Accelerate Bend Celebration

thursday 13

Over the summer, Bendites dreamed up dozens of ways to “accelerate” bringing their visions for the future into reality. Go check out their cool ideas. Free. All ages. 6-8 p.m. COCC’s Campus Center, 2600 NW College Way.

Mexican Independence Week

thursday 13 – saturday 15

Three different events in Bend, Sunriver and Redmond will commemorate Mexico’s liberation. U of O history professor Stephanie Wood lays the historic foundation Thursday night at the Bend Public Library with a discussion of early colonization efforts as told through colonial-era maps. 6:30 p.m. Free. All ages. East Bend Public Library. On Friday, historian Robert Hacket will discuss the post-Cortez Mexico, noon at the Sunriver Public Library. The week ends with a celebration at the Festival of Cultures in Redmond that includes kids booths, family activities, flamenco dancing, Mexican folklore and is capped by a naturalization ceremony for newly minted American citizens. Free. All ages. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Redmond Centennial Park.

If you don’t think farts are funny, don’t bother showing up.

That’s what Bend theater producer and actor David Simpson said about the Mel Brooks mania taking over the Tower Theatre next week, including showings of Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Cat Call’s full scale production of The Producers.

In a serious case of art imitating life, Simpson steps out of his role as real-life producer to play on-stage producer Max Bialystock in Brooks’ film turned musical. Bend big timers, Cat Call Productions, in their yearly musical theater blowout, tackle the celebrated show. Past shows have included 2009’s Cabaret, 2010’s Little Shop of Horrors and last year’s hugely successful Chicago.