Picks

Richard Louv
wednesday 12
Are you thinking that maybe those kids of yours are spending too much time on the interwebs and Twitter machine and not enough time bounding across mountain streams and gazing upon majestic fields of grain? If so, check out this appearance by Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, who discusses saving children from nature-deficit disorder. $10. Info: 541-383-7575. 6:30pm Summit High School Auditorium, 2855 NW Clearwater Dr.

Last Band Standing
thursday 6
The local battle of the bands rages on this week with a rock-dominated lineup including Jones Road, Shades of Society, Tuck and Roll, Kousefly and Elliot. Come out and support one of these bands if you're a fan – or just come for the $2 Ninkasi beers. $5/door. 8pm. Boondock's Bar and Grill, 70 NW Newport Ave.
Underscore Orkestra
thursday 6
Weird? Absolutely. Sloppy? Kind of. Interesting as hell? Nailed it. That's probably the best way to describe this Portland acoustic outfit that plays in a style that's essentially from back in time with a mix of Klezmer, Balkan, gypsy jazz and swing tunes. $5. 8pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

Last Band Standing
thursday 29
Some 500 people showed up at the first edition of Last Band Standing to lend their vote to their favorite local band and expect that trend to continue this week with performances by Rough String Band, Absofreakinlutely, High Desert Hooligans, Electric Moccasin Party and Boxcar String Band. $3/advance at BIGS, $5/door. Boondocks Bar & Grill, 70 NW Newport Ave.
Anybody Killa
friday 30
Have you heard about these rappers who paint their faces all black-and-white spooky before going onstage. Well, there's a lot of them out there now and Anybody Killa is one of those – it's like Halloween every day… and with louder bass. Tragedy, Knothead, Twisted Insane open. $10. 8pm. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

Last Band Standing
thursday 22
We've got a story in the Sound section about what happens when you put 38 bands in one room and then head to Boondocks for the first show of the Last Band Standing competition. This week features Capture the Flag, Tentareign, Never Heard the Shot, G String Stranglers, and Kleverkill. $3/adv at BIGS, $5/door. 8pm. Boondock's Bar and Grill, 70 NW Newport Ave.
Tony Furtado
friday 23
This is the first show in what we're calling The Weekend of Brain-Boilingly Awesome Live Music™. Furtado is a longtime stalwart of the Oregon roots music scene, using his multi instrumental abilities to stir a crowd, especially in this region. Remember when he rocked the streets at Bite of Bend? Excellence. $10 at bendticket.com. 8pm. Old Stone Church, 157 NW Franklin Ave.

Barn Party and Community Dinner
friday 16
Did you know that this was the Week of the Young Child? Well, now you do, so round up your young 'uns and get them to this event that features children's music from Victor Johnson and the Kinderqueen Kathryn Claire. The biggest draw may be the free dinner as well as other kids' activities. Begins at 4pm, Hollinshead Barn, 1235 NE Jones Rd.
Northwest Crossing Bend Spring Festival
friday 16 – sunday 18
Even though “spring” may be a relative term in Bend, a few more hours of daylight and a couple more degrees of warmth are good enough excuses to have a weekend-long party in Northwest Crossing. Original art, food, wine and beer, dance performances and music from acts such as Catie Curtis, Sagebrush Rock and Reed Thomas Lawrence will keep Northwest Crossing buzzing all weekend. Apr 16 6-8pm, Apr 17 11am-10pm, Apr 18 11am-4pm. Northwest Crossing.

Larry and His Flask
thursday 8
It's been a few weeks since this hillbilly jamboree of a band set off across the country to accompany Dropkick Murphys on their St. Patrick Day's tour, but now LAHF is back for this sure-to-be-insane show. Hit the Sound section for a feature on the band and their recent tour. 8pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave. $5.
The RTL Project, Cloaked Characters, Mosley Wotta, DJ Hit N Runn
thursday 8
It might seem like an odd pairing: the often-poppy, sometimes-bluesy Reed Thomas Lawrence and a collection of Bend's finest hip-hop acts. But this will work, and you're going to be able to dance to whatever sounds you hear, that much is sure. $5. 8pm. The Summit Saloon & Stage, 125 NW Greenwood Ave.

West Side Story
thursday-saturday 1-3
You've probably heard of this story – it's like Romeo and Juliet, but with more dancing. This performance is brought to you by the shining youngsters of the BEAT program and enjoys a three-day, four-show run at the spacious Summit High auditorium. April 1-3 at 7pm and April 3 at 2pm. $15/adults, $10/youth, available at bendticket.com. 7pm Thursday, Apr 1. Summit High School, 2855 NW Clearwater Dr.

Portland Cello Project
wednesday 24
Yeah, OK, the notion of a bunch of cellos on one stage might not sound terribly cool, but trust us, it is quite cool. This crew of cellists from their namesake town is playing a free show in which they combine their string talents Captain Planet style to give us often-rocking arrangements. They can play classically, and that's cool, but they also roll out covers of contemporary favorites, and well, that's preeety cool. Free. All ages. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.

More Bars In More Places Tour
thursday 18
This hip-hop and DJ tour features some big names in the indie game, including Knobody (or Hieroglyphics fame), Germane, The Tones, Dice, DJ Caput live, as well as local rap stalwarts Cloaked Characters. It's going down in The Annex, perhaps one of the most underutilized yet classy local venues that should nicely accommodate this quality hip-hop showcase. $5. 21+. 8pm. The Annex, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
Something To Sleep On: Jo Lundberg Art Show
friday 19
Local artist Jo Lundberg displays all her zany new work, including large-scale oil paintings at this art show, which also features one of Bend's most intriguing new bands, Yenn. These psychedelic rockers blend a bubbly sixties-ish brand of pop and finish it with a headphones-friendly production sheen – but live they bring a party to its feet. Doors open at 6pm. Poethouse Art, 55 NW Minnesota Ave.

Tuck and Roll CD Release Party
friday 12
Over the last year we've watched as Tuck and Roll got tighter and tighter with their local shows and now they've got a full-length album, Time To Run, to showcase their delicious punk rock licks and NOFX-style harmonies. While poppy punk is the crux of the disc, there's also one Americana-ish gem that caught our ear, that being “Nothing on You.” But seriously, go to this show and get this incredibly honed-in record. Danger Death Ray open. $2. 9pm. Players Bar & Grill, 25 SW Century Dr.