. Free.
• Youth Guitar (ages 8-12): April 6-June 5, Mondays, 4-5 p.m. Students will learn basic major and minor chords, strumming styles and techniques, and will be able to play one song by the end of the course. Bring a guitar. Free.
• Teen Guitar: April 6-June 8, Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free.

Join ‘Women, Words & Music’ on March 31

ENTERPRISE — An evening to celebrate Women’s History Month is happening Friday, March 31, at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St.

This event is organized by Fishtrap, the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance and Josephy Center for Arts and Culture.

“Women, Words & Music” starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.

The evening features a presentation of songs and stories by Wallowa County women, along with a digital presentation of the current art exhibit at Josephy Center titled “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

Sharing their words and music will be Jennifer Hobbs, Jezebel’s Mother, Kathy Johnson, Shannon McNerney, Heidi Muller, Zanni Schauffler and Amy Zahm.

Maria Muldaur concert is April 2 in Baker City

BAKER CITY — Maria Muldaur, whose 1973 hit song “Midnight at the Oasis” reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, will play in Baker City on Sunday, April 2, at Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets are $23 in advance at churchillbaker.com or $30 at the door. Children ages 15 and younger have free admission with a paid adult.

Her Baker City show is the last of a 10-gig tour through the Pacific Northwest with her Red Hot Bluesiana Band. In the second half of 2023, she and her band will be presenting a “Way Past Midnight” multimedia retrospective to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Midnight at the Oasis.”

Granges plan fundraiser March 31

JOSEPH — Granges in Wallowa County are having a fundraiser to help with the cost caused by flooding and damage at Liberty Grange. All granges in the county (Hurricane Creek, Southfork, The North End and Liberty) will put on a spaghetti feed and silent auction on Friday, March 31, 4-6 p.m. at the Hurricane Creek Grange, 82930 Airport Lane in Joseph.

Cost is $15 adults, or half price for children younger than 12.

The menu is spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and pie.

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.

‘Sip, Shop, Repeat’ in La Grande April 6

LA GRANDE — Downtown stays open late for “Sip, Shop, Repeat, Local” on Thursday, April 6, 5-8 p.m. Pick up an insulated tumbler and a participating businesses map for a $20 donation at the Chamber Office, 207 Depot St.

Businesses will offer samples of different beverages and discount promotions, and several pop-up shops will be set up as well.

Local businesses who are interested in participating, or having space for a pop-up shop, can email info@visitunioncounty.org.

Oldies Night highlights Summer of Love

MILTON-FREEWATER — BJ the DJ will spin hits from the Summer of Love — 1967 — during the upcoming Oldies Night in Milton-Freewater. No foolin’ — people can enjoy three hours of commentary and music by such artists as Elton John, Jefferson Airplane, Aretha Franklin and many others.

The free event is Saturday, April 1, 7-10 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 816 S. Main St. Because of road construction barriers in front, those in attendance can find parking behind the church.

For questions, contact Bob Jones at dubuquer70@gmail.com or 541-938-7028.

Power House deals in Wildcards

WALLA WALLA — People can catch Nashville musicians Ashley Gearing and Andrea Young in Walla Walla.

Performing as The Wildcards, the duo will take the stage Saturday, April 1, 7 p.m. at the Power House Theatre, 111 N. Sixth Ave. Reserved seats are $45 for adults and $20 for students.

The two bonded while touring internationally with Farewell Angelina. With Gearing’s powerhouse vocals and rhythmic acoustic guitar and Young’s ferocious fiddle playing and angelic voice, they found that their chemistry needed its own stage, thus creating The Wildcards.

For tickets, visit bit.ly/3HfZPMT or call 509-529-6500. For more about the duo, visit www.playthewildcards.com.

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.

Art show for former students of Gary Wishart

JOSEPH — As a tribute to Gary Wishart, who taught art at Enterprise High School for over 25 years, his former students are asked to submit artwork for a show at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture.

Students who had his brother, Larry Wishart, as an art teacher in elementary and junior high are also welcome to submit art.

“We know that many of Gary’s students went on to use their art training in many ways,” said Dawn Norman, exhibits director.

Submissions must be received by midnight on April 16. To submit work for consideration, send an email to exhibits@josephy.org and include your name, one high-quality digital image, the medium, date completed and price. Include “Wishart” in the subject line. Also, please include the years as a student and a sentence or paragraph about his influence.

Gary Wishart taught art at Enterprise High School from 1976-2002. His students drew, painted, threw pots and hand-built ceramics. According to Norman, the end-of-the-year art show and sale was always a major event with a room full of art, students, parents and community members.

For questions, email exhibits@josephy.org or call 541-432-0505 ext. 2.

Young Life hosts banquet, silent auction

PENDLETON — For an evening of food, fundraising and friends, be sure to make plans to attend the Pendleton Young Life event.

It features dinner and a chance to bid on silent auction items, including a cabin getaway and a guided fly fishing trip. An alcohol-free event, it is April 16, 5:30 p.m. at Electric Sundown, 14 SE Third St. Tickets are $35 each or a table of eight for $250.

Since 2013, the faith-based organization has hosted hundreds of weekly Wyldlife and Young Life clubs and taken dozens of summer camp trips. It serves both middle school and high school students.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/3yV4VsS. For questions, email courtneycarteryl@gmail.com.

Learn about wildflowers in the region

RICHLAND, Wash. — Plant enthusiasts are invited to a workshop designed to assist them in getting out in nature.

“Into the Wild: How and Where to View Wildflowers Locally” is April 8, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland, Washington. Bring your favorite mug for coffee and light refreshments.

In celebration of National Native Plant Appreciation Month, the event is being held in conjunction with REI.

Al Sullivan, a botanist and shrub-steppe-soil crust specialist, will discuss the importance of recreating responsibly when viewing wildflowers.

Also, the Columbia Basin Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society will take participants on a virtual wildflower walk. In addition, people can learn about free wildflower walks and other native plant-related events happening throughout the wildflower season.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/cbwnps or www.cbwnps.org.

Chocolate Derby gallops into Pendleton

PENDLETON — The Dream Catcher Therapeutic Riding Center is hosting its fifth annual Chocolate Derby fundraiser on 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 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.