Ian Moore, known for his soulful blues sound, will perform during Wednesdays in the Park on Aug. 7, 2024, at Roy Raley Park, Pendleton.

Star party planned in Halfway Aug. 3

HALFWAY — Stargazers are invited to a star party on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Pine Valley Fairgrounds in Halfway.

The event starts at 8 p.m. with kids’ activities, snacks, drinks and stargazing. Telescopes will be set up, and those attending are encouraged to bring their own telescopes, binoculars or spotting scopes.

And that’s not the only event that day in Halfway — a concert by the Bad Penny Pleasuremakers starts at 7 p.m. on the Main Street Stage. This part of a summer concert series is supported by the Cornucopia Arts Council, Oregon Community Foundation and Leo Adler Foundation.

Get ready for some crashing cars

HAINES — The Haines Stampede demolition derby is Saturday, Aug. 3, at the rodeo arena in Haines. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m.

Entry is $15 for ages 13 and older, $8 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger. A pit pass, for ages 18 and older, is available for $30.

Participants will compete for $10,000 worth of prize money, and the halftime entertainment is motorized barrel racing.

The derby is a major fundraiser for the Haines Stampede to support maintenance and projects at the Stampede grounds, which is home to the annual rodeo on July 3 and 4 every year.

For more information, call Kenny Bain, 541-519-4825 or visit hainesstampede.com.

Library hosts annual Comic Con

PENDLETON — Contests, comics, prizes and more are on tap during Library Comic Con. The fourth annual event is Saturday, Aug. 4, 1-4:30 p.m. at the Pendleton Public Library, 502 SW Dorion Ave.

The family-friendly event includes vendors, trivia contests, an escape room, a video game tournament, tabletop gaming, a board game lending library, crafts, a sword-fighting demonstration, a super hero obstacle course and a costume contest.

Participants can pre-register for the costume contest online or by 3:30 p.m. at the event. The contest begins at 4 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for best adult costume, best youth costume and people’s choice.

Items may be purchased from vendors, but admission to all library activities is free. For the full schedule, vendor application and costume contest registration, visit bit.ly/3SlSMYg.

Catch ‘The Lion King JR’ in Elgin

ELGIN — There’s still time to catch a showing of “The Lion King JR” at the Elgin Opera House.

The final performances are 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.

Elgin Opera House Executive Director Terry Hale said the production features a cast of more than 100 young actors, ages 6 to 18.

Tickets are available for $8-15 at www.elginoperahouse.com.

Sweet N’ Juicy plays Side A

LA GRANDE — If you listen to even one song of “Sweet N’ Juicy,” your understanding of reality will be considerably altered.

Think Talking Heads mashed up with a bit of SNL and a dash of Jack Black. Except with diva-like vocals (Paul Paresa, aka Juicy the Strawberry), a groovin’ bass beat (Dave Smith, aka Sweet the Banana) and a honky tonk rhythm section provided by the King of Drumsticks (Jay Day Harris, aka N’ the Pineapple).

Juicy wails with everything he’s got and his trilling keyboard will take your breath away, while Sweet and N’ provide the harmonies and steady backbeat that will guide you on this surreal musical journey.

Sweet N’ Juicy has performed on Warped Tour, been featured in High Times Magazine, and co-written music with Blondie, as well as backing up several notable and Grammy Award winning musicians.

The band plays Saturday, Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m. at Side A Brewing’s public house, 1219 Washington Ave. They also play Aug. 9, 6 p.m. at Barley Brown’s taphouse in Baker City, and Aug. 11, 7 p.m., at Terminal Gravity in Enterprise. To read an in-depth interview, visit goeasternoregon.com/sound_check.

Community Kindness hosts concert Aug. 3

LA GRANDE — Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon, 1315 Adams Ave., is hosting an evening of music and song on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m. featuring Larry Knapp.

Knapp’s piano and vocal stylings include elements of ragtime, swing, blues and the classic romantic ballads from The Great American Songbook. He has entertained throughout the world at dinner shows, cabarets and piano bars. However, he is happiest when sharing his love of music at senior communities or gathering a crowd wherever he finds a random piano, be it antique stores, malls, cruise ships or even a thrift shop.

Admission is by donation with $5 recommended. For more information, call 541-605-0340, visit the Community Kindness website at ckthriftstore.com or check out their Facebook page.

Ian Moore to play in Pendleton

PENDLETON — Blues guitarist Ian Moore will perform during the upcoming Wednesdays in the Park.

Moore, who launched his solo career after playing with the Joe Ely Band, will take the stage Wednesday, Aug. 7, 6-8 p.m. at Roy Raley Park, 1205 SW Court Ave. The musician is said to perform live shows “like they are the last thing he will ever do.”

Local food vendors and a beer/wine garden also will be onsite. The free concert series continues weekly through Aug. 21. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/4c3ha8X.

Catch a concert every Thursday

ENTERPRISE — The Courthouse Concert Series continues on Thursdays, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Wallowa County Courthouse, 101 S. River St. Attendance is free, and this series is sponsored by the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance.

Next month includes Karyn Ann (Aug. 1), Bikini Drone (Aug. 8), Jenny Parrott (Aug. 15), The Bad Penny Pleasuremakers (Aug. 22) and Desert Moondogs Band (Aug. 29).

Spend Sunday afternoon in the park

BAKER CITY — Wayland Harmon and Friends will play for the Powder River Music Revue on Sunday, Aug. 4, 4-6 p.m. at the Powder River Pavilion in Geiser-Pollman Park.

Admission is free, although the audience can support the concert by buying raffle tickets ($5 each or $20 for five) for prizes, such as gift cards donated by local businesses. Also, season memberships are available for $35.

Catch a movie in the park

PENDLETON — Pendleton Parks and Recreation is again sponsoring Movies in the Park on Fridays through August. Each evening begins at 7:30 p.m. at Community Park with pre-movie activities such as kickball, cornhole, flag football and concessions with popcorn, soda, candy and more.

Planned movies are: “Shrek” (Aug. 2); “Wonka” (Aug. 9); “Hook” (Aug. 16) and “Migration” (Aug. 23).

SkyDogs to rock into Maxwell Market

HERMISTON — SkyDogs, a Kennewick-based group that plays 1950s-1990s rock with an Americana twist, is returning to Maxwell Market.

The band will perform Thursday, Aug. 1, 4-7 p.m. at the Maxwell Siding Event Center & Pavilion, 145 N. First Place. The farmers market features locally grown produce, value-added foods and handcrafted items. In addition, beer and prepared food are available for purchase.

There won’t be a farmers market on Aug. 8. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3zHgYhb. For questions, contact 541-561-1047 or maxwelleventcenter@gmail.com.

Kick up your heels with Stone Country

IRRIGON — Pull out your cowboy boots and get ready to kick up your heels during Music in the Parks in Morrow County.

Hailing from the Tri-Cities, Stone Country will perform crowd favorites on Monday, Aug. 5, 7 p.m. at Irrigon Marina Park, 430 NE Eighth St. Bring a picnic and a lawn chair and enjoy the free music.

The summer concert series alternates each Monday through Aug. 19 between Irrigon and Boardman marina parks. For the full schedule, search www.facebook.com/boardman-irrigon.

Condon hosts artisan market, concert

CONDON — The second of the 2024 season’s Condon Artisan Market & Summer Concerts is Saturday, Aug. 3 in downtown Condon.

The market runs from 4-7 p.m. and the music cranks up from 6-9 p.m. For more information, search oregonfrontierchamber.com. For questions, call 541-384-7777.

Contra dance planned for Aug. 7

WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla Friends of Acoustic Music will host a free contra dance on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m. at the Walla Walla Pioneer Park gazebo, 940 E. Alder St.

Contras, squares and other dances will be taught during the evening. The Wednesday Night Band provides live music. Everyone is welcome.

For information, contact Howard Ostby at 541-938-7403 or htostby@gmail.com.