Josh Turner to headline Party in the Dirt

North Idaho State Fair announces lead musical act

The North Idaho State Fair has announced that multi-platinum country music sensation Josh Turner will headline the Party in the Dirt Concert Series with a performance Aug. 19 in the Findlay Arena.

Tigers hire new dance coach for 2025-26

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers have hired Melody Davis as the new head coach for the EHS Dance team for the 2025-26 school year. Davis is from Selah and has had an accomplished career both in the WIAA and professionally with the NBA. “Melody is an outstanding addition to the EHS athletic program,” said Bryan Johnson, EHS Athletic Director. “She brings not only an elite-level performance experience but also a deep understanding of coaching, choreography and mentorship. We’re incredibly fortunate to have her.” Davis said she had initially started her athletic career with gymnastics when she was growing up, but as she got older found dance an outlet where she was able to better express herself.

American Honey to close out summer concert series

MOSES LAKE — The name came out of the blue. “When we started, we used to do these band barbecues, and we hadn’t come up with a name yet,” said Audre Belt, lead singer of American Honey, which will perform Friday in Moses Lake. “We had come up with these (names) … that seemed really cheesy. And one of the guys started pointing at random things on the table, and we happened to have a bottle of Wild Turkey American Honey whiskey. He pointed at it and said, ‘American Honey’ and we all looked at each other and we just knew from that moment that that was it.” That was in 2017, and the band is still making music around eastern Washington, although Belt is the only remaining original member. American Honey’s show will be the last performance of this year’s Moses Lake Summer Concert Series.

The Side Project to play in Moses Lake – for real, this time

MOSES LAKE — When The Side Project takes the stage June 20, the city of Moses Lake’s Summer Concert Series will pick up where it left off, sort of. “They were supposed to be our last concert last summer,” said Jenni Shelton, creative programs coordinator for the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. “It was the night of a really bad storm, and we had to cancel for the weather. It was one of the nights they even evacuated to the Gorge (Amphitheatre).” The Side Project consists of wife-and-husband Suzie and Ben Bradford, according to its website. The duo, originally from Spokane, have recorded six albums and have performed up and down the west coast for 20 years, according to the announcement. Their music has been broadcast in Starbucks and featured on television shows “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” as well as scoring a positive review in Music Connection Magazine.

’70s-themed Senior Picnic a groovy time

MOSES LAKE — About 700 people came out to the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce’s annual Senior Picnic June 11, which was pretty much on a par with last year, Chamber Director Debbie Doran-Martinez said. “Everybody really enjoyed themselves,” she said. “We had a lot of people dancing, more than usual.” The theme was “Peace, Love & Party,” and attendees were decked out in tie-dye and bell bottoms. The music that brought folks out to the dance floor was provided by Cheyenne.

UMANI Festival sees successes in 2025

MOSES LAKE – The Annual UMANI festival was held on Saturday this year on Third Avenue hosted by Columbia Basin Allied Arts, the Moses Lake Public Library and EDUBS. “It went really well,” said Colombia Basin Allied Arts Executive Director Shawn Cardwell. “We’re grateful to the city for hosting us so generously and I think every performance was fantastic, all the food was delicious, all the resources were engaging, and the lowriders were gorgeous.”

Moses Lake High School theater troupe to present ‘Mamma Mia!’

MOSES LAKE — The curtain goes up on a tale of lost love, family complications and a wedding on the beach as the Moses Lake High School Theatre troupe presents “Mamma Mia!,” opening Friday. Sharon Winningham, drama advisor and director, said the musical has established itself as a classic. “It is a beloved musical,” Winningham said. “The kids are excited. The parents are excited. There’s just something special about ‘Mamma Mia!,’” Winningham said. “‘Mamma Mia!’ is that show that they grew up on.” The 1999 play is based on the music of the Swedish pop group ABBA, whose songs were part of the soundtrack of the late 1970s. It’s the story of Sophie (Ruby Nishida in the MLHS production) who’s about to get married. It’s all good – her mom Donna (Calissa Dalton) approves of her choice – but there’s a little bit of a glitch.

Eastern European traditions on display at Basin schools

EPHRATA — Columbia Basin Allied Arts kicked off its annual school tour Monday, with a performance for Grant and Columbia Ridge students in Ephrata by Trio Barynya.

Fairy tales meet marathons

Ephrata High School drama puts on double feature with a month to prepare

EPHRATA —This weekend, Ephrata audiences will step into a whimsical world where fairy tales meet marathons and laughter dances in the air like confetti. Ephrata High School’s drama department invites the community to join them for a double feature: “Race Day” and “Snow White and the Seven Endings” are taking the stage for closing weekend this Friday and Saturday. The opening weekend kicked off with enthusiastic crowds and some unexpected twists for the cast and crew. “It’s been an incredible journey,” said director Marla Allsopp. “We had to pivot from our original plan of performing ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ due to some casting challenges, but the students showed immense resilience and commitment. They wanted to keep moving forward, and we ended up choosing two new, hilarious shows that would allow them to shine.”

Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars brings in more than $14,000

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association’s second annual Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars event raised more than $14,000, according to an announcement from the CBCCA.

Showing the moves

Local hoofers show their moves at Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars

MOSES LAKE — The Wallenstien Theater was almost full Saturday night for the second annual Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars. “It was exciting to see (so many) young people,” said Judy Twigg, vice president of the Central Basin Community Concert Association, which hosted the event. “It shows that if you get the right entertainment in Moses Lake, it draws people.”

Columbia Basin Events for Feb. 21-March 1

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring may not be here, but you can almost see it coming. Here are a few things to check out while you watch the ground thaw: Feb . 21 LJ Polmateer Live performance by local musician LJ Polmateer of One Soulution. 5:30 p.m. at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4177. Open Mic Night

‘Undeniable freedom’

Juneteenth celebrates African American fight for liberty

MOSES LAKE — Juneteenth has only been a national holiday for a few years, but its meaning resonated deeply Thursday.

2025 Hay King named

MOSES LAKE – Stevens Hay was named Hay King for the third year in a row Tuesday, the first grower to achieve that distinction. From left: Stevens hay co-owner Kye Stevens, 3-year-old Hudson Stevens and contest superintendent Kirk Jungers. Look for the full story in the August edition of the Basin Business Journal.

Senior calendar for August 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you’re entertaining the grandchildren or just looking to get out of the house, here’s what’s going on this month:

Fresh spin

CyclePath Spin Studio offers healthy workout

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes, you learn best by doing. “I had never taken a spin class until recently,” said CyclePath Spin Studio owner Rita Morfin. “But it was something that I felt like the community needed. So (I thought), ‘If I build it, they will come.’” And they have. Morfin cut the ribbon on CyclePath Spin Studio Monday and opened fully on Tuesday, and already she has five teachers with classes lined up. Spin is basically an exercise program carried out on stationary bikes, Morfin said, but it encompasses a lot more than just riding. There’s a whole routine, she said, with hand motions, presses, standing and sitting and sometimes even lifting weights. The whole workout is done under a teacher’s guidance with music on speakers in the background.

Weather for the week of Aug. 18, 2025

Weather for the week of Aug. 18, 2025

Hall Sisters to perform in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The tight, soaring harmonies of the Hall Sisters will fill the Wallenstien Theater March 24. “They’re dynamic,” said Judy Twigg, vice president of the Central Basin Community Concert Association, which is sponsoring the show. “They are one in a million. They’re four sisters who have been singing since they were young girls.” The Hall Sisters – Jessica, Natalie, Lydia and Valerie – come from North Carolina and grew up in a home filled with music, according to their online information. Their music combines heart-wrenching ballads and instrumentals, fiery Irish fiddle tunes, and country classics sprinkled with some pop.

Dance club offers squares and rounds

MOSES LAKE – The 4x8’s dance club, a local nonprofit group with more than 70 years in Moses Lake, will host a series of lessons starting Monday. The group dances to a variety of genres, according to a statement from the group, and offers a chance to socialize and have fun.

Sphinx Virtuosi to bring little-known music to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Some of the best classical music talent in the country will visit Moses Lake when Sphinx Virtuosi plays the Wallenstien Theater Saturday. “We are so pleased and honored to have them come to our small town stage,” said Shawn Cardwell, executive director of Columbia Basin Allied Arts, which is presenting the concert. “These guys are touring the nation right now, showcasing the artists that are part of the group, as well as the artists who wrote the music that they play.” The Sphinx Virtuosi is made up of 18 of the nation’s top Black and Hispanic artists selected to showcase classical music by historically ignored minority composers, according to the website of the Sphinx Organization. The Sphinx Virtuosi have performed with the New York Philharmonic, with symphony orchestras from all over the United States, and are a regular highlight at Carnegie Hall.