thursday 5

Once there was a man who came to Bend from the other side of the mountains and began playing a weird, one-man-band sort of rock and roll. His name was Tony Smiley and they called him the Loop Ninja. We profiled the Ninja himself in this week’s screen section. Free. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.

First Friday

friday 6

There will be art in 2012. Oh yes, there will be art. And with the weather looking more like spring than winter this year, expect plenty of action downtown and in the Old Mill on the first art walk of the year on Friday night. Check out the Local Arts section of our events calendar for some pointers of what to see and where to see it. Begins at 5pm and continues until, like, whenever people are done looking at the talent of our locals.

Free Nordic Ski Lesson

wednesday 28

Want to learn how to Nordic ski, but got turned off by cost of lessons? Then take advantage of this free session. You can even rent the gear from Pine Mountain Sports for free while you get real, on-snow experience under the watchful eyes of a seasoned vet. All you have to do is email bendskibuddy@gmail.com to nail down a time. Do it on your own time, because this an ongoing offering brought to you by the Central Oregon Nordic Club. Pick up your gear at Pine Mountain Sports, 255 SW Century Dr.

The Blind Boys of Alabama

thursday 22

We regret to tell you that this show is sold out, but if you have a secret “ticket guy” or something like that who can hook you up with entrance to this holiday-themed show, we recommend you do that. The Blind Boys of Alabama have been making music for more than seven decades and are bringing their gospel sounds to Bend for this special “Go Tell it on a Mountain" holiday concert. 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

Comedy Benefit for Christian Ruwalt

friday 23

It’s been more than a month since Last Comic Standing wrapped up and you’re probably looking for a laugh fix, right? Several of the comics from the competition are teaming up to help out Christian Ruwalt, a 4-year-old boy who is recovering from his third heart surgery. Assist with the little guy’s medical costs by coming to this laugh-a-thon featuring the comedy of Chelsea Woodmansee (the Last Comic Standing champion), Samantha Albert, Stan Whiton and many of the other familiar faces you’re getting used to laughing at around these parts. Admission is $10, but that price actually covers your first beer. Get in the holiday spirit, comedy fans, and check out this show. Doors at 7pm. 8pm. Old Stone Church, 157 NW Franklin Ave.

Third Annual Brewgrass Jamboree

friday 23

There’s a holiday out there that is terribly under-celebrated during these busy winter times and that’s Christmas Eve Eve. No, that wasn’t a typo. We’re talking about the day before Christmas Eve during which you’re supposed to be free of most familial expectations and can hit the bars to shake out the Christmas stress. Well, for this CEE (we’re calling it that now) we recommend you descend upon the Silver Moon Brewing Co. for the third installment of the annual Brewgrass Jamboree. The charity event (bring two cans of food for entry) features the Bond Street Bluegrass All-Stars, comprised of members of your favorite twangy bands including, Moon Mountain Ramblers, Tone Red, Blackstrap and others. 7pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

Community Christmas Eve Service

saturday 24

We’re not total heathens over here at the Source, as some of you might think. That’s why we recommend the less-churchy among you hit up the Tower Theatre for one of the three community services on Christmas Eve. The annual event is celebrated by everyone’s favorite local weatherman, Bob Shaw, (sorry Burkel) and features the music of Annie Bethancourt, Michael Watson and Grace Laxson. There’s also cookies, drinks and more. Services at 3pm, 5pm and 7pm. $5 adults; kids 11 and under, free. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

Christmas Day

sunday 25

There’s nothing going on anywhere on this day. Hang out with your family or something. Or get creative. Just enjoy yourself. We can’t tell you everything to do, OK? Sorry, that was the holiday stress speaking.

History Pub: “Whiskey Flat and Prohibition”

tuesday 27

One of our favorite learning events is back right before the end of the year! History Pub, which brings education and drinking together in a blissful marriage at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, take on Bend’s prohibition years with a presentation by Tor Hanson. The discussion will cover the whiskey stills and homebrew operations that had become a staple of Bend’s mill neighborhoods (and still possibly are) and how the moonshining gangs mixed it up with local police. Come thirsty and curious. 6pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.

Vima Lupwa Homes, Zambian Children’s Art

through december

As we’ve profiled in this paper, Vima Lupwa, is a local nonprofit founded by Bend’s own Malerie Pratt, that provides a loving foster home for a handful of the most needy among Zambia’s more than one million orphans. This show, which will be present on the walls of Thump Coffee for the month of December, features the work of the children in Zambia who live at the Vima Lupwa home. Check it out and then check out this excellent charity. Runs through Dec. Thump Coffee, 25 NW Minnesota Ave, Ste 2.

Fruition

wednesday 28

Things are a bit quiet between Christmas and New Years around these parts, but let us get you hip to two different free shows to check out while things are slow. First off is an appearance by Fruition, an American roots band we can wholeheartedly recommend. Free. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.

Scott Pemberton Band

thursday 29

The second free pre-2012 show we’ll direct you toward is this show from Scott Pemberton, who is making himself quite well known around these parts as of late. Show up to this gig and check out his improvisational jam guitar that might bring to mind legends like Dick Dale and Grant Green…or so his fans say. Free, all ages. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.

Tacos for Life Party with Strive Roots

thursday 15

Amalia’s likes to go big, as we learned last year when the downtown Mexican eatery sponsored the enormous Cindo de Mayo street party that featured the sounds of Ozomatli and the screams of about, oh, 87 million people. Now, Amalia’s is holding a contest that gives its winner “tacos for life” – meaning they get a free taco every damn day until they die. Local reggae and rock band Strive Roots provides the music to the announcement party. 7pm. Amalia's, 915 NW Wall St.

Christmas Kayak on the Deschutes River

friday 16

There are silly holiday traditions and then there are awesome traditions, and this event fits into the latter category. Head down to Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe and bring a fully decorated human-powered boat to guide down the river along with other festive paddlers. And you should probably wear an ugly Christmas sweater, too, because it’s going to be cold out there. If you’re afraid of getting wet or do not count yourself among the ranks of paddlers, line up along the river and check out this spectacle. Paddlers meet at 3:30pm, spectators can expect boats in the water by 4:30pm. Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, 805 SW Industrial Way, #6.

Empty Space Orchestra with White Orange

saturday 17

As we’ve told you over and over, Empty Space Orchestra is playing at the Silver Moon Brewing Co., every Saturday this month (with the exception of Christmas Eve of course. These guys need a vacation, too, people.). While you probably know all about the technical instrumental excellence of ESO, let us introduce you to White Orange, this week’s opening band. The Portland quartet plays a dynamic, spacey brand of rock music that might remind you of Dinosaur Jr…or maybe even ESO themselves, but with vocals, of course. $5 at bendticket.com/$7 door. 9pm. Silver Moon Brewing Co., 24 NW Greenwood Ave.

Tony Smiley

saturday 17

We definitely fell in love with Tony Smiley this year thanks to his nifty work with loop pedals and other effects that allow him to become the 2011 version of a one-man band. But here’s the thing: his music isn’t hokey and it’s not contrived at all, even if he is the only dude making all that sound. His songs range from indie rock to funk and this Holiday Extravaganza, as they’re calling it, will be a nice way to ramp up for the upcoming festivities. 9pm. Players Bar & Grill, 25 SW Century Dr.

Handel's Messiah

saturday-sunday 17-18

We’ve given you plenty of Christmasy things to do over the course of the last few weeks, including some play recommendations in this week’s Culture section. But let us fill you in on a classier, more high-minded holiday affair: a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Central Oregon Mastersingers, accompanied by an 18-piece orchestra, under the direction of Clyde Thompson. Watch our great local talent perform this timeless tradition. There are four shows this weekend, so you have no excuse for missing this. Saturday at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sunday at 2pm. $18 at towertheatre.org. 2pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall.

Brandi Carlile

monday 19

That’s right, Brandi Carlile, arguably Bend’s favorite out-of-town singer-songwriter, is coming back to town for the third time this year. But this time she’s all on her own and playing a solo acoustic show. Check out the On Stage column for more about this Seattle-based songstress’ sold out show. Secret Sisters open the show. Bring a toy to be donated to Toys for Tots. Sold out. 7pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.

Tom Grant Christmas

thursday 22

The jazz fever that has grasped a faction of Bend’s population by the ears doesn’t break for the holiday season, which is why the Jazz at the Oxford continues next week. This time, the Oxford brings to town Portland smooth jazz pioneer Tom Grant, who will tickle the ivories and croon his way into your hearts. Also appearing are Shelly Rudolph and Jackie Nicole. $35 at bendticket.com. 8pm. The Oxford Hotel, 10 Minnesota Ave.

The Blind Boys of Alabama

thursday 22

Hey there music fan, flip the darn page and take a look at James Williams’ interview with the Blind Boys of Alabama, the legendary gospel group that’s been touring the country for more than 70 years. This show is a holiday performance they’re calling "Go Tell It on a Mountain." $35 at towertheatre.org. 7:30pm. Thursday, Dec 22. Tower Theatre, 735 NW Wall St.

Bingo (with Beer)

thursday 22

There’s not a whole lot going on as we get closer and closer to the Christmas weekend, but if you can’t get tickets to the Blind Boys, make your way to the Cascade Lakes Lodge for a jolly round or two of bingo…with a beer, of course. There are cash prizes and donations go to First Story, a nonprofit housing organization. 7pm-10pm Cascade Lakes Lodge, 1441 SW Chandler Ave.

The Dimes

wednesday 7

A couple years ago this Portland indie-folk-pop band came to Bend and stunned us with a bevvy of historically themed songs wrapped up in incredible melodies. Today, the band remains a strong force in the Northwest acoustic music scene, with their soft and floaty tunes that will have your head bobbing and your mind moving. And this is a free show, people. 7pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St.