Picks

West African Drummers & Dancers
wednesday 29
We like free stuff. Our part-time columnist Scoop Lewis, Ace Reporter (currently on a leave of absence) reallllly likes free stuff. Especially when he can pick up a bottle of Old Overcoat bourbon on BOGO day. Lewis is also fond of saying, “why pay for music when you can catch a show for free?” So in the spirit of Scoop, we’re endorsing this show. And this ain’t no open mic—we’re talking West African drumming and dancing, not your roommate, Steve. Free. 7-9 p.m. Broken Top Bottle Shop & Ale Café, 1740 NW Pence Lane, Ste. 1.

Bend Elks vs. Olympia Senators
wednesday 22
What’s more summer-y than baseball? Nothing! So get your ass down to Vince Genna Stadium and root on your home team. It’s their last game of the season and the 24-30 Elks haven’t had the easiest of seasons. Send ‘em off on a good note and cheer for a win. It’s free kids night so bring the whole fam damily. $3-10. 6:35 p.m. Vince Genna Stadium, 4th and Wilson St.
Shakespeare in the Park: ?Romeo and Juliet
thursday 23 – saturday 25
Two young lovers torn apart by a family feud turn to trespassing faked death to fulfill their star-crossed love. Spoiler alert: It ends badly for everyone. Get down to Shakespeare in the park and enjoy some culture with a good dose of tragedy. Set in the tumultuous 19th century Italian uprising, the performance should be violent, sexy and clever, all the best parts of Shakespeare. $20-$75. Tickets at shakespearebend.com. Three performances each at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Dr.

Awesome Land: Women Of Dirt
wednesday 15
Two X chromosomes—that’s what separates this film from the scores of other bike porn flicks out there, which are dominated by those made up of XY chromosomes, otherwise know as men. Women Of Dirt is all about females who shred. And, while endurance nerds do make a showing in this film, it’s the women in the wonderful worlds of dirt-jumping, freeriding and downhill racing that make the movie special. Support women in the sport —it was a woman who won the U.S.’s only Olympic mountain biking medal—and support this film. $5, cash only. 21+. 8:30 p.m. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.

Ashton Eaton Decathlon Competition
thursday 9
Watch our homegrown Olympian Ashton Eaton compete for gold in the final events of the decathlon streamed live from London. Eaton is already the world record holder in the decathlon after he crushed the 1992 record in the Olympic trials in June. This guy is a machine, able to long jump 27 feet and clear a bar nearly 17½ feet off the ground. He runs the 100 meter in 10.21 seconds and the mile in a screaming fast 4:14. Now on the world stage he competes representing the U.S., the U of O, and lil’ old Bend, Ore. 9:30 a.m. Tower Theater, 835 NW Wall St.

Tango Alpha Tango
wednesday 1
From crooning wholesome pop melodies to firing off sexy, distortion coated, bluesy guitar riffs, the range of Tango Alpha Tango’s music has brought them a reputation for greatness in the Portland music scene. Brothers, Aaron and Nathan Trueb, and Nathan’s wife, Mirabai Carter, team up with drummer Walker Beckman (unrelated) to put on one hell of a live show. Free, all ages. 7 p.m. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.

SLP, VTRN, PH3R and bPollen
thursday 26
See this week’s On Stage section for more information. $5. 9pm. Astro Lounge, 939 NW Bond.
Igor & the Red Elvises
thursday 26
See this week’s On Stage section for more information. 6pm. Drake Park, downtown Bend.
Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra
thursday 26
Grammy award nominee and all-around fret board wizard Ottmar Liebert is best known for his distinctive “New Flamenco” sound, which combines the classicism of traditional Spanish guitar with numerous other genres from around the world. His band Luna Negra has been backing him since the late 1980s, and their worldly fusion along with Liebert’s dazzling plucking should make for a great show. $29 to $39. Tickets at towertheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

Oregon High Desert Classics
wednesday 18-sunday 29
If you missed the Prineville horse races and the Chucker’s for Charity polo match last week, this is your chance to see beautiful horses in action this summer. Two  weekends of hunter/jumper competitions draws both professionals and amateurs who will have you holding your breath as they dart tightly around obstacles and leap their beasts over ever-taller jumps. The winners of the Grand Prix competitions this weekend and next earn $25,000. For schedule and details see www.jbarj.org. Events at J Bar J Ranch, 62895 Hamby Road, Bend.

Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships
thursday 5 – sunday 8
What better way to prep for the London Games than to watch some of our local Olympic hopefuls square off in events like the long jump, decathlon, pole vault and, hopefully, the hammer throw. It all goes down at Summit Field where some 1,500 young athletes will converge for a chance to move on to the Junior Olympics. Free All Ages. Summit High School.

The Nature of Words’ Bookplate Auction and Reception
thursday 28
This is your first chance to hear about this fall’s Nature of Words conference lineup! Or just hobnob with all a bunch of smart writer-types at this benefit for the organization. The evening includes a live literature-themed auction, readings by NOW students and live music. Beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres served free with ticket. $35 on bendticket.com. 5:30-8:30pm. Atelier 6000, 389 SW Scalehouse Ct., Ste. 120.