thursday 15
Blue Light Special
MUSIC AND FOOD—Plant your bottom on one of The Lot's deluxe heated benches, warm your chilly digits by its gas fireplaces, munch on some of the delicious surrounding food cart grub, drink a beer and listen to local bluegrass crew Blue Light Special pick its way into the evening. Live music every Thursday at the food cart pod. 6 pm. The Lot, 745 NW Columbia St. Free.
thursday 15
Fly Fishing Film Festival
FISHING & FILMS—Once the domain of good ole boys sitting on coolers in tin boats, fishing—and especially fishing films—have become high brow works of art and, yes, some even showcase female fishers, like Alaska-based Camille Egdorf. The technology—from soaring overheads to crystal clear underwater close-ups—is remarkable in all eight of the films selected for the International Fly Fish Festival. 7 pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall. $15.
friday 14
Monster Trucks
HELL YEAH!—If one cares about the finer points of Monster Truck competitions—and, apparently there are more intricate considerations that just smashing the bejeebers out of smaller cars—currently, Darron Schnell is like the Michael Jordon of wheelies, scoring nearly double the points of all other drivers. But, like we said, does anyone care as long as something is SMASHED?! Friday, Friday, FRIDAY! 7:30 pm. Deschutes Expo Center, Redmond. $19.
friday 14
Bruce Forman & Cow Bop
JAZZ—It is said that to do parody—real quality comedy and not just pratfalls and one-liners—one must know the subject matter better than anyone else in the room. The same goes for jazz music. And accomplished, quick-fingered guitarist, Bruce Forman knows jazz, but puts a cowboy hat on it, attaches a smirk and produces fun-loving hoedown jazz, or what he calls "cow bop." 8 pm. Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota. $39.
saturday 15
Dreams Take Flight
AERIAL DANCE—Spindled dancers twisted in webs of spandex and silk will perform suspended 30-feet above their audience like a fragile menagerie. Professional and amateur aerialists twist, climb and drop showing off their unique airborne skills. Performance followed by local band Project Menace at 9 pm. 6 pm. Get A Move On Studio, 63076 NE 18th St. #140. $5 suggested donation.
sunday 16
Cheryl Strayed
AUTHOR—It is difficult to know whether it is her honesty, her sense of adventure or her lyrical prose that catapulted Portland-based writer Cheryl Strayed into the literary cosmos two years ago with her best-selling, award-winning book, "Wild." Part of the Deschutes Library "Author! Author!" series. (see Q&A on pg. 44). 4 pm. Bend High School, 230 NE 6th. $20.
sunday 16
St. Patrick's Day Dash
FUN RUN—What is most fun about the annual St. Patrick's Day Dash is chasing down the leprechauns that Deschutes Brewery releases (a limited release, that is) just before setting off on the 5 km downtown course. Cheers! 7 am registration; 10 am start time. Deschutes Brewery, 1044 NW Bond.
monday 17
St. Patrick's Day!
GREEN BEER—Another year of one of the most historically warped holidays. We should be celebrating the very Catholic, non-Irish and very sober patron saint of Ireland, but instead, we use it as an excuse for everyone to get inappropriately and rambunctiously wasted on a Monday night! Full events listing from drunk leprechaun Patty McCracken on pg. 44.
wednesday 19
Howlin' Brothers
COUNTRY BUMPKINS—This three-piece string band cranks out classic back porch pickin' and traditional swinging Southern ditties. The trifecta of talents (between the three members they cover the upright bass, banjo, fiddle, guitar and harmonica along with stunning three-part vocals), Howlin' Brothers bring the hoedown to Bend. 7 pm. McMenamins, 700 NW Bond St. Free.
wednesday 19
Open Mic with MoWo
OPEN MIC—If you've lived in Bend long enough, you surely remember the days of The Grove, when late-night poetry slams flourished at the heels of local hip-hop artist and poet Mosely Wotta. The open mic is back in full swing hosted by the man himself, a full invitation to share music, words etc., or just enjoy some tasty food from the surrounding trucks and listen. 6 pm. The Lot, 745 NW Columbia St. Free.
