What began as a few friends playing music together in the Middle East turned into an international tour with a stop at Silver Moon Brewing in Bend. El Khat is a three-person minimalist band, using mostly homemade instruments. โI wasn’t planning on starting a band, I was workingย on some tunes that afterwards became the first […]
Music
Black Sabbath Cover Band Coming to Bend
If music was the magical elixir that got Zakk Wylde off the gridiron and on a stage when he was a teenage linebacker, the guitar was the vehicle that got him to the dream gig as Ozzy Osbourneโs guitarist when Wylde was barely 20. The next three-and-a-half decades have seen the Jersey native not only […]
Two Decades of Joy
The Central Oregon Mastersingers are celebrating 20 years. The choir, made up of 40 to 60 members, depending on the performance, is preparing for itโs next event, โRooted in Song,โ featuring vocalist and composer Moira Smiley. Her music is described as a blend of traditional folk, classical and jazz. โFor this concert, weโll have […]
Travel toย Taizรฉ in France Without Leaving Town
When I entered the dimly lit St. Helen’s Hall in downtown Bend on the first Thursday of October for the monthly Taizรฉ meditation service, I was somewhat familiar with the music that originated in Taizรฉ, France. These short and melodic spiritual songs are repeated several times as instruments and perhaps a solo voice are added over the […]
A Female Brass Band is Changing Stereotypes
The name โBrass Queensโ represents a female brass band with attitude. The Brooklyn-based group debuted in March of 2019, chipping out a reputation in a generally male-dominated landscape, one pop-up performance at a time. Now, the band is touring nationwide, including a stop at Silver Moon Brewing in Bend on Oct. 19. โA lot of […]
Band Brings its โDashboard Heatโ to Bend
Here is a collection of words describing Smokey Brightโs music culled from various sources quoted on the bandโs website: โSmokey Brights is one of the most exciting rock groups in the Emerald City. One part Fleetwood Mac (without the turmoil) and one part something all their own.โ โInsane charm.โ โ… plays rock in its truest, […]
Fall Arts & Style: Music
Blind Boys of Alabama with Cory Henry Recognized world-wide as living legends of gospel music, the Blind Boys of Alabama are celebrated for their soul-stirring harmonies and remarkable blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. With a career spanning over seven decades, theyโve won multiple Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame […]
One Day Choir
The benefits of music and singing have long been explored with various research finding it has positive effects on mental and physical health. A study by the University of Oxford says choir singing improves health, happiness and is the perfect icebreaker. Creating connections, community and joy is the idea behind the One Day Choir in […]
Heads-up for veteran band, Helmet
Novelist Toni Morrison once said, โAll good art is political. And the ones that try hard not to be political are political by saying, โWe love the status quo.โ “ If weโre keeping score, count Page Hamilton as being in the Morrison camp. While Hamiltonโs band Helmet is best known for having emerged out of […]
New Country Bar is Opening in Downtown Bend
A new country music bar is opening in downtown Bend. The Coyote is taking over the space vacated by Unofficial Logging Co. on the corner of NW Harriman Street and Greenwood Avenue. Co-owner Jordan Houle says itโll be a mix of oldtown Scottsdale and downtown Nashville with the pink hue of neon light partnered with […]

