Ignite Bend 4

thursday 25

The multi-media bonanza that crams a mountain (or several mountains, also known as a mountain range) of information into entertaining and topical five-minute slideshow is back now for the fourth time in Bend. Topics vary incredibly and chances are, you'll learn something. Free, or $3 suggested donation. 7pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

Warm Gadget

thursday 25

Bend's most bizarre yet exhilarating band is back at it with this just-announced show at the Moon where they'll dazzle you with their electronic meets industrial sound. DJ Moksha opens. $5. 9pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

Polar Plunge

friday 26

Ready to freeze your silly little buns off for a good cause? Thought so. Flip to our Culture section for more on this benefit for Special Olympics Oregon. Onsite check-in from 4:30pm-6:15pm. Costume contest at 6pm. Opening ceremonies and the Polar Plunge at 6:30pm. 4:30pm-7pm. Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St.

Telluride MountainFilm

friday-saturday 26 and 27

This benefit for the Central Oregon Environmental Center brings a slate of films from the Telluride festival to the Tower once again. Films are geared toward outdoor activities as well as conservation. And the films are different each night, so you can make a weekend of it. $17.50/adv, $20/door. 7pm both nights. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

A.M. Interstate

saturday 27

While this band is primarily playing out of town these days with gigs in Portland and Eugene, the Redmond-based psychedelic folk rockers are still worth keeping an eye out as the Erickson brothers continue to pump out quality numbers. Head to the Moon and hear what we mean. $5. 9pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

Basket of Hope

saturday 27

For their annual event, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Central Oregon is bringing the festive environment of a community market indoors for Basket of Hope. There will be plenty of local vendors on hand, as well as the Humane Society of Central Oregon, which will have pets looking for a home. There's also a nice local music lineup including Shireen Amini, Leif James, Joe Shulte (from Moon Mountain Ramblers) and excellent folk rock songs from Eugene's Tyler Fortier. Check out the baskets to be auctioned off for charity - lots of goodies to be found. 11am-4pm. Riverhouse Convention Center, 3075 N. Highway 97.

Paul McCartney: A Life

saturday 27

Peter Ames Carlin, the television critic for The Oregonian, has recently published this biography on Paul McCartney. You may remember Carlin from the profile of him we published in 2007 when he had just rolled out a biography on another rocker, Beach Boy Brian Wilson. This dude is a rock and roll history wizard. 3pm. Bend Public Library- Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St.

Noah Gundersen and the Courage

saturday 27

Flip to the Sound section and read more about this emerging and stunningly awesome singer songwriter and his rocking band. $10. 7pm. Sisters High School Auditorium, 1700 W. McKinney Butte Rd., Sisters.

Rob Wynia

sunday 28

Best known as the frontman of eclectic Oregon rockers, Floater, Wynia steps out on his own to show off the softer side of his songwriting prowess in an intimate setting. We know you're out there Floater fans. $7/adv at bendticket.com or $10/door. 6pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

Suzanne Vega

sunday 28

Since breaking onto the folk rock scene in the late 1980s with her hits "Tom's Diner" and "Luka," Vega has become a folk mainstay over the years, always combining thoughtful songwriting with introspective and often cerebral lyrics. At this show in Bend, she'll be joined by a string quartet from High Desert Chamber Music. $35/$40. 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

Bobby Gould in Hell

tuesday 2

We wrote a feature focused on this innovative approach to community theater two months ago and now Volcanic Theatre is finally unveiling its production of Bobby Gould in Hell, a one-act play about the morally bankrupt title character and his day in Hell. And you can drink beer while you watch in the comfort of a favorite pub - now that's synergy. $7/adv at bendticket.com or $10/door. 8pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co. 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

3rd Annual Latino Film Fiesta

thursday 4

Once again, the Latino Film Fiesta returns to COCC for a slate of three films and two shorts focused on Latin America. The Fiesta is a benefit for the Latino Community Association. $5-10 suggested donation. Showings at 4:30pm and 6:30pm. 4:30pm Hitchcock Auditorium, COCC, 2600 NW College Way.