thursday 14
Mosley Wotta, aka Person People's The Rook, aka Bend's walking talent show Jason Graham drops his new buzz-generating EP entitled "Scrap Mettle" and throws a big ol' party with some special friends to celebrate. The EP, consisting of five tracks of Wotta's now well-known precise and cerebral delivery shows the local hip-hop mastermind at his best: innovative, upbeat and funny when he wants to be. Bring your dancing shoes, your thinking cap, and any other figurative clothing accessories that might help you get down. 9pm Bendistillery Martini Bar, 850 NW Brooks St.
Bend Brewfest
friday-saturday 15-16
Beer! Beer! Beer! Yell it with us! Shout it from a mountaintop! Sing it while an angel accompanies you on a harp while you both ride on a majestic white cloud. That's how we feel about beer here in Oregon and we double that enthusiasm each year when the mother-loving Bend Brew Fest sets up in the Les Schwab Amphitheater. There's more than...wait for it...80 beers on tap from more than 40 different brewers. There's also killer music from the likes of Hillstomp, Upground and locals Leif James and Moon Mountain Ramblers. Gates open 4pm Friday, noon Saturday. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 Shevlin Hixon Dr.
John Shipe
friday 15
Shipe recently set loose his new record Yellow House and is bringing his act across from Eugene to celebrate with us. If you need a sample of this indie-folker, click on over to myspace.com/johnshipemusic and give a listen to "Hipster." Goooood stuff. 8pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co. 24 NW Greenwood Ave.
R3 Festival (Rock Reggae Rap)
friday-saturday 15-16
La Pine is playing host to one of the largest musical gatherings of the year with 40-plus bands and all the other fixings of a big ol' outdoor music festival, as well as an indoor venue affectionately known as "The Pit." Turn the page and learn more about it. White School Park, 16405 1st St., La Pine. Two day passes: $20/advance, $30/gate.
That's So Gay
saturday 16
With probably the cleverest name of any event this year, this show is touted by its promoters as "Bend's Premier Queer Night" and features a good load of music and entertainment. There's all-female punk from the Obsessors, rock from The Uglies, a burlesque show from Portland's Berlesquire and a performance by River City Riders, a self-described "drag king dance troupe." 7pm. Tulen Center, 20 NW Greenwood Ave. $8/advance, $10/door.
Bhagavan Das
saturday 16
Born in Laguna Beach, Calif. as Mike Riggs, Bhagavan Das spent six years living as an Indian sadu and is known for his DIY guide to enlightenment entitled "Be Here Now" as well as his album "Now" produced by Beastie Boys' Mike D. Now a world-renowned teacher, performer and liver of the "Ramakrishna reality," Bhagavan Das stops in Bend once again to perform a full moon kirtan Saturday at 7pm and a Nada Yoga workshop on Sunday at 2pm. Old Stone Church 157 NW Franklin Ave. 322-7273.
Harvest Tournament 2008
friday-sunday 15-17
The Society for Creative Anachronism's shire of Corvaria (Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties) hosts an eventful weekend of armored fighting, archery, arts and science displays, belly dancers and merchants for this year's Harvest Tournament. (Yes, this is an officially sponsored event by those guys and gals you see fighting in armor in the park.) Check out corvaria.antir.sca.org for details. Huzzah! $3/general public, most events held 8/16 around 12pm. Peterson's Rock Garden, 7930 SW 77th St, Redmond.
Celebration of the Life of Ronnie Smith
sunday 17
If you keep an eye on the blues scene here in Central Oregon, you probably know the name Ronnie Smith. The man, who passed away recently, also spent some time playing with the Steve Miller Band and other big names before becoming well known as a keyboard genius around these parts. At this memorial, there will be plenty of stories about Ronnie's life followed by what is probably the best way to truly remember a legend like Ronnie - an open jam. 2pm, Timber's South, 61331 S Hwy 97.
Webcyclery Movie Night: The Way Bobby Sees It
monday 18
Webcyclery returns to McMenamins to show The Way Bobby Sees It, a film that follows Bobby McMullen as he rides on one of the most difficult downhill courses in the U.S.A A challenge for any rider, the course is filled with steep cliffs and unforeseen obstacles. And oh yeah, McMullen is legally blind. The film captures his optimism and determination as he faces adversity on and off the course with helmet footage, some humor, all of which is tied together by McMullen's balls-to-the-wall attitude. 9pm, McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St. $5.
