Monthly dance is Dec. 28 in La Grande

LA GRANDE — The BlueMountaineers will have their monthly dance on Saturday, Dec. 28, 6-9 p.m. at the Union County Senior Center, 1504 N. Albany St.

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

Resolution Run races into 2025 on Oxbow Trail

HERMISTON — Get ready to run, trot, skip or walk into the new year during the Resolution Run on Jan. 1, 2025, in Hermiston.

The free family-friendly event is not timed. It starts at 10 a.m. at Riverfront Park, 500 SW 23rd St., and travels along the Oxbow Trail. Participants can choose their distance — the entire length of the trail is 3.1 miles.

Well-behaved dogs on leashes, children on scooters and babies in strollers are all welcome. Registration is not required and entry is free — just bundle up and show up. For more information, search Facebook via rebrand.ly/saeeade. For questions, email timothybeal@gmail.com.

Grande Ronde Symphony announces competition

LA GRANDE — The Grande Ronde Symphony is accepting applications for the Concerto + Aria Competition. There are three categories, and the winners of each receive a monetary prize and will perform with the symphony in 2025.

The Young Student category is open to musicians from grade six through high school in Eastern Oregon and Southeast Washington.

The Advanced Student category is for college-bound seniors in high school and students currently enrolled at a public or private university or college with a maximum age of 26.

The Open category is for instrumentalists and vocalists of any age who live in Oregon, Idaho or Washington.

Winners in the student categories will perform May 28, 2025, in La Grande. The Open category winner will perform in the November 2025 concerts in La Grande and Baker City.

For details and applications, visit granderondesymphony.org/concerto-aria.

Auditions set for ‘Outside Mullingar’

BAKER CITY — Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre will hold auditions for “Outside Mullingar,” which will be performed Feb. 7-9 and Feb. 14-16.

Auditions are Thursday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Dec. 30, at 6 p.m. at the theater, 2101 Main St.

Pop-up exhibit highlights Vanport

MISSION — “Vanport,” a Pepsi Primetime Pop-up exhibit, continues through Dec. 31 at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, off Interstate 84, exit 216. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed Dec. 25-26.

The traveling exhibit chronicles the history of Vanport, which was destroyed by floodwater in 1948. Its name was derived from a combination of the two cities on either side of the Columbia River — Portland and Vancouver. The area is now occupied by a golf course, a public park and the Portland International Raceway.

Established as a wartime housing development, Vanport was the second-largest city in Oregon. The first residents arrived in December 1942, with many working at the Kaiser Shipyards. It was known for social innovation and its racial diversity.

Museum admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors, $5 students and free for 5 and under. For more information, search www.tamastslikt.org or call 541-429-7700.

Free First Day Hikes in Oregon

Park rangers and volunteers with Oregon State Parks will lead 37 guided hikes in 30 parks across the state during First Day Hikes.

Participation is free and the day-use parking fee is waived. A pair of opportunities are available in Eastern Oregon on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 10 a.m.:

Cottonwood Canyon State Park, located off Highway 206, between Condon and Wasco. Participants will depart from the Experience Center for a moderate hike on the Pinnacles Trail along the John Day River canyon. Watch for mule deer, red-tailed hawk and the park’s resident herd of California bighorn sheep. Strollers are not recommended because of sloping terrain.

Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area (pre-registration required because of limited equipment) will feature a snowshoeing hike on easy-to-medium terrain. Accessible accommodations are not available. The park is about 20 miles east of Pendleton, off Interstate 84 at Exit 234.

Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at both events. Also, bring plenty of water (and snacks, if desired). Wear sturdy hiking boots and dress for cold weather with layers, gloves and hats.

For a full list and additional information about First Day Hikes, search bit.ly/4ggunx2. The link also provides access to register for snowshoeing at Emigrant Springs.

Walla Walla vineyard announces art show

WALLA WALLA — Following its inaugural art show that showcased 57 works, Foundry Vineyards is planning another juried art show for 2025.

This year’s show invites artists to submit work reflecting the theme “Resilience,” an idea that speaks to personal, collective, and environmental strengths, according to a press release.

A portion of the proceeds from the art sales will again support ArtWalla’s Arts Build Communities Grant, which provides funding for arts, cultural, and educational programs across the Walla Walla Valley.

Eligible artists must be 18 and older and live within a 60-mile radius of Walla Walla. Accepted mediums are drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media.

The submission deadline is Jan. 15, and the show opens Feb. 7.

Submissions are accepted electronically. For full guidelines, details, and application information, visit www.foundryvineyards.com/juriedshow2025.

“We were thrilled by the response to our first juried show, which brought together artists and art enthusiasts from our community,” said Lisa Anderson, general manager. “This year’s theme of ‘Resilience’ feels particularly fitting, and we look forward to showcasing work that captures the enduring creativity of our local artists.”

Writing workshops planned at Fishtrap

ENTERPRISE — Fishtrap offers writing workshops throughout the year. Register at fishtrap.org or email mike@fishtrap.org. Here’s a look at upcoming offerings:

• “Mothering as Transformation: A Poetic Journey” meets Jan. 4 and Jan. 11, 9-10:30 a.m. This online creative writing workshop will be led by Jessica Gigot. Participants will “explore motherhood/mothering as transformation, read from a diverse selection of mother-poets, and discuss how and why motherhood matters are relevant to all readers.” Registration is $60 or $55 for Fishtrappers.
• A one-hour online workshop with J.B. Kish titled ”Project Managing Your Novel: How to Write a Book in Ten Months or Less” is set for Feb. 26, 6-7 p.m. Registration is $20 or $18 for Fishtrappers.
• Susan Pesti-Strobel will lead an in-person memoir workshop titled ”Family of Strangers: A Confluence of Life Stories” on March 1, 8 and 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. Registration is $100 or $90 for Fishtrappers.
• Amy Minato will lead two workshops this spring. ”Writes of Spring: Part 1, Ides of March” will be online March 4, 11 and 18 from 6-8 p.m. Registration is $120 or $110 for Fishtrappers. ”Writes of Spring: Part 2, April Fools” will be April 1, 8 and 15 from 6-8 p.m. This is an online memoir workshop. Registration is $120 or $110 for Fishtrappers.

Cody Johnson to headline 2025 Whisky Fest

PENDLETON — Local country music fans will have a chance to experience a musician known for his explosive live shows and electrifying stage presence — Cody Johnson is the 2025 headliner for Pendleton Whisky Music Fest.

The ninth annual event is July 12, 2025, at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds. The full lineup and ticket sales will be announced in early 2025. Save your Christmas cash, tickets will range from $99-$175 via bit.ly/3nyDouN.

A singer-songwriter from Texas, Johnson is fresh off winning album of the year for “Leather” at the 58th annual Country Music Association Awards, held Nov. 20 in Nashville. He’s also known for ‘“Til You Can’t” — the CMA’s single of the year in 2022, which also garnered a Grammy for the best country song.

For more about Whisky Fest, visit www.pendletonwhiskymusicfest.com. Johnson’s website is www.codyjohnsonmusic.com.