Battle of the Bars stirs things up

PENDLETON — A spirited competition pits local bartenders against each other while raising money for the Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame.

The Battle of the Bars fundraiser kicks off Friday, April 18, 4-11 p.m. at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds, 1205 SW Court Ave. The 21 and older event includes gaming, raffles, door prizes, a beer garden and competition cocktails.

The evening begins at 4 p.m. with a cornhole tournament. To register, call 541-310-0791 or 541-969-4721.

The fun moves inside the Let’er Buck Room at 6 p.m., where local bartenders will compete by making signature drinks with Pendleton Whisky.

Attendees can purchase drink tickets to cast their vote for their favorite concoction. At 8 p.m., the champion will be announced, with the winning bar earning bragging rights. With the night still young, Hall of Fame and Happy Canyon Association directors will provide bar service until 10 p.m.

For more information, search www.rounduphalloffame.org.

Monthly contra dance is April 19

MILTON-FREEWATER — The Walla Walla Friends of Acoustic Music will have a contra dance on Saturday, April 19, at the Timberrib, 84847 Winesap Road. The dance begins at 7 p.m. with live music by the Wednesday Night Band. Local callers teach all dances. Admission is $5, or $3 for WWFMA members.

Dancers are asked to not wear boots or spiked heeled shoes to protect the dance floor. For information, email htostby@gmail.com or clarkdn@charter.net.

SAIL into healthy fun in Morrow County

HEPPNER — South Morrow County Seniors Matter launched its SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) program in March.

The exercise program is each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Senior Center, 190 N. Main St. It is funded by a grant from The Roundhouse Foundation.

In addition, the group offers a variety of YOLO (You Only Live Once) activities throughout the week. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, chair exercises begin at 8:30 a.m. and yoga starts at 4:30 p.m. Also, various crafts, games and classes are featured on Thursdays. Movie night is Friday, April 25, at 6 p.m.

For more information or to view the April schedule, search Facebook via bit.ly/3Vmia1y.

Wheatstock announces 2025 lineup

HELIX — Josh Meloy and Southall are the nightly headliners for the 17th annual Wheatstock Music Festival. The two-day event is Aug. 15-16 at Quantum 9 Arena.

The Americana, folk and country music event lineup also includes Them Dirty Roses, Darci Carlson, Kolton Moore & the Clever Few, The Lowdown Drifters, Kenny Feidler and Tylor & the Train Robbers.

Two-day general admission passes are $150 and two-day VIP passes, which include additional perks, are $300. Admission is free for kids 12 and under and active military personnel. In addition, recreational vehicle camping costs $100. Tent camping is free.

The festival features food truck vendors, a beer garden, merchandise sales and activities for children. For tickets and more information, visit www.wheatstock.org. See next week’s Go! for a full story about the festival.

Power House screens ‘Burden of Dreams’

WALLA WALLA — A documentary that follows director Werner Herzog’s arduous task as he films an entrepreneur’s vision to build an opera house in the Amazon jungle is coming to Walla Walla.

“Burden of Dreams,” which documents the making of “Fitzcarraldo,” will be screened Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. at the Power House Theatre, 111 N. Sixth Ave. Tickets are $15.

According to a press release, Roger Ebert hailed “Burden of Dreams” as “one of the most remarkable documentaries ever made about the making of a movie.” The four-year project includes a jaw-dropping scene where hundreds of native peoples of the Amazon pull a 320-ton steamship over a small mountain to the remote location one thousand miles from civilization.

For tickets or more information, visit www.phtww.org or call 509-529-6500.

Wildhorse celebrates moms with mariachi band

MISSION — Concert-goers in Eastern Oregon can celebrate Mexican Mother’s Day — El Dia de la Madre — with Mariachi Estrellas de Mexico.

Held yearly on May 10, the celebration is a joyful occasion often marked by lots of food, flowers and singing. The group will perform on Saturday, May 10, 7 p.m. in the Rivers Event Center at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The doors open at 6 p.m. and a cash-only bar will be available.

Adults 21 and older are invited to celebrate their moms with lively mariachi music, drink specials and dancing. General reserved seats are $49; table seats are sold out. In addition, all ticketholders will receive a fresh flower, $5 in free slot play and a $20 dining discount.

Wildhorse is off Interstate 84, Exit 216, seven miles east of Pendleton. For tickets, visit www.wildhorseresort.com.

Arts center plans a High Tea April 18

PENDLETON — Pendleton Center for the Arts is giving families a chance to be a little fancy this month with a High Tea.

“It’s a cute little family-friendly tea party, low key, nothing super fancy but enough for a nice time,” organizer Kate Brizendine said. “We’ll do a craft project and have some tea and cookies with some nice background music.”

Families are welcome to dress up or to attend in casual clothing.

Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Each ticket is good for up to three people.

“For the Family – High Tea” is 5:30-7 p.m. on Friday, April 18, at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St.

Register at pendletonarts.org or by contacting the PCA at classes@pendletonarts.org or 541-278-9201.

Books and Brews returns April 19

BAKER CITY — Betty’s Books and Barley Brown’s Brewpub are teaming up for another night of “Books and Brews” — buy a book, get a brew — on Saturday, April 19, from 2 p.m. to closing at the taphouse, 2200 Main St. The taphouse is for ages 21 and older.

Local author Desarae Damschen will attend the event, and many types of books for adults, kids and teens will be available, as well as stickers, book bags, socks and more.

“Like a book fair for adults,” said Jeana Phillips, owner of Betty’s Books.

For details, visit the social media pages for Betty’s Books and Barley Brown’s.

Pilot Rock hosts Spring Craft Market

PILOT ROCK — The Pilot Rock Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Spring Craft Market on Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pilot Rock Community Center, 285 NW Cedar Place.

Vendor space is $15 or $20 with power. For an application, visit www.cityofpilotrock.org/chamber. For questions, call 541-541-443-2811.

Hermiston Christian School sets dinner, auction

HERMISTON — The Hermiston Christian School’s 12th annual dinner auction fundraiser is Saturday, April 26, in the Hardin Event Center at the school, 1825 W. Highland Ave.

The doors open at 5 p.m. with silent auction bidding, followed by a tri-tip beef dinner prepared by Cookin’ Spoo Style. At 7 p.m., the live auction begins. The evening also features fun fundraising games, including a chance to win tasty treats during the dessert dash. Tickets are $40 each or $280 for a table of eight.

Hermiston Christian School was established in 1979. Proceeds from the benefit event will go toward equipment, classroom and gymnasium improvements, school supplies and other school-related programs.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hermistonchristianschool.org or call 541-567-3480.

Plan ahead for Washington quilt festival

WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla Quilt Festival is set for Sept. 12-13 at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds. Admission is $10, and good for both days.

This year, Jennie Jo Lamb of Lamb Farm Designers is the featured national quilter. For information about entering quilts or participating in several challenges, visit www.wallawallaquiltfestival.org or email info@wallawallaquiltfestival.org.