For years, our columnist Sarah Cook and her partner have made popcorn and hot chocolate hopped in their tiny Subaru, put on All Classical Portland, and driven around The Dalles as they pretended to assign trophies to the most spectacularly decorated houses.  This year Sarah is handing out accolades in CCCNews with four awards. First up: Best Tree goes to the Hutesons.

Entertainment in the Gorge is hitting a fevered pitch in the next couple of days as opportunities for live music, entertainment, comedy and local concerts are coming down the chimney like a bag of toys. Check out the offerings and opportunities for holiday fun here.

This week, I sat down with comedian Jon Bennett, an Australian storyteller who gives an amazingly sordid and bizarre story of his brother’s life with poignant reflection. Bennett will be performing twice this weekend - Tonight, Dec. 16, at the Granada in The Dalles and on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Bingen Theater. Tickets are still on sale. Click here to find out more.

The Hares have been spearheading a collaborative effort between local restaurants and musicians to bring live music every night to The Dalles. It’s getting noticed. And now it’s getting statewide coverage.

A bunch of energetic Colonel Wright Elementary students - 20 to be exact - were caroling throughout the community last week in The Dalles. It was a cool 10-show, city-wide tour as they performed for different groups, ranging from retirement homes to service groups to public locations. Another public performance is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15.

Mary and Dennis Davis have greeted a lot of people in their service with The Dalles Floozies and Friends. And this year was no different as some 150 boats brought thousands of tourists to the community. Estimates put the total drop in our community around $700,000. But Dennis and Mary’s commitment to teasing tourists? Priceless!

We’re coming into a manic weekend as the days count down to Christmas. And the presents are already dropping as art, music and entertainment are piling up like packages at the post office. This weekend brings us Brewer’s Grade, Anna Veimeister and Aaron Myer to name just a few. Check our latest here and stuff your stocking with some good times.

Cascade Singers to spread the music with six concerts in TD

Moe Dixon and Tess and Patrik Barr will play a free show at Riverside Community Church in Hood River on Friday, Dec. 2nd at noon. Dixon will also play The Pines in HR starting at 6 p.m. Miles From Nowhere, a four-piece band from Central Oregon will bring a set filled with Classic Rock, Blues, Country and Alternative to Zim’s in TD on Saturday, Dec. 3, starting at 7 p.m.

Where the movie actually sings is in its dark meditation on grief, loss, and the weight of responsibility left to the living. Overall, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an interesting entry in the Marvel universe, but a mixed bag to be sure.

The Snow Sisters and Goldendale Reindeer Farm are creating a ton of holiday magic for local youths this Christmas Season as they offer events around the Gorge. Tegan Shermikas takes along for the ride as the Sisters work their magic. Sounds pretty fun. We wish we were 5 again.

Mt. Adams Institute presents a Sense of Place lecture featuring the historic Mitchell Point Tunnel past and present. The presentation will occur in-person at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon, and via livestream on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 7 p.m.

The Second Annual Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk Family Fun Run in The Dalles got underway this morning, our day of the bird, Nov. 24. More than 200 people showed up in their best Thanksgiving duds. This year, all proceeds will go toward the TD Backpack program and then those dollars will be matched by Columbia Gorge Motors up to $5k.

It’s a gobble-gobble throwdown as local venues stuff the holiday weekend with shows, entertainment, art and music.
Al Hare is kicking it off with a Wild Turkey Party on Wednesday at the Bargeway Pub. Keep it neat, Al. No ice.

Skip the internet. Skip the mall. Shopping, Drinking, Shopping - Only at Working Hands Brewery on Black Friday, Nov. 25. Check out our weekly roundup of upcoming holiday Bazaars

Columbia Gorge Community College celebrated Native American Heritage Month with eight-time Grammy Award nominees the Black Lodge Singers at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center, in The Dalles, OR on November 17th. Plus other ways to celebrate Native American Heritage in the Gorge this month.

It’s that plush time of year - holidays on the horizon and great music to be had everywhere. Check out this week’s listing of great arts and entertainment throughout the Gorge. Carrell, Johnson on tap for Saturday, Nov. 19 at Bargeway

Join local author Heidi Burke for a Q & A at The Dalles Library to celebrate her newest book, "A Superhero for Christmas," on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 5:30 p.m.

Tár and The Banshees of Inisherin, two of the year’s best films, examine the power and cost of art to sublime ends, admittedly through very different lenses. And both films will undoubtedly be strong contenders for the upcoming awards season.