Entertainment Update for Aug. 21

Fenderbenders play Sept. 1

Join Les Vaughn and the Fenderbenders Band, featuring Ted Matzen and Alonso Garbanzo, for some country, blues and rock music at an outdoor house concert on Sunday, Sept. 1, from 7-10 p.m. at The Griffin House. Local favorite Rick Hulett opens the evening with a solo set. A portion of your $5 suggested donation supports local social services nonprofit The Next Door. The Griffin House, half mile west of Columbia Gorge Hotel on Westcliff Drive, Hood River.

Chervona, more at Everybody’s

Music this week at Everybody’s Brewing features the folk-rock of Run On Sentence with Dustin Hamman on Friday, Aug. 23, at 9:30 p.m. Next week, on Aug. 30, it’s Chervona, the big band gypsy dance ensemble, starting at 9:30 p.m. Everybody’s Brewing, 151 E. Jewett Blvd., White Salmon, Wash; 509-637-2774.

Dance at HR Elks Sept. 5

Do you already miss the dancing downtown on Thursday nights? Then head on over to the Hood River Elks Lodge on Thursday, Sept. 5, for dancing to the rhythms of the Mike Stillman Band. The Elks lodge features a 2,000-square-foot dance floor. Basic beginner lessons start at 7 p.m. and the live music starts at 7:30 p.m. $5 cover charge per person; no membership is required for this community event. For more information contact Harvey Wixman at hwixman@hoodriverelectric.net or 541-354-1161. Hood River Elks Lodge, 304 Cascade Ave., Hood River.

Les Vaughn hosts open mics

Guitarist Les Vaughn will be hosting an open mic on Tuesdays at Zim’s Brau House in The Dalles from 6-9 p.m. On Wednesdays, join Les at the Windseeker Restaurant in The Dalles from 8-11 p.m.

Moe Dixon at Stonehedge

Moe Dixon and friends return for two more Wednesday evening performances on the patio in August (21 and 28) starting at 6 p.m. Stonehedge Gardens is located at 3405 Wine Country Ave., Hood River; 541-386-3940.

Barton Carroll at CEBU Lounge

This week at CEBU Lounge:

Friday, Aug. 23: Ritchie Young & Members of Loch Lomond 9:30 p.m. – Indie Chamber Pop

In addition to employing expert melodic acrobatics, the co-ed sextet of Loch Lomond distinctly incorporates the use of harmonic vocals, mandolin, theremin, bass clarinet and all manner of exclamatory percussion to the arresting voice of lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Ritchie Young.

Saturday, Aug. 24: Barton Carroll Electric Band 9:30 p.m. – lyrical roots rock

“Barton Carroll is long overdue for recognition of his own talents as a singer and a songwriter. He’s hyper-intelligent and hyper-literate, but his hushed and naked delivery of dour, country-tinged yarns is infinitely accessible and down-to-earth.”

Kit Garoutte at The Pines

Enjoy guitar and vocals by Kit Garoutte — jazz, pop, classical, blues, R&B, folk, funk, rock, new acoustic — on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Pines’ new location on Cascade Ave. On Thursday, Aug. 29, it’s Nashville singer/songwriter Justin Klump performing songs from his latest album, “Sticks and Stones.” The Pines Tasting Room, 202 Cascade Ave., Hood River; 541-993-8301.

‘My Glass Odyssey’ Aug. 28

Columbia Center for the Arts presents the film “My Glass Odyssey” with attending filmmaker John Waterman for the monthly Mt. Hood Independent Film series on Wednesday, Aug. 28, beginning at 7 p.m. This evening is slated to be full of gorgeous glass and conversation.

A reception for filmmaker John Waterman and glass artists starts at 7 p.m., film at 7:30 p.m. The reception will include celebrating glass work created by 13 young people who participated in a three-day glass-making class.

There will be a Q&A with the filmmaker and artists immediately following the film. Andy Nichols’ glass piece “Spawning Salmon” will be raffled off that evening as well.

John Waterman was a printer with his own shop, yet had gotten involved in glass blowing for a few years. After his uncle passed away, he wanted to both run away and celebrate his life. So, selfishly, he packed up his car, joined by his four-legged buddy, Frito, and hit the road. What started out as diversions turned into a cathartic criss-crossing of the United States. He met friends he didn't know he had. This country's glass community carried him from coast to coast.

This film is not rated; entry is by donation. Columbia Arts is located at 215 Cascade Ave. in downtown Hood River.

‘Cell’ reading Aug. 25

Award-winning playwright Cassandra Medley will be on hand for the staged reading of her newly published short play “Cell” at Columbia Center for the Arts on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 7:30 p.m. The play will be followed by a discussion with the playwright. “Cell” is directed by Kathy Williams and Gary Young.

The play illustrates survival skills of those on the edge of society’s precipice. The only jobs left in town are at a detention center for illegal immigrants waiting to be deported. Rene has taken in her sister, Cerise, and niece Gwen, who were homeless, and helps them get jobs with her at the facility. But Gwen’s soft heart puts her at odds with the detention center’s rules against fraternization, and Rene will not let Gwen threaten her job, her only link to financial security. Tickets will be $5 at the door.

Writer’s Gym workshop Aug. 26

Do you wonder what it takes to write an interesting play or story, one with great characters, dramatic tension, and a way to make people think about it for a long time? Award winning playwright Cassandra Medley invites dreamers, schemers and writers of all kinds to a “Writer’s Gym: A Creative Writing Gymnasium” on Monday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. at Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River.

Through various exercises, participants will instigate, develop, and rough-draft a one-minute first-person character monologue or story narrative, and encourage, offer, and receive exploratory suggestions from the instructor and from fellow members of the class.

Writer’s Gym has a reputation for creating outstanding results in breaking writer’s block, in stimulating creativity and motivating writers to establish stronger contact with their authentic voices. Cost for the workshop is $20.

Music, skywatching at Lost Lake

Lost Lake Resort & Campground is now hosting live music — lively acoustic performances from local musicians throughout August. Head on up to watch the night sky with astronomer Joe Cruz on Friday evenings (Aug. 23, Aug. 30, Sept. 6) from 9:30-11 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24: Bradfield Loomis 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 31: Christopher of the Wolves, 6-8 p.m.

All music is free to the public. Bring a chair. Dog- and family-friendly. Skywatching does have a suggested donation to participate in shoreline skywatch. Telescope to be provided. No white-light flashlights. Rowboats available for skywatching from the lake.

Lost Lake Resort & Campground, Hood River; 541-386-6366.

Lone Madrone at Clocktower

There’s music and more at Clocktower Ales in The Dalles. They have Trivia Night every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., live music every Friday at 8 p.m., Victor Johnson plays every Saturday at 6:30 p.m., and there’s 15 Minutes of Fame every Sunday at 7 p.m.

Aug 23 - Camping in a Cadillac at 8 p.m.

Aug 30 - Lone Madrone at 8 p.m.

Special event Friday, Sept. 20 - Benefit for United Way concert with Hit Machine. Tickets $10 in advance at Lucy’s Informal Flowers or at the United Way office: 386-6100. Clocktower Ales, 311 Union St., The Dalles; 541-296-2602.

Bigfoot Bash & Bounty Aug. 24

Bigfoot makes his peaceful return to Home Valley Park in Skamania County, Wash., on Saturday, Aug. 24. It’s a family-fun event with all kinds of lectures, kids activities and you can even try your skills at the Sasquatch Splatmaster Shooting Range. But remember, it is against the law to harm Bigfoot here in Skamania County! Visit Bigfoot Bash and Bounty on Facebook for more information.

Gorge Winds at Fort Dalles Aug. 25

The final concert in the annual Fourth Sunday at the Fort Concert series will be held Sunday, Aug. 25, at Fort Dalles Museum, from 4-6 p.m. The Gorge Winds Jazz Band will perform. Bring your own chairs, blankets, picnic basket and enjoy the afternoon. Admission is free, though donations to the museum are greatly appreciated. The museum is located at West 15th and Garrison in The Dalles. For more information call 541-296-4547 or visit fortdallesmuseum.org.

Scott Pemberton at Pint Shack Aug. 23

Fans of funk, blues and rock should enjoy The Scott Pemberton Trio, playing on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Pint Shack in Hood River. Music starts at 10 p.m. Critics say “Classic rock, jazz, psychedelia and everything in between collide and fuse around Pemberton’s music, that jumps with ease from the composer to the listener in a hyper-caffeinated cocktail of bar music done right.” The Pint Shack, 105 Fourth St., Hood River; 541-387-7600.

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