Little Shop of Horrors
wednesday-saturday 22-25
We had the chance to check out the opening night of Little Shop of Horrors and can say with no reservations that it's downright delightful. The musical numbers are extremely well done, the set is incredible and the acting is as solid as anything we've ever seen here in Bend.
Make sure you check out this hilarious tale of a man-eating plant before closing night on Saturday. 8pm. $25. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.
Bend's Poetry Slam
thursday 23
The Poethouse, or the "PoHo" as the coolest of the cool kids call it, is opening its doors for this all-ages poetry slam to let our younger rhymesters show off their talents. Hosted by - who else? - Captain Mosley Wotta, Ph.D. All-ages show, $5 admission, $3 for students. For more info, visit: www.poethouseart.com. 7pm-10pm. Poethouse Art, 55 NW Minnesota Ave.
Bend Roots Revival
thursday 23-sunday 26
Now in its fifth year, the biggest community party of the year kicks off with shows around town on Thursday night then moves to the new Century Center for the weekend. Check out our two-page spread in this issue for a complete schedule.
Against Me!
friday 24
This Florida band has taken their sound from pure punk to big-time rock and roll in the past few years. The band, led by the pure vocal fury of front man Tom Gabel, recently released its fifth full-length record, White Crosses, which includes the hit "I Was a Teenage Anarchist." The disc manages to live up to the reputation the band built with its 2007 record, New Wave. The Flatliners and Young Livers open. $15/adv, $18/door. All ages. 9pm. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
Bend Oktoberfestfriday-saturday 24-25
Once again, the most confusingly named of all international celebrations returns to downtown Bend for a whole lot of beer and food. There's also a race that pits our beloved wiener dogs against each other to see which one is the fastest. There's also plenty of music, games and, of course, people in lederhosen! Better practice your chicken dance, everyone. 6pm-10pm Friday, Noon-10pm Saturday, Downtown Bend.
Sisters Fresh Hop Festival
saturday 25
For beer fans, fall is the best time of year, especially in this part of the country, because it's hop harvest time, meaning that for a limited time, "fresh hop" beers are out for all to enjoy. The Sisters Chamber of Commerce, with some help from Three Creeks Brewing, is celebrating this specialty brew by inviting an all-star lineup of local and regional breweries to town, including Deschutes, Boneyard Beer, Cascade Lakes, Ninkasi, Lompac, Fort George Brewing, Rock Bottom Brewing, and hometown favorite, Three Creeks. There's also live music and plenty of food. Taster pint glass is available for $5 and tasting tickets are $1. 12pm-9pm Saturday, Sep 25. Village Green Park, Downtown Sisters.
ABBAmania
saturday 25
If you really, really like the music of ABBA and listening to your box sets and LPs just no longer does it for you, check out this show, which brings to the stage eight musicians to perform 21 ABBA hits. Presented by the Redmond Community Concerts Association. Season subscriptions: $50/adult, $105/family, $20/student. www.redmondcca.org. 2pm and 6:30pm. Redmond High School Auditorium, 675 SW Rimrock Rd.
Blind Pilot, Sara Jackson-Holman
wednesday 29
The PDXchange Program continues its steady stream of excellent bookings with this show featuring one of the best indie folk acts you'll find anywhere. Portland's Blind Pilot skyrocketed to stardom with their debut full-length disc, 3 Rounds and a Sound, and have followed that up with steady touring around the country and the world since then. This is a far cry from the band's roots, which saw founding members Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski touring up and down the West Coast by bicycle. Now, the band shares the stage with acts like the Decemberists and the Hold Steady. Not a bad progression. Make sure you get to this show on time because our very own Sara Jackson-Holman is opening. $15. Free valet bike parking. 8pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.
