Good morning, Bend.

On Saturday, hundreds gathered at Drake Park as the Bend Action Coalition hosted Joy as Resistance—a free public event celebrating hope and community with speakers, music, and dancing.

The celebration united many in a shared spirit of faith and joyful defiance during dark times.

The High Desert Museum opened the E.

L. Wiegand Ponderosa Playscape on Saturday, replacing the old Dig, Crawl, Climb area with new outdoor play features — including a 12-foot-tall pinecone and the Pinecone Portal carved by artist J. Chester Armstrong. Funded by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation and Bend Sustainability Fund, the playscape is designed to let children learn about the life cycle of the ponderosa pine in a fun way.

A report from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife showed that the wolf number in Central Oregon stayed near 15 as of December — with 7 in the Warm Springs pack, 5 in the Metolius pack and 3 in the Upper Deschutes pack.

The report noted pack shifts and new wolves moving into eastern areas — which has led some ranchers to worry about livestock safety.

The Environmental Center held its Earth Day Fair & Celebration yesterday at Troy Field — they cancelled the parade because planning and safety issues made it too hard to run.

Bend artist Teafly Peterson led storytelling with 8-foot puppets made from recycled materials while community members enjoyed dancing and drumming.

Deschutes County DA Steve Gunnels said an investigation showed Sheriff Kent Vander Kamp misrepresented his education by claiming degrees from USC and the University of Arizona when he earned them from University of Phoenix and Trident University while serving as a deputy from 2013 to 2018, and he has been placed on the Brady list for lacking credibility in court. Vander Kamp disputed the decision—he said a graphic designer made resume errors and he will provide further updates as decisions are made in the days ahead.

Beertown Comedy Open Mic

6:30-9 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Experience a fun-filled night with laughter from local comedians at Bend's top-rated open mic.

Macbeth Performance

6-8 p.m. — Downtown Bend Library — Free entry — Witness the chaos of ambition and madness in Shakespeare's thrilling tragedy.

Portland Cello Project Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Tower Theatre — $34–$59 — Experience an unplugged cello show featuring songs inspired by light and hope with a touch of melancholy.

April 2025 Central Oregon PubTalk

4:30-7:00 p.m. — Worthy Brewing Company — Ticket includes drink and snacks — Network with local business leaders and discover innovative pitches.

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

7 p.m. — Mountain View High School — Ticket prices vary — Experience a fantastic youth production of the classic tale with a talented student cast.

Kids Night Out with Camp Fire Central Oregon

5:30-8:30 p.m. — Amity Creek Magnet at Thompson Elementary — $40 suggested price — Let the kids enjoy games and crafts while parents take a night off.

Sleeping Beauty - The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine

2-3:30 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting love story of Sleeping Beauty with a dazzling ballet performance featuring 50 dancers and over 200 exclusive costumes.

Robert Cray Band Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Tower Theatre — VIP Package Available — Enjoy an evening with five-time Grammy winner Robert Cray as he brings his distinctive blend of blues and soul.

Yelawolf 45 Tour

8-9:30 p.m. — Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/Annex — All Ages — Experience the unique blend of hip-hop and rock from the chart-topping artist Yelawolf and special guests.

Reno and Cindy Musical Duo Performance

6-8 p.m. — Silverleaf Café — Enjoy an evening with talented duo Reno and Cindy featuring great vocals and engaging performances.