Welcome to Winter: The Local Preview | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

Welcome to Winter: The Local Preview

Powerhound becomes a pre-snow tradition

Born from a simple local slideshow production in 2000, when the biggest technical worries were lightbulbs burning out and seating running out, Powderhound Preview has evolved into a true pre-season ski event launching local talent, both in film and photography.

Created by Pine Mountain Sports, the event has grown from its roots at the ski shop with a makeshift stage and an elbow-to-elbow crowd, to fill the Tower Theatre where storeowner Dan McGarigle is expecting once again a sold-out show—maturing from the standing-room-only shop venue it once was, now with room for 400- plus viewers.

"It is a perfect venue for us, it was obvious. In 2000, it was really just a slideshow and our biggest tech worry was that the lightbulbs would not burn out," says McGarigle. "But even then, we had pro photographers coming in."

Another natural transition from a shop presence to a bigger venue, are the bulk of submissions in film format and contributors spanning the age range of 9-years-old to 65, and all in-between.

Powderhound Preview will present 15-20 locally produced entries displaying Bend's winter in film and photography—the quintessential backcountry ski and snowboard movie porn to sled dog racing—but also includes footage capturing the climbing history of Smith Rock and big wave surfing the Oregon coast. Though mostly short films, Powderhound also marks the engaging nature of still photography.

But artistic exclusivity may be one of Powderhound Preview's most attractive draws as most films play only at the event. "It's everyday people that just want to show their films and the majority won't show anywhere else," says McGarigle. "It's amazing what people come up with."

More than $4,000 of outdoor gear will be raffled off with all proceeds benefit the Central Oregon Trail Alliance and Deschutes County Search and Rescue. Since its launch in 2000, Powder Hound Preview has raised more than $40,000 for local charities.

"With our Central Oregon community's embrace, the Powderhound Preview has turned into an institution all it's own," say McGarigle.

The show is expected to sell out well before the doors open. "It's the greatest party of the year," says McGarigle. "The whole world shows up." Well, at least the world of Bend's winter enthusiasts.

Powderhound Preview

7 pm, Wed. Nov. 19

Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall

$12 (adv.), $14 (door).

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