I'll cut to the chase here: I've been listening to essentially one band for the past two days and that band is called Pickwick. They are a bunch of nerdy-looking Seattle indie rockers who have, seemingly impossibly, decided to play soul music.

And the soul music they play is incredible. More incredible, perhaps, is the fact that they're playing a free show tonight at McMenamins Old St. Francis School.

Here's a video of the band playing "Hacienda Motel" in the studios at KEXP. If this song doesn't make you want to dance...I hate to break it to you, but you're probably a huge jerk. Sorry. But you are. Everybody thinks so. The show is at 7pm and it's freaking free!

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRpo2zWZ6lc&feature=relmfu 575x344]

If you still want to dance after this relatively early show, get your bad self to the Silver Moon where another Seattle band will be there to get you moving. Polyrhthmics, a horn-equipped Afrofunk band will be in the house with their world-spanning sound. That show is at 9pm.

Here they are in action.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVO0VT6ho0M 575x344]

While the BendFilm festival remains a painful nine months in the future, BendFilm is giving Bend a much-needed shot of indie cinema in venues throughout the area this winter and spring.

The series kicks off on January 26 with a screening of the documentary, Becoming Chaz, a film that documents Chaz Bono's journey through his transgender reassignment. The film is co-presented by COCC and the Human Dignity Coalition and tickets are $10. The screening is at 6:30pm in the Hitchcock Auditorium.

Here's a look:

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLUy2L3PjQU&noredirect=1 575x344]

Then on Sunday, January 29, BendFilm brings My So Called Enemy, a documentary about Palestinian and Israeli girls who become friends, to the Sisters Movie House. That kicks off at 1pm. Tickets are $12 at the door or at bendfilm.org. The director will be available for a Skype Q&A following the screening.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEKYUp5D2_s 575x344]

Then on February 9, you can get a look at the Best in Show winner from the 2011 BendFilm festival, This Way of Life, which tells the story of a white man raised by a Maori family in New Zealand who faces incredible obstacles as he raises his own family. The filmmakers will be Skyped in for a Q&A all the way from New Zealand following the screening at the Tower Theater.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd-XQ9ZxidY 575x344]

Finally, on April 12, you can get your eyes on my favorite documentary of the entire festival, The Clean Bin Project. This film follows a young couple through a year in which they try to produce zero waste. It's funny and personable, but also makes you think twice about whether you really need that plastic straw that comes in your cocktail. Directors (who double as the stars) Jen and Grant, will be on hand to discuss the film. 7pm, Tower Theatre. 

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFilb-VhAGE 575x344]