Arts in brief | Tri-City Herald

Arts in brief for Friday, January 16.

Young artists to vie for spot in symphony

The annual Young Artists Competition, sponsored by the Mid-Columbia Symphony, is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 24 in the sanctuary at Central United Protestant Church, 1124 Stevens Drive, Richland.

About 20 youths from 11 to 18 years old will compete in piano, violin, woodwinds and brass and strings categories.

There will be one overall winner in both the senior and junior divisions. Those winners will perform with the Mid-Columbia Symphony at its spring concert. Admission to the competition is free.

Seattle improv comedy troupe to play in Yakima

The annual Laughing Ladies and Merry Men's Luncheon starts at noon Jan. 21 at the Yakima Convention Center.

The event features the hilarious antics of the Jet City Improv Players from Seattle. The improvised scenes include games and musical numbers loosely based on the TV show, Whose Line Is It Anyway.

Cost is $35 with proceeds to benefit the Allied Arts Association of Yakima. For reservations, e-mail info@alliedartsyakima.org or call 509-966-0930. For more information, go to www.alliedartsyakima.org.

Tingstad and Rumbel concert set Jan. 24

Grammy-winning musical duo Tingstad and Rumbel return to the Tri-Cities for a concert Jan. 24 in the Battelle Auditorium at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors.

The duo also will be the featured guests at a wine tasting event starting at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 at Bookwalter Winery. Cost is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets to both events are available at Bookwalter, 894 Tulip Lane, Richland. Also performing prior to the wine tasting will be jazz guitarist Norm Karin.

Portland zoo offers free admission Jan. 19

PORTLAND -- Polar bears from the frigid Arctic to elephants from the forests of Asia are what visitors to the Oregon Zoo can see for free Jan. 19.

The zoo is granting free admission that day in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. More information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.

Roller Derby event set Jan. 17 in Hermiston

The Nuclear Winterland roller derby competition gets under way at 5 p.m. Jan. 17 at George's Skate Center, 922 E. Main St., Hermiston.

The bout will pit the Tri-City-based Atomic City Rollergirls against The Trampires of Tacoma. Organizers say the event is family-friendly and recommended for all ages. There will be three rounds of heated competition with an intermission exhibition that includes a dress-like-a-roller-girl relay race in which the public can participate.

A beer garden will be on site as well. Admission is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Richland Players change auditions for 'Deathtrap'

Audition dates for Deathtrap have been changed to 7 p.m. Jan. 25-26 at the Richland Players Theatre.

Roles are available for two women and three men. The play opens March 20.

Hoptoberfest event set Jan. 23 in Yakima

YAKIMA -- Hoptoberfest 2009 will be Jan. 23 at the Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. 8th St.

The adults only event begins at 5 p.m. with Northwest seasonal crafted beers, ales and wines served until closing. A traditional German dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Cost is $65 per person or $130 per couple, open seating. Or reserve a table of eight for $520. Admission includes a complimentary collector's Golden Hop anniversary pilsner glass, a chance to bid on a variety of merchandise in a silent auction and live music.

Proceeds will go to the American Hop Museum in Toppenish. For information, go to www.americanhopmuseum.org/museumevents.htm.