friday 12
Pink Martini
OUTDOOR MUSIC—Most surprising about Pink Martini is how wholesome it is, a 21st century, postmodern version of the Carter Family (and/or Liberace). Borrowing from show tunes, Von Trapp classics and sparkly ditties, the music is highly proficient yet easily consumed, as effervescent as a flute of champagne. 6:30 pm. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. $35-$65.
saturday 13
Sisters Quilt Show
QUILTS—With nearly as many quilts as the town of Sisters has residents, the annual Outdoor Quilt Show is a seriously mind-blowing display of talent, colors, motifs, stitch choices and patterns (see pg. 51). 9 am-4 pm. Everywhere in Sisters. Free.
saturday 13
Summer Festival
CELEBRATE—What is there to do when it's too hot to do anything? Check out the sizzling concrete oasis of Summer Fest! Street closures! Music (Edgar Winter, Laila Biali, Polyrhythmics and Giraffe Dodgers, to name a few)! Vendors! Summa' summa' summa' time! Downtown. 11 am. Free.
saturday 13
James Otto
COUNTRY MUSIC—James Otto looks remotely like a bloated Kurt Cobain, but he sings with the grace, force and elegance of a man twice as alive. Fun, sincere country love songs that, sure, have the emotional depth of a puddle, but they sure are fun to splash around in. 9 pm. Maverick's Country Bar and Grill, 20565 Brinson Blvd. $18.
sat 13 & sunday 14
Deschutes Dash
RACE—A good intro to triathlons. Watch the Olympic distance events on Saturday and the shorter, sprint events (including the kids' Splash N Dash) on Sunday—it's a great spectator course. Competitors will be huffing and puffing past the Old Mill, so go cheer them on! Starts 7 am Saturday. Farewell Bend Park, 1000 SW Reed Market Road. Free.
sunday 14
Polo Match!
HORSEPLAY—Like basketball or lacrosse played at triple speed, polo is a fast and aggressive game, where team-playing both means humans coordinating quick passing and razzmatazzing with each other, and also integrating half-ton horses into the mix. Cascade Polo Club hosts the Pacific Northwest Invitational. 2 pm. Camp Fraley Ranch, 60580 Gosney Road. $10.
sunday 14
Tumbleweed Wanderers
MUSIC—Branching into reverb-slathered Fleet Foxes folk territory, bouncing to Jack Johnson beach pop and embracing the soulful and Americana stylings of harmonica and banjo with a hint of the Allman Brothers Band, the Tumbleweed Wanderers are an eclectic summery treat. See pg. 18 for more. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. 2:30 pm. Free.
tuesday 16
Cascade Cycling Classic
BIKE RACE—America's longest-running stage race is back! The 34th annual six-day pro stage race is bringing in some of the country's (and the world's) top two-wheeled talent. Tuesday, watch the prologue finish at the Tetherow Club House (women start at 6 pm). And don't miss Saturday's downtown twilight criterium (pro women at 5:45 pm, pro men at 7 pm). Various locations/times. Free.
wednesday 17
The Congress
MUSIC—In a Masonic temple in Berthoud, Colo., The Congress put together a seven-track album of classic soul covers. including Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly," sexily crooned by singer and bassist Jonathan Meadows, a big-bearded, flannel-wearing, trucker hat-sporting tenor. The band's original material combines sultry soulful and Black Keys-esque rock. McMenamins Old St. Francis, 700 NW Bond St. 7 pm. Free.
thursday 18
Chasing Legends
BIKE FILM—Between the Tour de France and the Cascade Classic (see Tuesday's pick), it's obvious we're deep into the summer race season. Go deeper with this film, which takes an inside look at the European pro peloton. Chasing Legends follows sprinter extraordinaire Mark Cavendish through his 2009 Tour season. 21+. 9 pm. McMenamins, 700 NW Bond St. $5.
