THE DALLES — The Columbia Gorge’s largest city, commonly cited as a robust agricultural hub above all, is rarely acknowledged as a creative destination by outsiders. But for residents Marcus Swift and Rian Beach, founders of the nonprofit, all-volunteer event organizer The Dalles Overground (TDO), its vibrant creative foundation represents a community hungry for broadened cultural programming and further artistic avenues.

THE DALLES — The Dalles Overground (TDO) and the Performing Arts Initiative have announced a new three-day community music festival, The Hoot, celebrating arts and local culture in the heart of downtown from March 6-8.

HOOD RIVER — Columbia Center for the Arts (CCA), in partnership with Black in the Gorge (BiG), will present “Black Infinity House,” an immersive gallery exhibition featuring Black and BIPOC artists from across the Pacific Northwest.

HOOD RIVER — University of Idaho Professor of Law, natural resource rights advocate, and Cherokee Nation citizen Dylan Hedden-Nicely brought his wisdom to the Columbia Center for the Arts on Jan. 21, unraveling how the Northwest’s greatest gilled icon became sacred and ignited centuries of cultural and legal history.

THE DALLES — The Dalles Art Center invites community members to experience “Elemental: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit,” a dynamic open exhibition exploring the fundamental forces that shape our world and inner lives. The showcase opens with a free-to-the-public reception on Jan. 29, from 5–7 p.m., featuring artwork by regional artists working across a wide range of media, and will close on March 7.

THE DALLES —Over 700 people packed The Dalles High School on Jan. 9 for MCCCA’s 12th annual Dancing with the Gorge Stars.

A special Sense of Place event will take the stage at Columbia Center for the Arts on Jan. 29, “The Volcano Listening Project.”

HOOD RIVER — Artists and art enthusiasts alike gathered for vino and visitation at Cathedral Ridge Winery (CRW) on Jan. 15, where oil paintings, sculptures, quilts and more line a rustic interior. The afternoon meet-and-greet, assembling members of the Columbia Gorge Artist League (CGAL), offered guests an up-close encounter with the 11 creatives featured in the winery’s winter showcase, which runs through Feb. 12.

HOOD RIVER — Listeners settled into The Ruins on Jan. 7 for an evening of troublemaking tales — the latest rendition of Angie Marie’s monthly storytelling series, the Gorge Speakeasy, themed “Breaking the Rules.” For seven minutes each, 10 presenters let loose on stage, sharing instances they or their family members rejected conformity, screwed up big-time, or straight up violated the law.

ZIG ZAG — Evan Stuckless, also known as Papa Coyote, is hosting a fundraising concert for ALS Northwest at the Skyway Bar & Grill on Jan. 22, gathering friends from the Portland music scene for an evening of song and support.

GORGE — A new year means a fresh calendar to peruse for all music and entertainment needs. To get you started while it’s still cold and dark out, the Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association (CGOA) has several upcoming performances guaranteed to warm your heart and lift your spirits.

WHITE SALMON — Community members flocked to the Gorge MakerSpace on Dec. 6 for the nonprofit’s second-annual winter fundraiser, “Festival of Making.” From 3-7 p.m., visitors perused and bid on silent auction items, rotated between hands-on crafting activities and enjoyed complimentary food and cider.

Author and old-growth enthusiast Rand Schenck brought Gifford Pinchot’s legacy to light at the Columbia Center for the Arts on Dec. 10, guiding audience members through decades of the United States Forest Service’s polarizing history within and beyond the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

HOOD RIVER — It’s getting festive in the Gorge. The streets are lined with shining lights, crowned by a towering, coniferous centerpiece. Boys and girls, bundled head to toe in winter wear, patiently await the arrival of snow. If you listen carefully, you might just hear Junie B. Jones, unfiltered first-grader and children’s literature icon, wrestling with the true spirit of Christmas.