HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!

Holy moly there’s a lot going ON this weekend.

Want to know what? It’s all right HERE.

WINTER CARNIVAL AT WHITE PASS THIS WEEKEND

Check out this year’s SNOW CASTLE up at White Pass. (I think they mean 2008 in the video)

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M STATUS MOVING ON

Yakima’s own M STATUS is packing up and heading to Atlanta to produce full time. Good luck Mitch!

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JONNY SMOKES BACK AT THE SPEAKEASY

I know, I know, I’ve said it before but you really do have to see multi-instrumentalist JONNY SMOKES to appreciate how talented he is. Smokes uses a loop sampler and a bunch of effects pedals to layer drums, bass, guitars and vocals into a complete song.

Take a peek:

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Smokes plays tonight (Feb. 29) at The Speakeasy, 104 S. Third St. Then on Saturday, Smokes is back at The Speakeasy along with his rock cover band, the Smoking Lounge.

*Kim Nowacki*

GOT PLANS FOR TONIGHT? HERE ARE A COUPLE FLICKS NOT TO MISS

Fans of MOVIES ABOUT MUSICIANS have only one more night to check out “I’M NOT THERE,” the arty Bob Dylan biopic, and “U2 3D,” the U2 concert movie that’s in, obviously, 3-D.

So, I saw “I’m Not There” last night and if you’re any kind of Dylan fan, you’re going to love it. It’s the kind of film that you need to watch at least five times to get all of the nuances, clever references and inside jokes. And, oh man, Cate Blanchett really does give an Oscar-worthy performance.

I haven’t seen the U2 film, but I saw the preview and it was stunning — it’s in 3-D, come on, that’s pretty cool, just admit it.

“I’m Not There” is playing at Yakima Cinema and “U2 3D” is playing at the Grand Cinemas in Sunnyside. Both end after tonight.
*Kim Nowacki*

FINAL ROUND OF SPORTS CENTER DJ CONTEST TONIGHT

The final three mix-masters competing in the YAKIMA SPORTS CENTER’S DJ CONTEST take the stage tonight (Feb. 28).

The contest runs from 9 p.m.-midnight at the Sports Center, 214 E. Yakima Ave. Each DJ will have 45 minutes to spin.

Tonight’s competitors are DJ Dominic, Lovelyfade and DJ Un1t.

The local DJs are competing for $100 IN COLD HARD CASH, plus a weekly gig at the Sports Center beginning in March.

CASTING CALL FOR AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL

If you think you’ve got the looks to be AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL — not to mention the guts to be scrutinized by Tyra Banks, because, you know, she’s totally scary — then strut on down to Kennewick this weekend.

Television station KCWK 9 is holding a CASTING CALL for the popular CW reality series from noon-5 p.m. on Saturday (March 1) at Salon Monroe, 2411 S. Union St.

Females who are interested must be between the ages of 18-27, at least 5-foot 7-inches tall and a U.S. citizen.

For complete eligibility requirements and to download an application, visit www.kcwk9.com.

And if you can’t make it this weekend, another casting call will be from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 8 at the Jantzen Beach SuperCenter in Portland.

DESCHUTES BEER TASTING TONIGHT

The hop-blooded guys from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Ore., will be bringing their fine craft brews to the BEER SHOPPE tonight.

From 5-7 p.m., you can sample some of Deschutes newer beers including the Green Lakes Organic Ale.

Cost is $2.

The Beer Shoppe is on South 24th Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard. Call 453-5706.

A GREAT EXCUSE TO WOOF DOWN A MEAL

If you’re looking for a place to grab a bite today (Feb. 26), a number of local restaurants will be taking part in “DINING OUT FOR PAWS AND CLAWS,” a fundraiser for the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) of Yakima County.

A portion of your bill will be donated to S.N.A.P. when you eat at one of these participating restaurants today:

• All day — 901 Pasta, 901 Summitview Ave. 457-4949.
• All day — Buhrmaster Baking Co., in Track 29, 1 W. Yakima Ave. 469-9973.
• All day — Old Town Station, 2530 Main St., Union Gap. 453-8485.
• All Day — Papa John’s Pizza, 3508 Summitview Ave. 452-7272. (Make sure to mention S.N.A.P. when ordering here.)
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Papa Bairds, 4108 Terrace Heights Drive. 453-5103.
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 6 p.m.-9 p.m. — Santiago’s, 111 E Yakima Ave. 453-1644.
• 6-9 p.m. — Jack-son’s Sports Bar, 2710 Terrace Heights Drive. 248-5911.

Founded in 2005, S.N.A.P. works with the Humane Society of Central Washington, Barks R’ Us Rescue, Yakima Valley Pet Rescue and Pawsitive Alliance. S.N.A.P.’s primary goals include:
• Reducing the number of animals euthanized in Yakima County by reducing the number of unwanted litters.
• Reducing the number of complaints from the community concerning undesirable animal behavior.
• Providing a community resource for low-income families with pets.

“JACKSON HORN” AUDITIONS

Everyone’s favorite locally-produced young adult drama “JACKSON HORN” is seeking actors.

Open call auditions will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday (March 2) at the Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St.
Producers are looking for males and females 8-14, 18-26 and 40-50. You should bring a head shot, resume and 2-3 minute prepared piece.

There’ll also be an acting workshop led by Tom Proctor from 1 to 6 p.m. next Monday (March 3) also at the Selah Civic Center.

Click HERE for complete info or visit www.jacksonhorn.com.

SASQUATCH! LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

So, they just announce the SASQUATCH! line-up and it’s all right, and by all right I mean TOTALLY AWESOME:

R.E.M. / The Cure / The Flaming Lips U.F.O. Show / Death Cab For Cutie / Modest Mouse / M.I.A. / Flight Of The Conchords / Rodrigo Y Gabriela / Michael Franti & Spearhead / The Breeders / Built To Spill / The Hives / Tegan & Sara / The Presidents / Ghostland Observatory / Ozomatli / The New Pornographers / Blue Scholars / The National / The Kooks / Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks / Cold War Kids / Beirut / Rogue Wave / Okkervil River / Fleet Foxes / Kinski / Mates of State / Crudo (featuring Mike Patton & Dan The Automator) / Sera Cahoone / Battles / Destroyer / Dyme Def / The Blakes / Pela / Jamie Lidell / The Cops / Dengue Fever / Siberian / Say Hi / White Rabbits / David Bazan / The Little Ones / “Awesome” / Dead Confederate / The Heavenly States / 65daysofstatic / Grand Archives / Vince Mira with the Roy Kay Trio / Joshua Morrison / Throw Me The Statue / J. Tillman / Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down / The Cave Singers / Matt Costa / The Shaky Hands

NICK SOKOL TAKES CREATIVE COMPOSITION HONORS

Saxophonist NICK SOKOL’S quasi-ballad with unusual time signatures and a free jazz section was the judges’ top pick at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Entitled “Clavecide!,” Sokol’s composition was one of eight original pieces the Yakima Valley Community College Salsa Band performed at the prestigious festival.

Sokol, a 17-year-old home schooled senior who began teaching himself to play the saxophone at 13, was the Adjudicators’ Choice in the Community College Creative Composition category.

CORRECTION: The YVCC Jazztet, under the direction of instructor David Blink, was runner up in the Community College Combo contest earning the Adjudicators’ Special Commendation.

West Valley Junior High School, under the direction of Maegan Ley, also received an Adjudicator’s Special Commendation in the Junior High School Band competition.

By tomorrow night, we’ll know how West Valley High School and Wapato High School did.

*Kim Nowacki*

COMEDIAN BRIAN REGAN COMING TO THE CAPITOL

BRIAN REGAN, a longtime touring stand-up comic, regular on the late show circuit and a favorite of Comedy Central, will make his way Yakima next week.

Regan performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 28 ) at the Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St. Tickets cost $39.75 through TicketsWest, 800-325-7328, or the Capitol Theatre box office, 853-2787.

Not sure if you want to check out this funnyman, then check out these videos:

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WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL TODAY

Mark this down in the cool swag category:

Paramount Pictures just sent us here at the YH-R an OFFICIAL INDIANA JONES WHIP (as seen in the poster at right) … which, if used inappropriately, could get you called into the human resources office.

Also enclosed was the trailer for “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” which comes out May 22. Check it out:

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PREDICTIONS FOR SASQUATCH!???

OK, Tom Petty, The Police, Rush are all coming to The Gorge this summer, but what about SASQUATCH!????

According to Paste Magazine (which keeps freezing up my computer), the annual Memorial Day indie-rock fest will be a full three days (May 24-26) this year.

And Seattle P-I blogger Travis Hay predicts Gang of Four and The Cure will be making an appearance. (Pollstar has The Cure playing May 25).

The full line-up should be revealed soon. Until then, check out the snazzy art work for this year’s festival of musical goodness. It’s the only thing “official” on the Sasquatch! Web site.

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