Cascade A&E

(Photo courtesy of Portland Winter Light Festival) The Portland Winter Light Festival will return February 5-13, 2027, bringing free light-art installations to locations across Portland for the 12th year. Since the call for participation opened in July, the festival has received over 250 submissions from artists, performers, architects and designers locally and from around the world.

(Graphic courtesy of Old Mill District) The Old Mill District is ready to go for another First Friday Art Walk this Friday, October 2, from 3-6pm. With beautiful fall weather hitting the mid-70s, the district is sure to be crawling with art walkers, wine tasters and an abundance of participating shops, art studios and galleries.

Bend // Old Mill Bend Senior Center 1600 SE Reed Market Rd. 541-388-1133 bendparksandrec.org/facility/bend-senior-center The Bend Senior Center at the Larkspur Community Center is showing art by members or the SageBrushers Art Society. Come visit the facility and enjoy beautiful paintings in acrylic, oil, pastel, and watercolor, as well as outstanding photography. Blue Spruce Pottery 20591 Dorchester E.

Long before Billy Woodruff entered the Army, he knew what he wanted to be. Whenever adults asked that familiar childhood question: What will you be when you grow up? His answer never wavered. “An artist.” High school graduation happened and then the Army where Billy discovered there was plenty of work for a young man who knew how to draw. His artistic ability kept finding its way into his assignments. At one posting, he painted a large mural depicting the history of his battalion.

On Sunday, November 8, High Desert Chamber Music will continue its 19th season by welcoming Trio Zimbalist, making their Central Oregon debut. I had a chance to talk to pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu about his interest in the piano and composing, the development of the trio, and the music that has influenced his musical journey. George grew up in the D.C. area and started piano lessons when he was five years old. He told me that when he started taking lessons, it was nothing serious at first.

Conversations are challenging on the 2nd and could leave you wondering what to do next. Action on the 3rd requires trust and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. Decisions on the 4th are necessary and will lead to change. Speak from the heart on the 6th and allow yourself to be supported. Action taken on the 7th could be the beginning of a longer process. The New Moon on the 10th invites you to realize who is important to you. Let them know how you feel.

(The Last Place on Earth by David Gardner) “As always we have some intense, urgent stories in the program that the world must hear now, but I feel confident that none of them are without nuance, a flip side, and certainly hope.

(Photo courtesy Central Oregon Symphony Association) Our October series of free community performances begins this Saturday with acclaimed flutist Timothy Hagen and Central Oregon pianist Gary Ruppert.

(Photo courtesy of Oregon Arts Commission) Fifteen Oregon arts organizations will receive $10,000 grants to strengthen K-12 arts education for the upcoming year through the Oregon Arts Commission’s Arts Learning grant program. “Through this grant program, thousands of students will have an opportunity to engage with the arts in the classroom,” said Tiff Harker, arts education and grants coordinator.

(Photo courtesy of the High Desert Museum) The High Desert Museum is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Jordan Schnitzer Prize of the West (the Prize), an award that celebrates and honors uncommon collaboration and innovation in solving the legacy challenges of the American West. Launched in partnership with Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, nominations will be accepted on the High Desert Museum’s website through December 31, 2026.