Entertainment Update for April 1

There are six roles to be cast for this show: Diana; Dan, Diana's husband; Dr. Madden, Diane's psychiatrist; Gabe, Diana & Dan's son; Natalie, their daughter; and Henry, Natalie's classmate. For more information please contact Mark Steighner at msteighner@gmail.com.

CAST Theatre and Columbia Center for the Arts present the summer musical “Next To Normal” in July 2015. “Next To Normal,” with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness.

Winner of three 2009 TONY Awards including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, “Next To Normal” was also chosen as "one of the year's ten best shows" by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times.

‘Junebug,’ Albatross April 3

The Junebug Boys featuring Aaron Keim on banjo, Larry Wyatt on Guitar and Kerry Williams on mandolin pick, stomp and shout their way through the old timey songbook, with bluegrass, hokum, fiddle tunes and folk. Based in Hood River, this all star band brings a fresh traditional sound to the Columbia River Gorge. Also on the bill is Indie folk singer Albatross, on tour from the UK. “Albatross’ heartfelt and often philosophical songs offer some well needed relief. The masterly crafted tunes cut straight to the heart with lyrical themes rushing from love to life,with inspiring messages throughout.” Catch them on Friday, April 3, from 7-10 p.m. This is a ticketed show, limited seating available. $10 at the door. The Pines Tasting Room, 202 Cascade Ave., Hood River; 541-993-8301.

Hop Trip plays April 2

Hop Trip plays the Cor Cellars wine tasting at the White Buffalo, Thursday, April 2, from 6-8 p.m. Mark, Ed and Bart will be serving up funk, folk and heartfelt originals. White Buffalo Wines, 4040 Westcliff Dr., Hood River; 541-386-5534.

Cripple Hop plays April 4

Cripple Hop is playing Saturday, April 4, at Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River. Music is from 9-11 p.m. Expect a mix of danceable bluegrass influenced rock n' roll. Double Mountain Brewery, 8 Fourth St., Hood River; 541-387-0042.

‘Guardians of the Columbia’ art show features Lloyd

Photographer Darryl Lloyd will be featured at Second Story Gallery’s opening night reception on Friday, April 3, with his show titled “Guardians of the Columbia: Landscapes of Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens.” The show is a retrospective of over 40 years of shooting the three "Guardians" from different angles — many of them vertical as the photographer climbed up for better views.

Lloyd grew up at the base of Mt. Adams, and when he was given a Brownie Holiday camera at the age of 10, he began recording his climbs of Adams, Hood and St. Helens. An opening reception is part of First Friday in Camas on Friday, April, 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. The show runs through April 25. Second Story Gallery, Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas, Wash., 360-834-4692, wwwsecondstorygallery.org.

‘Environmental Troubadour’ Dana Lyons plays benefit April 7

Singer, song-writer Dana Lyons will be performing his eclectic mix of conservation and social justice music at Hood River's Columbia Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m.

Bringing together a mix of comedy, ballads and love songs, Lyon's sharp wit and beautiful voice have him performing at concert halls, festivals, conventions, fundraisers and universities across the US and around the world. Dana's music receives crossover radio play on country, rock, alternative, community, college and oldies radio stations worldwide.

Dana's concert is a benefit for the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute. The mission of the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute is to provide high quality educational opportunities, with an emphasis on stewardship and a sense of wonder, in the natural systems of the Columbia River Gorge.

Tickets are $15 (or whatever you wish to donate) and are available at Columbia Center for the Arts located at 215 Cascade Ave., or the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute at 203 2nd. St., Hood River.

Tim Mayer plays House Concert

Pianist Tim Mayer plays a house concert in Hood River on Saturday, April 4. He will be joined by Tim Gilson, one of the premier acoustic bass players in Portland. Gilson plays with Mel Brown at Jimmy Mac's regularly and has played with all of the other celebs in the Portland jazz scene. Expect jazz standards, originals, and jazz versions of pop tunes. The concert starts at 7 p.m. and admission is $15/person. 401 Montello Ave., Hood River, 541-387-4011.

Cider Fest returns April 11

On Saturday, April 11, 19 local and regional craft cideries will gather in Hood River for the second annual Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest, where there will be more than 38 ciders on tap. Eight of the cideries are located in the Hood River area – an indication of how the Columbia Gorge region is at the epicenter of the Pacific Northwest’s booming cider scene. The daylong event features local arts vendors, a kids’ area and a lineup of local music, from bluegrass to classic rock. Event located at 3315 Stadelman Drive, Hood River, noon-6 p.m. Entry tickets $5 (ages 14 and under are free); branded cider glass and 4 drink tokens: $5.

Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah at River City April 2

San Francisco-based psych Americana band Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah is an organ/guitar driven rock band whose shows transport the audience out of a traditional music venue and into a hazy, hip shaking psychedelic tent revival.The band effortlessly slides between country/folk, blues and rock and roll culminating in their unique brand of Psychedelic Gospel which they will bring to Hood River on Thursday, April 2. River City Saloon, 207 Cascade Ave., Hood River; 541-387-2583.

Ed Swick at The Pines

This week at The Pines:

Friday, March 27, 6-9 p.m., Ed Swick.

Local blues musician Ed Swick a.k.a Eddie Corduroy has been playing music in the gorge and Portland area for the last 15 years. Currently in the band “The Lighters,” Ed draws inspiration from his favorite types of music Blues, Surf, and Rockabilly to form his vintage sound.

Three NW blues masters are joining forces for a night of Rockin Blues at The Pines on Saturday, March 28. The show is from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $15 and limited seating is available. The band will feature slide guitarist Henry Cooper, drummer Boyd Small and bass player Don Campbell — all veteran players from bands like Screamin Jay Hawkins, Paul deLay and DK Stewart. 21 and over only. The Pines Tasting Room, 202 Cascade Ave., Hood River; 541-993-8301.

‘Open Studio’ tour returns

Tour the Columbia River Gorge and meet artists in their studios April 10-12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thirty-eight Gorge artists will open their studios to the public, sharing their thoughts and processes. This year’s artists feature works in a variety of media including painting, drawing, jewelry, glass, sculpture, photography, textiles, fiber, and more.

Artists’ studios are located throughout the Mid-Columbia from Cascade Locks to The Dalles and from Parkdale to Trout Lake.

The tour is free and self-guided, with detailed maps available at www.gorgeartists.org and at area Chambers of Commerce, Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, The Dalles Art Center, and Big River Art and Crafts in Goldendale. The tour is a juried event, with artists representing the highest quality work available in the region.

Gorge Winds annual Spring Concert April 26

The Gorge Winds Concert Band will be presenting their 15th Annual Spring Concert on Sunday April 26, at The Dalles Civic Auditorium. Concert time is 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted.

The concert will feature a variety of styles of music with selections such as “Overture in Bb” by Caesar Giovannini, “Buenaventura” by local composer Steve Hodges, and classic concert band pieces “Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughan Williams and “Louden Praises” by Brian Balmages.

The band is directed by Larry Loop and Sam Grotte. Sam Grotte, founder and long time director, is returning to the podium after a two and one half year hiatus.

The Gorge Winds Concert Band is a 501c non profit organization and donations are tax deductible. Any donations that are received are shared with the Civic.

Gorge Winds look forward to concluding the great Cherry Festival Weekend.

Refreshments will be served at intermission.

Unique guitar concert April 8

Japanese guitarist and songwriter Hiroya Tsukamoto will take you on an innovative, impressionistic journey filled with earthy, organic soundscapes that impart a mood of peace and tranquility at the Hood River Library on Wednesday, April 8, at 7 p.m.

“Eclectic, immersive and mesmerizing, Tsukamoto’s music is a cool breeze, caressing your heart and soul. A hypnotic blending of folk, jazz and world, Tsukamoto creates evocative images through his music, taking listeners with him on scenic journeys of melody and rhythm.”

Hiroya Tsukamoto is a guitarist and composer originally from Kyoto, Japan.

He began playing banjo when he was 13 years old. In 2000, he received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and came to the US. Since then, he has been performing internationally including several appearances with his group at Blue Note in New York and released five albums as a leader. Hiroya has developed unique acoustic music which is sometimes described as “Cinematic acoustic music.” He recently performed on Japanese National Television.

The program is free and open to the public.

Entertainment listings can be e-mailed to jdrake@hoodrivernews.com.