Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend’s Old Mill District is picking up the beat this summer with a danceable lineup of bands for its St. Charles free Summer Sunday Concerts. July 14 features the Tumbleweed Wanderers.
The Sunday afternoon concerts have become a weekend family gathering favorite for locals and visitors all around Central Oregon. For the fourth consecutive year, St. Charles Bend is the title sponsor for the event as part of its mission to create America’s healthiest community, together.
Gates open each Sunday at 1pm and the shows run from 2:30-4:30pm.
July 14 Tumbleweed Wanderers
Jeremy Lyon and Zak Mandel-Romann formed Tumbleweed Wanderers in March 2011. Sharing a mutual admiration of the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get it On and Fleet Foxes Ragged Wood the two dropped out of college to pursue music full-time. They recruited keyboardist Patrick Glynn, who Zak has played with since he was ten, drummer Daniel Blum, who Jeremy met when he was sweeping the floors of a recording studio and Rob Fidel, who Jeremy met at an open mic on the first day of college. As of now, they’re recording their debut EP, due out in September, as well as performing anywhere and everywhere from clubs to open mics to busking on the street.
July 21 Sassparilla, Punk Blues
July 28 Tony Smiley, Loop Ninja
August 4 Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, Cajun/Zydeco/Creole
Live music will be rounded out by many other family-oriented activities, such as bouncy houses and delicious food vendors. Tumalo Creek Kayak will have stand-up paddle boards and boats for rent during concerts and St. Charles Bend will have expert caregivers from various departments ready to answer questions and hand out important information.