Toddler Takeover returns in January

HERMISTON — If Santa brought your children new pedal-powered toys for Christmas, Toddler Takeover is the place to be.

Moms and dads must bring their child’s ride — trikes, scooters and Big Wheels — to enjoy indoor riding each Thursday in January, from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Highway 395. The drop-in fee is $1 per child.

The activity is open to children 5 and under — parents must remain onsite during the event. In addition to a designated riding area, there is a pit stop play area with activities.

For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3SQQ7VT or call Hermiston Parks & Recreation at 541-667-5018.

Bingo nights in Umatilla

UMATILLA — Get ready to yell “Bingo” during bingo nights for adults and children at Umatilla City Hall, 700 Sixth St.

The upcoming Kid’s Bingo events start at 6 p.m. on Jan. 17 and Jan. 31. The games are designed for children ages 5 and up. The registration fee is $5.

Adult Bingo Night is offered Jan. 18, Feb. 1 and Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. The cost is $15 per person and includes an opportunity to win prizes.

For more information or to register, visit www.umatillaparksandrec.org. For questions, contact 541-922-3226 or carrie.holmes@umatilla.gov.

Learn how to play the mountain dulcimer

JOSEPH — Heidi Muller will lead a five-week adult beginner class on Learn to Play the Mountain Dulcimer starting Sunday, Jan. 12, 2-3:30 p.m. at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St. in Joseph.

The class will run through Feb. 9. The cost is $150. Registration is open now at www.josephy.org or register in person at the center.

The mountain dulcimer is an American fretted folk instrument that is easy to learn, with no musical experience required, Muller said.

Usually made in an hourglass or teardrop shape, it has only three or four strings that are pressed from above and strummed while held on the lap. Students can typically learn one or two simple songs in the first lesson.

Rental dulcimers are available from the instructor for $50 for anyone who does not have their own. To reserve one, email heidi.muller.music@gmail.com.

Muller also has new and used instruments available for sale.

Muller, from Joseph, is a nationally known mountain dulcimer instructor and performer as well as a singer-songwriter and guitarist.

She has taught dulcimer for over 35 years and has been an instructor at dozens of dulcimer festivals across the country.

Muller has produced nine CDs and numerous songbooks, and hosts the adult music camp, Dulcimer Week in the Wallowas, every July.

For more information, please contact the instructor at Heidi.muller.music@gmail.com, call 304-382-9422, or visit her website at www.heidimuller.com.

SAGE Saturday features free children’s activities

BOARDMAN — Children ages 3-10 are invited to participate in free activities that highlight art, sensory and science skills during SAGE Saturday in Boardman.

The upcoming event is Saturday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road. In addition to slime-themed arts and crafts, the January activity features salt painting. A parent must accompany their children.

The final SAGE Saturday of the season is Feb. 1. For more information, search www.visitsage.com or call 541-481-7243.

Thunder from Down Under offers cheeky fun

MISSION — Grab your gal pals for an “abs-solutely” entertaining evening, as one of the top male revue dancing troupes is performing a pair of shows at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

With an all-Australian lineup, Thunder From Down Under features audience interaction, heart-pounding dance music, sensational costumes and buff men with rippling abs. The performances are Feb. 1 in the casino’s Rivers Event Center, located off Interstate 84, exit 216. Showtimes are 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Ticket sales are hot, so don’t miss the chance to see these sizzling 21 and older shows. General reserved seats are $35 each. In addition, a few party table seats, which are closer to the stage, are still available for $49. Also, a no-host cash bar will be available. For more information, search www.wildhorseresort.com. The ticket link is https://shorturl.at/5W1PF.

Classes added to calendar at Art Center East

LA GRANDE — Art Center East, 1006 Penn Ave., is adding new classes on a regular basis to their calendar. Here’s a brief look at what’s coming up, but check out artcentereast.org for full details and to register.

• Jan. 4: Beginning Watercolor,
• Winter Woodland, 10 a.m. to noon. Ann Yoder will demonstrate basic techniques of solid, gradient and transitional washes. All supplies included. Cost: $35 members, $40 nonmember.
• Jan. 4: You Can Do It series — Watercolor Painting for ages 13-18, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Students will start with easy-to-learn techniques and then draw simple nature scenes such as trees, rocks, leaves and landscapes. Cost: free.
• Jan. 4: Introduction to Comic Books for 18 and older. Five-session class meets Saturdays from Jan. 4 to Feb. 1 from 3-4 p.m. Learn how to use traditional mediums of paper, pencil, ink and markers to create and illustrate three unique stories. Cost: $60 member, $70 nonmember.
• Jan. 6: Beginning Mandolin for ages 8 and older. Four-session class meets Mondays in January from 7-8:30 p.m. Cost: $80 member, $90 nonmember (youth scholarships are available).
• Jan. 7: Sunrise Personal Yoga Practice for age 21 and older. Meets Tuesdays from 5:30-7 a.m. through March 18 at Zen Collective, 1119 Adams Ave. Teaching artist is Nancy Knowles. Cost: donation.
• Jan. 7: Poetry for Non-Poets and Poets Alike. Meets Tuesdays through Feb. 11 from 6-7 p.m. Teaching artist is Amelia Diaz Ettinger. Cost: $65 member, $75 nonmember.
• Jan. 7: Community African Drumming for ages 12 and older. Meets Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m., through March 11 at Eastern Oregon University’s Loso Hall Room 123. Cost: $45 member, $55 nonmember.
• Jan. 9: Beginning Stained Glass, 1-4 p.m. Meets Thursdays through Jan. 30. No experience necessary. Cost $230 member, $250 nonmember.
• Jan. 9: Comic Book Creation forTeens (ages 13-18), 4-5 p.m. on Thursdays through Feb. 6. Cost: free.
• Jan. 9: Introduction to Blacksmithing — Kebab Skewer, 6-8 p.m. at Fire Arts Blacksmithing School,
• 702 Adams Ave. No metalworking experience required. Students ages 14-17 must be accompanied by a paid adult. Cost: $75 member, $90 nonmember.

The Junebugs to perform at Wildhorse

MISSION — High-energy pop is featured as The Junebugs get set to play at the Wildhorse Sports Bar, off Interstate 84, exit 216.

The Portland-based trio will perform Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, both nights from 8 p.m. to midnight. There is no cover charge.

According to the group’s website, The Junebugs offer pop with a twist of Pacific Northwest folksy goodness. Imagine, they said, if Neil Young and Janis Joplin had three love children who grew up liking folk rock and hip hop.

The trio covers such musicians as Tom Petty, TLC and Lorde — offering up Americana and hip hop with an emphasis on vocal harmonies.

Also, their original tunes feature a dreamy sound peppered with fiery banjo lines.

For other upcoming shows at Wildhorse, visit www.wildhorseresort.com. For more about The Junebugs, visit www.thejunebugs.net.

Campus Life offers ski/snowboard trips

HERMISTON — Area students in eighth through 12th grade are invited to hit the slopes with Hermiston Campus Life at Ski Bluewood, near Dayton, Washington.

The skiing and snowboarding trips are Jan. 18, Feb. 15 and March 15 — departing at 8 a.m. from the Campus Life building, 595 S. First St., with an anticipated return to Hermiston around 7 p.m.

The cost is $20, which includes transportation by Campus Life staff, equipment rentals and gear, a lift ticket, lunch and lessons (if needed).

Participants need to bring money for dinner.

Students must register in advance, including completing liability and lesson/rental forms, via www.hermistoncampuslife.squarespace.com. For questions or to request financial assistance, call/text 541-969-1017.

The nonprofit faith-based organization offers mentorship, provides a safe place for youths to hang out and coordinates a variety of activities and outings.

For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3woxg9P.

Fifth, sixth graders ski free on Sundays at A. Lakes

NORTH POWDER — Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort will again offer free skiing and snowboarding on Sundays for students in grades five and six.

The program begins Jan. 5 and runs through Feb. 23.

The “5th & 6th Grade Ski Free” program is open to any fifth and sixth graders, local or visiting. Participants need to bring a school ID or current report card to register every Sunday from 8:30-9:45 a.m. in the upper level of the main lodge.

Students receive a free lift ticket, rental and mandatory lesson.

An accompanying adult can receive a reduced lift ticket for $25.

Children who attend seven of the eight Sundays can purchase a discounted season pass.

For more details, visit anthonylakes.com.

Melonville brings laughter to EOTEC

HERMISTON — A trio of funnymen will provide the laughs during the 31st annual Melonville Comedy Festival.

Headliner Tom Simmons, featured act Andrew Sleighter and emcee Sam Miller will take the stage on Jan. 24 at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road.

The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

The comedy festival is open to adults 21 and older.

No-host drinks will be available from Midway Bar & Grill. Also, Hermiston-Pendleton Special Olympics will sell a variety of food.

Tickets are $40 each via www.melonvillecomedyfestival.com.

Watch for a full story about the event in next week’s Go! Eastern Oregon.

Community ensembles start rehearsals soon

LA GRANDE — The Grande Ronde Community Band starts rehearsals Monday, Jan. 6, 6-7 p.m. in the Groth Recital Hall (room 126) in Eastern Oregon University’s Loso Hall. The band invites all woodwind, brass and percussion players to join the ensemble. All skill levels and ages are welcome. Participation fees are $50 individual, $75 for a household or $10 for middle/high school and college students. College credit is available through EOU, and band fees are waived if taken for credit. Scholarships are available — for information, email k_kathryn@hotmail.com. The term ends with a concert on March 10.

The Grande Ronde Community Choir begins rehearsals on Thursday, Jan. 9, 7-9 p.m, in Loso Hall (room 123) at EOU. All skill levels and ages are welcome. Participation fees are $50 individual, $75 for a household or $10 for middle/high school and college students. College credit is available through EOU. The term ends with a free community concert on March 10. For information, send an email to kendracrosswhite@gmail.com