thursday 17
LEGEND—Fifty years after the Beatles re-invented what it meant to be a rock-and-roll band, Ringo Starr has emerged as the least likely of the Fab Four to be the most relevant and enduring musician of the group; yet there he is, still more a band member than a front man, but pounding away with 15 studio albums and near constant touring. 6:30 pm. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. $49-$105.
friday 18
BALLOONS—The annual children's festival starts bright and early with a morning hot air balloon launch, but the highlight of the day is the Night Glow—when balloons backlit by the roaring fire inside, like giant fireflies, float up into the starry sky just after dusk. Watch from below or, if you're feeling bold, hop in and channel the old man from the animated film Up. 6 am and dusk. Riverbend Park. Free to watch. $600 for two adults to ride.
friday 18
SOFT ROCK—With a soulful voice, sweet and soft like a comforting pillow of cotton candy, Amos Lee's jazzy soft rock is a perfect complement to lazing near the river on the groomed grass of the Les Schwab Amphitheater. The Philadelphia singer-songwriter has performed with the likes of Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Adele, the Avett Brothers and John Prine, combining elements of all of those artists for a sugary folky hybrid. 6:30 pm. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. $34-$59.
friday 18
THEATRE—Two hit men waiting for kill orders in a windowless basement find themselves at the mercy of an abandoned dumb waiter in Harold Pinter's Tarantino-predeceasing dark comedy. A visceral script performed by local actors Derek Sitter and Nathan Woodworth makes for captivating live theater. 7:30 pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr. $10.
saturday 19
THEATER—Aw, "sucks to your ass-mar," this is the greatest story about adolescence, in all of its conflict, wildness, cruelty, bullying and noble attempts to tame the savage. With a massive and energetic cast of 6 to 19-year-olds, Bend Experimental Art Theatre successfully and beautifully corrals Lord of the Flies onto the stage. 7 pm Thursday-Saturday, 2 pm Saturday-Sunday. 2nd Street Theater, 220 NE Lafayette Ave. $10 under 18, $15.
saturday 19
ROCKABILLY—With a Sweeney Todd-inspired aesthetic and a lead singer—"Queen Pirate"—who looks like a punk rock Elvira, Portland's Back Alley Barbers rock a surprisingly successful mash-up of punk, soul and rockabilly. Queen Pirate's powerful pipes rival Gwen Stefani's—in fact, the band sounds like No Doubt if the album Tragic Kingdom had actually been, you know, tragic. 9 pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr. $5.
sunday 20
FOLK—This New England band combines uptempo rock songs with slower, harder hitting introspective tunes. Reminiscent of something similar to the Avett Brothers, the trio packs emotionality that many other folk bands today lack. In the Thieves' recent EPs they have perfectly merged swampy low-end-driven drinking ballads with a host of songs with frenetic energy and passion. They deliver a cocktail of medicine only complete with a sunny afternoon at Les Schwab. 2:30-4:30 pm. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. Free.
monday 21
BENEFIT—Cancer is the worst. Not only is it a creeping menace that always seems to strike the nicest people, but the medicines used to stop it in its tracks are brutal and costly. Ugh. On the bright side, it often brings out a spirit of generosity and goodwill in the community. Give cancer the middle finger at this benefit for local artist, activist and blogger Sarah McMurray, with live music from ISLES and donated art from a long list of talented folks. 5-9 pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr. $10 suggested donation.
tuesday 22
FOLK—With his long scraggly hair, workingman's flannel and jeans, and emphatic, throaty voice, Parr looks and sounds like the real deal. The Minnesota old-timer draws inspiration from growing up in Minnesota without a TV, but with an arsenal of records by America's musical founding fathers, including Charley Patton and Lightnin' Hopkins, Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. When it comes to American folk music, Parr is, by definition, authentic. 5 pm. Crow's Feet Commons, 875 NW Brooks. Free.
thursday 24
MUSIC—The Russian-American group comes from the fabric of a Soviet Union where rock and roll was illegal, but you'd never know it when you hear their polka/psychobilly cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." Vodka drinking and dancing encouraged. 9 pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr. $8 in advance. $10 at the door. Tickets available at bendticket.com.
