Self defense class planned in Prairie City

PRAIRIE CITY — A five-hour self defense class is planned for Jan. 27 at the teen center in Prairie City, 145 W. Front St. This one-day class, for ages 12 and older, includes basic training in falling, striking, grab and hold escapes, weapons neutralization and getting off the ground in an attack situation.

The session runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (bring a sack lunch). Cost is $30 per person. The instructor is Laurel Coombs, who is a certified self defense instructor and third degree black belt in Taekwondo.

To sign up, contact Coombs at kimstkdjohnday@gmail.com or text/call 503-740-3578. Class is limited to 20 participants.

Super Escandalo to perform in Hermiston

HERMISTON — A five-piece Latino band that plays upbeat tunes will perform at LaLaguna Sports Bar.

Super Escandalo will charge things up on Friday, Jan. 5, 9 p.m. at 285 E. Main St. There is no cover charge. For more about the group, search www.facebook.com/superescandalo7. For questions about LaLaguna, call 541-303-1329.

New classes start at Pendleton arts center

PENDLETON — The new year dawns with art and music classes at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. For details, and to register, visit pendletonarts.org. Here’s a look at what’s happening:

• Teen Clay: Begins Jan. 2 and meets Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m., through March 19. Free.
• Teen Intermediate Electric Guitar: Starts Jan. 2 and continues on Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., through March 19. Free.
• Teen Acoustic Guitar: Starts Jan. 2 and continues on Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., through March 19. Free.
• Bangles and Bracelets: Jan. 3, 6 p.m. Part of the Happy Hour series, this free class provides supplies and materials to make a set of bracelets.
• Hand Built Clay Forms: Begins Jan. 2 and meets Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m., through Feb. 27. No previous experience is necessary. $190 members, $195 nonmembers, $50 materials fee.
• Pottery — Beginning Wheel Throwing: Begins Jan. 3 and meets Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., through Feb. 14. $190 members, $195 nonmembers, $50 materials fee.
• Pottery — Continued Wheel Throwing: Starts Jan. 4 and meets Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., through Feb. 15. $190 members, $195 nonmembers, $50 materials fee.
• Guitar for Beginners: Begins Jan. 3 and continues on Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., through March 6. Learn basic guitar skills and build a foundation for playing all kinds of music. Join anytime at a prorated rate. $45 members, $50 nonmembers.
• Guitar for Beginners 2: Begins Jan. 3 and continues on Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m., through March 6. Join anytime at a prorated rate. $45 members, $50 nonmembers.
• Youth Clay Creations (ages 7-12): First and third Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to noon; $10.
• Youth Collage (ages 0-12): Jan. 8 and Jan. 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free.
• Adult Open Studio Two-Fer: Starts Jan. 9 and meets Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. through Jan. 23. Explore a variety of mediums with Kate Brizendine. $50 members, $55 nonmembers.
• Fly Tying: Starts Jan. 11 and meets Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m., through Feb. 8. John Dadoly will teach the basics, tools and techniques for tying flies. $100 members, $105 nonmembers, $15 materials fee.
• Creative Writing: Begins Jan. 11 and meets Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., through Jan. 25. $50 members, $55 nonmembers, $5 materials fee.

SAGE Center plans day of crafts

BOARDMAN — SAGE Saturdays continues the first Saturday of the month.

The upcoming event is Saturday, Jan. 6, 9 a.m. to noon at the SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road. It’s designed for children ages 3-10.

The free fun-filled event puts art, sensory and science skills to the test. For more information about SAGE Center events, search www.visitsage.com or call 541-481-7243.

Check out a class at Crossroads

BAKER CITY — Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave., has a roster of classes to ring in the new year. For details and to register, visit crossroads-arts.org or stop by the center. The center is continuing the “pay what you can” option. Here’s the schedule:

• Tie Dye a New Year: Jan. 11, 6-8 p.m.; $16 members, $24 nonmembers.
• Sewing — Beyond the Basics: Jan. 15 and Jan. 22, 6-8 p.m., $32 members, $48 nonmembers. Learn about different fabrics and tools, and create a small project.
• Art of Bookfolding 1.0: Jan. 16, 6-8 p.m.; $16 members, $24 nonmembers. Use an old book to make a unique work of art. Bring a 500+ page book, clear ruler and sharp pencil.
• Glass Etching: Jan. 25, 6-8 p.m.; $16 members, $24 nonmembers ($5 supply fee). Bring four to five pieces of glassware, hardcopy stencil ideas, an exacto knife and old towel.
• Art of Bookfolding 2.0: Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m.; $16 members, $24 nonmembers.
• Creative Bookmaking: Feb. 8, 6-8 p.m., $16 members, $24 nonmembers ($5 supply fee). Create three journal-sized books using origami techniques, envelopes, scrap paper and cardboard.
• Introduction to Celtic Knotwork: Feb. 22, 6-8 p.m.; $16 members, $24 nonmembers ($5 supply fee).

Hermiston Cinema offers sensory-friendly flicks

HERMISTON — Special movie screenings are available for people with disabilities at Hermiston Stadium 8 Cinema, 355 W. Theater Lane.

The unique accommodations are presented in conjunction with The Arc of Umatilla County. The lights are up a little and the volume is down. Also, movie-goers can talk and move around during the viewing.

The upcoming sensory-friendly screenings include “Wonka” and “Migration” on Saturday, Jan. 6, 10:30 a.m. Both films are rated PG. Admission is $7. For more information, call 541-567-1556 or search www.moviesinhermiston.com.

Josephy Center announces art, music classes

JOSEPH — The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture has announced two ceramics classes that start in January, and a workshop on the mountain dulcimer. For details or to register, visit josephy.org or call the center at 541-432-0505.

“Introduction to Ceramics with Julia Allen” will have two sessions: Jan. 10 and Jan. 17 from 6-8 p.m., or Jan. 13 and Jan. 20 from 9-11 a.m. The cost is $50 for a two-session class. Preregistration required, and space is limited. For those who want a longer experience, an eight-week session begins Jan. 31.

“Unleash Creativity with Clay” will be offered for ages 7-11 and 12-17 on Fridays from Jan. 12 to March 8. The younger group meets from 10-11:30 a.m., and the older class meets from 1-3 p.m. This class will cover slab, coil and pinch construction techniques, as well as surface design methods. The cost is $90.

“Learn to Play the Mountain Dulcimer with Heidi Muller” begins Jan. 14 and meets Sundays from 2-3:30 p.m. through Feb. 11. Cost is $150 and pre-registration is required.

Melonville Comedy Festival celebrates 30th year

HERMISTON — A trio of funnymen will take the stage during the 30th annual Melonville Comedy Festival.

The 21 and older event is Jan. 26, 7 p.m. at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road. Individual tickets are $40 and sponsored tables are $400. The event helps raise money for the local Special Olympics program.

Featuring touring comedians: Gabriel Rutledge is the event headliner; JR Berard is the featured comedian and the emcee is Chase Mayers. Midway Bar & Grill will serve no-host drinks.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.melonvillecomedyfestival.com. For questions, call 541-567-5180.

Pancake feed supports volleyball

PRAIRIE CITY — A fundraising pancake feed for Oregon club volleyball team is happening Saturday, Jan. 6, 8-11 a.m. at the teen center in Prairie City. Cost is $5 per plate, and the pancakes come with a variety of topping choices.

5th and 6th graders ski for free

ANTHONY LAKES — Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort will again offer a free program on Sundays from Jan. 7 through Feb. 25 when students in grades five and six can ski or snowboard for free. Participants register every Sunday from 8:30-9:45 a.m. in the lodge, then receive a free lift ticket, rental and mandatory lesson.

For more information, visit anthonylakes.com.

Drama class, papermaking offered at ACE

LA GRANDE — A “Creative Drama” class for ages 3-5 is planned for Friday, Jan. 5, 11 a.m. to noon., at mNemosyne Studios, 104 Depot St. The class, offered through Art Center East, is led by Rikki Jo Hickey, a theater artist who has taught classes, workshops and summer camps for all ages for more than 20 years. She has an MFA in theater direction from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

In this workshop, parents/guardians and children will engage in a variety of activities and games based on American theater educator Viola Spolin’s creative drama methodology. Attendance is free. Register online at artcentereast.org.

Another upcoming class is an introduction to paper making on Saturday, Jan. 6, 1-3 p.m. This workshop, for ages 12 and older, includes the basics of handmade paper crafting and how to incorporate colors, dried flowers, leaves and more. All supplies are included. Cost is $55 members or $66 nonmembers. Register at artcentereast.org.

Join a workshop at Fishtrap

ENTERPRISE — In January, Fishtrap presents “Listening as a Writer,” an online creative writing workshop with Corinna Cook.

It begins Jan. 10 and meets Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. Registration is $240 or $215 for Fishtrappers. All ages and experiences are welcome. Register at fishtrap.org.

This workshop takes a sound-centered approach to writing and asks “How do writers fuel their prose with the sounds of their lives?” Weekly listening exercises will highlight voices, music and the environment, while writing prompts will help guide insights from the ear onto the page.

In class meetings, participants will discuss published nonfiction influenced by sound and will receive craft instruction. Attendees are also encouraged to share reflections on their listening and will have the opportunity to share new work.

Cook is the author of “Leavetakings,” an essay collection (University of Alaska Press, 2020). She holds degrees from Pomona College and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and she earned a Ph.D. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Missouri.

Register now for Community African Drumming

LA GRANDE — The winter term of Community African Drumming, a program offered by Art Center East, begins Jan. 9 and continues through March 12. Classes meet Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. in Loso Hall room 123 at Eastern Oregon University.

Participants will learn how to play the djembe (a goblet-shaped drum played with bare hands) or refine skills. Drums are provided. No experience is necessary.

The class is open to ages 12 and older. Cost is $45 for current ACE members, or $55 for nonmembers. Register online at artcentereast.org, in person at ACE (1006 Penn Ave.), or by calling 541-624-2800.