Music
• Concerts • FestivalsSeptember
2010
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Music
• Concerts • Festivals |
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September
2010
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LINKS Music Central
Oregon Music Tim
Underwood
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Atmosphere at Midtown Atmosphere is playing at the Midtown Ballroom on September 21 with a live band and label-mates Blueprint and Grieves & Budos. Touring is a huge spoke of the Rhymesayers wheel (appropriate metaphor alert!); they sell hundreds of thousands of records because they bring super-energetic live shows everywhere, including places others don’t (South Dakota, for example). This show is going to be incredible, and fans can always expect surprises. Little Woody Festival The finest in bourbon and barrel-aged beers from some of the Northwest’s most popular breweries will be featured at the two-day Little Woody Festival in Bend. Originally created to celebrate one of the region’s cultural hallmarks – craft beer – this unique event provides a rare opportunity for visitors to enjoy beers aged in wine barrels, whiskey barrels and oak barrels, a process which uniquely flavors and intensifies the beer. This year’s festival will also feature regional bourbons, cocktails by Bendistillery, wine, soft drinks and live music on stage both days. Bob Dylan & His Band with John Mellencamp Monqui announce three exclusive Oregon nights with Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp. This tour finds Dylan touring behind his critically acclaimed 2009 release Together Through Life, while Mellencamp just released his first ever box set, On The Rural Route 7609, and has a new album, No Better Than This, due out on August 17. This marks Mellencamp’s first Oregon shows in well over a decade. High Street Band Headlines Starry Summer Night at Aspen Lakes The High Street Band will bring its high energy brand of jazz to Aspen Lakes in Sisters on Friday, August 13, 6pm for “A Starry Summer Night,” a benefit for the Sisters Schools Foundation. The evening will feature a kabob-themed buffet dinner, silent auction and concert under the stars, where guests can enjoy spectacular mountain views while dancing on the outdoor dance floor or inside Aspen Lake’s beautiful clubhouse lodge. High Street is one of the country’s most entertaining bands, earning rave reviews for their high quality showmanship, outstanding musicianship and extensive repertoire which include cover songs and originals in a mixture of swing, blues, R&B, Latin, oldies and ballads. Selgado's Charmed Life at Breedlove
Scott Salgado is leading a charmed life. “My guitars go out all over the world,” he said, grinning under a sideways baseball cap. “Italy, Japan, Germany. Think of all the people who will hear their music.” Two years ago in the woodshop department at Sisters High School, learning to build guitars in his advanced Wood 2 class, Salgado never would have imagined he’d soon be crafting instruments for the world-famous Breedlove Guitars in Bend as a Master Class Binder. Last Fall, Breedlove opened its recruitment arms and offered a few coveted positions for qualified applicants. More than 300 people responded and Salgado was offered one of the six openings. He was one of the youngest employees ever hired and the first to be chosen from the experimental Sisters High School program, a testament to the dedicated guidance of teachers Tony Cosby and Jayson Bowerman. Talking over the hiss of compressed air and squeal of the belt sanders, Salgado displays a freshly-bound myrtlewood guitar body. “It really is a dream job. I was in the very first guitar-building class ever offered. We learned every step in making a guitar from beginning to end - the neck, sides, bracing, backs and top, final spray finish and strings. It was an awesome program.” Breedlove was founded in 1990 by Steve Henderson and Larry Breedlove, and is known throughout the globe for their expertly crafted, exotic-wood acoustic guitars, mandolins and more recently, ukuleles. “I’ve worked here for seven months and started with the lower end guitars doing simple binding of the bodies using plastics, then got upgraded to mahogany, then on to rosewood with Ivoroid binding,” Salgado said. “After that I’ll graduate up to herringbone “perfs” or decorative trim. Master Class guitars all receive the deluxe wood bindings.” Salgado has had a meteoric rise through the Breedlove ranks and taken on each new assignment with gusto. That’s a lot of responsibility for a 19-year-old kid who loves his tattoos and monster trucks. He’s now working with delicate strips of abalone shell and fitting it into the trim slots of more decorative guitars. It’s a precise process only given to a select few. Abalone shell, with its blue and pearl iridescence, is highly sought after as an $800 upgrade on custom guitar orders. “The supervisors inspected my work and decided it was time to bump up to the abalone inlays,” he said. “I was psyched. It’s really difficult to align but makes a beautiful trim.” After the guitars leave Salgado’s unit, they enter the finish room where they are clear coated or varnished according to the specifics of the customer’s order. For some guitars, workers paste-fill the wood to bring out the grain or give it a hand-buffed coat of Turtle Wax. “I’m going to be doing a classic Northwestern model with a highly-figured myrtlewood grain. Myrtlewood is found on the Oregon coast which makes it a true regional product,” explained Salgado. “It’ll go on sales trips and should sell fast because of that signature Breedlove quality and tone. Plus it’s our lower end Master Class guitar starting at $5300.” Aaron Adams, Salgado’s supervisor, is pleased with his apprentice’s rapid advancement. “He’s got a great work ethic and drive. Scott’s very passionate about what he does and is inspired about the guitars. Every step of the process is so critical and he takes full responsibility for his work. He’s the first full-time hire from the Sisters program and it proves that the guitar-building class has paid off. I’m glad the community supports such an important skills-based, arts curriculum.” This summer, Salgado will also be entrusted with helping build the special raffle guitar for the 2010 Sisters Folk Festival. He’ll be part of a 3-person team responsible for designing the inlays and doing the binding. “I get paid to learn an art and be part of a tradition of guitar-making and the legacy Breedlove continues to achieve,” said Salgado. “We still build them by hand, when most companies do them with machines. And you never know whose hands are going to be playing our guitars - someone famous or about to become famous, or someone just learning. That’s a great feeling.” www.breedlovemusic.com Sunriver Music Festival Featuring Van Cliburn Pianist Di Wu
This hand picked group of musicians travel to Sunriver each August from as far away as Minneapolis, San Antonio, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Los Angeles to perform with the orchestra. Maestro Smith has selected a musical line up to please both classical music scholars and novices, including familiar favorites by Mozart, Brahms, Bach and a full program of Beethoven on closing night. “With a smaller orchestra of forty musicians, like our orchestra in Sunriver, the selections of orchestral arrangements are a little more limited than a full sized orchestra would have access to,” explains Maestro Smith. “However, there are still so many wonderful compositions out there and audiences love to hear familiar favorite pieces. “We only have four classical orchestral performances during our two week festival and each piece performed must be a crowd pleaser. It’s hard to choose from all the great classical music selections, but I believe we have a program this summer that will please audiences of all ages and musical tastes.” Chinese pianist Di Wu, 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Finalist, will be featured in a special solo piano recital on August 19 and the Beethoven no. 5 Piano Concerto (the Emperor) on August 21 with the orchestra. Praised in The Wall Street Journal as “a most mature and sensitive pianist.” Chinese-born Di Wu’s reputation as an elegant yet exciting musician continues to grow, and 2009 has been a banner year: During the spring and summer she made her New York Alice Tully Hall recital debut as winner of Juilliard’s William Petschek Piano Debut Recital Award, was named Artist of the Month by MusicalAmerica.com, and was awarded a Vendome Virtuosi prize at Lisbon’s prestigious Vendome Competition as well as one of the coveted prizes at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. In September she made her Philadelphia Orchestra debut at a gala benefit concert under Charles Dutoit. Composer, author and Utah Symphony’s Associate Concertmaster, Gerald Elias, will perform the Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto no. 3 with the orchestra on August 13. Along with his solo violin performance, Gerald Elias will perform with the orchestra as the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra Concertmaster. Also joining the orchestra this summer will be Benjamin Lulich, Principal Clarinetist with the Pacific Symphony, who will fill the position of Principal Clarinet for the Festival. Benjamin will perform the Weber Clarinet Concerto no. 2 with the orchestra on August 14. The upbeat and energetic Pops Concert titled Sentimental Journey will be in the Summit High School Concert Hall on August 10. The program line up includes the music of Glenn Miller, Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael and will feature vocalist Susannah Mars. Conductor Lawrence Leighton Smith and the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra will perform nostalgic favorites, including That Old Black Magic, I’ll Be Seeing You, In the Mood, Moonlight in Vermont and Chattanooga Choo Choo. The kid-friendly family concert on Sunday, August 15 will move to The Village at Sunriver Mall and will be the final event of the inaugural Sunriver Art Faire. The outdoor family concert will feature another Young Artist Scholarship recipient, Katie Hagen, performing the Hummel Fantasy from Potpourri for viola and orchestra. The final two orchestral concerts of the 2010 season will be in the historic Great Hall at the Sunriver Resort, the home of the Sunriver Music Festival for thirty-three years. The concert programs include Handel’s Water Music, Brahms Serenade and will conclude with a full concert of Beethoven favorites. Pianist Hunter Noack will perform the Liszt Totentanz with the orchestra during the Great Hall concert on Friday, August 20. Hunter has been a Young Artist Scholarship recipient for nine years and is currently a senior music major at USC. All festival concerts begin at 7:30pm, except the free Family Concert, which begins at 2pm. Ticket prices range from $10 - $60. 541-593-9310 or tickets@sunrivermusic.org or www.sunrivermusic.org. Sisters Folk Festival Lineup Enticing The Sisters Folk Festival unveiled a fantastic line-up for the 2010 festival. Held September 10, 11 &12 in downtown Sisters, this year’s Festival will celebrate 15 years of world class music in Sisters Country. Artists include legendary bluesman John Hammond, Texas troubadour Ray Wylie Hubbard, the bluegrass, Western swing, and ragtime sounds of Hot Club of Cowtown, dynamic bluesy soul of Geoff Muldaur & Jim Kweskin, Celtic sensation Solas, Americana songwriter Slaid Cleaves, prolific Welsh lyricist and musician Martyn Joseph, the multi-instrumental and genre-bending Canadian group, Po’ Girl, and our encore performer Ellis. “The lineup this year is stronger than ever, and has legendary performers mixed with musicians that hold a great deal of respect and admiration everywhere they perform, but may not be household names. Our goal is to introduce new artists to the Northwest, and our Central Oregon audience, while bringing international artists of stature and longstanding excellence in many genres of music,” said Executive & Artistic Director, Brad Tisdel. Each year an artist is chosen to be the SFF “encore performer.” The Minneapolis-based Ellis will be returning after receiving rave reviews for her captivating lyrics and charming stage presence. “We received so many requests to have Ellis back, we are thrilled to have her join us again in 2010,” said Yoder. The Sisters Folk Festival highly encourages the $85 All-Events Badge for the weekend. The pass includes all music and workshops and is offered at the discounted price until August 1, when the price goes to $95. In addition, tickets for the Americana Song Academy, a unique and empowering songwriting and music camp are on sale now. Song Camp, held September 7-10, brings Festival performers to teach for three inspiring days before the Festival. The Academy is held at Caldera, a private performing-arts camp high in the Cascades. This opportunity provides participants a chance to work closely with nationally recognized songwriters to hone their craft and spark their music and creativity. Tickets for the three-day camp are $400 through July 30, then $425 starting July 31. Early-Bird Tickets for the Festival, go online to: www.sistersfolkfestival.org or call the Sisters Folk Festival at: 541-549-4979, info@sistersfolkfestival.org Tickets will be available at remote ticket locations, the Footzone of Bend, and Paulina Springs Books in Sisters and Redmond July 1. An Evening with Ottmar Liebert Ottmar Liebert, one of the most successful and best-selling guitar artists of the past two decades, brings his group Luna Negra to the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend on Tuesday, July 20 at 8 p.m. for an intimate voyage through rock, jazz, blues, and their highly acclaimed brand of nouveau flamenco music. After learning to play the guitar at age 11, Ottmar pursued his rock ‘n’ roll dreams in Germany and later Boston. Liebert founded the ensemble Luna Negra (“black moon”) in 1990. Since then, Liebert has been nominated for a Grammy five times, released 25 albums, received 38 Gold and Platinum certifications, and seen his debut album Nouveau Flamenco go from selling 1,000 copies in a Santa Fe art gallery to being a double-platinum best-selling guitar album of all time. Liebert has performed with musical stars as diverse as Diana Ross (“I Never Loved a Man Before”), Kenny Loggins (“I Would Do Anything”), Celine Dion (“Call the Man”) and Carlos Santana (“Samba Pa Ti”).
Oregon Ballet Theatre in Central Oregon Caldera, the nonprofit dedicated to providing arts education to underserved youth, is bringing Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) to its Art Center near Sisters. The performances will provide Central Oregon audiences a rare chance to see top-level ballet in an intimate setting. The performance dates are Saturday, June 19 at 1pm and 6pm and Sunday, June 20 at 1pm. “The Caldera-Oregon Ballet Theatre collaboration enables us to serve professional artists, invite the Central Oregon community into our Art Center, and connect Caldera students with Oregon’s very best dancers and choreographers,” said Tricia Snell, executive director of Caldera. Founded in 1989, Oregon Ballet Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional ballet company, with a school, based in Portland. In 2003 Christopher Stowell became artistic director and Damara Bennett joined as school director. Oregon Ballet Theatre offers the highest quality ballet in a repertoire of classic and contemporary work. The public may attend any of three performances in Caldera’s beautiful Hearth performance space. After each performance, Christopher Stowell, OBT artistic director, and Anne Mueller, OBT principal dancer, will give general remarks on their artistic process and answer questions from the audience. On the Friday prior to the performances, Central Oregon dancers will also have the opportunity to attend a free dance workshop and to observe OBT’s rehearsals. Caldera students from Central Oregon middle and high schools, along with their families, will also attend a performance free of charge. Caldera is underwriting a significant portion of the expenses for these events while Starview Foundation, Lake Creek Lodge, the Metolius River Association, Black Butte Ranch and Five Pines Lodge are providing grant support and lodging discounts for this project. OBT will perform four short ballets, all duet: Tolstoy’s Waltz (solo piano music by a variety of composers, choreography by Christopher Stowell); Stravinsky Project (music by Igor Stravinsky, choreography by Anne Mueller; this piece is part of a larger collaboration with other Oregon choreographers), Divergence (music by Joby Talbot, choreography by Emery LeCrone) and Like a Samba (music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, choreography by Trey McIntyre). Public Events The following events are free of charge: Friday, June 18: OBT Movement Class for professional dancers, 2-3pm, including a viewing of OBT’s Open Rehearsal 3-5:30pm Tickets for the following three OBT performances are $22 each: Saturday, June 19, 1pm Saturday, June 19, 6pm Sunday, June 20, 1pm Online at PDXtix.net, at 503-205-0715, or at the door. Info: 503-937-7594. Young Artist Scholarship Concerts Showcase Local Musical Talent The Sunriver Music Festival’s successful Young Artist Scholarship program has been awarding music scholarships to deserving young musicians for fourteen years. To date, the Young Artist Scholarship program has awarded over $210,000 to 97 Central Oregon music students in middle school, high school and college with last year’s total scholarships topping $25,000. This year’s annual Young Artist Scholarship program is offering two concerts on Friday, June 4 at the Tower Theatre, 7pm and Sunday, June 6 at the Holy Trinity Church in Sunriver, 50pm. Both concerts are free to the public. “The quality of the Young Artist Scholarship concert performances continues to amaze our audiences year after year,” says Pam Beezley of the Sunriver Music Festival. “This year, the Bend concert at the Tower Theatre is on the same night as the downtown First Friday Art Walk. Art lovers that enjoy art and music can enjoy the art displays in the downtown art galleries and come to the Tower for this free concert showcasing Central Oregon’s up and coming young musicians.” “A number of our scholarship applicants apply for scholarships throughout their middle school and college years, so we get the opportunity to follow their musical achievements,” explains Jodie Bischof, the Young Artist Scholarship program chair. “Many of these talented young musicians are also winning music competitions outside of Central Oregon. It’s exciting to watch these students grow as musicians over the years and pursue their dreams of becoming professional musicians.” 541-593-9310, tickets@sunrivermusic.org or www.sunrivermusic.org. Willie Nelson at Les Schwab Willie Nelson will appear at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend on September 17. He is touring throughout the summer with his long standing troupe of musicians, or “family” to present a new album of country standards, Country Music.As a songwriter and a performer, Willie Nelson played a vital role in post-rock & roll country music. Although he didn’t become a star until the mid-’70s, Nelson spent the ‘60s writing songs that became hits. Even when he became a star, Willie never played it safe musically. Instead, he borrowed from a wide variety of styles, including traditional pop, Western swing, jazz, traditional country, cowboy songs, honky tonk, rock & roll, folk, and the blues, creating a distinctive, elastic hybrid. Amazingly prolific as a recording artist, Nelson has released over a dozen albums in the 2000s alone and continues to tour non stop and is a true country and vital country legend. Tickets via all Ticketmaster Outlets and the Ticket Mill at the Shops at the Old Mill District 541-318-5457. Terpsichorean Dance Studio Features Recital & Fundraiser The Terpsichorean Dance Studio presents its 35th annual recital, An Afternoon in the Library. The performance will take place at the Mt. View High Auditorium on Friday, June 25, 7pm and on Saturday, June 26, 7pm. The show represents a year’s study for our dancers aged three years through adult. As they explore the aisles of the library, you will see your favorite books come to life, as interpreted in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop and musical theatre pieces. You will see the whole library at a glance, in colorful and creative costumes. Each performance will offer a slightly different cast of dancers and characters. Admissions and the sale of T-shirts, flowers, videos, and refreshments will fund the Terpsichorean Dance Studio’s Scholarship Fund. This fund benefits many dancers, enabling them to take class, where it might otherwise be impossible. Reserved seat tickets are $9 advance, $10 at the door and will be available at the Terpsichorean Dance Studio, 1601 NW Newport Ave. Bend, Monday through Thursday from 3-6pm. Students Will Perform in National Honors Concert
The pair is honored to be among a small group of superior student musicians from around the nation who will play at the MENC National Honor Ensembles Concert on June 27. The event includes performances by the National Honors Orchestra, Concert Choir and Concert Band. The concerts will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The selection to this inaugural concert is an honor that recognizes the accomplishments of superior student musicians from around the nation. “The students who were selected to participate at this level represent the very best in student music programs,” said Jeff Simmons, Summit High School and Cascade Middle School Orchestra Director and Oregon Music Educators Association President-Elect. “We are very proud of these students, who will demonstrate their talent and have an opportunity to learn from other accomplished musicians,” he said. Summit High School Orchestra Director Jeff Simmons, 541-322-3300. Head for the Hills New Album & Tour by TRINITY COMBS Cascade AE Feature Writer
The album was recorded at Billy Nershi's (of The String Cheese Incident) Sleeping Giant Studios. The band’s bluegrass style is original and modern, while still keeping the authentic feel of traditional bluegrass. The shared vision amongst the members of Head for the Hills is not only to carry on the spirit of bluegrass, but also to expand the general definition as we venture through the post-traditional bluegrass era. Head for the Hills draws significant inspiration from the sounds of the bluegrass forefathers such as John Hartford, David Grisman or Bill Monroe, but also appeals to anybody who enjoys experiencing the excitement, innovation or element of youth that is incorporated into each and every performance. The group is full of original songwriters, and the music is authentic and acoustic. The band consists of Adam Kinghorn on guitar and vocals, Joe Lessard with the fiddle plus vocals, Matt Loewen on bass and vocals and Mike Chappell with the mandolin. Many respected avenues have sighted Head for the Hills as the next breath of fresh air to emerge from the acoustic realm. After the success at the Bend Les Scwab amphitheater last year, and the McMennamins St. Francis School performance in January, the band is ready to come back. The new album Head for the Hills can be purchased on the band’s website and their debut album Robbers Roost is available on iTunes. Summit & University of Oregon Music Groups Perform at Tower Theatre A Mother’s Day concert combining the talents of Summit High School music students and the University of Oregon vocal A Cappella group at the Tower Theatre May 9 at 3pm will help raise funds for Friends of Music (FOM), a non-profit organization that supports the musical endeavors of the Summit High School music department. “We are having this concert for the love of music, to keep music in the schools and to keep it fun,” said Paulita Bridges, co-chair of FOM. The concert will have performances by the Summit High School jazz band, jazz singers and orchestra students. The headliners are University of Oregon’s Divisi, an A Cappella women’s group and On the Rocks, the male counterpart. FOM is establishing the first annual spring concert to help meet financial goals in assisting the music directors at Summit with scholarships, new equipment and the promotion of future student concerts. In previous years, the FOM was able to give scholarships to students with financial needs to compete in the Heritage Festival, western international band conferences and state competitions. “Kids involved in music get better grades, which follows the sports ideal,” Bridges said. Funds raised by the FOM helped buy 100 concert chairs and a trophy case which presently displays the Summit Winds’ second place state trophy. Bridges hopes to raise money for more scholarships and the purchase of more concert equipment for the school’s music department. The club would also like to bring community awareness and more support for their group. Ticket prices, which include dessert, are $25 for adults and $15 for students and can be purchased at the Tower Theatre box office or online. 541-382-0971, www.towertheater.org Bend Summer Concerts at Les Schwab Monqui Presents and the Les Schwab Amphitheater will present a double bill with Band Of Horses and She & Him this Memorial Day weekend. Two of the most exciting indie rock bands co-headline in what is an explosive kick off to the summer season at the beautiful Les Schwab Amphitheater.Band Of Horses are becoming a household name since their inception in Seattle with their mixture of Southern Rock, Folk and Americana, tinged with a more modern Indie approach. This has allowed them to appeal to a wide audience and play with diverse artists such as Snow Patrol, Widespread Panic or Willie Nelson. The band recorded their third album, titled Night Rainbows in North Carolina, with a release date still to be confirmed. She & Him is the pet project of actress and singer Zooey Deschanel and musician/producer M. Ward. After working together on a song for a film, Deschanel and Ward created She & Him’s debut album Volume One, a beautiful collection of bittersweet tunes that garnered them raving reviews. So it felt only natural for Deschanel and Ward to continue what started as a one off collaboration with a new album Volume Two, slated for a late March release. Merle Haggard in Concert in June Monqui Presents and the Les Schwab Amphitheater confirm the presence of one of Country’s true living legends at Bend’s Les Schwab Amphitheater: Merle Haggard, on June 20.The Country Music Hall of Famer is embarking this Spring and Summer on a full U.S. tour that will bring him and his backing band The Strangers to Bend. Haggard’s live set comprises of a mix of his classic hits from the 60s and 70s as well as newer material from the album he’s been working on and that is slated for a May release. As a performer and a songwriter, Merle Haggard was the most important country artist to emerge in the 1960s. While his music remained hardcore country, he pushed the boundaries in a melting pot that drew from all forms of traditional American music -- country, jazz, blues, and folk -- and in the process, developed a distinctive style of his own. Throughout the years, Haggard’s music has remained some of the most consistently interesting and inventive in country music. Not only have his recordings remained fresh, but each subsequent generation of country singers shows a great debt to his work. That fact stands as a testament to his great talent even more than his induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Cowboys 4 Kids
Presented by the John and Linda Shelk Foundation with Les Schwab Tires, it will be an evening of country and western entertainment, a small, but well-collected silent auction, a grand raffle drawing for tickets to the Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum concert at the Rose Garden and chock full of local love. All four organizations serve the children and families of Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes Counties and the group decided that it was very important to them to keep the event talent as local as possible. It doesn’t get any more local to Central Oregon than the main event, Shannon Bex. Bex was born in Portland, Oregon where she began her training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern and hip hop dancing. When her family moved to Bend she attended Mountain View High School and enrolled in anything that would get her on a stage, from drama and choir, to the dance team. It was not enough and she sought other opportunities around town – performing at the mall for RV shows and singing the National Anthem at local 4H events. After graduating in 1998, Bex auditioned to dance for the Portland Trailblazers. She not only danced with them for five seasons, but she often opened the games at the Rose Garden with the National Anthem, sang on the court at half time or performed in the stands with a band called 5 Guys Named Moe. In 2003 she was runner up on FAME, a triple threat competition on NBC with Debbie Allen. One year later she found herself standing in line for seven hours hoping to be, and succeeding in becoming, a contestant on the MTV show Making the Band with rap mogul Sean Diddy Combs. Six months later she was named a member of the group Danity Kane. They soon went on to hit #1 on the Billboards Top 100, not once, but twice – putting them in the Guinness Book of World Records! Danity Kane disbanded after five years and several platinum albums and Bex and her husband moved “back home,” close to what really matters – family and friends. She currently makes appearances around town with her favorite boys of the group Countryfied. She also has developed a dynamic endurance training focused on dancers and performers called Combique. She works with Imfrenzy, a positive social networking site just for girls, and spends a lot of time in Nashville working on a solo recording project. Singers & Storytellers Celebrate Lakota Sioux Culture
The Lakota Sioux Dance troupe was founded at the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota with the support of traditional Lakota Indian educators, healers, community leaders, championship pow-wow dancers, singers, and storytellers. The company’s performance, titled “Cokata Upo! Come to the Center,” is set against a backdrop of spectacular video imagery and accompanied by live traditional, sacred, and courting songs. Narratives and creation stories are woven into the performance. As part of the Tower Foundation’s community outreach program, the troupe also offers a special workshop at the High Desert Museum on Sunday afternoon, April 25, 2pm (free with museum admission). Cascade Winds Symphonic Band From Russia with Love The Cascade Winds Symphonic Band will present the second concert of their 2009-2010 season, under the baton of music director Dan Judd, Sunday, March 7, 2pm at Summit High School auditorium. This concert is free of charge, although donations are gratefully accepted. This second concert of the Winds, From Russia With Love, will feature important literature either about Russia, or from famous Russia composers. The program kicks off with Dmitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, displaying Shostakovich’s finest pulsating, rhythmic drive. The Winds will continue with Tschesnokoff’s beautiful Salvation Is Created. Originally written for voices, the band arrangement explores dark colors that suit the piece well. Russian Christmas Music by American composer Alfred Reed is one of the most frequently performed pieces of concert band literature. Igor Stavinsky’s Circus Polka is taken from what was originally a ballet for 50 ballerinas and 50 elephants! Special guest soloist on this concert is trombonist Dr. Mark Babbitt, who will perform the famous Concerto for Trombone and Band by Rimsky-Korsakov. Dr. Babbitt maintains a very busy schedule which includes a large trombone studio at Central Washington University as well as constant performance with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. The concert will close with the robust Finale from Symphony No. 4 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikowsky. Every section of the band must display the highest level of virtuosity for this favored “war horse.” This is the second season the Cascade Winds have been conducted by Judd. After an extensive tenure as a music teacher in Washington State, including election into the Washington Music Educator’s “Hall of Fame,” Judd is currently director of bands at Summit High School in Bend. A co-founder of the Northwest Wind Symphony, an award-winning community band in Western Washington, Judd has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the Northwest. These concerts are free, no tickets are needed, open to the public and suitable for all ages. www.cascadewinds.org or 541-593-1635. Tower Sets Stage for Music Varieties Tickets available from
Tower Box Office. Venue fees. High Desert Chamber Music Presents Crown City String Quartet The next concert by High Desert Chamber Music presented by Bank of America is Tuesday, March 2, 7pm at the Tower Theatre and will feature the Crown City String Quartet with special guest Don Foster. The group returns to Central Oregon after many successful performances at in the Opening Season. The name derives from all the members having resided in the Crown City, Pasadena, California. The members have worked together in the motion picture and TV recording studios, as well as many of the Los Angeles area’s most renowned music organizations for the past decade. With a refreshing and unmistakable camaraderie that is present both on and off-stage, the group is recognized for delivering dynamic and engaging performances. They will be joined by clarinetist Don Foster to perform one of the favorites in the standard repertory. HDCM’s new Educational Outreach program will feature the Spotlight Duo performing selections by J.S. Bach and Jean-Baptiste Breval, in the Tower Theatre lobby prior to the performance. This program was developed to provide a high level of chamber music instruction to aspiring young musicians. Students in grades 6-12 with at least three years of private study and an intermediate to advanced level are eligible to audition. Regular chamber music instruction is provided through HDCM, in addition to performance opportunities at a HDCM event and complimentary admission to the HDCM Series at the Tower Theatre. Auditions were held in October 2009 and the following students selected for this year’s program - Taylor Gatley on violin, and Landon Miller on cello. Suzanne Vega Up Close at the Tower
In collaboration with Bend’s own High Desert Chamber Music, Vega will be accompanied by the Crown City String Quartet.This spring marks the 25th anniversary of Vega’s remarkable self-titled debut album. Not only did it put her on the musical map, it included Marlene on the Wall which Rolling Stone named one of the 100 Greatest Recordings of the 1980’s. Her 1987 follow-up album featured Luka, certainly the only hit song ever written from the perspective of an abused boy. One of the most influential songwriters of her generation, Suzanne’s cerebral but streetwise style ushered in a new female folk-pop movement from Tracy Chapman, Shawn Colvin to Indigo Girls. Suzanne Vega is the third presentation in the Tower Theatre’s 2009-2010 CenterStage Series, with upcoming performances by The Irish Rovers and Tony Award® winner Betty Buckley. Title sponsor for CenterStage is Francis, Hansen & Martin law firm. Presenting sponsor is Jones & Roth CPA. The supporting sponsors are Sterling Savings Bank and Central Oregon Audiology. A Week of Family Fun at the Tower It’s a full week of family-friendly activities when the Tower Theatre Foundation debuts Pulse Family Week, February 14-21, spotlighting entertainment and educational activities designed for Central Oregon families with elementary-aged kids. This inaugural program initiative is in cooperation with the High Desert Pulse magazine and sponsored by Friends of Cascades Academy of Central Oregon. The week opens and closes
with matinee performances, each approximately 60-80 minutes long, by New
Jersey’s Pushcart Players and Southern California’s The Tweaksters. During
the week between, the performers will stage community and educational
workshops focusing on active, healthy lifestyles. Family Week also features
a free showcase by students in Bend Parks and Recreation classes, plus
a screening of the Oscar-nominated, inspirational movie Fly Away Home.
Joe Bonamassa Brings Bluesy Rock to Tower Theatre Guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa will treat local music fans to a concert at the Tower Theatre on March 7. As Bonamassa grows his reputation as one of the world’s greatest guitar players, he is also evolving into a charismatic blues-rock star and singer-songwriter of stylistic depth and emotional resonance. His ability to connect with live concert audiences is transformational, and his new album, The Ballad Of John Henry, brings that energy to his recorded music more powerfully than ever before. The ninth solo album and seventh studio release of his career – as well as his fourth consecutive with producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes, etc.) – the disc adds a heavy dose of “swamp” to Bonamassa’s virtuoso mix of ‘60s-era British blues-rock (à la Beck and Clapton) and roots-influenced Delta sounds. It shows off Bonamassa’s vocal range as much as his instrumental voodoo, and the artist says, “I feel this is my strongest work to date.”The 2009 release of The Ballad of John Henry coincides with Bonamassa’s twentieth year as a professional musician. Bonamassa was finessing Stevie Ray Vaughan licks when he was seven and by the time he was ten, had caught B.B. King’s ear. After first hearing him play, King said, “This kid’s potential is unbelievable. He hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface. He’s one of a kind.” By age 12, Bonamassa was opening shows for the blues icon (something he also did recently as the opener on King’s 80th birthday tour), and went on to tour with venerable acts including Buddy Guy, Foreigner, Robert Cray, Stephen Stills, Joe Cocker and Gregg Allman. Tom Grant Trio at Sunriver Music Festival Valentine’s Dinner and Concert Join the Sunriver Music Festival for an evening of delicious food, wine and a full concert featuring singer, songwriter and pianist Tom Grant and his jazz trio on Sunday, February 14. The Tom Grant Trio will entertain guests with a mix of romantic favorites, smooth jazz and Tom Grant’s original compositions. The Sunriver Resort chefs have created a special three-course Valentine’s Day menu for the evening with a choice of three entrees. Come alone or bring your friends. Tables for two or eight are available. Tom Grant is a master instrumentalist, talented singer and natural entertainer. Since 1983, Tom’s records have repeatedly topped the Smooth Jazz charts, a genre of music Tom helped pioneer in the mid-80s. Several records, including the popular Mango Tango, Night Charade, In My Wildest Dreams, and The View From Here enjoyed lengthy stays at Number One. In 2001, Tom started recording on his own record label, Nu-Wrinkle Records. He currently has seven releases on this label. In his hometown of Portland, Tom is well known for his work with charitable organizations with numerous appearances through the years at charity events and on charity compilation CD’s. Tickets for this special Valentine’s Dinner and Concert are $75 and include a three-course dinner, the concert and a complimentary beverage. The evening begins at 6:00pm at the Sunriver Resort Great Hall. 541-593-9310, tickets@sunrivermusic.org, or www.sunrivermusic.org. Tower Theatre Foundation & B.E.A.T. present A Christmas Carol This December, a stellar community cast of youth and adults once again brings to life the classic story of redemption and the true holiday spirit. Bend Experimental Art Theatre (B.E.A.T.) and the Tower Theatre Foundation reunite to co-produce an original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, as Tiny Tim teaches Scrooge the importance of compassion. In its inaugural production December 2008, A Christmas Carol thrilled 1,500 families, plus nearly 2,000 children from Central Oregon school districts. This year, the holiday magic continues December 17-22 with two daytime performances for school children, a half-priced matinee, and five evening shows. The play, adapted by Howard Schor and directed by Mary Kilpatrick, features Rick Jenkins as “Scrooge” leading many of the area’s best actors in two casts: a traditional “community cast” of adults and children and—for the school performances and matinee—a “youth cast” of school-aged children portraying many of the “adult” roles. “This production has quickly established itself as a Christmas-time tradition for Bend,” said Ray Solley, executive director of the Tower Theatre Foundation. “It’s a perfect blend of the Olde England story with its ghosts and timeless message of kindness as told by the talented youth and adults of Central Oregon.” While adaptation holds very closely to Dickens’ original novella, “there are several surprise twists, so don’t assume you know what is coming!” adds Schor, who is also executive director and co-founder of B.E.A.T. The partners in this joint venture have worked together since 2006 to provide exciting theatre experiences for child actors and adult audiences. B.E.A.T. (www.beatonline.org) is dedicated to nurturing both experienced and budding performers, ages 7-21. Deeply involved with schools, educators and students across the region, B.E.A.T.’s mission is to teach workshops and classes and present performances that expand the artistic, educational and social abilities of young actors, while enhancing the cultural experience for audiences of all ages. The Tower Theatre Foundation owns and operates the historic venue in downtown Bend. The Foundation’s mission is to provide performing arts, civic, educational and social events that enliven and enrich the lives of all Central Oregonians. This unique production—with its educational and community outreach components—is made possible in part by grants from: Deschutes Cultural Coalition; Autzen Foundation; Jeld-Wen Tradition Foundation; and Roundhouse Foundation. Heritage Theatre Creates Variety Show for BCC Heritage Theatre Company and Bend’s Community Center are presenting an evening of great food and entertainment on Friday, December 4 to support an upcoming program for adults and youth experiencing homelessness. The benefit buffet-style dinner starts at 6:30pm with the performance at 7pm sharp. Tickets to the event are recession-priced at $12 per adult, $6 per child or teen and $40 for larger families (includes two adults). The fundraiser will feature some of the finest musical and novelty talent in the area through a variety show format that is geared to all generations. A Western themed ACT I features Jacks & Better, a new bluegrass group; the 2008 Tower Talent winners in a Country & Western acrobatic feat; the Ho Ho Hoedown Grannies and, a marvelous number from Heritage Theatre Company’s production of the musical, Quilters. The intermission is filled with some Santa magic from Mr. Magic (Roger Smith) and a Holiday raffle. ACT II presents a host of Holiday music from the Sirvival Barbershop Quartet, the Victorian Carolers and selected seasonal singers with Jean Shrader at the piano. A good time will be had by all through the generosity of our superb guest artists: Virlene Arnold, Betty Fairham, Lisa Fetrow, Maddie Grenfell, Jack & Nancy Hancock, Jean Hardman, Wendy Hays, Ella Jeans, Jack Kohler, Lilli Ann Linford-Foreman, Jacob Looper, Don Madsen, Bruce McClellan, Steve Osterkamp, Leon Patenburg, Chuck Phinney, Michaela Rumley, Steve & Bevalee Runner, Colleen Rastovich, Rae Seely, Jean Shrader, Karen Sipes, Roger Smith, Don Sutherland. Tickets: 541-312-2069. Info: 541-306-6751. Harmony 4 Women, A Women’s A Capella Holiday Chorus Connie Norman brings a history of success to the direction of Harmony 4 Women, a new Central Oregon holiday chorus scheduled for Saturday, November 21. Norman currently serves as director of The Central Oregon Showcase Chorus, a non-profit organization and member of the highly respected organization Sweet Adelines International. For November, Norman is preparing a special performance that will marry the talents of this Showcase Chorus’ 26-members with women singers of all levels of vocal experience who desire to participate in a community chorus and sing on stage. Harmony 4 Women will feature two acts of traditional and contemporary holiday music and will be presented at Summit High School in Bend at 2pm and 7pm. Norman comments: “We are very excited about sharing our craft with other women in the greater Bend-Redmond area seeking to expand their vocal skills in an a capella format.” Harmony 4 Women evolved from 4 women’s non-profit organizations working together to benefit 4 women’s groups by inviting guest singers to sing 4-part harmony in a holiday chorus. The Central Oregon Showcase Chorus is thrilled to partner with non-profit organizations Grandma’s House, Saving Grace, and the Women’s Resource Center of Central Oregon (WRCCO) to present Harmony 4 Women, which will benefit all four groups. Norman’s musical experience includes being a member of Sweet Adelines since 1971, a Certified Director in barbershop harmony, a quartet singer and a choreographer. Her directing skills shaped and honed the Greater Eugene chorus to win a three-state region 24 competition, taking the chorus to an International Competition and stage. She was the tenor vocalist of High Frequency, also a region 24 champion. Adding acting and choreography to her musical talents, Norman has performed on stages across the United States and has been cast in major roles in musicals and plays such as Stop The World I Want To Get Off (Bend), the Sound of Music and I Do! I Do! (Redmond) and Pajama Game, The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof and Equus (Las Vegas). She is a member of the acting cast for the Buckboard Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Productions, whose shows are performed throughout Central Oregon. Norman lives in Redmond where the Central Oregon Showcase Chorus is based. She is a Real Estate Broker with RE/MAX Land & Homes and specializes in residential properties and short sales. Tickets for the event will be on sale starting October 5 at The High Desert Gallery in Bend, Redmond and Sisters, through all participating organizations, and will also be available online at www.wrcco.org.
Maestro Michael Gesme Brings Music Appreciation Classes to Sunriver Central Oregon Symphony’s Maestro Michael Gesme returns to Sunriver again this fall to teach four music appreciation classes. The Sunriver Music Festival and the Friends of the Sunriver Library are jointly hosting these classes as a community outreach for music lovers of all ages. Maestro Gesme’s educational and entertaining classes will present the Elements of Music including Sound, Harmony, Melody, Rhythm and Form and how these elements shape our music today and throughout history. The four classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6pm on October 7, October 14, October 21 and October 28. Each class includes outlined discussion, music samples and enlightening stories. The class topics will include information on what is musical sound and the sonic concepts behind different instruments and their varied color; the nature and development of melody (the tune), harmony (the accompaniment) and rhythm throughout music history; and the formal aspects of music, (i.e. how music is put together to form the pieces that we listen to). All of these elements of music can be used to describe any kind of music, not just classical, and thus there is something for everyone regardless of your musical tastes! “This is the fourth year that we have offered music appreciation classes taught by Michael Gesme,” explains Pam Beezley of the Sunriver Music Festival. “Last year, each class was completely full. We were amazed by the number of Sunriver and Bend residents, music students, and music teachers that attended each class.” In addition to Maestro Gesme’s leadership as the artistic director and conductor of the Central Oregon Symphony, he is an Associate Professor in the Fine Arts Department at Central Oregon Community College teaching Music Theory and Understanding Music. He also serves as music director and conductor of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra in McMinnville, Oregon. Classes are free and open to the public. Donations are requested to cover Maestro Gesme’s costs. Information: 541/593-9310 ort tickets@sunrivermusic.org.
Photo by Roger Ager Quincy Street Delivers Solid Debut Disc by DANIEL PEARSON AE Feature Writer There really are two types of bluegrass music written and performed today – Appalachian-style bluegrass, which is traditional in style and composition, and there is what’s known as West Coast Bluegrass, which more closely follows the principles of rock-n-roll. Appalachian-style came from the mountains of North Carolina, and infuses old American folks music with gospel songs, a la Bill Monroe, The Carter Family and Del McCoury. West Coast-style bluegrass was spurred by the recordings of David Grisman, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the Yonder Mountain String Band, and grew out of the 1960’s San Francisco scene as sort of a stepchild to the Grateful Dead. Bluegrass aficionados are very opinionated about each camp, and there are fans of the genre who won’t listen to anything other than traditional bluegrass music. Those fans will be delighted to pick up a copy of Small Country Towns, the debut disc from the Bend-based group Quincy Street available online through CD Baby and iTunes. Quincy Street has been around about five years, formed by a group of neighbors who all lived on, you guessed it, Quincy Street on Bend’s west side. The husband and wife duo of Eric and Marlene Alexander (guitar and bass, respectively) originally were picking out tunes with Jay Bowerman (banjo, dobro, fiddle) and were later joined by Loren Irving (mandolin) on harmonica. Pretty soon, though, Irving decided he wanted to step up his role in the band and took a couple months’ worth of mandolin lessons so he could add the quintessential bluegrass instrument to the lineup, and voila – Quincy Street was born. “All of us are in our 60s and we’re just having the time of our lives,” Irving said. “It’s so much fun we can’t hardly stand it. I hope we’re getting better and better as time goes by. I don’t think we’re ever going to be on the big (national) stage, but there are people who follow us around and want to listen to us now, and that’s enough for us, I think.” Jay writes most of the music, bringing chord progressions and lyrics to the group, but Quincy Street’s writing process is democratic – the band plays through new tunes a few times, and if all four members like it they’ll take it on and develop the song correctly, Irving said. “It seems to work for us, so we’ll probably stick to (that process),” he said. The group mentality is apparent from the get-go on Small Country Towns, especially in the four-part harmonies that paint each song with texture and color that sounds like it came straight from a summer porch in North Carolina, drenched in lemonade, banana-cream pie and a slight southern drawl. The opening song, Misty River, starts off with an A capella verse than instantly brings to mind the old North Carolina-style, gospel-infused bluegrass of Bill Monroe and The Carter Family, and indeed harkening back to an older, perhaps simpler time is the focus of the song, whose refrain says Wherever I may wander or roam/That misty river calls me home. Fans of the banjo will get a kick out of the high-necked picking demonstrated by Bowerman, whose fingers glide up the neck with the determination of an old, muddy river. The second song, Ethanol Blues, sounds like it was written after an afternoon splattered with a few sips of corn liquor from the old Mason jar. Its slow, winding chord progression hooks you in immediately, and although it does not have a sing-songy chorus the tune grabs your ear with a false familiarity that only bluegrass can breed. Skip ahead to track five, Blond Haired Girl, and you would swear you were listening to a song that came straight out of the National Archives in Washington D.C., where the most complete record of American music spanning hundreds of years is kept and administered by none other than Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. Blond Haired Girl almost makes you miss that lover who got away years ago, and if the verse that says “If I should happen to come home in the middle of the night/It never makes her angry never starts a fight” doesn’t remind you of that special someone then you no longer have a heart. The album’s final track, Strawberry Blond, starts off with spoken word about a girl who left the singer high and dry, taking everything he owned. It’s the kind of song that tells a distinct story, a tradition that seems long lost in the American music of today, and while Strawberry Blond is not a cliffhanger by any means, the lyrics do suck you in so that you want to listen through to find out what happens in the end. All in all, Small Country Towns is a solid debut from this Bend bluegrass band, one that will make you want to catch the group live, which you can, by the way, at the High & Dry Bluegrass Festival in Redmond August 14-15. For more information visit Quincy Street’s website at www.quincystreet4.com
Blackstrap Kicks Off Local favorites, rootsy stringband Blackstrap kick off a new live music concert series on the bank of the Deschutes River, the Pickin’ & Paddlin’ Music Series. Continuing the last Wednesday of July and August (July 29 and August 26), Pickin’ & Paddlin’ features live music from 7-9pm, as well as the chance to try kayaks, canoes, paddles and other gear on the Deschutes River. Admission is free, and the whole family is welcome. Donations to the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance are encouraged, and Silver Moon Brewing’s new Epic Trail Ale will be available for adult consumption (proceeds to BPTA).From 4-7pm, representatives from top paddle sports companies such as Eddyline Kayaks, Esquif Canoes, Swift Paddles, Bending Branches and Aquabound Paddles will be available for free demos and to answer questions. Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe’s fleet of 50 demo boats will also be available, with staff on hand to help.The Pickin’ & Paddlin’ Music Series is hosted by Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe, in Bend at 805 SW Industrial Way # 6 (on the Deschutes at the foot of the Colorado Ave. Bridge). 541/317-9407.
Heritage Theatre Company Presents Elk Lake Offers Dinner Music Series Tollefson Makes Mark on Bend Music Scene with Debut CD By DANIEL PEARSON In fact, what immediately stands out about The Sum of Parts is that it is lacking a catchy number that defines the album – its “single,” if it had major label backing and national distribution behind it. That was Tollefson’s aim, however, as he toiled on weekends over a two-year period putting together his debut solo effort – to avoid having his music considered poppy. “I don’t ever want to put a pop record together,” he said. “The first song is kind of poppy, and I left six songs off of the CD that flirted with that sort of style – sing-songy.” Tollefson began writing music when he was 18 years old, and that’s when the bug really bit him. “It’s sort of an everyday thing for me now,” he said. “I play one to two hours a day, mostly tinkering with instrumentals and chord progressions. That’s how I developed the songs on The Sum of Parts. Every track was written in Bend over the last couple of years, and each song represents either a milestone or life lesson I learned.” There a few tracks on the CD that stand out from the first listen. Track one, Outside, sounds like it was written after Tollefson spent a long, snowbound winter picking away on his couch and staring out the window. The lyrics ring true with the current change of seasons here in Central Oregon (It’s a beautiful day/Let’s play outside …), and the melody is possibly the closest thing to a pop song found on The Sum of Parts. Track two, Another Day’s Blues, kind of has a Dave Matthews vibe to it, especially in Tollefson’s approach to the chord voicings, which follow more fluid lines rather than straight-ahead percussive strumming, like most acoustic guitar players. Track four, Welcome to the Night was intended to be something fun on the album, a fictional story about a vigilante walking through a crime infested neighborhood and wanting to do everything he could to change it. The music is not as edgy as one would think, given the song’s topic, but its underbelly with accompanying Cello (played by SoundSmith Engineer and Owner Clay Smith) does have a dark tone, similar to what The Eagles were known to drum up in some of their classic numbers like Hotel California. Track six, Battle for the Sea, sounds like it could have been sung by contestants on American Idol, working out a big number with a celebrity music director during week five of the TV talent competition (and I mean that as a compliment). This one could be a hit if marketed correctly or perhaps if Tollefson shopped the song to publishers and artists in Nashville, Austin or Los Angeles. “All of the songs are very honest,” Tollefson said. “I spent so much time and energy producing them, but the album is hard for me to listen to because I can hear tiny mistakes, even though I realize no one else can hear them.” Smith, who plays several instruments on the album, laughed when asked if he could provide an anecdote about working with Tollefson on The Sum of Parts. “It was a lot of fun, but he’s very particular about what he wants to hear,” Smith said. “A lot of times people leave it up to me to give them direction, but he was very specific about even individual notes that I played. I would play something and say, ‘This?’ and he would say, ‘No, that.’ He knows exactly what he wants.” Tollefson was named as an emerging act to watch in 2009 by another local newspaper, and The Sum of Parts is definitely worth tracking down, especially if you are looking for some good music to provide the soundtrack to your summer while you’re outside grilling on the deck or camping out somewhere in Central Oregon. The Sum of Parts is available for purchase and download on iTunes and at CDbaby.com. Total running time is about 35 minutes. Tollefson also has a website on MySpace at myspace.com/accoladetunes
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EVENTS CALENDAR 5 Fusion
& Sushi Bar Wall Street in Bend 541-323-2328 September 5 Doug Rychard
10 Barrel Brewing Company Galveston Street, Bend www.10Barrel.com Les Schwab
Amphitheatre Live
at the Ranch Summer Concert Series McMenamins
–Old St. Francis School September
22 McMenamins and opbmusic.org presents, Great Northwest Music TourTRUTH
& SALVAGE COMPANY, 7 pm Community
Concerts in Redmond Midtown Ballroom September 21 Atmosphere is playing at the Midtown Ballroom on September 21 with a live band and label-mates Blueprint and Grieves & Budos. Redmond’s
Free Summer Concert Series Seventh
Mountain Resort Summer Concert Series 6:30-8:30pm Silver
Moon Brewery The Riverhouse September 26, October 10, 24, November 14, 28, December 12 – Swing Sundays Betty Berger Big Band Tower
Theatre – Bend
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by
JEFF SPRY for Cascade AE 
The
Sunriver Music Festival’s thirty-third season will include a full schedule
of concerts, rehearsals, workshops, master classes, receptions and fundraisers.
Concerts will begin August 10 and wrap up on August 21 and include four
classical orchestral concerts, a solo piano recital, a Pops concert and
the kid friendly family concert. Maestro Lawrence Leighton Smith returns
to Sunriver for his twenty-fourth season to lead the world class Sunriver
Music Festival Orchestra. 
Two
Summit High School musicians have been selected to play at one of the
most celebrated student music performances in the nation, the National
Association for Music Education (MENC) national honor music concert in
Washington, DC. The Summit High School students are first-chair flautist
Nick Loeffler, National Honor Band; and first-chair bassist Randy Brooks,
National Honor Orchestra. 
The unique Bluegrass group, Head for the Hills, has found great success
in their new album and will be performing in Bend on May 1 at the Domino
Room. The second self-titled album from Head for the Hills is well on
its way to reaching top in the bluegrass genre. During the summers of
2008 and ‘09 the group was very prominent in amphitheaters and festivals
and now they are back to show their new music. The band is peaked at #111
on the CMJ TOP 200 Radio Listings nationally. They also had a notable
cast of personnel involved including producer Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon)
and audio engineer Gus Skinas (Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, George Harrison).
Mix engineer and 2009 Grammy winner Vance Powell (Willie Nelson, The Raconteurs,
Jack White) came on for the mixing/mastering process. 
Several
local nonprofit organizations have come together to do what makes so much
sense in this economy – collaborate! The John & Linda Shelk Foundation
of Prineville initiated the collaboration to benefit Crook County children
and the Crook County satellite programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Central Oregon, KIDS Center, Saving Grace and SMART. So, the first annual
Cowboys 4 Kids was born. 
In
an evening the Washington Post calls “dazzling” and Dance Magazine describes
as “spectacular,” the Lakota Sioux Dance Theatre brings their remarkable
celebration of the Lakota people to the Tower Theatre April 26 at 7:30pm.
The show, featuring authentic costumes and original Native American music,
is the fifth and final program in the Bend Surgery Center’s Foundation
Series. 
Brilliant
singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega performs her groundbreaking classics Luka
and Tom’s Diner – plus a preview of her new acoustic album The Love Songs
– exclusively at the Tower Theatre on February 28 as part of Francis,
Hansen & Martin’s CenterStage Series. In her Close Up tour, Vega delves
into her illustrious songbook for an intimate concert filled with imaginative
versions of longtime favorites and newer material about love, the people
and places that have captured her heart.
