thursday 22
We regret to tell you that this show is sold out, but if you have a secret "ticket guy" or something like that who can hook you up with entrance to this holiday-themed show, we recommend you do that. The Blind Boys of Alabama have been making music for more than seven decades and are bringing their gospel sounds to Bend for this special "Go Tell it on a Mountain" holiday concert. 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.
Comedy Benefit for Christian Ruwalt
friday 23
It's been more than a month since Last Comic Standing wrapped up and you're probably looking for a laugh fix, right? Several of the comics from the competition are teaming up to help out Christian Ruwalt, a 4-year-old boy who is recovering from his third heart surgery. Assist with the little guy's medical costs by coming to this laugh-a-thon featuring the comedy of Chelsea Woodmansee (the Last Comic Standing champion), Samantha Albert, Stan Whiton and many of the other familiar faces you're getting used to laughing at around these parts. Admission is $10, but that price actually covers your first beer. Get in the holiday spirit, comedy fans, and check out this show. Doors at 7pm. 8pm. Old Stone Church, 157 NW Franklin Ave.
Third Annual Brewgrass Jamboree
friday 23
There's a holiday out there that is terribly under-celebrated during these busy winter times and that's Christmas Eve Eve. No, that wasn't a typo. We're talking about the day before Christmas Eve during which you're supposed to be free of most familial expectations and can hit the bars to shake out the Christmas stress. Well, for this CEE (we're calling it that now) we recommend you descend upon the Silver Moon Brewing Co. for the third installment of the annual Brewgrass Jamboree. The charity event (bring two cans of food for entry) features the Bond Street Bluegrass All-Stars, comprised of members of your favorite twangy bands including, Moon Mountain Ramblers, Tone Red, Blackstrap and others. 7pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.
Community Christmas Eve Service
saturday 24
We're not total heathens over here at the Source, as some of you might think. That's why we recommend the less-churchy among you hit up the Tower Theatre for one of the three community services on Christmas Eve. The annual event is celebrated by everyone's favorite local weatherman, Bob Shaw, (sorry Burkel) and features the music of Annie Bethancourt, Michael Watson and Grace Laxson. There's also cookies, drinks and more. Services at 3pm, 5pm and 7pm. $5 adults; kids 11 and under, free. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.
Christmas Day
sunday 25
There's nothing going on anywhere on this day. Hang out with your family or something. Or get creative. Just enjoy yourself. We can't tell you everything to do, OK? Sorry, that was the holiday stress speaking.
History Pub: "Whiskey Flat and Prohibition"
tuesday 27
One of our favorite learning events is back right before the end of the year! History Pub, which brings education and drinking together in a blissful marriage at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, take on Bend's prohibition years with a presentation by Tor Hanson. The discussion will cover the whiskey stills and homebrew operations that had become a staple of Bend's mill neighborhoods (and still possibly are) and how the moonshining gangs mixed it up with local police. Come thirsty and curious. 6pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.
Vima Lupwa Homes, Zambian Children's Art
through december
As we've profiled in this paper, Vima Lupwa, is a local nonprofit founded by Bend's own Malerie Pratt, that provides a loving foster home for a handful of the most needy among Zambia's more than one million orphans. This show, which will be present on the walls of Thump Coffee for the month of December, features the work of the children in Zambia who live at the Vima Lupwa home. Check it out and then check out this excellent charity. Runs through Dec. Thump Coffee, 25 NW Minnesota Ave, Ste 2.
wednesday 28
Things are a bit quiet between Christmas and New Years around these parts, but let us get you hip to two different free shows to check out while things are slow. First off is an appearance by Fruition, an American roots band we can wholeheartedly recommend. Free. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.
thursday 29
The second free pre-2012 show we'll direct you toward is this show from Scott Pemberton, who is making himself quite well known around these parts as of late. Show up to this gig and check out his improvisational jam guitar that might bring to mind legends like Dick Dale and Grant Green... or so his fans say. Free, all ages. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.
