thursday 27
Deana Carter
COUNTRY MUSIC—Shave your legs, grab a jug of strawberry wine and lower your inhibitions for an acoustic set from Nashville singer/songwriter Deana Carter. Both of Carter's Grammy wins (that's right, TWO Grammys!) have come on the tails of booze-filled anthems, "You and Tequila" and "Strawberry Wine" so grab a glass and drink up to her country soundtrack for a Land's End catalogue. 9 pm. Maverick's Country Bar and Grill, 20565 Brinson Blvd. $18.
saturday 29
Tommy Castro
BLUES—Screaming guitars and gnarled vocals, plus two decades of singing about heartbreak and hard knocks make Tommy Castro a blues expert in every incarnation—Chicago, west coast, Memphis, electric and soul. Awarded BB King's entertainer of the year in 2010, Castro puts on a rockin' show. 8 pm. The Belfry, 302 E Main St., Sisters. $20.
saturday 29
Last Saturday
ART—Spring is springing! And artist collective and cultural hub, the Workhouse, is arting! Music, drinks, and as always tons of local art from pottery to clothing to jewelry to beer and coffee paintings all stuffed into a few buzzing building. Local ambient improv band Isles will play two sets to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Workhouse. Music starts at 7:30 pm. The Workhouse, 50 Scott St. Free.
saturday 29
Adarna
METAL—Adrarna; defn., noun, adjective: machine-gun fire drums, operatic screams and black t-shirts. Origin: Happy Valley. (Note the irony.) Syn.: Pantera. Antonyms: Eliot Smith, Bright Eyes. Local acoustic rockers Voodoo Highway opens. 9 pm. Volcanic Theatre, 70 SW Century. $5.
saturday 29
Solas
FOLK MUSIC—Like a ghost story exhumed from a Montana mining town, the enchanting bluegrass-folk band Solas weaves a story about Irish immigrants and murder in turn-of-the-century Butte, Montana, in its latest album. Rich voices and beckoning violins are a beautiful siren's call to this elaborate storytelling. This show wraps up the wonderful Sister Folk Winter Concert Series. 7 pm. Sisters High School, 1700 McKinney Butte Rd. $20 adv., $25 at door.
sunday 30
Rendezvous Slalom Kayak Race
RACE—Downhill skiers have been embracing slalom kayaking since the Swiss introduced the sport in the early 1940s, and as the high Cascade snow melts off the mountains and gushes down the hill to fill the Deschutes River, boaters and skiers alike will test their skills and endurance on a quarter-mile whitewater course, paddling through gates, around rocks and other river features. 10 am. Behind the Riverhouse Convention Center.
monday 31
SUCCESS
LOUD MUSIC—Here's a musical SAT question: James Taylor is to Black Flag, as Jack Johnson is to Success, the up and coming Seattle pop-punk band that provides a fast-moving and thundering wall of elephant stomping drums, bellowing lyrics, and lightning fast chords. Joined by Tuck and Roll, and the primal guitars and thumping drums of Western Settings. 9 pm. Volcanic Theatre, 70 SW Century. $ 5.
wednesday 2
State of the University
SPEECH—While Oregon State University President Ed Ray's "State of the University" speech is more a recap of the institution's accomplishments, and not explicitly about the school's next chapter as it opens a four-year campus here, yes, we do expect at least one or two mentions about the Cascade campus. 5:30 pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall. Free, but registration required (osualum.com/soubend).
wednesday 2
Craig Carothers
MUSIC—This Nashville-based should-be-famous singer/songwriting is a professional at downplaying his music. His website reads, "He's recorded and release 10 albums in the last 20 years. A couple of 'em aren't bad." Don't be so modest, Craig! Your folky storytelling and clean guitar picking are tops! 7 pm. McMenamins, 700 NW Bond St. Free.
thursday 3
Helen on Wheels
THEATER—Local playwright Cricket Daniels seventh play follows crazy Grandma Helen, a stubborn-as-hell, gun-toasting, whiskey-drinking senior citizen ready to defend the home her husband built with a rifle from the vantage point of her porch. 7:30 pm. 2nd Street Theatre, 220 NE Lafayette Ave. $16-19.
