Pyramid Beach Productions' "Atro-City Sleepers" Selected for 2010 Indie Music Video Festival

My friend and college roommate Douglas Magnuson recently blended his mad art skills (he's an accomplished painter who taught at NYC's School of Visual Arts and traveled the world as an assistant to American modern painting icon Frank Stella) and his filmmaking prowess into a freshly original rock music video for NY band The Netherlands. He also won the Music Video category at this year's Festivus Film Festival in Denver, and this is the latest honor - the first of many more to come. -hoc

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"THE ATRO-CITY SLEEPERS" has been selected for the lineup of the 2010 INDIE MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL

an international touring fest that will include:

Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary,Chicago,Montreal, Toronto,Los Angeles,Austin,and St. Catherines and more...

schedule and dates coming soon...

for more info:

ROCK!!!!
--dmag
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d magnuson

6/24 Blackstrap Kicks Off Pickin’ & Paddlin’ Music Series

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. Beginning Wednesday, June 24 and continuing the last Wednesday of July and August, Pickin’ & Paddlin’ features live music from 7:00 to 9:00pm, 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 4:00 to 7:00pm, representatives from top paddle sports companies such as Eddyline Kayaks, Esquif Canoes, Swift Paddles, Bending Branches and Aquabound Paddles will 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). Please call 541-317-9407 for details.

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3/14 MVHS Band Alaskan Halibut Feed Fundraiser

Here are more details about the Mountain View High School Band fundraiser this Saturday. If possible, please email before the dinner to inquire or order tickets - an advance head-count will help the organizers to be better organized when you get there. Details below from the local fisherman who is making this event - and others - possible (he has asked not to be named here). His family has been fishing the Pacific for generations. -hoc
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Thanks Harold. The value of this dinner is a phenom. Six pieces of halibut equates to about 12 oz. of halibut. Each piece will be about 2 oz. (you can buy extra pieces for $1.50 per piece). With halibut going for a minimum $15 to $20 dollars a pound in local stores, this is THE halibut feed (or should I say the only one) of Central Oregon. In fact, there has never been a halibut feed in the last 5/10 years that has this size of portions and value in this area. This will be the start of something unique in this area.

In this economy, food budgeting may get rather tight. It is my intention to bring my FDA-approved seafood productions (salmon, halbiut, crab, cod) to Central Oregon to benefit events and fundraisers and to rally optimism in the community. Maybe others will follow example. OPTIMISM BREEDS CREATIVITY. Negative thoughts breed stagnancy.

As for me, I'm off to the Aleutians in 3 weeks to return Oct./Nov.-ish At that time, I can personally delegate productions for helping the community. Let's see how we can create something together.

Note: It would sure be nice to know how many will show up. Tickets will be sold at the door, but those who purchase tickets in advance will be guaranteed the meal. I will bring plenty of extra along. This is a fish & fries/coleslaw feed that is the first of its kind here. There will be extra available for those that want to purchase after the feed, take home--even rain checked. This will be a great price for those. Possibly 1 to 3 oz. pieces for around $10 per pound.

4 Peaks Music Festival: Ticket Discount Extended, Festivarian #4

(Bend, OR) In order to include more of the Bend-area community, 4 Peaks Music Festival has extended its Early Bird discount tickets which includes both festival days and camping. In addition, single-day tickets now can be purchased separately at a reduced rate. This is a great opportunity to save money on tickets and experience the warp and woof of the 4 Peaks Music Festival.

Journalist Amy Clark recently described 4 Peaks Music Festival: "A two-day music festival that’s kid-friendly, offers room for snoozing and has a breathtaking backdrop is rare these days . . ."

For tickets click here, or visit Ranch Records on NW Wall St. in downtown Bend.

Also, check out the latest edition of the Festivarian newsletter, which profiles 4 Peaks Music Festival artists Poor Man's Whiskey, Flowmotion and local act Brent Alan.

4 Peaks Music Festival: Updated Band Schedule

Read on for the updated band schedule for the two day festival July 25-26.

(Poor Man's Whiskey playing at last year's 4 Peaks Music Festival)

Friday, July 25
Rockin' A Ranch Stage (Main)
12:35-1:25 State of Jefferson
2:25-3:05 Brent Alan
4:45-6:15 Blue Turtle Seduction
7:35-9:20 Hot Buttered Rum
9:45-11:30 Zilla

Tumalo Stage (Mini)
11:00-12:00 Opener TBD
12:00-12:25 North Channel
1:35-2:15 The Mostest
3:15-4:35 Acorn Project
6:25-7:25 Poor Man’s Whiskey
9:20-9:30 Poor Man’s Whiskey

Saturday, July 26
Rockin' A Ranch Stage (Main)
10:00-10:45 Blackstrap
11:55-12:55 Moon Mountain Ramblers
2:15-3:30 Flowmotion
5:00- 6:25 Poor Man’s Whiskey
8:05- 10:00 Tea Leaf Green
10:30- 11:30 Everyone Orchestra

Tumalo Stage (Mini)
10:55-11:45 Rising Tide
1:05-2:05 The Grain
3:45-4:55 Izabella
6:35-7:55 Delta Nove
10:05-10:25 The Erins

For details, visit www.4peaksmusic.com. Two-day and single-day festival passes are available at Ranch Records on NW Wall St. in downtown Bend or on the web.

4 Peaks Music Festival: Band Schedule, Kids' Activities, Live Art and more

(Bend, OR) The bands are finalized, the schedule is updated and the festival is right around the corner. The two day music fest is full of fun events for the whole family with 20 rockin' bands performing on two stages, live artists working on-site and tons of kids' activities including hoola-hooping and story telling. It is going to be an awesome show that you won't want to miss. Here's the info:


:: THE BANDS – Two Days, Two Stages, 20 Bands.
The 4 Peaks Music Festival has finalized its line-up and full schedule, featuring two stages of performances by local acts and national touring bands. The official roster promises great shows for all ages:

(Hot Buttered Rum performing at last year's 4 Peaks Music Festival.)

Friday, July 25
Rockin' A Ranch Stage (Main)
12:35-1:25 State of Jefferson
2:35- 3:25 Brent Alan
4:45- 6:15 Blue Turtle Seduction
7:35- 9:20 Hot Buttered Rum
9:45- 11:00 Zilla

Tumalo Stage (Mini)
11:00-12: 00 Opener TBD
12:15-12:35 North Channel
1:25- 2:25 The Mostest
3:35- 4:40 Acorn Project
6:25- 7:25 Poor Man’s Whiskey
9:20-9:35 Poor Man’s Whiskey

(Poor Man's Whiskey performing at last year's 4 Peaks Music Festival.)

Saturday, July 26
Rockin' A Ranch Stage (Main)
10:00- 10:50 Blackstrap
12:10- 1:15 Moon Mountain Ramblers
2:30- 3:45 Flowmotion
5:00- 6:25 Poor Man’s Whiskey
8:05- 10:00 Tea Leaf Green
10:30- 11:30 Everyone Orchestra

Tumalo Stage (Mini)
11:00- 12:00 Rising Tide
1:25- 2:20 The Grain
3:55- 4:55 Izabella
6:35- 7:55 Delta Nove
10:05- 10:25 The Erins

:: ART
Internationally recognized music interpretative painters VORCAN will be making a stop at this year’s festival. Formed in 2006, VORCAN is a collaboration between two prolific artists, Vort and Cank, who started an art production company and abstract art consulting firm called in Philadelphia. They began collaboratively painting live music of all genres in a variety of venues and events throughout Philadelphia and New York City. Using the music and environment as inspiration, Vort and Cank, create fine art using collaborative imagery. VORCAN has painted over 250 events in The United States and across Europe.

“I can't wait to paint Zilla again at 4 Peaks Music Festival,” says VORCAN’s Chris Cank, “When we painted Zilla before, as the band played musicians throughout the festival began to join in. First Steve Kimock, and then Anahata, Sasha Butterfly Rose, and Lynx. There were other musicians joining in to become the Sonic Bloom Orchestra. The outcome was a waterfall of an incredible soundscape never to be replicated in history.”

Check out VORCAN's art here.


Local artist Chris “Buffalo” Folsom, known for his larger-than-life metal sculpture creations, will also be working on-site at the festival. Folsom, whose work includes strikingly graceful animal sculptures such as his piece titled “Momma Bear and Cubs in Traffic Circle” located in a Madras roundabout, will provide festival-goers with the opportunity to watch first hand as the artist creates innovative and original work.

More about Buffalo Folsom Sculpture.


::KIDS
There are plenty of fun, hands-on activities for the kids and the whole family to enjoy during the festival. Continuing from last year, kids are welcomed to create festival prayer flags which are hung on site at the festival. Fun stations for the kids to play in will be provided by local Bend businesses. such as Gigglybops, Kids Central and others. Storytelling, juggling, poi workshops, water balloons toss contests and black light mural paintings will also be available for kid’s entertainment. Parents and adults can settle in and relax at The Dragon Lounge and have some maté tea, soda, iced coffee, beer, wine, or cocktails while their children have fun hula-hooping with the best, Molly Hogan, and enjoying the kid friendly environment. Here’s the schedule:

Friday, July 25
11am- 4pm: Prayer Flags! Make your mark on the Festival by creating your own prayer flag. There will also be mask making, chalk art and fun crafts for the kids.
12 pm: Juggling & Poi Workshop with Planetary Poi and the Spinsters
1 pm: Kids Central leads Child's Play with Todd LaFrenz and Gigglybops
3 pm: Stilting for the kids, made easy with Mike Reuse from Fireflight

Saturday, July 26
11 am - 4 pm: Prayer Flags! Masks! Paintings and crafts
12 pm: Wand Making Workshop
1 pm: Kids Central leads Child's Play with Todd LaFrenz and Gigglybobs
2 pm: Hula Hoops Workshop with Molly Hogan
3 pm: Hoops Jam takes the dance bowl in the amphitheatre
4pm: Kids Parade through the Venue!

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The newest Festivarian newsletter is up with spotlight on bands Zilla and Hot Buttered Rum.

For more information, details and tickets click here or visit Ranch Records on NW Wall St. in downtown Bend.

Show Us Your Spokes Summer Concert Series

Just got this from Jeff Monson, director of Commute Options for Central Oregon: "This is a great partnership with Commute Options and Parrilla Grill. Stop in if you can." -hoc

Show Us Your Spokes Summer Concert Series at Parrilla Grill:

A Benefit for Commute Options for Central Oregon, presented by Deschutes Brewery - Sponsored by 92.7, KPOV, and the Source Weekly

Every Friday July through August from 7-10 pm; Live Local Music, Hosted By Local Businesses Donating Tons of Swag and Killer Raffle Prizes

July 11th Featured Bands The Mostest
This version of The Mostest is made up of songwriter Mark Ransom (electric guitar and vocals), Patrick Pearsall (electric bass and backing vocals), and Nick Papa (drumset). The Mostest plays original, groove-based rock n roll inspired by acts like, the Allman Brothers, The Grateful Dead, Phish and the Disco Biscuits among others. For more info about our music check our website and electronic press kit:http://www.themostest.net

The Erins
The duo opening the show for The Mostest is truly amazing. The Erins’ music, stage presence and general vibe is too good to put into words... Sweet, haunting harmonies, soaring fiddle parts and uplifting original song-craft make this sometimes local girl band way better than all the others. Back for the summer from East coast sabbatical, the Erins are ready to deliver the goods! myspace.com/theerinsband

Hosted by: The Recreation Group
The Recreation Group will raffle off (4) $50 gift cards/certificates that can go toward any activity they offer. The Recreation Group is a one stop shop for all your recreation and makes booking your trips very easy. The website is found at www.recreateoregon.com. Outfitters that will be using the system this summer include Central Oregon Adventures, Chockstone Climbing Guides, Cog Wild Bicycle Tours, Lava Lands Adventure Tours, Mountain Mopeds, Osprey Adventures, Sun Country Tours, and Sunriver Soaring, and The Truck Stop. Customers can book the following activities; ATV tours, Canoe and Kayak trips, Geocaching, Glider rides, Hummer tours, Mountain Bike tours, Rock Climbing trips, Scenic Flight tours, Skateboarding, Scooter rentals, Waverunner rentals, and White Water Rafting.

Event Summary: Eight week Friday evening concert series, featuring local artists in an eclectic blend of music styles to be held in a private outdoor venue of Parrilla Grill. Concert message will be to encourage walking, biking, and carpooling as an alternative means to transportation. Admission for attendees who have carpooled, walked or biked to the concert $4, slackers$5

All proceeds will go directly to benefit Commute Options for Central Oregon.

The restaurant will be open to the public but the private outdoor concert venue with fenced beer garden will be reserved for 21 and older with separate family seating on the deck, admission fee will be collected upon entry of fenced area. Deschutes Brewery beer will be exclusively sold in the beer garden.

Eight different local businesses will host each concert and provide sweet prizes that will be raffled off on their night. Each admission includes one raffle ticket for prizes given away from the hosting business. Additional tickets can be purchased for $1.

Concert Schedule:
July 11th
The Mostest and the Erins
hosted by The Recreation Group

July 18th
David Bowers Colony
hosted by Westside Ride and Central Oregon Outfitters

July 25th
Zenotones
hosted by TBD

August 1st
Reed Thomas Lawerance
hosted by Skjersaa's

August 8th
Sweet Harlots
hosted by Rising Star

August 15th
Steve Arnold and Friends (Black Strap Boys and more)
hosted by Pine Mt. Sports

August 22nd
Smudge Quartet (jazz band)
hosted by TBD

August 29th
Person People
hosted by Northwest Adventures

Location: Parrilla Grill
14th and Galveston
Bend, OR 97701
Phone 541 788-1639

4 Peaks Music Festival Newsletter

(Bend, OR) Kate Wells is killing the new 4 Peaks Music Festival newsletter, The Festivarian! Check out the first issue here - it's fun to read and packed with good info, including band profiles/previews, locals tips on cool places to visit and things to do in Central Oregon, info about nearby dog boarding options (sorry, no dogs allowed at the festival), the latest press about the festival and more.

Sign up for the 4 Peaks Music Festival Festivarian, and you'll be the first to know about new bands added to the line up, and you'll get all beta you need to get the most out of your 4 Peaks experience.

-hoc

4 Peaks Music Festival: Cheap Tix End May 15

Buy Discount 4 Peaks Music Festival Tickets Now, Save $24

(BEND, OR) Bend’s 4 Peaks Music Festival returns bigger and better this year, with 20 bands and 80 acres of music, food, beverages, crafts, kids fun and camping. But the biggest discount on festival tickets ends Thursday, May 15. Festival-goers can save up to $24 by purchasing specially priced Early Bird tickets now for $64.50, which includes two-day festival admission and camping. Price will then bump up to $76.50 — a $12 savings and still a bargain for two days of music and camping. As the festival nears on July 25-26 prices climb without notice to $88.75 — still a great deal, but a $24 premium for sitting on the fence.

For details, visit www.4peaksmusic.com. Tickets are available at Ranch Records in downtown Bend (831 NW Wall St., 541-389-6116), or at www.frontgatetickets.com. Vendors interested in reserving booth space should contact Will Nash at 541-788-0314 or will (AT) 4peaksmusic (DOT) com. The 4 Peaks Music Festival information hotline is 541-382-8064.

:: THE BANDS
Bands are still being finalized, but the line-up promises even bigger headliners than last summer, while still featuring local acts. Tentatively, the band roster consists of Tea Leaf Green, Zilla, Hot Buttered Rum, Everyone Orchestra, Blue Turtle Seduction, Poor Man's Whiskey, Flowmotion, Moon Mountain Ramblers, Izabella, Acorn Project, State of Jefferson, Brent Alan and His Funky Friends, The Grain, Swampthang, Masala Mostest, Rising Tide and Black Strap.

Bistro Corlise Caters Inaugural High Desert Chamber Music Concert

Last week, Chef Jason Logan catered the inaugural High Desert Chamber Music performance by the Crown City String Quartet at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. By all accounts, both the music and the food were outstanding - both welcome additions to our local arts scene.

Tonight (Tues., April 22) Bistro Corlise hosts its second regional French wine dinner, a six-course celebration of Alsace. There are just a couple of seats left for this special event - call 385-6979 for reservations. Click here for the complete menu.

-hoc

4/4 Thump Coffee Art Hop: Music, Wine, Art

Art Hop: James Simmons’ Solo Acoustic Guitar - Open Late and Pouring Wine

April New Exhibit: Robert Johans’ Avis Lofts

Continuing in April: Artists Local 101 group show, Mark Bernahl's new "Wishes"

(Bend, OR) Thump Coffee welcomes spring with an exhibit of Avis Lofts. Tumalo-based artist and custom furniture designer Robert Johans elevates the humble, utilitarian birdhouse into the fine art realm. His designs are so sleek, modern and cool it makes one wish for wings simply to be able to live in his Avis Lofts.

“Modern homes for modern birds,” is how Johans describes his creations. “Avis Lofts are meticulously handcrafted birdhouses that render a whimsical nod to the classic design elements of modern architecture,” he says. “These boxes are ornithologically functional, and feature found, recycled, or sustainable materials and natural, non-toxic finishes. They’re just as beautiful on display indoors as in the backyard.”

For Art Hop on Friday, April 4 Thump Coffee will stay open until 9:00 pm, pouring complimentary wine and showcasing the guitar talents of Thump barista James Simmons. Though Simmons took up the instrument himself only a decade ago while in his 20s, music runs deep in his blood. His father Larry played for the Grand Ole Opry and toured with top country musicians, and grandfather Buddy, uncle Don and cousin Dean are all professional musicians.

Simmons endlessly explores the possibilities of the guitar fretboard. When asked to describe his music, Simmons simply shrugs. “My friends describe my music as an eclectic mix of finger-style progressions interspersed with bluegrass-style flat picking.” His guitar heroes include father Larry Simmons, and such pioneers as Michael Hedges, Pierre Bensusan, Mike Marshall, Tony Rice, and Scott Huckabay.

Continuing in April will be a group exhibit by Artist Local 101, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting contemporary and outsider art. For many years the group has provided local artists who work “outside the box” with a vehicle for exhibiting their art, as well as a place to network with other artists. The show at Thump Coffee runs March through April and features a diverse representation of many artists affiliated with the organization, from the well established to newcomers. Artist Local 101 welcomes new members, and membership forms will be available at Thump. (left: Holly Hutton's "Mandrake Musings"; below: Lisa Wachs' "Winter Thistles")

Mark Bernhahl’s popular “Wishes” installation is hanging again, and customers are encouraged to continue creating wish planks to be rotated into the installation throughout the year.

Thump Coffee is located in downtown Bend at 25 NW Minnesota Ave. For details, visit www.ThumpCoffee.com or call 388-0226.