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- 🔥It's too early for this much smoke
🔥It's too early for this much smoke
New Indian and Pho spots open, prescribed burns bring smoke into Bend, and your pride weekend event lineup
TOGETHER WITH
Good morning, Bend! Here’s your daily dose of news and events that are more enjoyable to wake up to than a room full of wildfire smoke.
In today’s Bend Buzz:
🍛 New Indian and Pho spots open
🔥 Prescribed burns blanket Bend with smoke
🌈 Your Pride weekend preview
Let’s get to it.
— Emily Randolph & Derek Carlson
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SNAPSHOTS
🔥 Prescribed burns blanket Bend in smoke
I think I can speak for everyone in town when I say that waking up at 2:30 AM on Tuesday morning to AQI levels in the 300s was a rather unpleasant experience. Prescribed burns were taking place just south of town, and the smoke really settled in after the sun went down. As we get into summer and the heart of fire season, make sure to check out Central Oregon Fire Info to see updates on wildfires and prescribed burns. You can also sign up to receive text alerts so you’re not caught off guard with your windows down next time (clearly I need to sign up as well!).
🏆️ Caldera girls & boys track teams bring home the gold
Bend’s newest high school showed out at the state track and field championships with both the girls and the boys team taking home the team 5A titles. The trophy case at Caldera is filling up very quickly with an impressive collection of awards!
BUSINESS HAPPENINGS
🍜 Pho 88 brings Vietnamese to the Old Mill: Want to fill up on a warm bowl of Pho before heading to a concert at the Amphitheater? Well, now you can, as Pho 88 is officially open in the Old Mill. Located in the Old Mill Works Pub spot, they have totally transformed the space and are serving up some pretty dang good food (we stopped in after a movie during their soft open and had a very good meal).
🍛 Crown Curry is open in the old Nome location: This is the second Indian restaurant to open its doors in 2025! Crown Curry has taken over the space previously occupied by Nome off of Century Drive. We haven’t tried it yet (nor have we tried Spiceland), but can’t wait to stop by!
@THEBENDBUZZ
📸 @_emmaflynn |📍Cascade Lakes Highway
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TOGETHER WITH ELITE TEEPEES
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⛺️ Book now and let Elite Teepees create an unforgettable summer moment you’ll never forget.
P.S. - Want to check out Elite Teepees in person? They’ll be at the Northwest Crossing farmers market on Saturday in the family-friendly Sprout Zone!
LOCAL LOWDOWN
Wednesday 6.4
🧀 Beer & Cheese Pairing: Ale Apothecary teams up with Wild Petals Provisions for a dreamy pairing of farmhouse ales and artisan cheeses. There's no doubt that it's as good as it sounds. 5:30 PM The Ale Apothecary
🥕 Downtown farmers market: It’s getting to that time of year where it feels like there is new produce every week at the market. Last week, the raspberries showed up in force, and we can’t wait to see what’s new this time. 11 AM - 3 PM Brooks Alley
💃 Swing Night with Haute Mélange: Live swing tunes and a dance floor ready for twirls, dips, and maybe a few missteps. All are welcome. 6 PM Silver Moon Brewing
📽️ Out There: A National Parks Story: This docu-film showcases the beauty and legacy of U.S. national parks. Perfect for park nerds, road trip dreamers, and everyone in-between. 6:30 PM Tower Theatre
🥾 5K Trail Tour: Love running but not quite ready to sign up for that ultra? This women-focused trail series is all about building confidence, enjoying local trails, and keeping a steady 5K pace, with plenty of camaraderie along the way. Sign up for one or all and get out on the trail! 6 PM Alternating trails in Bend
Thursday 6.5
🚴♀️ Trail Ready MTB Skills Clinic (Women’s): Grit Clinics hosts a skills session just for women. Perfect if you're new to mountain biking or just want to level up. 5 PM Seventh Mountain
🌈 Let’s Have a Kiki: This weekly queer gathering is part hangout, part dance party, part creative explosion. If you haven’t kiki’d yet, now’s the time. 7 PM Dogwood at the Pine Shed
🧠 Trivia on the Moon: Test your knowledge and sip a pint while you’re at it. Pro tip: come with a team name that’ll make the whole bar chuckle. 7 PM Silver Moon Brewing
🎀 Ribbon Cutting for Glamorous Beauty Studio: Glam up your Thursday with a ribbon-cutting celebration for Bend’s newest beauty spot. There will be free refreshments and a raffle to keep the party going! 12 PM Glamorous Beauty Studio
💃 Party Latino: Reggaeton, salsa, bachata, if you need a reason to dance on a Thursday night, this is it. 8:30 PM The Capitol
📚 Family Story Time: For the mini bookworms and their grownups, this storytime hits all the right notes, fun, educational, and super cute. Ages 0-5. 9:30 AM Downtown Library
🌈PRIDE ROUNDUP🌈
It’s officially Pride weekend in Bend, and the lineup is looking fabulous. From pool parties and 5Ks to drag brunches and burlesque, here’s your guide to celebrating loud and proud:
Friday 6.6
🎉 Cliché: Pride Kickoff Party: The party starts at Volcanic with DJs, dancing, and all the queer joy you can handle. Expect high energy, cute fits, and a dance floor that doesn’t quit. 8 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub
✨Glitter Nips & Rainbow Bits: The name says it all—expect a sparkly, spicy night of burlesque that will leave you glitter-covered for days. 8 PM Bunk & Brew
Saturday 6.7
🏃🏽♀️Pride 5K: Start your Saturday with some movement and color! This community fun run through Drake Park is open to all speeds and sparkles. 10:15 AM Drake Park
🏳️🌈Bend Summer Pride: The big celebration! Live music, vendors, food trucks, drag, and dancing—all in the heart of downtown Bend. 11 AM Drake Park
🥳Bend Pride Afterparty: Keep the party going at Silver Moon with live DJs, drinks, and a packed dance floor. 8 PM Silver Moon
🍒La Bon Burlesque: Fruity: Celebrate Pride with a sultry and playful burlesque show bursting with fruit-inspired acts and queer creativity. 7 PM Craft Kitchen
Sunday 6.8
👑 Diva Drag Brunch: Fuel up with brunch and a fierce show hosted by some of Central Oregon’s favorite queens. 11 AM Campfire Hotel
💦Cliché Pool Party: Close out Pride weekend poolside with music, drinks, and sun-drenched good vibes. 2 PM Campfire Hotel
💃🏼Whether you’re dancing till 2 AM, strutting in the 5K, or lounging at brunch, this Pride weekend is all about showing up as your full, authentic self. See you out there, Bend!
LIVE MUSIC
Wednesday 6.4
Paul Eddy | Cascade Lakes Reed Market Pub | 5:30 PM
Larkspur Stand | Bevel Craft Brewing | 6 PM
Jesse Mead | Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 | 6 PM
Haute Mélange | Silver Moon | 6 PM | Tickets
The Vibe Shiftas | McMenamins | 7 PM
Cassia Dawn | Portello Wine & Spirits | 7 PM
One Mad Man | Worthy Brewing | 7:30 PM
Scott Foxx | The Commonwealth Pub | 7:30 PM
Thursday 6.5
Mumford & Sons | Hayden Homes | 6:30 PM | Tickets
Tensa & The Mourners w/ Jackrat, Dogger | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Paul Eddy | Cascade Lakes 7th Street | 5:30 PM
Eric Leadbetter | Northside Bar & Grill | 8 PM
Rusty McRae | The Lot | 6 PM
Evan Mullins | The Grove | 6 PM
Shine Sweet Moon | Austin Mercantile | 4:30 PM
Precious Byrd | COCC | 6 PM
Blippi | Deschutes County Expo Center | 6 PM | Tickets
Mari & The Dream | River’s Place | 6 PM
Anderson Knight Koenig | The Commonwealth Pub | 7:30 PM
Annika Hankshaw | Bar Rio | 6 PM
Cassia Dawn | Portella Wine and Spirits | 7 PM
WHO’S HIRING IN BEND
Looking for your next job? Here are some local listings that have popped up over the last week.
Certified Pilates Instructor at Foundation Health & Fitness
Flower Waterer at Downtown Bend
Adventure Guide at C.A.M.P. Bend
Marketing Associate at VRCCO
Remote Services Representative at Mid Oregon Credit Union
Searching for a new job? Browse the full job board
Looking for local candidates for your open position? Post your job
THANKS!
Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!
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