Downtown

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Downtown / News

Downtown Bend Business Association welcomes Albany's Rod Porsche as new director

Posted By Erin Rook on Tue, Aug 11, 2015 at 3:08 PM

Outgoing DBBA Executive Director Chuck Arnold will be replaced by former Albany Downtown Association Director Rod Porsche. - ERIN ROOK

Erin Rook
Outgoing DBBA Executive Director Chuck Arnold will be replaced by former Albany Downtown Association Director Rod Porsche.

Last May, we talked to Chuck Arnold about his tenure as executive director of the Downtown Bend Business Association and his plans for the future. Today, the DBBA has officially announced Arnold's replacement: former director of the Albany Downtown Association, Rod Porsche.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Downtown Bend Business Association and look forward to working with the dynamic group of independent businesses in Downtown Bend," Porsche said in a release.

Before taking the helm at the ADA in early 2014, Porsche was in charge of group marketing for the Albany Visitor's Association.

“We had 68 applicants from over half a dozen states and are pleased to find such a great fit with Rod," DBBA Board Member Jim Petersen said in the release. "We believe Rod has the qualities necessary to continue the positive momentum of the DBBA and Downtown Bend overall."

Heidi Junge, president of the ADA board, told the Albany Democrat-Herald when Porsche stepped down from his old post in May that he would be missed.

"We're really sad that Rod is leaving. He's done an excellent job as the executive director for the downtown association," Junge said. "He's wonderful. We're sad to lose him. He's got a lot of drive and passion for what he does."

As executive director for the DBBA, Porsche will oversees the downtown beautification, marketing, and events, as well as work with property and business owners to keep storefronts filled and businesses vibrant. Stay tuned for an interview Bend's new downtown guy.

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Tags: Downtown Bend Business Association, Chuck Arnold, Rod Porsche, downtown Bend, DBBA, Image

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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Downtown / Theater / Words / Events / Fiction

"Dearly Departed" brings authors of yesteryear to Tin Pan Theater

Posted By Kelsey Rook on Wed, Mar 11, 2015 at 2:00 PM

Tomorrow night at 7:00 pm a group of wildly famous, uber-talented authors will be hanging out at Bend's Tin Pan Theater. And, get this, they're all dead. Writers such as Oscar Wilde, Gerturde Stein, and Dorothy Parker will be brought to life again by students of the OSU Cascades Low Residency Creative Writing MFA Program—and hopefully a few non-student lit-geeks—as part of their "Dearly Departed" tribute to authors of yesteryear. The cost is a mere $5 suggested donation and if you act fast, you might still be able to join the roster.

I interviewed Irene Cooper, Creative Writing MFA student who will be making her impostor debut as American satirist and poet Dorothy Parker.

Source Weekly: How does "Dearly Departed" support the MFA Program's philosophy— to "teach ourselves to play outside our comfort zones" and "celebrate our own and each others' adventures in self-expression"?

Irene Cooper: "Dearly Departed" is a whimsical way to tap into some of our literary lineage. I say whimsy, but costumes are a funny thing. Some people feel liberated by costumes, some feel protected by them and others feel entirely exposed by dress-up. "Dearly Departed" is a fabulous opportunity to explore our literary icons as people to whom we have a connection, without worrying about egos, because, you know, they're dead.

This demure lady's got one sharp tounge - DOROTHY PARKER VIA PHOTOPIN (LICENSE)

Dorothy Parker via photopin (license)
This demure lady's got one sharp tounge

SW: Who will you be channeling and how will you prepare for the event?

IC: I am almost completely certain I will come to play as Dorothy Parker. I have selected a few poems that may be read under the allotted time (I sense that Mrs. Parker was punctual, among her other celebrated qualities). I screened Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle a while back and I watched Anne Hathaway read one of Parker's essays (no help at all). I have a wig.

SW: What kind of creative and artistic license does this kind of literary event afford participants and audience members that a more traditional reading does not?

IC: There is a certain protocol to a so-called traditional reading that is hard to put aside without some major shift. If the reading is of someone else's work, I think the reader aims to honor the writer in a sincere manner. So, someone stands at the front of the room, others sit and listen respectfully. One might shake it up by changing the space or in some way re-drawing the boundaries.The costume, here, is the shift. It provides a chance to embody the artist, to run some blood and oxygen through the material, and to perhaps take a little liberty with one's interpretation. We love them, we respect them, but again, they're dead, and we're not, and most of this stuff is now public domain.

Irene Cooper is a Creative Writing graduate student at the OSU-Cascades Low Residency MFA Program.

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Tags: dearly departed, tin pan theater, osu cascades, creative writing mfa, dead authors, literary event, Image

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Friday, July 11, 2014

Downtown / Events / Live Music / Music / Tonight

PICK: Bend Summer Festival

Posted By Erin Rook on Fri, Jul 11, 2014 at 9:00 AM

FEST—Bend loves an excuse for a street fair and this is summer’s crown jewel. Taking over downtown with live music, artists, food, beer, kids activities and more, Bend Summer Festival brings maximum entertainment with minimal effort. Headliners Larry and His Flask, Patrick Lamb Band and Boxcar Stringband helm the fest’s three stages—main, jazz fusion and locals only. Grab an elephant ear, stroll the booths and take in some summer jams. 5-10 pm Friday, 11 am-10 pm Saturday, 11 am-5 pm Sunday. Downtown Bend. Free.

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Tags: Bend Summer Festival, Summerfest, Larry and His Flask, Boxcar Stringband, Patrick Lamb, street festival, The Boot, Image, Video

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Thursday, September 5, 2013

Bend City Council / Downtown / Economy / News

City Council Revisits Downtown Building Heights, Approves Limited Variance for First Reading

Posted By Erin Rook on Thu, Sep 5, 2013 at 12:36 AM

The lot adjacent to bend Brewing Company remains empty due to lack of developer interest. Property owners say a height variance would give them more options. Source Weekly file photo.

The lot adjacent to bend Brewing Company remains empty due to lack of developer interest. Property owners say a height variance would give them more options. Source Weekly file photo.

"Oregonians hate two things," Councilor Victor Chudowsky said, referencing a quote from former Metro Executive Officer Mike Burton that appeared in National Geographic magazine. "They hate sprawl. And they hate density."

It was a fitting summation of a lengthy debate over a proposal to reinstitute the prohibition on height variances on the west side of Brooks Street between Franklin Avenue and Newport Avenue.

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Tags: downtown, height variance, Bend City Council, Erickson River Properties, Brooks Street, development, Image

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Friday, January 4, 2013

Downtown

First Friday Picks

Posted By Brianna Brey on Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 12:00 PM

If you're at Frist Friday Art Walk Downtown tonight, which you should be, here are some events we suggest you check out. Don't forget to enjoy all of the wonderful art hanging in local galleries and business, many of which will be open late.

Fatty bike, bro.

Snowbike Mayhem
Crow's Feet has a renegade obstacle course for cold weather bike aficionados. Race a professional rider on a Fatback design snow bike, or just watch the festivities and enjoy a beer with live music by Grits and Grizzle. Races start at 8 p.m.
Crow's Feet Commons, 875 NW Brooks St.

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Downtown

JC's Helps you Decide What to do Today

Posted By Brianna Brey on Tue, Nov 13, 2012 at 3:07 PM

Check out the chalkboard outside of JC's today.

Choose wisely, Bend.

We are pretty sure listening to the new Nickelback album would be more physically painful than fighting Voldemort or competing in the Hunger Games, but it's up to you.

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Film / Downtown

Boutique movie theater to open in Tin Pan Alley

New independent movie theater to open in former Top Leaf Mate location

Posted By The Source Staff on Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 9:30 PM

As if Tin Pan Alley wasn’t cool enough already, it will soon be home an art house theater.

Tin Pan Theater is tentatively aiming to open by first Friday in March and will feature a 30-seat theater, beer and wine, and food from local restaurants, said one of the owners of the new theater.

“We really wanted to create something in Bend that was a small cultural hub,” said Esme LaVoy, who is opening the business with her partner, Micah LaVoy.

Micah LaVoy is the former owner of Sparrow Bakery, which he sold to a new owner about one year ago, said Esme LaVoy. The two plan to show independent films and documentaries. They’ll also open the theater, which is in the former location of The Top Leaf Mate Bar, to musicians, authors and for community events.

“We want to be able to have things that don’t (typically) come to Bend,” said Esme LaVoy.

The theater is a good thing for downtown and isn’t likely to compete with other venues in the area, said Chuck Arnold, executive director of The Downtown Bend Business Association.

“It's a different type of option,” he said. “We certainly have the Tower and McMenamins, but this is a different approach.”

Tickets to movies at the theater are expected to cost $5 to $6, said Esme LaVoy. Check out Tin Pan Theater’s facebook page for more information.