Our Picks: 1/31 - 2/6
Stoney Danza
thursday 31
Awesome area DJ spinning classic soul with a few surprises. Great dancing. Take a date. $3. 21+. 10 p.m. Players Bar & Grill, 25 SW Century Dr.
HealthCare Reform Infosession
thursday 31
You've probably heard this described as the worst thing to happen to American freedom and economic viability since, like, ever. If you own a business, all that probably makes you real nervous. Learn all the ins and outs of the new law from attorneys, accountants and health care experts. $15. 7:30-10:30am. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.
Armchair Live Storytelling
thursday 31
Remember those family favorites grandpa used to tell? This night will be like that, only better. Armchair has nine presenters, from local writers to professional athletes, scheduled to speak on the theme "exit strategies." Advance tickets are already sold out, but you can still get a ticket at the door. $6. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tin Pan Theater, 869 NW Tin Pan Alley.
First Friday
friday 1
Another art-filled adventure is in store for you again this Friday. Be sure to peep the Rise Up Art Show at tbd Loft, the Winter in Central Oregon Exhibit at Franklin Crossing, the Zine Premiere (locally made comics!) at Tin Pan Theater and The Night of a Thousand Stars photography show at COCC's Hitchcock Auditorium. And don't miss Boxcar Stringband frontman Joe Balsamo's solo show at Velvet. It's all free! 5-9 p.m. Downtown and various other locations in Bend.
First Firkin Anniversary Party
friday 1 - sunday 3
The bottle shop, brew hub and cafe is 1 year old! Celebrate with three days of free music and tasty suds. Highlights include performances by Ellison Army, Upstate Trio, Kylan Johnson and Tone Red Trio. See the Broken Top Bottle Shop & Ale Café Facebook page for a full lineup. Oh, and a firkin is quarter barrel of beer. They'll have lots of those. No cover. 5 p.m. Broken Top Bottle Shop & Ale Café, 1740 NE Pence Lane.
Tom VandenAvond
saturday 2
Whoa. This guy is channeling Bob Dylan, but with an actual singing voice. Lots of songs about whiskey, rambling, sweet loves and America the beautiful. If you do something else this night, it might be fun, but this is the kind of music that guarantees a good mood for the rest of the weekend. 21+. $5. 8 p.m. The Horned Hand, 507 NW Colorado Ave.
Hey Ocean!
sunday 3
Reasons Hey Ocean! is sweet: 1. Guitarist David Beckingham and lead singer Ashleigh Ball have been best friends since sixth grade. 2. Ashleigh Ball has an infectious singing voice and is also a voice actress with credits that include My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (she's played Applejack AND Rainbow Dash). 3. Their sugar-coated indie-pop music has been mashed up with footage from My Little Pony, and it kind of rocks. 4. They're Canadian. All ages. $8. 7:30 p.m. The Sound Garden, 1279 NE 2nd St.
Excision
wednesday 6
Canada's "dubstep demon" is descending on Bend and he's bringing the bass with him. The B.C.-based master will be supported by Paper Diamond, a legit breakbeat wizard from Colorado, as well as Vaski. $20. 8 p.m. Midtown Ballroom, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
The Helio Sequence
wednesday 6
These guys are signed to Sub-Pop Records, legit. In case that doesn't convince you, Benjamin Weikel briefly played drums for Modest Mouse in the mid-2000's, and singer Brandon Summers briefly lost his voice in 2005 after some serious vocal shredding and whiskey-drinkin'. Don't worry, he sounds better than ever now. Talkdemonic and All You All open the show. All ages. $17. 7:30 p.m. Tower Theater, 835 NW Wall St.
