Celebrating its 20th season this year, BEAT Children’s Theatre is excited to present “Shrek, The Musical, JR,” by David Lindsay-Abaire, with music by Jeanine Tesori. This February 20 – 22, BEAT actors will take the stage with this hilarious, touching and joyful story of Shrek and his fairy tale friends on a journey to find love, […]
Culture
Posted inCulture
Dynamic Youth Theater Brings Teens, Audiences Together
Ponderosa Players presents Ride the Cyclone in Bend
Local theater group, the Ponderosa Players, brings the musical, Ride the Cyclone (High School Edition) to life February 19-22 at Open Space Event Studios, in Bend. Known for their pre-professional youth theater productions, the Ponderosa Players are poised to deliver this cult hit musical, which blends humor and emotion, while adding in some amazing technical […]
Posted inCulture
Bree Beal & BEAT Children’s Theater
Celebrating Two Decades of Empowering Young Artists
Bree Beal is officially the executive director of BEAT Children’s Theater in Bend, Oregon, but to the kids, she’s affectionately known as the “boss lady.” Her unwavering dedication has transformed BEAT into a beacon of creativity and empowerment. Beal’s journey to BEAT is a testament to her lifelong passion for children’s theater and her commitment […]
Posted inBend Nest
Learning Made Fun
Children’s Museum of Central Oregon prepares for brick-and-motar launch
Due to the Great Recession, Bend’s last brick-and-mortar children’s museum, Working Wonders, closed in 2009, leaving families of young children with few options for indoor, hands-on learning. Children’s Museum of Central Oregon, a nonprofit founded in 2015, is aiming to change that by raising enough money to build a learning center with STEAM-based exhibits, projected […]
Posted inBend Nest
A Few of My Favorite Things
Thoroughly Modern Productions takes on “The Sound of Music”
It’s a dreary Wednesday evening in Bend, but inside Open Space Event Studios, a glowing gaggle of children are hustling to their seats. Opening night is fast approaching, and director, David DaCosta, has much to accomplish before tonight’s rehearsal concludes. The actors sit along the cinder brick walls, opening scripts, practicing lines and songs, focused, […]
Posted inBend Nest
Thifty Threads
Heading back to school without breaking the bank
Getting ready to send the kids back to school is no small job. There’s the mental preparation as well as the hunter/gatherer work to be done for school supplies and new clothes to fit tiny tykes who shot up over the summer months. Unfortunately, students aren’t the only things that have grown. Inflation is at […]
Posted inBend Nest
Book Shelf
Merci Suárez Plays It Cool Written by Meg Medina Are you ready for middle school? Friendships are always changing, especially for Merci. Summer has been busy helping out with the twins and spending time with the rest of her family. It’s been forever since she’s seen her friends and now eighth grade is starting. When […]
Posted inBend Nest
Easy Dinners for busy fall schedules
What’s for dinner doesn’t have to be hours in the making
Once daily routines fall back into place after summer activities, moving dinnertime back indoors, away from picnics and barbeques, can feel overwhelming. Here are some ideas to make suppertime simpler, more easygoing and of course, family-oriented. 1. Meal plan ahead of time. Write down at least a week’s worth of menu ideas in advance. Get […]
Posted inBend Nest
Refreshing Summertime Dessert Made Easy
Turn juicy fruits into icy frozen granitas with little effort
Gather the family and a fork and get ready to make a summertime dessert that’ s sure to become a favorite! Ok, you’ll also need a blender, a cake pan and some fruit to make a delicious, icy granita, but that’s about all. A granita is a semi-frozen dessert typically made from fresh fruit, sugar […]
Posted inBend Nest
Family Sojourning
Simple packing tips for stress-free travel
You’ve been looking forward to that summer family vacation for months now and, finally , the date is just around the corner. Ah…what to bring? If you notice a panicky feeling arising just at the mention of suitcases and carry-ons, then you are not alone. Packing light is the way to go, but how do […]