Fourth of July weekend crackling with entertainment in Gorge
This Week in Gorge Entertainment
By Jim Drake
The Top Gun Phenomena? I think it all started with Wings…
There are reports that the new Top Gun Maverick movie is approaching one billion dollars in box-office sales, and I’m sure that someday down the line I’ll contribute to that phenomenon as soon as they release a DVD. We’ll have to wait another year to see if Maverick earns an Academy Award for Best Picture, but in the meantime, it was interesting to watch the very first movie to win a “Best Picture” award - a movie called “Wings,” released in 1927.
Even though “Wings” is a silent, black and white film that was made before the time of fighter jets and computerized weapons systems, I couldn’t help but think of some similarities between this film and the current Billion-Dollar Franchise. “Wings” had, in no particular order - plot lines that involved a misunderstood love-triangle relationship, pilots not liking each other at first and then working together and becoming friends, being nervous about flight training exercises because the pilot that just left the airfield crashed his plane, actual aerial combat sequences that make you wonder how the heck they filmed it, various heroic actions and the unimaginable tragic loss of life due to, in this case, the activities of WWI. We also get to see the Early Century Entertainment side of things with pilots on a break in the city of Paris with access to Can-Can Showgirls and in one hometown sequence we get to see a gal play a Bowl-back Mandolin (although I don’t think she was playing “Take My Breath Away.”)
Anyway, I just can’t help but wonder if someone on the original Top Gun Staff did any research about Wings, it sure seems like there were a few plot lines that still connect, even with a timeline between movies that technically spans 95 years. I mean, there’s even a striking coincidence in the length of the movies. It looks like Maverick clocks in at 131 minutes, and Wings comes in at a surprising 139 minutes. There goes my theory that silent movies were “a lot shorter.” But, I’ll stick to the theory that the older movies can still be relevant when it comes to making a movie that might win “Best Picture” and I’ll bet someone might see similarities when they come out with Top Gun 3 in the Summer of 2117.
Igor & The Red Elvises at The Ruins
On Tuesday, June 28, Igor & The Red Elvises (pictured) return to The Ruins in Hood River. Since 1995, Igor & The Red Elvises has been bringing “Siberian Surf Rock” Dance Shows to stages around the world. J. Graves opens the show, starting at 6 p.m. On Thursday, June 30, it’s locals night with the Antonyms and The West Goats, starting at 6 p.m.
‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ at Granada Theatre
It’s James Cagney in “America’s greatest and most fun & musically patriotic movie ever made” as the Granada Theatre in The Dalles presents the 1942 classic “Yankee Doodle Dandy” on Friday and Saturday, July 1-2. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 6 p.m.
Tim Mayer at Columbia Center for Arts
A First Friday reception for landscape artist Rachel Harvey happens Friday, July 1, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, with music from pianist Tim Mayer.
‘Dirty Cowgirl’ Pride Event in Goldendale
Mark your calendars for Goldendale’s Dirty Cowgirl Pride Event on Saturday, July 23. For details visit: https://www.facebook.com/GoldendalePride/
Columbia River Music Fest coming July 16
The Columbia River Music Fest featuring Cloverdayle, Briana Renea and Zac Grooms comes to the Fort Dalles Riders Club in The Dalles on Saturday, July 16. Music starts at 5 p.m. and tickets are available at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce.
Rockfest features Warrant and Winger Aug. 13
A Rockfest of “Epic Proportions” is shaping up for Saturday, Aug. 13, at Lewis and Clark Park in The Dalles with Classic Heavy Rockers Winger (pictured) and Warrant. Additional bands include UnPause, Garden of Eden, Sucker Punch, and Innocents Torn. Event sponsored by Granada Theatre and Sedition Brewing. Tickets are on sale now at www.granadatheatrethedalles.com or call 815-993-6585.
Zac Grooms at Bargeway pub
Bargeway Pub in The Dalles announces a music lineup with local and regional acts with rock, blues and country.
Tuesday, June 28, Zac Grooms
Wednesday, June 29, Alex Dunn, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 30, Al + Nolan, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, July 1, Megan Alder & The Woods, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 2, BB Lake Band (1 p.m.), Huckleberry Road (7 p.m.)
Sunday, July 3, BB Lake Band (1 p.m.), Reddy Black Trio (6 p.m.)
Kiteboard film at River City
Join kiteboarder Ewan Jaspan on Thursday, June 30, at 7 p.m. at Hood River’s River City Saloon for the premiere of his new film “Traverse.” A Naish Traverse Board is the featured raffle prize for the evening.
First Friday back in Hood River
The Hood River County Chamber announces that First Fridays with downtown street closures (Oak St. between 1st and 6th) are back starting July 1. Many businesses stay open late with special events, art, music and more.
Music at Double Mountain
Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River welcomes local and regional acts to the stage:
Thursday, June 30, Al Hare, 7 p.m. (NW Country)
Saturday, July 2, Tony Smiley, 8 p.m. (Loop Ninja)
Sunday, July 3, Whalien, 7 p.m. (Jam-Fusion)
Live Music at Zim’s
Zim’s Brau Haus in The Dalles presents live local music.
Friday, July 1, Effron White & Lauren Blaine Duo, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, July 2, BB Blake Band, 7-9 p.m.
Writing Group meets at HR Library
On Thursday, June 30, at 3 p.m. in the Hood River Library meet fellow writers for a creative writing session. Bring your writing materials and get ready to work on your craft through idea prompts and share the results. Writer Patty Kaplan leads the session.
Live music at Working Hands Beer
Working Hands Beer in Hood River presents live music, trivia nights and more.
Sunday, July 3, Open Mic, 6 p.m.
Friday, July 8, Honey Jays (Folk Duo) 7:30 p.m.
Live Music at Stave and Stone
Stave and Stone’s Winery at the Vineyard (3827 Fletcher Drive, Hood River) brings live music to the stage on Sundays from 3-5 p.m.
July 3, June Bug Boys (Old-time String Band)
July 10, Willy & Nelson (Folk Rock)
‘Danza Azteca’ video debuts June 28
The White Salmon Library brings “Summer at Your Library” with access to cultural programs like Danza Azteca, an “authentic glimpse into indigenous Mexican culture with live music, dancing and storytelling.” The video is available starting on Wednesday, June 29, at 10:30 a.m. at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FVRLvirtual
Music at Kickstand Coffee
Hood River’s Kickstand Coffee is bringing live music to the stage on Wednesdays in June. Music starts at 7 p.m.
June 29: Coastal Prairie Band
July 6: Shane Lebsack and Sam Bauer
July 13: Honey Jays
July 20: Matt McCravey
Summer Reading, concerts at HR County Library
Summer Reading starts June 22 and sources say that it’s easy to track your progress on the Beanstalk Tracker app. Sign up individually or the whole family.
Several free concerts throughout the summer are planned in the Georgiana Smith Memorial Garden:
Wednesday, June 29, Los Amigos De La Sierra, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20, Mo Philips, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 3, Empowered Movement Aerial Performance, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 31, Reptile Man (Inside in the Reading Room), 5:30 p.m.
Live Music at Jacob Williams Winery
Jacob Williams Winery presents local and regional live music at the tasting room in Wishram. Music is from 1-4 p.m.
Saturday, July 2, Jenny Jahlee
Sunday, July 3, Ryan Durgan
Jason Michael Carroll at Route 30 July 2
Country hitmaker Jason Michael Carroll will make a tour stop with his acoustic show on Saturday, July 2, 7 p.m. in The Dalles at Route 30 Burgers, Bottles and Brews. “Carroll has opened for Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins, and Alan Jackson, and was a featured part of Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride’s 2008 tour. He also performed on “Good Morning America,” thrilled the crowds at the CMA Music Festival, and has graced the Grand Ole Opry stage on multiple occasions.”
Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../jason-michael-carroll-live
Music at Skamania Lodge
Skamania Lodge presents the Summer Music Series with Blues, Jazz, Folk and more with Northwest Favorites, from 5-7 p.m. in The Gorge Room or outside as weather permits.
July 3 Steve Hale (Singer songwriter)
July 4 Moe Dixon (Singer songwriter)
July 10 Doug Smith (Acoustic Guitar)
July 17 Robert Meade (Singer songwriter)
July 24 Terry Robb (Blues Guitar)
July 31 Steve Hale (Singer songwriter)
August 7 Shelly Rudolph (Jazz)
August 14 Sandra Heart / Wishflower (Acoustic Duo)
August 21 Moe Dixon (Singer Songwriter)
August 28 Doug Smith (Acoustic Guitar)
September 4 John Nilsen (Pop Contemporary)
September 5 Shelly Rudolph (Jazz)
‘In a Landscape’ returns June 30
Taking music to New Scenic Levels, In a Landscape-Classical Music in the Wild returns to venues in Oregon including a stop in Maupin on Thursday, June 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. Founding musician Hunter Noack “replaces the traditional concert hall…..by bringing a 9-foot Steinway grand piano on a flatbed trailer to National Parks, urban greenspaces, working ranches, farms, and historical sites for classical music concerts that connect people with each landscape. To meet the acoustical challenges of performing in the wild, music is transmitted to concert-goers via wireless headphones.” General Admission tickets are $35, but a limited number of free “Good Neighbor Tickets” are available at the Maupin Chamber of Commerce.
