Picks

Polyrhythmics
wednesday 11
If you didn't see these guys last time they were in town, the Seattle band is giving you another chance. The Afro-funk band is one part funk, one part jam band, and one part world music (horns!, keys! bells! flutes!). Add all these parts together and you get all-night dance music. If you go to this show, pace yourself – the eight-piece band usually outlasts its fans. 21+. $7 at bendticket.com, $10 DOS. 9pm. Players Bar and Grill, 25 SW Century Dr.

Five Pint Mary
friday 30
Sure, St. Patrick's Day is done and gone, but that doesn't mean you have to stop celebrating your Irish heritage, or lack thereof.

Bend Velodrome Project Party
thursday 26
The Bend Velodrome Project is a collection of five folks who are passionate about bringing a velodrome (large oval track with banked corners for bike racing and training) to Bend. So passionate that they're throwing a party to raise money and awareness about their efforts. Help them maintain momentum: contribute $5 and get a pint of beer, a raffle ticket (they have some neat stuff to give away, donated by local bike shops and other local vendors), and a chance to race your significant other in a simulated 500-meter track sprint. The heaving chests and the sweat are real. $5 suggested donation. 6pm. GoodLife Brewing, 70 SW Century Dr.
Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys
thursday 26
So Rosie Ledet is the zydeco real deal. All the magazines and newspapers say so, gushing that she's the “premiere female zydeco artist” and “best new zydeco performer.” And she writes and sings her stuff in Creole French, which is sexy and rad. The Zydeco Playboys who tour with her aren't too shabby either. And despite the fact that the members are mostly from Germany (wha?), their accordion and guitar playing is straight Delta sauce. $12 at the door. 21 +. Doors at 7:30pm. Show at 8pm. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

Anthony B
thursday 19
Yeah, we highlighted the Jamaican superstar last week, but we're doing it again – he's that awesome, and how often do we get authentic reggae in Central Oregon? Over the last 14 years, the prolific artist has cranked out 13 albums and more than 1,000 singles, all while advocating justice for the poor and oppressed. And the dude smokes massive amounts of marijuana, if that's your thing. Roots reggae rockers Zamunda and Delly Ranx open the show. $21 at bendticket.com. 9pm. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

Pickwick
thursday 12
This show, like many this month, seemed to come in a bit under the radar, but when we cranked this Seattle band's “Hacienda Motel” in our offices, we became quick converts to the soulful quirkiness these dudes lay down. The sound is not at all what you'd expect from six Northwest white kids who were raised on indie rock. There's a definitively Motown feel to these guys at times, but at the core of their genre-crushing catalog is some excellent songwriting. Does this description sound a little weird to you? Absolutely. But it's a free show and we'd suggest you get yourself there. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.

Tony Smiley
thursday 5
Once there was a man who came to Bend from the other side of the mountains and began playing a weird, one-man-band sort of rock and roll. His name was Tony Smiley and they called him the Loop Ninja. We profiled the Ninja himself in this week's screen section. Free. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.
First Friday
friday 6
There will be art in 2012. Oh yes, there will be art. And with the weather looking more like spring than winter this year, expect plenty of action downtown and in the Old Mill on the first art walk of the year on Friday night. Check out the Local Arts section of our events calendar for some pointers of what to see and where to see it. Begins at 5pm and continues until, like, whenever people are done looking at the talent of our locals.

Free Nordic Ski Lesson
wednesday 28
Want to learn how to Nordic ski, but got turned off by cost of lessons? Then take advantage of this free session. You can even rent the gear from Pine Mountain Sports for free while you get real, on-snow experience under the watchful eyes of a seasoned vet. All you have to do is email bendskibuddy@gmail.com to nail down a time. Do it on your own time, because this an ongoing offering brought to you by the Central Oregon Nordic Club. Pick up your gear at Pine Mountain Sports, 255 SW Century Dr.

The Blind Boys of Alabama
thursday 22
We regret to tell you that this show is sold out, but if you have a secret “ticket guy” or something like that who can hook you up with entrance to this holiday-themed show, we recommend you do that. The Blind Boys of Alabama have been making music for more than seven decades and are bringing their gospel sounds to Bend for this special “Go Tell it on a Mountain” holiday concert.

Tacos for Life Party with Strive Roots
thursday 15
Amalia's likes to go big, as we learned last year when the downtown Mexican eatery sponsored the enormous Cindo de Mayo street party that featured the sounds of Ozomatli and the screams of about, oh, 87 million people. Now, Amalia's is holding a contest that gives its winner “tacos for life” – meaning they get a free taco every damn day until they die.

The Dimes
wednesday 7
A couple years ago this Portland indie-folk-pop band came to Bend and stunned us with a bevvy of historically themed songs wrapped up in incredible melodies. Today, the band remains a strong force in the Northwest acoustic music scene, with their soft and floaty tunes that will have your head bobbing and your mind moving. And this is a free show, people. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.