Nch'i-Wana 2009 features 11 highly-acclaimed Native American artists affiliated with Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts.

Crow's Shadow is a non-profit art institute founded by renowned artist James Lavadour and friends, and is located on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, in Pendleton, OR.

This is a rare opportunity to see and purchase amazing fine-art prints from eleven of the most noteworthy Native American artists known in the region.

A study of love, loneliness and obsession liberally mixed with humor. Monologues by ten women run the gamut from young women to old, who have all bought into the American Dream and now find themselves apart from it. Musical interludes by Bill Weiler.

FREE NIGHT: 25% of our theatre seats for Talking With - on October 8, 15, 16 & 17 only - will be reserved for people who have never been to our theatre before ... or who have been gone for a long time ... and who are therefore eligible for FREE tickets on these days only.

A free film about the great race of 1987. It started east at The Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks ... and the three vessels involved steamed, sailed and rowed their way along in this mighty sporting competition.

Mark Nykanen, former Hood River resident, former NBC correspondent, & Emmy and Edgar-winning author will present his taut new suspense novel, Primitive, beginning with a reception in the lobby.

Lawson Fusao Inada, Oregon Poet Laureate, along with award-winning Portland based jazz artists will be presenting a Poetry and Jazz concert that explores internment camp memories and hopes.

Click for more info about Lawson Fusao Inada.

Will Hornyak will perform in the theater starting at 5:30 pm. Will's performance kicks-off the opening of the Elder Arts Show. This show, in the Columbia Center for the Arts classroom, features art created by seniors at a series of workshops at Hawks Ridge, led by instructor Janet Essley.

This film lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from American consumers. In stark contrast, enjoy free samples of locally-grown foods before the film, courtesy of Gorge Grown Food Network ... and stay after the film to talk!

Click for more info about Food Inc.

Amazing dance peformance and master dance class. Sponsored by Columbia Center for the Arts, The Columbia Gorge Dance Academy, and the Gorge Music Series.

Click for more info about BodyVox-2.

Reserve your spot in the the 3rd annual trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. This fun trip takes place in May every year, this year it's May 20 - 22. Stay in a fabulous hotel in Ashland, see three great plays, make new friends, and leave the driving to us!.

Click for more info about Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Other Activities at the Center

Starting October 20

Learn how to run lighting and technical equipment at the Columbia Center for the Arts theatre. The Tech Team supports all performances including CAST plays, films, music, dance and presentations. After each class you'll be competent and "certified" for increasingly sophisticated productions.

Learn more about being a Theatre Tech.

October 27

A day-long workshop to help non-profits learn more about grant research, grant writing, and the funders who make the grants. Meet representatives from local funders as well as the 5 largest funders in the state - Meyer Trust, Murdock Trust, Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, and The Collins Foundation.

Learn more about the Meet the Funders workshop.