TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! It’s looking like a spectacular week ahead. Now if only we could get a break from this daily morning smoke…

In today’s Bend Buzz:

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro

Game Night at the Museum: Experience History Through Play!

Looking for a night that’s a mix of vintage vibes and modern fun? We’re bringing history back to life with a twist! Come hang out at the High Desert Museum on Friday, May 8 for a night of gaming you won’t find anywhere else. We're talking about old-school favorites like Faro and Keno and Lotería played alongside the contemporary tabletop hits you already love, thanks to local fave Modern Games. 

Discover new games, card games, board games, and historic games! 6:30-9:00 pm. Food and drink available for purchase, including Bonta Gelato scoops. $5, members get 20% off. 6:30-9:00 pm. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, as per Museum policy.

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Lake season is baaaaaack! The county announced that the roads to the Cascade Lakes and Paulina Lake will be opening for the season at 8 AM on Thursday, May 7th. Grab your SUPs and hit the water (actually, maybe don’t quite yet, it’s still gonna be a bit chilly).

Hoping to snag some after-school care for your little ones for the 2026/27 school year? The lottery for Kids Inc. is open now and runs through May 13th. For those not in the know, Kids Inc. provides after-school care at nearly all Bend elementary schools until 5:30 PM. But spots are limited!

This past week has brought more than enough smoke into town, but at least we could rest easy(ish) knowing that it was from controlled burns. This weekend was a stark reminder, though, that wildfire season may be here sooner rather than later, as a 40-acre fire was reported 3 miles west of Sisters. Hopefully, they can get it under control quickly, and we can get back to some smoke-free days for a bit. As always, I’d highly recommend signing up for text alerts at centraloregonfire.org and/or downloading the Watch Duty app to stay up to date on fires in the area.

🛋 Staghorn Mercantile has a new location: Downtown gifts and goods store Staghorn Mercantile has a new home…and it’s a bit of a drive. They hosted their final sale at the downtown location during First Friday and by the end of the week hope to open up at their new shop in…🥁 🥁 🥁…Sisters!

🌯 Bend Breakfast Burrito is on the move: Although back to a familiar location. Bend Breakfast Burrito has moved out of Ponch’s Place and is back downtown at The Commons Cafe for the summer. You can find them there on Thursday - Sunday mornings. They’ll also be at the Downtown Farmers Market if you need your Wednesday burrito fix.

🍦 Birdsong Ice Cream reopens for the summer: The hottest trend in ice cream has returned for another summer as Birdsong Ice Cream is back open at The Podski. If you haven’t tried it yet, I’d recommend giving it a go. Their fancy swirl machine (I’m pretty sure that’s the technical name) mixes fruit into scoopable vanilla ice cream and serves it up soft-serve style.

🍓 Paradise Produce Stand reopens tomorrow: Speaking of fruit, the Paradise Produce Stand reopens for the season tomorrow (Tuesday). Expect to see fresh cherries, Oregon strawberries, and asparagus as offerings on opening day. They’ll be open seven days a week from 10 AM - 6 PM (5 PM on Sundays).

📸 @cdub.health |📍Tumalo Falls
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Cruise Travel, Designed to Feel Better

Planning a cruise today involves more than choosing a destination. Travel advisor Dana Cannon helps clients navigate ships, itineraries, and timing to create experiences that feel well-paced, comfortable, and genuinely restorative—not rushed or overwhelming.

Cruising continues to evolve, with more options centered around smaller ships, longer port stays, and onboard environments designed for ease and wellness. The most sought-after itineraries and cabins are often secured early, especially for Alaska and Europe.

Dana will be at the Bend Health & Wellness Fair on May 9—stop by to connect, ask questions, and explore thoughtful cruise planning.

Learn more:
→ What Are the Benefits of Booking with a Cruise Travel Advisor?
→ Fora Advisor Profile

☕ Cowork at Dilly Dally: Start the week with good coffee and good company at Dilly Dally. A laid-back coworking morning for anyone who needs a change of scenery from their home office. 9:30 AM Dilly Dally Coffee

🗣️ Multilingual Monday: Pull up a stool at Broken Top Bottle Shop and join a conversation that crosses languages, cultures, and accents. One of Bend's most quietly wonderful monthly gatherings. 5:30 PM Broken Top Bottle Shop

✍️ Word-for-Word Writer's Workshop: A community writing workshop at Cafe des Chutes for anyone who has stories to tell and wants a supportive space to tell them. Show up with your words — or just show up and see what happens. 6 PM Cafe des Chutes

🌸 Let's Paint Poppy Fields: Grab a brush and paint your way through a field of poppies at TEAL. A beautiful and relaxing Monday evening that'll make you feel like you're somewhere in the French countryside. 6 PM Bend Tea & Art Lounge

🎤 Sing Your Face Off: Come and sing just for the heck of it. No experience (or talent) necessary. 6 PM UPP Liquids

☕ Coffee & Clarity: Start the week off right with a morning of coffee and conversation with a fun group of ladies. 8:30 AM The Grove

🎯 Leading with a Purpose: A leadership event at Tetherow focused on impact, intention, and what it actually means to lead well. A worthwhile afternoon for anyone building something in Central Oregon. 4 PM The Pavilion at Tetherow

🌮 Cinco de Mayo w/ The Rumpeppers: The Commonwealth Pub celebrates Cinco de Mayo with live music from The Rumpeppers. Festive, fun, and a great Tuesday night out. 5 PM The Commonwealth Pub

🪅 Hawk & Huck Cinco de Mayo Pop-up: A Cinco de Mayo pop-up at UPP Liquids bringing good energy, good goods, and full fiesta vibes to your Tuesday evening. 6 PM UPP Liquids

🕯 Hanai Open House: Slow down for the evening at Hanai’s weekly open house. Here you can enjoy a cup of tea, work on an art project, or just enjoy the stillness of their grounds. 4 - 7 PM Hanai

🌮 Cinco de Mayo Party at Papi Chulo’s: Head to the box factory for a fiesta at Papi Chulo’s. There will be music by Mr. Danimals, special margaritas, and plenty more! 5 - 9 PM Papi Chulo’s

🌈 Pink Floyd Sound Bath: This experience blends live music with slow, intentional movement, breathwork, and spacious stillness, gently guiding participants into altered states of awareness. 6 PM Unity Spiritual Community

🎉 Cinco de Mayo at River's Place: River's Place joins the Cinco de Mayo party with a proper celebration. More tacos, more music, more reasons to love a Tuesday. 6 PM River's Place

💃 Repertory Dance Theatre: A stunning evening of contemporary dance at the Tower Theatre. The kind of performance that reminds you what a human body is actually capable of. 7:30 PM Tower Theatre

Bluegrass Collective | Silver Moon | 7 PM

Matthew Marcus McDaniel | Silver Moon | 6:30 PM | Tickets
The Rumpeppers | The Commonwealth Pub | 7 PM

Friday:

🎻 Portland Cello Project at Tower Theatre
🎵 Homegrown Music Fest at the Century Center
🛠 Makers Night at Craft Kitchen & Brewery
🧺 Elevation Farmers Market at Elevation Bend
🕊 Wildbird Market at The Commons

Saturday:

🐤 Think Wild's 6th Annual Wildlife Baby Shower at Oregon Spirit Distillers
🏃‍♀ Happy Girls Run at Riverbend Park
🚸 Bend Children’s Festival at Drake Park
♻ Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show at The Pavilion
😆 Hot Mess Fest at Craft Kitchen & Brewery
🤣 Bend Vs. Boise Comedy Showdown at UPP Liquids
🧺 Bend Creators Market at Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center

Sunday:

🤣 Paula Poundstone at Tower Theatre
🥞 Mother’s Day Brunch at Monkless Brasserie
🍸 Moms & Margs at 10 Barrel Westside
🍾 Moms! Makers! Mimosas! at Old Bend Ironworks

Live Music:

Homegrown Music Festival at Century Center
Fern Spores at Silver Moon
Tylor & the Train Robbers at Silver Moon
Electric Six at Volcanic Theatre Pub

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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