There is no way that “Trailer Park Boys” should have lasted this long. After 10 seasons (with an 11th due in the next few months), a dozen specials and three movies, the adventures of these characters should feel excruciatingly dull by this point. But somehow the characters have not only remained fresh, but the storylines […]
Art Watch
Filling the Art Education Gap
On August 19, Arts Central closed its doors—leaving a giant gap in Central Oregon’s arts education offerings and services. The Art Station was an Arts Central program—one of many Arts Central programs the community had come to depend on for afterschool and summer options for their children. Art Station’s sudden closure came as a shock […]
Back Again & Better Than Ever
For the last 25 years, Central Oregon residents have been ushering in the arrival of autumn with the Bank of the Cascades Bend Fall Festival. This year it’s back again, and along with this much loved tradition comes three days of free music, fine art, delicious food, and an array of seasonal contests and family […]
Jenny From the Glock
When I heard the name of local playwright Cricket Daniel’s new play, a lot of things popped into my head. The title, “I Shot Jennifer Lopez,” reminded me of the 1996 film, “I Shot Andy Warhol,” by Mary Harron about Valerie Solanas, the ’60s radical who wrote a screenplay she wanted Warhol to produce. He […]
Made on Planet Earth, Celebrated in Central Oregon
Now in its 10th year, the annual Festival of Cultures event offers Central Oregonians the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the array of cultures that inhabit the High Desert, and to witness diversity grow. When asked about the goal for the Festival of Cultures, committee chair Margie Gregory says, “Maybe we’re redefining culture.” […]
Picks 8/21-8/28
Thursday 22 Fruit Bats MUSIC—The Fruit Bats bring a hefty 1970s Southern California vibe to their records, even as their influences like The Kinks and The Byrds shine through. Their album, “Spelled in Bones,” is still one of the best indie rock albums of the last decade. They’re weird, wonderful and always memorable. Your new […]
Empower Point
Burlesque is like poetry. Sometimes it’s extremely culturally relevant; other times it fades into the background, but it never goes away completely. (Kinda like pumpkin spice…) In a male-dominated society, burlesque will always remain relevant because it adds a sense of humor and a winking bawdiness to the male (and female) gaze. There is a […]
Bust Out the Blankets
Seasonal transitions were once marked by ritual celebrations that brought communities together to share food, sell wares and enjoy music. On Sept. 24, Sol Alchemy Temple will follow suit, offering people the opportunity to peruse handmade goods by local artists and experience “the way of the Fall Festival” at its Fall Festival and Boutique Grand […]
A History of Music
Imagine convincing professional musicians to audition for an orchestra that offers three major concerts per season, plays them three times each, and does it all for free. Now imagine accomplishing such a feat 50 years in a row. The Central Oregon Symphony (COS) has been doing just that—and aims to continue doing it. Now heading […]
Mysterious Bikelane Art
Bikers, walkers and other active commuters may have noticed the varied road stencils marking bike lanes in Bend. Some of those stencils feature cyclists with a funky hat or other accoutrements. Most of the stencils are funded by the City of Bend’s street department Right of Way—that is, except the ones marking Riverfront Boulevard. When […]

