The Revival Survival Guide
Now in its fifth year, the Bend Roots Revival, the most significant celebration of local and regional music in our area, has gotten even bigger. Previously spread between the Parrilla Grill and the Victorian Café, Bend Roots quickly outgrew that location. With some 100 acts and workshops going down between Friday and Sunday, Bend Roots has now moved to the Century Center (see next page).
Mark Ransom, the local musician who serves as the festival's creative director, says that Bend Roots had outgrown its old spot, but is excited as ever for this year's expanded version of the increasingly community-oriented event. Not only is its venue considerably larger, but Bend Root s continues to stretch the definition of "roots" music, bringing in an even more eclectic lineup with rock bands like The Autonomics (6pm, Saturday, BIGS Stage) and The Dirty Words (6pm, Saturday), but keeping popular local acoustic acts like Moon Mountain Ramblers (8pm, Friday, BIGS stage) and Blackstrap (5:30pm, Sunday, Dave's Garage) high up on the lineup.
"You can go see four different acts in any one-hour period at a time. There aren't many other events in Bend that allow you to do that," says Ransom.
The indoor venues at the Century Center allows the music to continue later into the night - including performances beginning at 11pm on both Friday and Saturday. During the day, however, the event remains family friendly.
The Victorian and Parrilla will still be on hand, providing the food, while Silver Moon Brewing steps in as the exclusive beer provider.
So listen, eat, drink and have fun...after all, it's your festival.
Bend Roots on the Air
Bend Roots is produced as a project of KPOV, Bend's community radio station, which has long supported our local music and arts scene with its programming.
"KPOV is radio by the people and for the people of Central Oregon. That goes along with what the Bend Roots Revival is all about," says KPOV's Rick Miller.
In addition to assisting with the production of the event, KPOV will also be broadcasting music live from the event on both 106.7FM and kpov.org for those who want to get in on the Roots fun but are, for example, stuck making and/or delivering pizzas during the event. Last year, not only did the broadcasts include live music from the main stage, but also provided interviews with artists and schedule updates.
Just as Bend Roots has expanded, so will KPOV in the near future with plans underway to take the station to full power by 2012. To help both KPOV and Bend Roots grow, donations can be made to both organizations during the festival, which, again, is free - but it doesn't hurt to help out the cause.
KPOV Broadcast Schedule
Live on 106.7FM and streaming on kpov.org.
Friday:
6:30-9:30pm
Saturday:
10am-7pm
Sunday:
11am-7pm
Welcome to the Century Center
The big news about the Bend Roots Revival this year is the fact that it's taking place in a new location, the Century Center. The spacious location on Commerce Avenue on Bend's westside, which was once the site of the Brightwood Mill, sat empty until owner Dave Hill began bringing in shops and also opened the West Bend Tennis Center. But after he met Bend Roots' Mark Ransom shortly after last year's festival, he saw a new function for the nine-acre parcel just off of Century Drive, Soon, Hill had agreed to host Bend Roots, and at no cost to the festival.
"I was just excited that it's a community festival that showcases local talent," says Hill.
The venue provides ample space for the festival's seven stages, two of which are housed inside the building, where a permanent stage, complete with sound system and lighting, will remain as a yearrround, indoor-outdoor event space. Hill says there are already some events booked in the space, including the annual Monster Ball and Rise Up's Art for India event. The Century Center just completed work on the venue - which will be called The Courtyard at Century Center - and Bend Roots is, in a way, the coming out party for the 750-person (indoor capacity) venue. After Roots, the space will be available for rent for non-profit events, weddings and, of course, concerts.
Located somewhat off the beaten path, the Century Center let locals in on all it had to offer this summer with the Hump Day Hash concert series, a collaborative effort with Bend Roots. But this weekend the Century Center is the official festival grounds of the Bend Roots Revival - only less than a half- mile from it's original location, but now with plenty of room to grow. - Mike Bookey
The Century Center
1355 SW Commerce Ave.
Kicking Off:
Thursday Night's Shows
Before Bend Roots found its new home at the Century Center there was some speculation that the festival might adopt a South by Southwest-style (SXSW) model, featuring acts at different venues all over town. As a kick off to the weekend, Bend Roots takes a cue from SXSW by previewing the festival's talent in the Revival's birthplace at the 14th and Galveston roundabout while also taking over some of downtown's favorite music venues on Thursday night. There has always been a rootsy, slightly-hippie vibe to Bend Roots, and much of that has stemmed from the Grateful Dead influence that's present in the covers heard during the fest, but now for the second year is a Night of the Dead, featuring a full set of covers from Rising Tide. Then, there's Emma Hill and Her Gentlemen Callers at the Silver Moon and Bend Roots Artistic Director Mark Ransom and his band, along with Greg Botsford at the Summit Saloon and Stage. Here's the full Thursday night schedule.
Thursday
4-6pm 10 Barrel Brewing - Blaze and Kelly - All ages
6-9pm Parrilla Grill - The Bend Roots Family Party and Songwriter-in-the-Round - All ages
7:30-9:30pm The Victorian Café - Night of the Dead featuring
Rising Tide and Elisabeth Ames - All ages
8:30-11:30pm - Silver Moon Brewing Co. - Emma Hill and her Gentlemen Callers
and John Shipe - 21+
9pm-Close The Summit Saloon and Stage - Ransom Band and Greg Botsford - 21+
Friday
Dave's Garage
4-5pm Problem Stick
5:30-6:30pm Emma Hill and her Gentlemen Callers
7-8pm Erin Cole Baker
Casey's Corner
5-5:30pm Buck n' the Digs
6:30-7pm Tim Coffey
The BIGS Stage
6:30-7:30pm Shireen Amini
8-9:30pm Moon Mountain Ramblers
The Saw Pit
5-6:30pm Russ Pennavaria and Friends
7:30-8pm Brad Tisdel
The Acoustic Room
6-7:30pm Felly Smith
Century Center Stage (In the Century Center Ballroom)
5:30-6:30pm Second Hand Soldiers
7-8pm Bob, Val and Friends
9:45-10:45pm Ransom Band
11pm Jukebot
Saturday
Dave's Garage
11:30am-12:30pm Robin Jackson
1-2pm Anvil Blasters
2:30-3:30pm Blaze and Kelly
4-5pm Leif James
6 to 7pm The Dirty Words
Casey's Corner
12:30-1pm Chris Parreira
2-2:30pm Wild Rye
3:30-4pm Kousefly
5-6pm Smudge
7-8pm Prairie Rockets
The BIGS Stage
10-11am Dan Shanahan
12 -1pm David Clemmer and Friends
1:30-2:30pm Dennis McGregor
3-4pm John Shipe Trio
4:30-5:30pm River Pigs
6-7pm Autonomics
8-9:30pm Mosley Wotta Band
The Saw Pit
11am to 12pm Dave Goodman and Friends
1-1:30pm Canaan Canaan
2:30-3pm John Miller
4-4:30pm Kylan Johnson
5:30-6pm Joanna Lee
7-8pm Rich Taelour Band
The Acoustic Room
12-1pm Josh Hart
2-3pm Lisa Lepine Promo Queen Workshop
4-5pm Flying Kites
6:30-7:30pm Tim Moore and Friends
Silver Moon Stage (In the Century Center Ballroom)
10-11am Yoga with Julianne Southwell
1:30-2pm Organic Music Farm
3-3:30pm Poor Man's Roses
3:30-4:30pm Didgeridoo Workshop with Tyler Spencer
6-6:30pm Aaron Christenson and Friends
Century Center Stage (In the Century Center Ballroom)
11am-12pm Michelle Van Handle
12:30-1:30pm John Shipe School of Songwriting Workshop
2-3pm Songwriter-In-The-Round
4:30-5:15pm Pitchfork Revolution
5:15-6pm Absofreakinlutely
6:30-7:30pm Broken Down Guitar
9:45-10:45pm Ruins of Ooah
11pm Empty Space Orchestra
Sunday
Dave's Garage
11:30am-12:30pm Ubuntu
1-2pm Karma Surgeons
2:30-3:30pm Victor Johnson
4-5pm Franchot Tone
5:30-6:30pm Blackstrap
Casey's Corner
10-11:30am The Gospel According to Mark and Patrick
12:30-1pm The Quons
2-2:30pm Kim Kelley
3:30-4pm David Miller
5-5:30pm Joe's Kids
6:30-7pm Tone Red
The BIGS Stage
11-11:30am Katie Johnson
12pm-1pm Greg Botsford and Friends
1:30-2:30pm JZ Band
3-4pm Anastacia Beth Scott
4:30-5:30pm Sisters Americana Project Showcase
6-7pm Eric Tollefson and the World's Greatest Lovers
7-8pm Brent Alan and His Funky Friends
8-9:30pm The Mostest All-Star Jam and Bend Roots House Band
The Acoustic Room
12pm-1pm The Tall Adam Project
2-3pm Rich Hurdle Jazz Guitar Workshop
4-5pm An Hour of Sunshine
6:30-7:30pm Shannon and Pam
The Saw Pit
11:30am-12pm WVMS Roots Rock Band
1-1:30pm Boxcar String Band
2:30-3pm Five Pint Mary
4-4:30pm Big Pine and the Pitchtones
5:30-6pm Mai
Silver Moon Stage (In the Century Center Ballroom)
9:30-11am Yoga and the Yoga Band Vasu Deva
12 Noon-12:30pm Kids Drum Circle and WVMS Roots Rhythm
1:30-2:30pm Two Up Three Down
3-3:30pm Martial Arts Demonstration
4:30-5pm Austin Skelton and Friends
6-6:30pm Music for the Soul
Century Center Stage (In the Century Center Ballroom)
11am-12pm Phil Paige
12:30-1:30pm Dale Largent African Hand Drum Workshop
2:30-3pm Gotta Dance Dance Exhibition
3:30-4:30pm Mai and Joe's Pickin' Workshop
5-6pm Things on a Cat
6:30-7:30pm Allan Byer and Friends
Locals to see: If you miss these shows... well, you're missing out.
Joanna Lee
5:30pm, Saturday - Saw Pit Stage
It's fair to say that JoAnna Lee has a voice like no one else in Central Oregon, and that's a very good thing. Her soulful vocals paired with tight melodies and catchy lyrics get your feet moving and odds are you'll soon find yourself singing along. When you listen to the local singer-songwriter, comparisons to heavy hitters like Alicia Keys, Joss Stone and Norah Jones spring to mind. Lee plays acoustic pop music with soul, R&B, and funk influences. Mark this down, because you will not want to miss Lee's Bend Roots performance. Saturday, 5:30-6pm, The Saw Pit Stage. - Anne Pick
Franchot Tone
4pm, Sunday - Dave's Garage
Anyone out there like Jack Johnson? Yeah, we thought so. Haters... tone it down a bit. After several years behind the mixing board and as guitarist and producer for Culver City Dub Collective (which opened a couple tours for Jack), Tone has finally stepped out into the spotlight on his own. Writing sunshiney songs (which should go well with the forecasted warm temps for the fest) with plenty of positive messages mixed in, Tone knows how to get the heads bobbing, which is probably what he'll do during his Bend Roots set. Also, it's worth noting that Tone is also in the running for the 2010 Nicest Guy in Bend Award. - Mike Bookey
Ruins of Ooah/Empty Space Orchestra
9:45pm/11pm, Saturday - Century Center Stage
If the new Century Center indoor venue needs a coming out party, this two-band series will easily serve as just that. Reprising a lineup from last year, the festival again pair Eugene/Bend didgeridoo-led act Ruins of Ooah to get the blood moving before Empty Space Orchestra storms the stage to close down Saturday night with what will be likely be the most challenging, loud and rocking set of the festival. While ESO may be a festival favorite, make sure you're there for Ruins of Ooah, who haven't been back to Bend for a while, yet never provide anything less than an enormous show. If it's rock you seek - this is where you need to be this weekend. - Mike Bookey
