Sitting in Central Oregon Community College’s Hitchcock Auditorium last Thursday night with a bevy of independent film fans watching Chaz (formerly Chastity) Bono get his breasts removed on the big screen, I was struck by the idea that BendFilm is alive, well and active even though this year’s festival is nearly nine months away.

Thanks to BendFilm’s new documentary film series, fans of quality indie cinema won’t be out in the cold this winter. Between January and April, BendFilm is hosting four documentary film screenings, each takes on a different topic. The films are showing at either COCC’s Hitchcock Auditorium, Sisters Movie House or the Tower Theatre.

In addition to the films, BendFilm has arranged for filmmakers to attend the events. In some cases, filmmakers will join the discussion via Skype, allowing filmgoers to interact directly with the filmmakers, one of the highlights of the annual fall festival. With movies like Becoming Chaz, BendFilm hopes to create a local dialogue about a variety of issues.

Bend Velodrome Project Party

thursday 26

The Bend Velodrome Project is a collection of five folks who are passionate about bringing a velodrome (large oval track with banked corners for bike racing and training) to Bend. So passionate that they’re throwing a party to raise money and awareness about their efforts. Help them maintain momentum: contribute $5 and get a pint of beer, a raffle ticket (they have some neat stuff to give away, donated by local bike shops and other local vendors), and a chance to race your significant other in a simulated 500-meter track sprint. The heaving chests and the sweat are real. $5 suggested donation. 6pm. GoodLife Brewing, 70 SW Century Dr.

Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys

thursday 26

So Rosie Ledet is the zydeco real deal. All the magazines and newspapers say so, gushing that she’s the “premiere female zydeco artist” and “best new zydeco performer.” And she writes and sings her stuff in Creole French, which is sexy and rad. The Zydeco Playboys who tour with her aren’t too shabby either. And despite the fact that the members are mostly from Germany (wha?), their accordion and guitar playing is straight Delta sauce. $12 at the door. 21 +. Doors at 7:30pm. Show at 8pm. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

When the seminal fly fishing adventure film Trout Bums Volume 1: Patagonia was released in 2007, Thad Robison was working at a software development company creating travel applications for the airline industry. Like other fishing addicts who marveled at the fly fishing exploits of the merry band of vagabond anglers, Robison felt a pull. Unlike other anglers, though, Robison answered the call by contacting the original members of the Angling Exploration Group (AEG) that produced the film. What began as an agreement to screen the film in trout-hungry Salt Lake City quickly turned into a career.

Within a matter of months, Robison quit his corporate job and effectively joined AEG. He sold stock in a Brazilian airline to help finance the inaugural Fly Fishing Film Tour, which was anchored by AEG’s Trout Bum Diaries film and covered half a dozen cities, including Bend.

thursday 19

Yeah, we highlighted the Jamaican superstar last week, but we’re doing it again—he’s that awesome, and how often do we get authentic reggae in Central Oregon? Over the last 14 years, the prolific artist has cranked out 13 albums and more than 1,000 singles, all while advocating justice for the poor and oppressed. And the dude smokes massive amounts of marijuana, if that’s your thing. Roots reggae rockers Zamunda and Delly Ranx open the show. $21 at bendticket.com. 9pm. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.