Bart Budwig (full band) / Bryan John Appleby at Trout Lake Hall
2026-08-20 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
Thursday, August 20th, 2026
$15 Advance // $20 Day Of Show6pm Doors / 7pm ShowAll Ages
BART BUDWIGBart Budwig is a son of Idaho, a cosmic country crooner, a rousing trumpet player, and cryin’-style soul singer. His music is made up of seemingly incongruous parts; thrum & strum country rhythms, jazz guitar melodies, R&B vocals. When Bart sings he draws out words into meditative mantras, whole note neologisms that keep you hanging on until his raspy voice trails off in a ragged edge. His forthcoming album, Another Burn On The AstroTurf (January 24, 2020, Fluff and Gravy Records) was recorded over five days by a seven-piece band inside the OK Theater. It’s a melancholy rhapsody that recalls the uncorked rock n’ roll spirituality of king mystic Van Morrison, the gloomy nostalgia of dark prince Nick Drake and the songcraft sans self-seriousness of 70s Muscle Shoals.
Like those psycho-spiritual song crafters, his power comes from vocal idiosyncrasies – intonations of love, impermanence, hope, humor. The album opens with Budwig originals “Time For Two”, “First To Go”, and “Strong Coffee”– originally presented with just solo guitar (and crackling wood stove) on the album Sabai. The songs are recorded here live, full band, in medley, with hot electric guitar, woody double bass, and drums. The band electrifies and scourges the flesh of the songs into fully formed folk rock stunners.
There is what the Romans called a “divine lustre” about Bart Budwig. His blonde hair and beard wrap around his collar,and frame his smile in a nimbus of gold. His radiance belies the loyalty he commands of an army of talent. He’d sooner tell you a joke than reveal to you he’s recorded dozens of albums and hundreds of songs in the last few years. Bart’s mastery of dramatic irony turns his work with complex emotional states of being into comforting, uplifting, relatable music.
It’s this ability to combine tragedy and comedy in his humanist hallelujahs that makes Budwig a gravitational force and industry chimera. The studio general, the clown prince, the sensitive songwriter with a rugged voice. The soul singer with a cosmic country band. The creator of a folk universe drawing musicians from everywhere to the middle of nowhere. It’s this juxtaposition that makes Another Burn On The AstroTurfanother success for Bart Budwig, and a must listen for you. – Sean Jewell
BRYAN JOHN APPLEBY
Bryan John Appleby has been writing, recording, and performing original music for almosttwo decades. Based in Seattle, his folk-centric body of work incorporates breezy mid century pop, intricate fingerpicking, lush cinematic layers, and lyrics that often evoke hisCentral Coast origins.
His latest full-length, Underwater Easy Breathing, exemplifies his distinct productionpalette. Oceanic and synth-laced, the album is a natural next step in his wandering, oftendensely layered repertoire. Previous works include The Narrow Valley (2015), a maximalistconcept album drenched in dreamy, orchestral elements and experimental sounds, andFire on the Vine (2011), a darker collection with more conventional folk structures andorganic instrumentation.
With a house show tour circuit taking him throughout the Western States, Appleby has shared the stage with artists such as Damien Jurado, Deep Sea Diver, Tomo Nakayama, YLa Bamba, Shaina Shepherd, Dean Johnson, and Sera Cahoone and many others.

Nate Botsford Band at Families in The Park
2026-08-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Jackson Park, May St & 13th St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Northwest favorite Nate Botsford brings an irresistible blend of country soul and rock energy that feels both timeless and fresh. From teaching himself piano at five to strumming the Taylor guitar his dad gave him at fourteen, Nate’s journey is rooted in passion and authenticity—and it shows in every performance. Inspired by legends such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, Nate crafts songs that are instantly catchy yet deeply personal. Whether it’s a feel-good anthem like Luxury Float or a heartfelt ballad, Nate’s music connects in a way that makes every listener feel like the song was written just for them—and leaves them wanting more.

Mr. Vale's Math Class at Trout Lake Hall
2026-08-21 18:00 - 21:00 | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
Friday, August 21st, 2026
$15 Advance // $20 Day Of Show6pm Doors / 7pm ShowAll Ages
MR. VALE’S MATH CLASSIf Talking Heads & Vulfpeck bonded over their love of Math, this is the sound!
You may or may not learn anything with Mr. Vale’s Math Class but you’re guaranteed to have a good time. This six piece funk band has horns that knock down the door and percussion-laden grooves that are the perfect accompaniment to any dance party. While you’re at it, come grab some pots and pans & join in.
The Math Class has been busy spreading its unique mix of math and funk across the Pacific Northwest, with recent performances at festivals like Juniper Jam, Shift, NW Folklife, and Goodtime Campout. They’ve also shared the stage with acts such as Jamie Cullum, Marchfourth, and High Step Society. While you might not leave with a deeper understanding of math, you’re guaranteed to have a great time.

Wonderworks' TOUCH-A-TRUCK Event & Fundraiser 2026!
2026-08-22 09:00 - 12:00 | 206 Madison Street, The Dalles, OR, United States, Oregon 97058, 206 Madison Street, The Dalles, OR, United States, Oregon 97058
Come join us for our 4th annual Touch-A-Truck event & FUNdraiser! Touch-A-Truck is a fun and engaging family-friendly experience for the whole community. It allows our children to meet and interact with some of their everyday heroes! The event is designed to give kids and families an up-close glance at construction and farming equipment, fire and emergency vehicles, motorcycles, police cars, waste management trucks, military vehicles, and other massive vehicles they see throughout their lives but rarely get to interact with. Kids can touch, climb on, participate, and see live demonstrations of how each vehicle works, as well as meet the associated operators. There will also belive music, a bounce house, ice cream truck, facepainting, story times, a photo booth, and more!
*STAY TUNED as we get closer for more details and updates!*
**Admission to the event is free!**
Donations are GREATLY welcomed as this is our primary fundraising event of the year. Wonderworks is registered a 501(c)3 non-profit and all donations are tax deductible. Activities throughout the event will have costs associated.

Women's Clothing Swap
2026-08-22 10:00 - 13:00 | 455 Frankton Rd, Hood River, OR, United States, Oregon 97031, 455 Frankton Rd, Hood River, OR, United States, Oregon 97031
It’s time for our annual clothing swap!
Empty your closet of all of your clean, good condition clothes/shoes/accessories that you never wear and fill your closet with new ones!
This event is a great way to give away the clothes that are cluttering up your closet to other women, and to get a new wardrobe for yourself without spending any money.
Please make sure that all of your donations are clean and in good condition. It is way more fun to shop when everything is clean and nice.
How it works:Drop off your donations during office hours at the church (Tues-Fri 9-4pm) or by appointment. Come on the day of the event and take home whatever you want FREE! If you can’t drop off donations early, that’s ok, we accept donations during the event as well (beginning at 9am).
We will have fun snacks, treats and coffee to share.
Feel free to bring your kids to the event, just make sure to keep an eye on them =) We also have a playground outside for them to play on.
This event is usually HUGE with awesome clothes for everyone! Try to carpool if you can, the parking lot is big but still fills up.

Oil Pastel Florals
2026-08-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Tokki Art Supply, 409 Oak St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Learn the basics of this medium and explore the playful possibilities of oil pastels by creating vibrant, imaginative artwork with a focus on whimsical floral designs, perfect for beginners who want to experiment with color and blending techniques to bring fun and playful ideas to life.
All materials included.
Date: Saturday August 22
Time: 11am-1pm
Ages: 12+
Cost: $50
Location: Tokki Art Supply Classroom – 208 4th st, Hood River
If you cannot attend a class, a 72 hour notice prior to the start of the class via email or phone is required for a full refund of the class fee. After that there is no refund.
Students will receive a confirmation email of the purchase of the class. And 3 days prior to the class they will receive a reminder email. Please keep a look out for these emails.

Summer Brew Fest at Mt. Hood Meadows
2026-08-22 14:00 - 17:00 | Mt. Hood Meadows, OR, United States
Come out and enjoy amazing craft beers from some of the best breweries in the Pacific Northwest. While you’re sipping those tasty brews relax and listen to live music and soak in the views of Mt. Hood. Pricing will include mug, tasters and a raffle ticket. What’s better than drinking a beer? Sampling multiple beers from the Gorge and Portland area breweries! The cost will be $18 for the Brew Fest when purchased in advance or $19 at the door. The Brew Fest with Buffet will be $41 in advance or $44 at the door. 21+ only in the beer garden area.

Meet Oregon Author Jane Kirkpatrick
2026-08-22 15:00 - 16:00 | The Dalles Public Library, 722 Court St, The Dalles, 97058, United States
Join us at The Dalles Public Library as we welcome Jane Kirkpatrick, the New York Times and CBA bestselling & award-winning author of more than 40 books. She will be discussing her latest novel and signing copies. Don’t miss this free event at The Dalles Public Library!

🎉 The Dalles High School Class of 1991 – 35-Year Reunion 🎉
2026-08-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Freebridge Brewing
🎉 The Dalles High School Class of 1991 – 35-Year Reunion 🎉(Yes… 35. We checked the math twice.)
📍 Freebridge Brewing⏰ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM-ish (or until we call it a night like responsible adults)
It’s hard to believe it’s been 35 years — but here we are! Join your fellow TDHS Class of ’91 classmates for a relaxed evening of catching up, sharing stories, and reconnecting.
We’ve reserved time at Freebridge Brewing to hang out, enjoy great food and drinks, and make up for lost time. Whether you’ve stayed close or haven’t seen everyone in years, we’d love to see you there.
Details:• Casual, drop-in vibe – come when you can!• No-host food & drinks • Plenty of laughs, memories, and maybe a few “remember when…” moments
👉 RSVP so we know how big of a throwback crowd to expect.👉 Feel free to invite any other TDHS ’91 classmates—we don’t have everyone!
Let’s reconnect, reminisce, and prove we can still hang… at least until 9pm. 🍻🎓

Cosmic Gnarly at Trout Lake Hall
2026-08-22 18:00 - 21:00 | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
$15 Advance // $20 Day Of Show6pm Doors / 7pm ShowAll Ages
COSMIC GNARLY‘Let the music play the band’ is the collective mindset for Portland, Oregon’s Cosmic Gnarly as they pay respect to the spirit, energy, and improvisational magic of the legendary American rock band, the Grateful Dead. Born strictly as a fun project safe from the hustle of other music and professional pursuits, these exploratory sessions cultivated an extensive repertoire of Grateful Dead tunes. Each member’s admiration for the Dead shines through in every set, as they strive to honor the natural flow and spirit of these timeless songs.
COSMIC GNARLY is:Ryan Bukstein: PercussionDana Buoy: Drums, VocalsPeter Christenberry: Guitar, VocalsRobert Haas: Guitar, VocalsAlan Moses: KeyboardsChris Petryszak: Bass

Mushroom Hunts on Mt. Hood
2026-08-23 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-30 11:00 - 13:00 | Mt. Hood Meadows, OR, United States
Join Meadows team member and local mushroom expert Jason Roberts on a hike through our permit area locating and recognizing mushrooms found on Mt. Hood. This is not a hike to forage for mushrooms, but it will educate and inform you on how to find some of the most delicious varieties of mushrooms. Jason will also provide tips on where to find these yummy morsels for yourself. These hikes will be more specific to the Bolete or Porcini (this is an Italian word that means “little pig”…it’s still just a Bolete) mushroom family as they are the easiest to identify for beginning mushroom hunters. The price will include your guide and a scenic chairlift ride lift ticket.

Sunday Serenade: gardentender at Trout Lake Hall
2026-08-23 11:30 - 14:30 | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
$20 Advance // $25 Day Of Show11:30am Doors / 12:30pm ShowAll Ages*Limited Tickets*
Sunday Serenade is Trout Lake Hall’s new brunch music series. Each Sunday features an intimate, two-hour live set dedicated to a single style—jazz, Americana, groovy indie, country, folk—paired with delicious, chef-crafted brunch. With limited tickets and cozy seating, it’s a relaxed, up-close experience—perfect for lingering over food and gentle Sunday tunes. Come in for a real Sunday Funday!
GARDENTENDERgardentender is the songwriting duo of Kyle and Linoy — partners in life and music. Their songs, written together, are rooted in harmony and connection, weaving stories of love, growth, and quiet resilience. With a sound that draws from folk, indie, and Americana, gardentender offers a set that’s tender, textured, and deeply human. Their song “Happy Song” was a runner-up in the Portland Folk Fest 2026 Song Contest.

Figure Drawing
2026-08-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Tokki Art Supply, 409 Oak St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Join us every month for an evening of focused, unguided figure drawing at Tokki Art Supply. These sessions provide a quiet, respectful space to practice and sharpen your skills from a live nude model. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just getting started, all are welcome to bring their materials and draw from life. Sunday sessions start with a short warm up then two longer poses for artist who need more time per pose.
Ages 18+ only. No photography. Please arrive on time and maintain a professional, quiet atmosphere throughout the session. There is a limited number of easels and drawing boards available for participants to use during the session. Materials are not provided.
Date: Sunday August 23
Time: 3:15pm-5pm
Ages: 18+
Cost: $20
Location: Tokki Art Supply Classroom
If you cannot attend a class, a 72 hour notice prior to the start of the class via email or phone is required for a full refund of the class fee. After that there is no refund.
Students will receive a confirmation email of the purchase of the class. And 3 days prior to the class they will receive a reminder email. Please keep a look out for these emails.

Watercolor Columbia River Gorge Landscapes
2026-08-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Tokki Art Supply, 409 Oak St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Create a beautiful landscape watercolor of the Columbia River Gorge with artist and illustrator Marcella Kriebel. This class will cover the basics of watercolor painting techniques in a guided painting tutorial.
All materials are included
Date: Wednesday August 26
Time: 6pm-8pm
Ages: 14+
Cost: $60
Location: Tokki Art Supply Classroom – 208 4th st, Hood River
If you cannot attend a class, a 72 hour notice prior to the start of the class via email or phone is required for a full refund of the class fee. After that there is no refund.
Students will receive a confirmation email of the purchase of the class. And 3 days prior to the class they will receive a reminder email. Please keep a look out for these emails.

The Lobbyists Live
2026-08-26 18:30 - 20:30 | The Lightwell Hotel & Spa, 201 Cascade Ave, Hood River, 97031
The Lobbyists live at Lightwell: The Lobbyists deliver the finest in instrumental Swing, Jazz, and Blues, featuring three of Hood River’s most exceptional musicians at The Lightwell.

Tim Ortlieb is a rare gem – a drummer who listens as deeply as he plays. Ronnie Ontiveros brings his infectious joy and masterful command of the upright bass.
Leading the trio, Ben Bonham draws from his rich experience both locally and in the UK, captivating audiences as a guitarist, songwriter, and entertainer.
The Lobbyists play with effortless style, deep musicality, and an undeniable passion for their craft, creating a sound that’s as refined as it is exhilarating.

All Jazz Considered
2026-08-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Phelps Creek Tasting Room, 301 Country Club Rd, Hood River
This week and next, we have the very capable Boyd Becker (keys, steel drum) filling in for Tim. He join ma Mike Grodner (drums) and Muke Turley (bass) for the evening. Good food and wine too.

Matt McCravey Indie-folk Musician & Songwriter
2026-08-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Porron Cellars, 210 Oak Street, Hood River, 97031, United States
Thursday March 26th, 6-8pm Live Music with Matt McCravey
(Every last Thursday)

Horse Feathers at Trout Lake Hall
2026-08-27 18:00 - 21:00 | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
Thursday, August 27th, 2026
TICKETS RELEASE FRIDAY, JUNE 5th at 10AM!
$25 Advance // $30 Day Of Show6pm Doors / 7pm ShowAll Ages
HORSE FEATHERS
In 2026, Horse Feathers’ debut album, Words Are Dead, celebrates its 20th anniversary. Kill Rock Stars is set to release a deluxe reissue that will be completely remastered and pressed on an exclusive vinyl color. It will include a replica of their original six-song demo CD in the package, along with a deluxe foil-stamped LP jacket.
To support the release, Horse Feathers’ current ensemble of Justin Ringle (guitar, vocals, banjo), Nathan Crockett (violin, saw), Halli Anderson of River Whyless (violin, vocals), Kati Claborn of Blind Pilot (banjo, vocals, clarinet), and Luke Ydstie also of Blind Pilot (bass, cello, vocals) faithfully recreate the mood of the original release with taut dynamics and sensitive arrangements.
In the years following Words Are Dead, Horse Feathers quietly built a body of work defined by patience and evolution rather than reinvention. Records like House With No Home, Thistled Spring, and Cynic’s New Year expanded their sonic palette without abandoning the restraint that first set them apart. By the time of Appreciation, the band had begun to open its sound outward, introducing richer arrangements and a subtle warmth that suggested growth without rupture. Through it all, Ringle remained a steady center, writing songs that favored emotional precision over spectacle.
The reissue of Words Are Dead does not attempt to rewrite that history. Instead, it brings the origin point back into focus, offering a rare chance to hear where it all began while recognizing how far the project has traveled since.
Revisiting the album now, with two decades of distance, reveals not just a beginning but a foundation. The same careful interplay, the same attention to space and tone, still anchors the band’s work today. In that sense, the reissue feels less like a retrospective and more like a continuation. A reminder that some records do not age so much as they wait for the right moment to be heard again.

Hit Machine at Families in The Park
2026-08-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Jackson Park, May St & 13th St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Hit Machine is your ticket to a dance party like no other! Get ready to groove to hits from all eras, with Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees), Kiss (Prince), Dynamite (Taio Cruz), and You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC) all in the same electrifying set. Fronted by the dynamic Bart Hafeman, this band’s energy is absolutely WILD!

HIT MACHINE at Hood River Families in the Park 2026!
2026-08-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Jackson Park
Hit Machine is BACK to rock this amazing concert series in Hood River!
FREE & ALL AGES!

Wishram Mobile Medical Clinic Sport Physical Events | Clínica móvil para eventos deportivos
2026-08-28 08:30 - 15:00 | Wishram School, 135 Bunn St, Wishram, 98673
Get Your Sports Physicals Now! Remember – no form, no practice.
This year One Community Health is offering several sports physical days in collaboration with Gorge middle and high schools.
All students planning to participate in school sports for the 2026-2027 school year need a sports physical prior to joining the team.
Come in to cross sports physical exam off your summer to do list.
Wishram
Monday, July 27th, 2026 – 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday, August 28th, 2026 – 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM – Wishram School Health Fair
Location: Wishram School
Address: 135 Bunn St, Wishram, WA 98673
¡Hazte ya tu examen físico deportivo! Recuerda: sin formulario, no hay entrenamiento.
Este año, One Community Health ofrece varios días de exámenes físicos deportivos en colaboración con las escuelas secundarias y preparatorias de Gorge.
Todos los estudiantes que tengan previsto participar en deportes escolares durante el curso 2026-2027 deben someterse a un examen físico deportivo antes de unirse al equipo.
Ven a tachar el examen físico deportivo de tu lista de cosas por hacer este verano.
Wishram
Lunes, 27 de julio de 2026 – 10:00 – 15:00
Viernes, 28 de agosto de 2026 – 8:30 – 15:00 – Feria de la salud de la escuela Wishram
Ubicación: Escuela Wishram
Dirección: 135 Bunn St, Wishram, WA 98673

Movies on the Deck: Homeward Bound
2026-08-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Mt. Hood Meadows, OR, United States
Follow Shadow, Chance and Sassy on their journey and see how many familiar locations you can spot – this movie was filmed in Oregon! These three furry, fearless animals brave rivers, mountain lions, bears and more to get to the family they think is lost. Bring your chairs, blankets, friends and family up for our showing of Homeward Bound, this classic is fun for the entire family.
Tickets for Juniors (ages 12 and younger) are $10; tickets for Adults (13+) are $12. Watch for online reservations coming soon.
Come up early and take a scenic chairlift ride, hike along our trails, and play games on the deck!

The Heeters / Wren & Juniper Ingber at Trout Lake Hall
2026-08-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
Friday, August 28th, 2026
$17 Advance // $25 Day Of Show6pm Doors / 7pm ShowAll Ages
THE HEETERSSoul, R&B and Funk from the Bay Area, California. Deep grooves, tight three-part harmonies, and songs that will uplift your spirit. The Heeters is comprised of Tom Quell (vocals/guitar), Nadav Beary (drums), and two members of The California Honeydrops (Lorenzo Loera on keys and Miles Blackwell on bass. Lorenzo and Tom co-write the songs, which have that classic soul sound & those catchy hooks–with a personality that makes them still unique and relevant within the world of modern music.
WREN & JUNIPER INGBERWren(guitar,vocals) and Juniper(vocals) Ingber grew up in Oregon in a musical family where they began singing together from a young age. Now they perform as a duo, playing folk and soul, with heartfelt harmonies, acoustic accompaniment, and introspective lyrics.

Downtown Hood River Historic Walking Tour
2026-08-29 09:30 - 11:00 | Lightwell Hotel + Spa, 201 Cascade Ave, Hood River, 97031
Step back in time with The History Museum of Hood River County! Starting Saturday, May 23, and continuing each Saturday through September 5, The History Museum is kicking off our seasonal Historic Walking Tours.

Our journey begins in the lobby of the beautifully restored Lightwell Hotel, next to the chess tables. While you’re there, you can catch a glimpse of the historic 1937 Monarch piano, originally purchased by Ola M. Bell (the first woman elected to the Hood River City Council), which was donated to the museum in 2025.

From the stories of early downtown architecture to the stories of past business owners and influential locals, our tour guides will bring the past to life!

When: Saturdays, May 23 – September 5 (No tour on July 4)
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Start Location: Lightwell Hotel lobby, 201 Cascade Ave, Hood River
Tickets: $15 (Includes complimentary admission to the museum)

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot online at www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org or purchase in person at the museum. We hope to see you there!

Tails on Trails
2026-08-29 10:00 - 15:00 | Mt. Hood Meadows, OR, United States
We are putting those doggy Tails on the Trails this year for our 2nd annual Tails on Trails Fundraiser for Hood River Adopt A Dog. New this year we are holding our Tails on Trails Fun Run – humans and dogs can walk or run along wooded and open meadows on majestic Mt. Hood. This event combines scenic beauty, waterfalls, wildflowers, and a fun, relaxed finish-line vibe with pup treats and a welcoming committee! 100% of the Tails on Trails Fun Run proceeds go directly to Hood River Adopt A Dog, a non-profit dog shelter located in Hood River, Oregon. Guests and dogs who don’t want to walk or run are welcome to join us on the deck for the day and cheer everyone on.

Mixed Media Sketching
2026-08-29 11:00 - 13:00 | Tokki Art Supply, 409 Oak St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Using more than one medium is a great way to mix things up, try new styles and flex your creative muscle. In this class we’ll go over multiple combinations of different mediums, with watercolor, alcohol markers, colored pencils, and oil pastels. You’ll learn how to effectively use different mediums in combination for your benefit both logistically and creatively.
Students will be provided with a sketchbook and all materials will be provided.
Date: Saturday August 29
Time: 11am-1pm
Ages: 14+
Cost: $50
Location: Tokki Art Supply Classroom – 208 4th st, Hood River
If you cannot attend a class, a 72 hour notice prior to the start of the class via email or phone is required for a full refund of the class fee. After that there is no refund.
Students will receive a confirmation email of the purchase of the class. And 3 days prior to the class they will receive a reminder email. Please keep a look out for these emails.

Willie Watson & Erin Rae
2026-08-29 18:00 - 21:00 | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
TICKETS RELEASE FRIDAY JUNE 26th at 10am!
Saturday, August 29th, 2026
$30 Advance // $35 Day Of Show6pm Doors / 7pm ShowAll Ages
WILLIE WATSON
Soon before Willie Watson turned 18, he met God in an apple orchard. Or at the very least, he met there a man named Ruby Love, the older friend of a high-school buddy who had an enormous Martin guitar and a seemingly bigger understanding of the American folk songbook. Watson was existentially thirsty: A high-school dropout from upstate New York’s Finger Lakes, he was fast on his way to his first heartbreak and in a first band that didn’t take itself seriously enough. But that night in an apple orchard that had always seemed magical, at a graduation party for one of his bandmates and best friends, Watson and Love sang a few of those old songs together—“Worried Man Blues” and “Tennessee Waltz.” It was the first time Watson had cried while singing, the first time he had made the connection between making music and making sense of his life. He never saw Ruby Love again, but within months of that foundational 1997 rendezvous, he met the musicians with whom he’d soon start Old Crow Medicine Show. Call it revelation, fate, resurrection, whatever you will; for Watson, more than a quarter-century later, it was a duet with the divine.
As told in the talking-gospel masterpiece “Reap ’em in the Valley,” that scene is the transfixing finale of Watson’s self-titled debut as a songwriter and as a human at last making music to make sense of his life. Yes, Watson has released two albums since he left Old Crow Medicine Show a dozen years ago and since his long-term collaborations with David Rawlings and Gillian Welch.
But those records, both titled Folk Singer, were sets of tunes he knew, interpretations of the songbook he has diligently mined since even before that night in the apple orchard. At 44, however, he feels that Willie Watson is his first-ever true album, having finally lived and lost and simply witnessed enough to know he has something to sing with his exquisite rural tenor. Watson has not abandoned those old songs entirely. He dazzles during a robust take on the forever-curious “Mole in the Ground” and treats “Harris and the Mare,” the standard of tragic Canadian singer Stan Rogers, with total tenderness. But by and large, these are his stories of heartbreak and hurt, backlit by the corona of hope that only growth can provide.
Every memory, Watson likes to say, is surrounded by a shroud of sadness, whether it’s good or bad. And there are lots of memories in a life, all mixed: Though the band he started soon after that night with Ruby Love long gave him a purpose and career, it conscripted him into a role as an old-fashioned folkie, forever stuck playing a part that got tiring. Marriage and fatherhood became boons in their own time, but they kept him bound to Los Angeles, its sprawl and selfishness causing a country boy like Watson to lose himself again. And there was the stereotypical excess of it all, too, the habits of hard living nearly breaking Watson in his 30s.
But after he lost those relationships, he slowly got sober and faced himself head on, working to be honest about the traumas of his childhood that had helped create the troubles of adulthood. Sobriety, though, was never enough for Watson. He wanted that shift to prompt change and growth, to force him into situations that were beneficial because they were uncomfortable and challenging. That, in many ways, is the motivation of these nine songs and the only album he’s ever felt deserved to bear his name.
In 2020, Watson began convening with Morgan Nagler, an actress and songwriter he’d met years earlier through Rawlings. They’d discuss an idea and then often sit in silence, scratching away at it separately as Watson wriggled around on a couch, as if wrestling with his past in the real time of the present. Sometimes playful and sometimes persecuted, the songs that emerged looked
backward to move ahead, dealing with disappointments in phrases of crisp rhyme and sly wordplay.
A post-pandemic solo tour had left Watson feeling drained by the idea of being some standalone entertainer, onstage alone taming crowds who had forgotten how to listen amid extended isolation. He knew he wanted a band for these songs, but he understood they only needed to be the framing beneath them, supporting rather than distracting from these reckonings with self. Alongside producers Kenneth Pattengale and Gabe Witcher, respectively of Milk Carton Kids and Punch Brothers, Watson assembled a modest ensemble of aces who were largely new to him but would respond to the songs intuitively and without intrusion—bassist Paul Kowert, guitarist Dylan Day, drummer Jason Boesel, fiddler Sami Braman. (Careful listeners may note cameos from Benmont Tench and Sebastian Steinberg, too.) Start to finish, these songs sound like moments of mutual discovery, the entire group arriving together to look at Watson’s life and realize something about and for themselves.
“Real Love” harkens back to those days in rural New York, with Watson opening himself to the wreckage that comes with falling for someone for the first time. He is fragile but resolute here, pressing on in spite of vestigial pain. “Sad Song” thrums like some muted and modern Jimmie Rodgers number, as Watson tries to play-act happiness one more time for a society that’s just wanted him to grin and sing. Echoing the rippling and beautiful despair of Gordon Lightfoot, the gorgeous “Play It One More Time” examines the fleeting salve of music itself, or how the help it gives us can fade when we’re not truly hearing.
And then there’s the hotrod acoustic opener, “Slim and the Devil,” a wits-sharp adaptation of the Sterling A. Brown poem “Slim Greer in Hell.” After being disgusted by the imagery of white nationalists taking over the streets of Charlottesville, Watson pulled a book called “The Black Poets” off his shelf, and the first page he opened was Brown’s poem. The story of a Faustian bargain made with St. Peter at the pearly gates in exchange for one more earthly adventure, it’s a sly contemplation of the meaningless deals we make to endure when we all know what’s inevitable. For Willie, the story is second to the honor aimed at the poet himself “because history has told me that all the people in his position have been robbed by white folk artists and completely cast aside.” And then there is “Already Gone,” a devastating if elegant survey of the damage we leave behind as we make bad choices, as we force people to leave our lives. “There’s no hearts to break here,” Watson offers before the knockout. “They’re already gone.”
These days, Watson looks askance at his old reputation and knows other people do, too. “‘I thought you were just some nice little singer who sang in the little fucking cowboy hat,’” he deadpans, characterizing the perception he knows he has in many ways courted. And he recognizes that people probably don’t think he can write his own songs of meaning and depth, since he spent so long reworking those of others. For a long time, he bought that, too. But the hat is off, as is the desire to be a mere entertainer or interpreter. The nine songs on Willie Watson find a bona fide songwriter dealing with the difficulties of his past to suggest a renewed future; what’s more, he uses his keen and expansive understanding of an old lexicon to add his own new entries to it. As with the best folk songs, you will recognize your own burdens here. As with the best folk singers, you will feel compelled to sound them out, too. Who knows, maybe you’ll even meet God in an apple orchard.
ERIN RAE
Since the release of her critically acclaimed 2018 debut Putting On Airs, Erin Rae has emerged as one of Nashville’s foremost singer-songwriters. Rae’s most recent release, 2022’s Lighten Up, found her in a period of intense evolution. Both personally and musically, teaming up with new collaborators like Jonathan Wilson, Kevin Morby and Hand Habits. The resulting album, which earned praise from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, NPR Music and more, took listeners on a swelling journey through psychedelia, cosmic country and Topanga Canyon-inspired indie-folk. In 2019, Rae was nominated for Emerging Act of The Year at the Americana Music Awards and in 2023 she earned the “Jim James Award” for most sit-ins at Newport Folk Festival, guesting during sets from Margo Price & Friends, Slaughter Beach Dog, Brittany Howard, Mavis Staples, and more. She has also supported tours for Gregory Alan Isakov, Ray La Montagne, Angel Olsen, Hiss Golden Messenger, Jenny Lewis, Jason Isbell, Iron & Wine, Lord Huron, Julia Jacklin, Father John Misty, and more.

Meghanne Storey
2026-08-29 19:00 - 22:00 | Top Hat Tavern, 124 W Main St., Goldendale, WA, 98620, United States
Meghanne Storey will be here in August 29! Named Female Artist of the year by Music Mafia Radio! Don’t miss this one!

Harmony on the Mountain
2026-08-30 17:00 - 20:00 | Mt. Hood Meadows, OR, United States
Violinist Aaron Meyer’s “Concert Rock” style of performance blends his classical training with a passion for rock music. Inspired by a fusion of classical and rock, Aaron’s music features arrangements from Vivaldi to Led Zeppelin; Aerosmith to Wieniawski; and Mozart to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
