June 21- August 17
Summer Movie Express 2016
KIDS MOVIES—All summer long on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Old Mill Stadium 16 & IMAX will be screening newer and classic family films for $1. Films include "The Lego Movie," "The Iron Giant," "Minions," "Goosebumps" and more. This is a great chance to catch several kid-friendly movies on the big screen. 10am. Old Mill Stadium 16 & IMAX, Bend. $1. regmovies.com
June 25
The Wizard of Oz
MOVIE CLASSIC—If there's one movie that can never be watched too many times, it's the 1939 classic, "The Wizard of Oz." This screening is in conjunction with the High Desert Museum's new exhibit, "Art for a Nation: Inspiration from the Great Depression." It's easy to forget that when the film came out, America desperately needed to be transported somewhere else. 6pm. Tower Theatre, Bend. $10. towertheatre.org
June 30
Thank You For Your Service
DOCUMENTARY—This powerful documentary focuses on the failed governmental policies put in place to help veterans with war trauma and PTSD. Ticket proceeds support the "Save A Warrior" program, which specializes in active duty military veterans and first responders suffering from psychological trauma. 6pm. Tower Theatre, Bend. $10. towertheatre.org
All Summer Long
Sunriver Music Festival
CLASSICAL—The 2016 Sunriver Music Festival is packed to the gills with events. Sunday, July 31 is the Annual Festival Faire Dinner and Auction,; August 7 is a classical concert featuring pianist William Wolfram performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1; and Wednesday, August 10 is a classical guitar recital. Put these on your calendar, now. Visit sunrivermusic.org for information.
August 4-7
The Little Mermaid
THEATER—Everything good and entertaining happens under the sea in Menken, Ashman and Andersen's "The Little Mermaid." The team that brought Central Oregon the stage adaptations of "Shrek" and "The Wizard of Oz" is now bringing the beloved musical to the Tower Theatre. Thoroughly Modern Productions always puts on a show to remember. 2pm & 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, Bend. $30-$35. towertheatre.org
August 16
The General
FILM CLASSIC—"The General" is one of the finest silent films of all time and easily in the top of Buster Keaton's oeuvre. This screening celebrates the 90th anniversary of the film with a seven-piece live orchestra working from a original score by composer Mark Orton. This is going to be an absolutely incredible experience not to be missed. 8pm. Tower Theatre, Bend. $15-$25. towertheatre.org
August 19-20
Shakespeare in the Park
SHAKESPEARE—Northwest Classical Theatre Collaborative (NWCTC) have put on some truly excellent Shakespeare performances over the past few summers in Bend. After recent artistic successes, including, "Twelfth Night," "Romeo and Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Artistic Director Grant Turner and NWCTC are excited to bring one of Shakespeare's most difficult plays to stage, "The Tempest," to Drake Park this August.
"I've avoided directing this play for a long time," says Turner, "as it's tough to marry the domestic smaller scaled realism of The Prospero/Miranda story with the fantastical magic of Ariel/Caliban. I felt I had a handle on the former but was stymied by the latter. Having now done the other three "romances" ("Pericles," "Cymbeline," and "Winter's Tale") in Shakespeare's canon, I have a better understanding of his view of magic, and how magic should be embraced instead of downplayed. So I'm ready to direct this play now where I wasn't before."
"The Tempest" tells the story of multiple disparate personalities on a remote island; some of them are shipwrecked royalty, some are magicians, monsters and sprites desperate for a new life. The clash of these characters brings romance, danger and more than a few belly laughs.
VIP tickets for the show include excellent seats, drink tickets and a catered dinner from Hola!, including their mouth-watering Chancho A Lo Sancho.
Turner describes perfectly the experience of seeing Shakespeare in the Park, "Expect to be an active participant in the experience. Theatre is storytelling and you can't have a story without someone to share it with. Expect to understand it better than you think you will."
7pm. Drake Park, Bend. $22-$75. shakespearebend.com
August 19-September 9
Munch and Movies
FILM SERIES—Nestled snugly in Northwest Crossing's Compass Park, Munch and Movies has become a Summer staple in Central Oregon. This year's film line-up includes "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Zootopia," "Inside Out," and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." With a crowd-pleasing line up like that, you'll need to arrive early to snag a spot on the lawn. Movies start at dusk. Compass Park, Bend. Free. c3events.com
August 26
Stand By Me
SCREENING—We can't believe 30 years have passed since the launch of the timeless classic "Stand By Me." The film has aged gracefully, and cinematographer Thomas Del Ruth and his wife Patricia will be on hand for a Q&A and pre-show reception. Del Ruth has thousands of stories to share about the film and his years in Hollywood. 8pm. Tower Theatre, Bend. $15-$25. towertheatre.org
Beginning September 5
Sunriver Twilight Cinema
OUTDOOR MOVIES—There is nothing quite like watching a great movie outside as the sun sets across the majestic beauty of Sunriver. This year Sunriver Twilight Cinema is showing "Guardians of the Galaxy" among other films, so expect a fun slate of movies to enjoy with popcorn, a bouncy house, concession stands and ice cream from Goody's. Movies begin at dusk. Sunriver Homeowner's Aquatic and Recreation Center, Sunriver. Free. sunrivervillagefun.com
September 16-25
A Chorus Line
MUSICAL—One of the most irreverent and tightly constructed musicals of the last few decades, "A Chorus Line" is a modern classic for the ages. On one hand, it's a goofy Broadway musical. On the other hand, it's a smart examination of the lengths we will go to for success. This will probably be the smash hit of the 2016 theatrical season. 3pm & 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, Bend. $33-$48. towertheatre.org
