This Week In Gorge Entertainment by Jim Drake - Jan. 31

Howard Hessman and his character from WKRP In Cincinatti’s Dr. Johnny Fever are no longer spinning the black circle.

By Jim Drake

More Sad News…..

Betty White. Meatloaf. And now, sadly, we must report that WKRP's main character actor Howard Hessman passed away. Best remembered as Dr. Johnny Fever, the laid-back hippie who kept the tunes spinning at Cincinnati’s Prime Time TV sitcom radio station, we mustn’t forget he also had a bit part in the 1984 Mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap” - where he appeared as Terry “Duke” Ladd - a “major Rock Star” who breezes by the Spinal Tap band in the hotel lobby, on his way to his limo ride to his sold-out arena gig. The scene obviously shows the lifestyle perks Spinal Tap is missing out on, as Tap is on their way to gigs involving Zoo Puppet Shows and Dances at an Air Force Base.

‘Hood River’ Film at The Dalles Library

On Monday, Jan. 31, at 5:30 p.m., you can enjoy a free screening of "Hood River," a documentary about the Hood River boys soccer team trying to make it to championships. Coach Rivera will introduce the film and answer questions after. Refreshments provided. The Dalles Wasco County Library, The Dalles.

Pigs on the Wing in Bingen March 5

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 5, as Pink Floyd cover band Pigs on the Wing return to the Bingen Theater. Currently, on their “Wish You Were Here” Tour, Pigs on the Wing is an accurate recreation of the Pink Floyd band in All Aspects - Sound and Visuals. The show will include the full “Wish You Were Here” album and a full second set of Roger Waters era Pink Floyd. This special benefit show will help the Bingen Theater Restoration Fund for HVAC work and other equipment. Doors open at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. show. 21+. General admission tickets $35 through Eventbrite and VIP packages are available.

Click here for tickets and information.

More Talent Added to Big Rap Show coming March 5

R.A.P. Ferreira

According to critics, R.A.P. Ferreira “is known for an uncompromised, utopic flow that speaks directly to the root of the listener.” Also known as the founder of the Ruby Yacht label, Ferreira has been on constant tours since starting out over a decade ago in the Wisconsin hip-hop trio Nom de Rap. 

Ferreira brings his newest touring show “There & Back Again,” featuring R.A.P. Ferreira & Friends, including rapper, multi-instrumentalist Sha Ray, and Rob The Universe on Saturday, March 5, to Hood River’s River City Saloon. A Shea Wooten Presents production.

For tickets and more information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rap-ferreira-friends-hood-river-or-tickets-235672311227

‘Native Voices’ opens Feb. 4

Get ready for the new art show at Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River with “Contemporary Native Voices: Prints from Crow’s Shadow,” coming Feb. 4. Crow’s Shadow is a non-profit dedicated to providing Native Americans opportunities through artistic development. In addition, artist Don Bailey will be exhibiting in the lobby. 

‘Lowest Pair’ at Ruins Feb. 12

I seem to remember some marketing material from this band depicting a pear tree branch with pears hanging from it. My goodness, that fits into the Gorge Agricultural Scene, doesn’t it? Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee are the Lowest Pair, they play string band folk music and the duo has released five albums to their credit. Catch them on Saturday, Feb. 12, at Hood River’s The Ruins, from 6-9 p.m. Advance tickets available and proof of vax required. Click here for more information.

Swindler, Lost Ox at River City

If Funk, Jazz and Psych-Rock is Your Thing, don’t miss Seattle’s Swindler coming to Hood River’s River City Saloon on Friday, Feb. 25. Funk-Shredders Lost Ox opens. Whew! Click here for tickets.

Slapjack Casualty at Working Hands

Coming up on Friday, Feb. 25, catch the early show (7:30-9:30 p.m.) with live music from Slapjack Casualty at Hood River’s Working Hands Beer. Slapjack is promising an “intimate acoustic rollercoaster” of folk and Americana, direct from the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon.

No cover charge. Masks required.

Wine & Book Club meets Feb. 24

“The Great Alone,” by Kristin Hannah is the next topic of discussion for the Wine & Book Club meeting on Thursday, Feb. 24, 5:30 p.m. at Evoke Winery in Hood River. More info at Meetup.com:

Blues Shout-Out to Rich Wilkins

Saxophone player Rich Wilkins (Rich Wilkins Blues Band) was a staple in The Gorge Blues Scene years back and he now calls the Portland-area home. Wilkins says his new album “Life’s for Livin” is available on several streaming platforms and features guest musicians like Kevin Selfe, Jimi Bott and Paul Brainard. Check it out on Facebook here.

Junebug Boys on YouTube

The Gorge is once again represented on the behemoth of YouTube with the Junebug Boys diving into “Twin Tenor Mess Around,” featuring the talents of Aaron Keim (tenor guitar), Kerry Williams (tenor banjo), Larry Wyatt (guitar) and Ryan Kolberg (bass). The Ragtime number also features Keim’s Gorge-made Beansprout instruments. Watch it here.

‘Day Earth Stood Still’ at Granada

My VHS copy of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” says this 1951 Sci-Fi Classic was directed by the same guy who directed “The Sound of Music.” You have to love the original movie poster for this film, as it depicts an Alien Creature grasping the Entire Earth and Mobs of Panicked People trying to Escape Deadly Laser Beams. But if my memory serves, a lot of the dialog in this film takes place in A Regular Old Elevator. Showing Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4-5, 6 p.m. at The Granada Theater in The Dalles. 

Online Sense of Place Lecture Feb. 9

Maria Antonia “Toña” Sanchez and Joel Pelayo

The community of Hood River was the first in the nation to bring the role of Community Health Worker into the spotlight. Sense of Place lectures presents “Community Health Workers in the Gorge,” with Maria Antonia “Toña” Sanchez and Joel Pelayo on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. Register for Zoom access here:

Used Music Gear Sale at Underground Music Station· 

If you’re a Musician in need of an amp, speaker cab, PA system, drumset, or maybe even an instrument - The Underground Music Station is “thinning the herd and pricing items to move.” Message owner Tim Snyder for specifics or inquiries. Click here for more information.

Noteworthy A Cappella Choir at Civic Feb. 15

Noteworthy, one of Brigham Young University’s top a cappella ensembles is coming to The Dalles Civic Auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. Featuring nine powerhouse female vocalists and performing a varied repertoire including pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop and spiritual genres, Noteworthy “strives to empower women & young people to discover their own unique identities & divine nature through the power of vocal music.”   

With 70 million views on YouTube, seven albums and appearances on NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” discover why this ensemble is at the top of the A Cappella charts. Click here to purchase tickets.

Taps and Tunes, more at Zim’s

Music continues at Zim’s in The Dalles with:

Tuesday, Feb. 1: Tuesday Taps and Tunes with Kenny O3 (Al, Kenny, Jeff), 7-9 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 4: Midnight & Moonshine, 7-9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 5: Richard Morrow and Logan Kalsch, 7-9 p.m.

Trivia Night at Thunder Island

Trivia Night with Scott Anderson returns on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 6-9 p.m. at Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks. Details at: https://thunderislandbrewing.com/events/2022/1/6/trivia-night-with-scott-anderson-kwht3

HR Library celebrates Black History Month

The staff at the Hood River Library has put together a list of over 25 movies and documentaries that celebrate the “history, creativity and struggle of black experience and black filmmakers.” All films are available for check out and the list is available at: https://hoodriverlibrary.org/bhmmovielist/

Gigs Here and There

Friday, Feb. 4, Chic Preston at The Pines, Hood River, 6-9 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 13: Jazz Collective Big Band Dance at HR Elks, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 13, Superbowl Party at The Dalles Eagles, noon.

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Do you have an entertainment or music event coming up? Let our Jim Drake know by clicking here.