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.
NW Nationals BMX Championships
friday-saturday 26-27
While mountain biking and road cycling might dominate the headlines in Bike Town USA, there are still some whippersnappers who like to launch jumps and generally rip it up. Here's your chance to see them - don't miss this RAD opportunity. 11:30am Friday, 9:30am Saturday. Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Way.
Cool Nutz
friday 26
This hip-hop mogul might be the biggest rapper in all of Oregon and is a favorite here in Bend. Cool Nutz has long dazzled us with his rhyming prowess and for this free show he's joined by Dubble O, Top Shelf, DJ Fatboy and DJ Hit n Runn. Free. 9pm. Bendistillery Martini Bar, 850 NW Brooks St.
Cash Levy
friday-saturday 26-27
This comic arrives in Bend this week for a two-night, three-show taping of his first cable special. And you could be on TV! See the Culture section for more. Tickets still available for Friday night (8pm) and the late show (9:30pm) on Saturday, but the early Saturday show is sold out. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St. $10. Call 317-0700 for tickets or visit towertheatre.org.
Gary Fulkerson, CD Release Party
saturday 27
A month or so ago, Gary Fulkerson, an excellently bearded local songwriter, dropped off his new disc, Float and Scatter, and we've had a chance to let it play. The record is an excellent showing of Fulkerson's delicate, Iron and Wine-ish folk style, complete with skilled guitar picking and a soothing voice. He's joined at this CD release show by Moon Mountain Rambler's Joe Schulte, as well as Crystal Pizzola, Travis Allen, Tim Coffey and others. 8pm-11pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.
Portland Indie Infusion: The Dimes, Norman, Tortune
saturday 27
Seeing as how we don't get hardly enough indie rock here in Bend, this show is bringing some up-and-coming acts to the Old Stone to satisfy our indie thirst. Check out the Sound section for a profile of headliners, The Dimes. Tickets available at the door or in advance at bendticket.com. $7. 8pm. Old Stone Church, 157 NW Franklin Ave.
Guy J Jackson and Dave Finch
saturday 27
We've featured Guy J. Jackson and his awesomely quirky storytelling in this paper and now you can have a chance to snag up his latest CD of stories, Odd Frost. At this celebratory performance, Jackson is joined by pianist Dave Finch. $15/includes CD, $5/without. 8pm. Greenwood Playhouse, 148 NW Greenwood Ave.
2010 Roller Rumble Race Series
sunday 28
What happens when you place a pair of single-speed bikes attached to fork-mounted rollers and get too hardcore athletes to pedal against each other... in a bar? Well, you get something like this event, which kicks off Sunday night at the Moon. Sweat and beer never seemed like such a match. Continues for six consecutive Sundays. Sign-ups at 6:30pm. $5. 7pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.
Vampirates
sunday 28
If you're in need of a night of hardcore punk, this act will probably give that to you... and some more. Also on the bill are some of the best punk bands our region has to offer in The Confederates, Hands on Throat and Alleybrewed. $6. 21 and over. 8pm. The Annex, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
The Slackers
tuesday 30
Perhaps the most excellent authentic ska band still touring. Check out the On Stage column for more. 9pm. Mountain's Edge Bar, 61131 S. Highway 97.
Rick Steber
tuesday and thursday, 30 and 1
You know the cowboy guy in The Big Lebowski? Well, local western writer Rick Steber is kind of like that guy, except Steber writes locally set novels that have earned him a reputation as one of the best in his genre. He'll be reading from his latest work, Secrets of the Bull, at this pair of appearances in Bend. 7pm Tuesday. Between the Covers, 645 NW Delaware Ave. 7pm Thursday. Dudley's Bookshop Cafe, 135 NW Minnesota Ave.
Nershi-Law Duo
thursday 11
String Cheese Incident fans are probably already getting their hula hoops ready for the band's reunion shows at nearby Horning's Hideout, but this show might be as good a primer as any, with the front man of SCI taking the stage up in the Annex. He's joined by Portland virtuoso Scott Law to make for a boot stompin', hip-shakin' night. Tickets available at bendticket.com. $13/adv, $15/door. 21+. 9pm. The Annex, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.
