Picks

Pay It Forward -
Catherine Ryan Hyde

thursday 30
Many of us
remember the film Pay it Forward, that starred a cute-as-hell Haley
Joel Osment (whatever happened to him?) and Kevin Spacey. But the film
was actually based on the novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, who will be in
town for two separate presentations and book signings. In addition to
being a successful author, Hyde is also the founder of the Pay it
Forward Foundation, a group that encourages children to realize that
they can make a change in the world. Camalli Books in Bend at 4pm. 7pm
at the Riverhouse, 3075 N Hwy 97. 389-8810. $10/students, $15/adults.
Tech N9ne and Murs
friday 1
The
parade of return hip-hop offenders continues as Kansas City wild-ass
rapper Tech N9ne return to the Midtown, this time with prime lyricist,
Murs, who is touring in support of his Murs for President album, which
he recently released on Warner Bros. Given that Tech N9ne is known to
put on a raucous live show here in Bend, this is a don't-miss show for
C.O.'s throngs of dedicated rap fans. And get there on time because
local hip-hop brainiac Mosley Wotta opens the show. 8pm. $23/adv,
$27/door. Midtown Music Hall, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

Oregon Reads Reception

thursday 23

In a treat for the strong
contingent of literary folks here in Bend, all three authors from the
Oregon Reads project are featured in one event. Lauren Kessler, author
of Stubborn Twig, is an account of three generations of Japanese
Americans living in Oregon, will be on hand along with Virginia Euwer
Wolff and Deborah Hopkinson, the authors of this year's selections for
younger readers. All three will read and be available to sign books.
Also, you can catch Kessler at the Tower on Friday night for a free
event featuring the Taiko drummers out of Portland. 7pm Bend Public
Library, 601 NW Wall St. 312-1032.
40 oz To Freedom, Mirf the Bing
thursday 23
Mirf the Bing.We
told you, albeit briefly, about this San Diego-based act last week, but
figured we would mention that the Sublime tribute act is here in town
to drop some summery sounds to go with this summery weather we've been
experiencing. Local high school dudes, Mirf the Bing, open the show
with a set of reggae and ska originals that have the youth set buzzing
loudly. 7:30pm. $10. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

The Prairie Rockets
friday 17
New to the Bend's Americana
scene, but bursting out of the gates with a solid hold on the genre,
this all-female trio of pickers seems on-spot with three-part
harmonies. Their music is folky as a whole, but also hits heavily on
bluegrass and a little bit of blues. Nice old-timey meets space age
name, as well, might we add. 7pm. Parrilla Grill, 635 NW 14th St.
Alley Oop Block Party
friday 17
It's
only April, but how about a block party? The alley between the wine
shop and Thump Coffee is lighting up this (hopefully warm) spring night
with a lineup of six different bands highlighted by Bend veterans
Sagebrush Rock. And thus, we hereby begin the outdoor music season. $5.
The Wine Shop & Tasting Bar Alley, 55 NW Minnesota Ave.

The Source Fiction
Issue Reading Party
thursday 9
We thought
we'd say one more time, because we can, that we're having a reading
featuring all of the writers featured in our fiction issue. All five
writers will be in attendance and reading from their published pieces
and more. 7pm Thursday, Apr 9. Between the Covers, 645 NW Delaware Ave.
Northwest Hoop Gathering
friday-sunday, 10-12
According
to local hoop guru Mollie "Hoopdazzle" Hogan, Bend has become a hotspot
for this gyrating sport/artform, which is illustrated by this massive
gathering of hoopers from around the world. Hoopers of all ability
levels are welcome to attend this event that includes big names in
hooping like Hoopgirl, Hoopalicious, Spiral and Baxter. According to
Hogan, "This is equivalent to having Lance Armstrong teach a cycling
class during the Cascade Cycling Classic, or having Mick Jagger teach a
guitar class." Tickets available at hoopdazzle.com or at
northwesthoopgathering.com. Summit High School, 2855 NW Clearwater Dr.

1st Annual Bend International Comedy Competition

wednesday-saturday 1-4
We've
always said that comedy is hard to find in this town, but not this week
as the first edition of the Bend International Comedy Competition takes
over several venues in town. Local comedian Morgan Preston is one of
the producers of this event and has roped in comedians from around the
country, including Tommy Savitt who's taken home top honors at the
Boston Comedy fest and the Seattle International Comedy Competition.
The first three nights are preliminaries, followed by the finals at the
Tower on Saturday night with 20-minute sets from all the finalists.
Weds-Thurs, April 1-2, 8pm Seven Nightclub, 1033 NW Wall St. Fri, April
3, 8pm: Baltazar's Ristorante, 1465 SW Knoll Ave. Sat, April 4, 8pm:
Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St. All events $25, $85 all-event passes are
also available.

Freestyle Fiasco 9

friday 27
Benevolent local musical guru MC
Mystic is joined by DJ Wicked to host the ninth installment of this
all-out lyrical battle. There should be an explosion of rhymes blasting
from the mouths of our talented local rhymesters, all of it coming
right off the top of their domes. All ages, beer garden for 21+. $5.
Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
C.P.C.
friday 27
This
band very well might be Bend's best-kept secret. Although they fly
largely under the radar, C.P.C. (Concave Perception Chamber) provides
one of the craziest sonic presentations to be found here in town. Often
psychedelic but always wound around a skillful core, CPC blasts out
everything from prog rock to mathematically precise instrumentals.
Players Bar & Grill 25 SW Century Dr.

American Nobody w/Anastacia
thursday 19
This guy, whose real
name is Brian Granse, turned some ears when he breezed through town in
February. Now, he's back again and kicking off another Central Oregon
jaunt with this show in Sisters with Anastacia. Hey, did you hear she
won the Source/Far From Earth Films Music Video contest? 7pm. $4. Three
Creeks Brewing Co., 721 Desperado Ct, Sisters.
Crystal Dragons
friday 20
This
will be the third installment of this insanely innovative artistic
presentation that features music, visual and performing arts and spoken
word. The show, which has a whimsical space man theme, is produced by
local artistic wizard Joe Kimmel and features the narration of Jonathan
Ludwig. Chalk this up as one of the coolest things you'll ever see
around here…even if you do have to head up to Redmond to see it this
time around. Doors at 7pm. 7:30pm-9:30pm Friday, Mar 20. Evergreen
Studios, 435 SW Evergreen Ave. $5.

Empty Space Orchestra, Monk
friday 13
Haven't heard much from
Empty Space lately? Well, that's probably because the instrumental
wizards have been locked in some sort of subterranean recording
facility working diligently on their new disc, Big Bang. This is one of
the band's only shows before their CD release party on May 6 and is
also their first show with their new lineup which sends Shane Thomas to
guitar and brings in Patrick Pearsall on bass. Also check out Monk, a
solid reggae-meets-hip-hop act out of Ashland. 8pm. $5. Silver Moon
Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.
Brazilian Carnival Party
friday 13
Get
a slice of culture in the Old Mill as you shake your round thing to
some Brazilian music. This fundraiser for the Latino Community
Association also includes dance, caipirinhas (the national cocktail of
Brazil) and more spicy fun. 9pm. $3. Old Mill Martini Bar, 360 SW
Powerhouse Dr.

Tuck and Roll, Pistol Whipped Prophets, !Danger Death Ray!
thursday 6
Tuck
and Roll is one of the newest members of the Bend punk scene, offering
up a hard-driving and tiger-tight pop-laced punk rock with plenty of
panache that can't help but create a likeness to NOFX. The trio is
playing this free show before a quick Oregon tour that takes them to
Eugene and Portland. You should also check out the two other punk acts
on the bill: Pistol Whipped Prophets and !Danger Death Ray! Players Bar
& Grill, 25 SW Century Dr.
Too Fine to be Unsigned Tour
friday 6
Goodnight
Sunrise, a super young pop punk outfit from Helena, Montana, headlines
this all ages show that also includes other killer unsigned acts like
Call The Cops, Bidwell, Love You Long Time and Redmond's own The Roe.
7pm. $10. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

Kris Delmhorst & Jeffrey Foucault
thursday 26
The Sisters
Folk Festival Winter Concert Series continues with this show featuring
two brick-solid singer/songwriters. Kris Delmhorst has a poppy yet
folky approach to her songwriting and couples storytelling lyrics with
a silky voice to create smile-inducing tracks. Midwesterner Jerry
Foucault co-headlines, combining blues and country to create a brand of
Americana that tugs on your heartstrings. His album Ghost Repeater is a
must-have for the indie-folk fans of today. 7pm. $15/adult,
$10/student. Sisters High School Auditorium, 1700 W McKinney Butte Rd.
Sisters.
Polar Plunge Deschutes benefiting Special Olympics Oregon
friday 27
Don't
believe the hype…opthermia! Oh come on, now. We're just kidding. It's
not that cold, it's just the Deschutes River. Jump or crawl on in and
raise money for the Special Olympics. Then afterwards you can rejoice
in that warm tingly feeling you get when doing something nice for
others…or that could be your body screaming for warmth. Plunge at
6:30pm. 4:30pm Friday, Feb 27. Riverbend Park.