Our Picks for the Week of 4/22-4/30

Oregon Reads Reception

thursday 23

In a treat for the strong
contingent of literary folks here in Bend, all three authors from the
Oregon Reads project are featured in one event. Lauren Kessler, author
of Stubborn Twig, is an account of three generations of Japanese
Americans living in Oregon, will be on hand along with Virginia Euwer
Wolff and Deborah Hopkinson, the authors of this year’s selections for
younger readers. All three will read and be available to sign books.
Also, you can catch Kessler at the Tower on Friday night for a free
event featuring the Taiko drummers out of Portland. 7pm Bend Public
Library, 601 NW Wall St. 312-1032.

40 oz To Freedom, Mirf the Bing

thursday 23

Mirf the Bing.We
told you, albeit briefly, about this San Diego-based act last week, but
figured we would mention that the Sublime tribute act is here in town
to drop some summery sounds to go with this summery weather we’ve been
experiencing. Local high school dudes, Mirf the Bing, open the show
with a set of reggae and ska originals that have the youth set buzzing
loudly. 7:30pm. $10. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

Eric Tollefson

friday 24

We just got Tollefson’s EP, The Sum of the Parts, in our hands last week and certainly like what we hear. This singer-songwriter offers up a Citizen Cope-esque take on bluesy solo tones. You’ll hear more about him in our upcoming Local Music Issue, but for now check him out for yourself. He plays an acoustic set, followed by a set with his friends The Wrath of Chakka Kahn. 9pm. $5. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

Anahata Sound, Lafa Taylor,
March Fourth Marching Band,
SaQi and Dangerruss

friday 24

March 4th Marching BandThe crew at the Grove – ever on top of their stuff – drops this eclectic and incredibly high-dance factor lineup at the Tulen Center for what is almost certainly going to be an all-out rager…just like the old days. While we’re certifiably pumped for the likes of Eugene hip-hopper Lafa Taylor and the others on the bill, we’re most stoked to see March Fourth Marching Band – a collective that combines a massive amount of horns (sometimes as many as 21!) and drums (up to 10 drummers) to create a massively funky show. 9pm. $10. Tulen Center, 20 NW Greenwood Ave.

The Pink Snowflakes

saturday 25

These psychedelic weirdos are back. Turn the page and learn more about ’em! 8:30pm. Free. Players Bar and Grill, 25 SW Century Dr.

Emma Hill and her Gentleman
Callers, Erin Cole-Baker

saturday 24

See the On Stage column for more on Hill and her new record. 7pm, Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

The Capitol Steps

monday 22

Capitol StepsBack in Bend once again, the Capitol Steps take the stage at the Tower to lay out some political satire, some of which will certainly be from the troupe’s latest studio effort is the aptly tilted Obama Mia. This group, made up of former Senate staffers, pokes fun at both sides of the aisle, so nobody get too on the offensive, OK? And don’t worry, there should be some GW Bush stuff remaining in the routine. 7pm. $45/$35. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

Great American Taxi

wednesday 29

It’s electrified Americana with Vince Herman and a new lineup. Learn more in the On Stage column. 7pm. $10 (cash only, Children under 6 free. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

Riders in the Sky

thursday 30

In their fourth decade of performing a unique and delightfully campy take on Western swing, Riders in the Sky take the stage at the Tower for plenty of cowboy goodness. The Riders play wholehearted country music, but with a sense of humor. This quartet has had a storied career that includes more than 5,000 shows and a Saturday morning network television program. For 7pm. $34/adv, $38/door. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

International Documentary
Challenge

thursday 30

Head out to Sisters to see the result of the International Documentary Challenge in which contestants were given five days to make a four-to-seven-minute film on an assigned topic. We got our eyes on the entry from Blue Party Films, which focused on seven artists as they investigate the notion of “love and fear” as well as the outdoors film from Zelig Films that investigates the conflict between motorized and non-motorized backcountry enthusiasts. We like what we saw, and so will you. 7:30pm. Sisters Movie House, 720 Desperado Ct, Sisters. 549-8833. $10.

Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies

thursday 30

We got late word on this show – thanks to an anonymous and apparently dedicated fan that dropped off a flier three hours before press time. But we had time to check out Wayne’s punk-meets-honky-tonk-while-clad-all-in-black sound and well, thought it was worth your time. 8pm, Players Bar and Grill, 25 SW Century Dr.

This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2009.