thursday 17
How Did We Get Here?
SCIENCE—The first of the Human Origins, Evolution and Migrations Lecture Series, "How Did We Get Here," is the COCC-hosted equivalent of "Cosmos" with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Dr. Scott Fisher from the Department of Physics at the University of Oregon will discuss clues from our universe hinting at how the heck we got here. 6:30 pm. COCC Hitchcock Auditorium, 2600 NW College Way. $10.
thursday 17
Leonard Peltier Concert
BENEFIT— Leonard Peltier, a major figure in the American Indian Movement of the 1970s, has had his imprisonment contested since 1977. Local and touring musicians rally to support his release. Featuring Mosley Wotta, Third Seven and Jeshua Marshall, The Sumner Brothers, and Willy Tea Taylor and The Good Luck Fellas. 8 pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr. $10.
friday 18
Trivia Bee
USELESS KNOWLEDGE—What was the name of the twice-nominated presidential candidate from the Socialist Labor Party of America who drowned in the Deschutes River in 1928? If you know the answer is Frank T. Johns, you might be qualified to compete in the 9th annual Trivia Bee. If you just yelled, "Duh," then this event is for you. 7 pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St. $21.
saturday 19
Earth Day Fair and Parade
ENVIRONMENT—It's your one chance each year to not get called a tree hugger while advocating for a better, cleaner Mother Earth. A variety of local businesses and food vendors will set up alongside a pair of bands at The Environmental Center. But if parades are your thing, meet at 10:30 am. near McMenamins on Louisiana Ave. 11 am. The Environmental Center. 16 NW Kansas Ave. Free.
saturday 19
Fly Fishing Festival
FLY FISHING—10 o'clock, 2 o'clock. What's better than actually fly fishing? Well, talking about it, and getting ready for the season. With casting pools and all things that ripple out from the sport itself—films, fly tying seminars, equipment demos—today's event is Day One for the season. 10 am. COCC, Willie Hall, 2600 NW College Way. Free.
sunday 20
Easter
HIPPITY HOP—That sneaky bunny—yeah, the Easter one—has been busy once again. Please send your children to help find those eggs before the summertime weather warms them up to stinky proportions. Why must this bunny torture us like this? 9 am. Juniper Park. Free. And, 11:30 am. Sunriver Resort. $15/kid. Also, egg hunts: noon, Wildhorse Harley-Davidson, 63028 Sherman Rd. Free.
monday 21
Paleo
MUSIC—With a beautiful voice, slightly tinged like Adam Sandler's, and his elementary, honey-dewed guitar chords reminiscent of Cat Stevens, Paleo's mopey music is as likeable as it is clever. Plays with the Denver-based Esme Patterson, who also lends her punchy and bellowing vocals to front Paper Bird with her sister, and with local Lorde-wannabe Olivia Holman. 7 pm. Volcanic Theatre, 70 SW Century. $5.
tuesday 22
Irene Hardwicke Olivieri
ART & WORDS—Earning a master's degree in art from NYU didn't keep this painter in the big city. Instead, she lives in the High Desert and paints vaguely surreal, Frida Kahlo-colored scenes, replete with birds, turtles and outsized faces. Her talks will focus on turning personal experience into art and words. Presented by The Nature of Words. Tin Pan Theater. Noon, 4pm. and 7 pm. 869 NW Tin Pan Alley. $5.
wednesday 23
Smokey Bear's 70th Birthday
PREVENTION—Even if his cousins in the forest are known for stealing picnic baskets, Smokey Bear's been nothing but helpful. The educational experience he's provided to generations of children can't be properly quantified. And in the High Desert, any sort of added attention forest fires receive benefits us all. 3pm. Des Chutes Historical Museum, 129 NW Idaho. Free
wednesday 23
Bombadil
FOLKSY—There's a lazy Southern thing guiding Bombadil's music. It'd be hard to call the Durham, N.C., ensemble a rock band, but there's a poesy pushing its lyrics forward, setting the trio up as an heir to '70s, piano-fronted troupes or maybe a less frantic Ben Folds Five. 7pm. McMenamins, 700 NW Bond St. Free.
