First Friday Art Walk
friday 6
Supposedly, it's almost summer, which means it's a great time to wander the streets during the warm nights and what better reason to wander than for the art walk. There's a delight of different exhibits (and free wine, nudge nudge, wink wink, drink drink) to be found so get on out there! Downtown Bend.
Andre Nickatina
friday 6
California rap veteran Nickatina lights up the Midtown, once again, with his delightful pimp style. When this guy comes to town, a party is sure to follow. Openers include some local and regional talent along the lines of Cool Nutz, Cloaked Characters, Benzo and Mindscape. See Liner notes for the word on Nickatina's film production career. 8pm doors, 9pm show. $22/advance, $27/day of show. Midtown Music Hall. 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
Balloons Over Bend
saturday-sunday 7-8
It's balloon season once again in Bend, which can only mean it's time for the aptly named Balloons Over Bend festival which, well, sends some balloons over Bend. You don't have to be at Jewell Elementary at 6:30am each morning to watch the big balloons take off - but it's a cool sight. The later risers can head to the Old Mill District for food, drinks and music from the likes of Brent Alan and His Funky Friends (who also play the Silver Moon on Friday night).
Downtown Sound
saturday 7
The Sound section has some background on this first-ever full day of free music going down at the Mirror Pond Plaza. Check it out for a schedule of performances from this uber-eclectic lineup of local acts. Mirror Pond Plaza (The Circle), Noon-9pm. Free!
Hillstomp, David Bowers Colony
saturday 7
If you're a self-proclaimed Bend music scenester (yes, there is such a thing, my cynical friends) and missed the other shows in the past year by Portland's Mississippi Delta-blues stomp-rock band Hillstomp then you should be ashamed of yourself. These guys rip the roof off with nothing more than a guitar and a bunch of buckets and other junkyard finds serving as a drum kit. This two-man blues-rock that's best heard while shaking down like a madman or madwoman. David Bowers and his Colony are opening, so show up on time to make sure you get a taste of one of Bend's finest roots acts. Doors 8:30pm, showtime 9:30. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
Joey Porter Presents a Tribute to Sly and the Family Stone
sunday 8
Finally it's here! Free outdoor music! The Summer Sundays concert series is kicking off for the season with one of the series' best acts: a tribute to Sly and the friggin' Family Stone! If you would kindly guide yourself to the Sound section you can get a big ol' rundown on the world of tribute bands, or at least what we think of the world of tribute bands. Gates 1pm, showtime 2:30. Free. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 244 Shevlin Hixon Dr.
River Ways
tuesday 10
The Indie Reels series at the Tower is still rolling on, thanks to BendFilm. This week the featured film is a River Ways a feature-length documentary that dives deep into the controversy surrounding four dams in the Northwest. Stick around after the screening for a panel discussion featuring director Colin Stryker and some other conversationalists. Rather than us Picks folks rambling on ad nauseam, why don't ya just flip to the Screen section for a preview. 7pm Tuesday, Jun 10. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St. 317-0700.
Dominic Balli
wednesday 11
In this weekly installment of the Picks department's Reggae Watch, we turn our knit-cap-covered ears and bloodshot eyes toward Dominic Balli, a Santa Barbara-based singer songwriter who manages to avoid most of the annoying reggae stereotypes (other than the dreads) while playing well-wrought and thoughtful jams. Thanks to his full-band attack, there's also plenty of rock to be had with this outfit. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St. All ages. 7pm. Free.
Bend Poetry Slam
wednesday 11
Grab that tattered spiral notebook you've been writing in every night from underneath the mattress and come on out in front of the mic to get your slam on. It's been a while since we sent you to the ol' Slam, so go have at it all you hip-hoppers and/or literary folks. 8pm Wednesday, Jun 11. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave. 388-8331. $3.
