thursday-sunday 22-25
Bend Roots, the free community music festival, is finally here, which signals the end of summer, but one of the best parties of the year. This time around, there are 100 bands booked for three days at the Century Center, but on Thursday night head down to the Victorian Café and get things started early with a performance by Grateful Dead tribute act Rising Tide. See the big festival guide in the Sound section. Thursday, Victorian Café (14th and Galveston), Friday-Sunday, Century Center, 70 SW Century Dr.
Bend Oktoberfest
friday-saturday 23-24
Like German stuff? Bavarian, actually. Let's be precise. What's not to like about brats, wiener-dog races and high-gravity beers like the Marzen? The original Oktoberfest started in late September and ran through the first Sunday in October, which must be why we celebrate Oktoberfest in the month of September. This one is only two days long, but promises games, food, spirits and fun for all. Free entry, too, and conveniently located in downtown Bend. 5-10pm, Friday. Noon-10pm, Saturday.
Hard Times
friday - sunday 23-9
Adapted from the Stud Terkel book of the same name, Hard Times is an oral history recorded by those who lived through America's Great Depression. Director Brad Hill's cast of community members portrays some of those characters in Terkel's book. Come learn what challenges those old timers faced and how with a neighbor-helping-neighbor attitude, Americans persevered. $15-$20. Tickets at innovationtw.org. Showing through Oct. 9., Wed.-Sat. 8pm, Sun. 2pm. Innovation Theatre Works, 1155 SW Division St.
Day of Play
saturday 24
Get the family out of the house on Saturday and down to Riverbend Park for the Day of Play event, which is back for a second year. During this kid-oriented extravaganza, families can get in on a number of activities, ranging from zumba dancing, obstacle courses, canoeing, creative arts and much, much more. If there's been an activity you've been dying to try, this is probably your chance. There's also music and food! 11am-3pm, Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia Ave.
Waking Life
wednesday 28
The Horned Hand is onto something with their movie nights in which they screen a film on the wall of the shop and serve up beers for your brewing pleasure. This week they're showing Waking Life, Richard Linklater's trippy ass animation-meets-live-action film starring Ethan Hawke as a dude who seems to be bouncing between dreams while engaging in heavily philosophic conversations. Bonus: some of the dudes from Dazed and Confused make appearances! Free. 10:30pm Wednesday, Sep 28. The Horned Hand, 507 NW Colorado.
Ignite Bend 7
wednesday 28
The biannual night of informative and entertaining presentations is back again at the Tower Theatre, giving several community members a chance to speak on topics ranging from the practical to the absurd. Here's a sampling of the titles you'll hear at this free event: "A Face Plus a Space: Social media, Connect or Disconnect?"; "What is an Intactivist?"; "Anatomy of a Hash Run"; "How to Swim with Dangerous Sharks and not get Eaten"; "A Dirtbag's Guide to the Endless Winter," and more. Doors at 6:30pm. Admission is free with advance ticket. 7pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.
Boxcar Stringband
thursday 29
If you haven't seen these rockabilly rockers in awhile, it's time. And if you've never seen Joe Balsamo or heard the old-timey ruckus made by their three-piece band, then it's high time you did. The fact that it's a free, yes free, show should further appeal to your high-cuff, plastic glasses, hipster sensibilities. Yes sir, it's going to be a humdinger down at the ole juke joint. Free. All ages. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School.
Hank III
thursday 29
When Hank III comes to town, folks tend to get crazy and we expect nothing short of insanity to hit the Domino Room when the descendent of one of the greatest country artists (Hank Williams, duh) of all time returns to Bend. Mixing up country sounds and themes with a screw-you, punk rock attitude, Hank III has plenty of material for his fans when he arrives, given that two weeks ago he rolled out four new albums. That's right - four albums on one day. $20 in advance on cascadetickets.com and at Ranch Records/$25 day of. 8pm. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
