friday 24
Riley's Range Benders
MUSIC—Set on a crest facing west, Crux already has one of the best vantage points for mountain ranges and evening sunsets and, increasingly, they seem to be adding another element to magical evenings: Live music! Riley's Range Benders are easy-going folk music; a great way to wind down the week. 5–8 pm. Crux Fermentation Center, 50 SW Division. Free.
friday 24
The Cutmen
HOOTENANNY—Oh, everyone is invited to this party, and by that we mean everyone who isn't already in the band. The Cutmen are fun, raucous, and full bodied jazziness—carnival keyboards, New Orleans horns, Revival hand clapping, driving guitars, and lead singer Aine Evans belting out Janis Joplin yelps. 9 pm. Volcanic, 70 SW Century Dr. $5
friday 24-saturday 25
Bend Follies
COMEDY—If "Portlandia" were about Bend, it would probably look a lot like Bend Follies—the Tower Theatre's annual fundraiser and a two-time winner of Best Fundraiser in the Source's reader poll. This locals-focused sketch comedy show has featured a who's who of local celebrities, from the Drake Park LARPers to Derby Dames. This year's two-night affair is hosted by Scott Ramsay and Kerri Stewart. 6:30 pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St. $48 VIP, $33 general, $18 "cheap" (balcony) seats.
saturday 25
The Weather Machine
MUSIC—After two years of work The Weather Machine, a Portland based band, has recently release their sophomore full-length album, Peach. Now promoting its power American sound, the band is touring Oregon with a stop in Bend. With clever lyrics and songs about Oregon, this folksy, young band has a Mumford and Sons-esque and folk-pop sound. 8 pm. The Belfry, 302 E Main St., Sisters.
saturday 25
Earth Day
PARADE—Dress up as your favorite species, pump pedals with Bend Bikes, and then head to the Earth Day parade and fair. We're not sure if Captain Planet qualifies as his own species, but you'd probably be in good company if you chose to channel his blue-skinned, planet healing vibe. 9-10:30 am bike ride starts at Juniper Swim and Fitness Center, 800 NE Sixth St. 10:30 am parade downtown, followed by fair at Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Ave. Free.
saturday 25
Furniture Flip Design Challenge
ART + DESIGN—Instead of watching re-runs of "Yard Crashers" this weekend, check a real-life, trash-to-treasure challenge when local designers including Stemach Design & Architecture, Natural Edge Furniture, and Connell Hull Company put their skills to the test to upcycle furniture from ReStore. Proceeds from the event benefit Bend Area Habitat for Humanity. 7-10 pm. Armature, 50 SE Scott St., Suite 2. Free.
saturday 25
Big Wave Challenge
HANG TEN—At least in some aspect, the age-old question of whether it is better to live on the mountain or next to the ocean is solved by the annual Big Wave Challenge, hosted by Gerry Lopez, on Mt Bachelor, a Cool Runnings' event that styles snowboard courses and races with banked turns meant to simulate the big wave free flow of surfing. And, oh yeah, there's a luau! 10 am–3 pm. Mt Bachelor, 13000 SW Century Dr. Free to spectators.
sunday 26
The Ganges River Band
MUSIC—Wind down the weekend with slide guitar, songs about heartbreak, and boot-shuffling honky tonk. Named Best Country Band by Seattle Weekly, which isn't necessarily a hotbed of cowboys, but with traditional good-times country and western, it is still an honor they deserve. 8 pm. Volcanic, 70 SW Century Dr. $5.
sunday 26
Foodie Crawl
FOOD—Bar/brewery crawls are par for the course in Bend, so it should be no surprise there's an event celebrating the local culinary culture. The fourth annual Foodie Crawl features more than 20 restaurants and an after party with music from Subject to Change, dessert, and a live auction. Feeding the hungry has never been so delicious—proceeds help the Bend Community Center (BCC) serve more than 2,000 meals each week to those in need. 3-7 pm. Downtown Bend. $75.
tuesday 28
OR7 - The Journey
WOLF FILM—Nonprofit Oregon Wild brings the documentary that follows Oregon's famous wandering gray wolf, OR7, as he worked to form the first wolf pack west of the Cascade Range in 70 years. After the film there will be a Q&A will the filmmaker, Clemens Schenk. The film is a celebration of wildlife, OR7's journey, and wolf recovery. 6 pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis, 700 NW Bond St. $10.
