How do you know that summer is here? Because it’s time for Summer Sundays in Bend, OR

Spending your summer Sundays sitting on the verdant green grass of the Les Schwab Amphitheater is one of the true joys of living in Bend. Bring the whole family down, including your pooch and a picnic to enjoy this slice of magic. The kids can run barefoot through the dotted landscape of blankets or play Frisbee or ball by the bouncy houses. The cool breeze off the Deschutes River gently cools, while the brilliant blue sky dazzles above, dotted with the resident ospreys scanning the river.  The music line up this year is sensational and is all yours to enjoy for free,  a beautiful treat made possible by our generous sponsors.

Gates open at 1pm and all concerts run: 2:30-4:30pm
The Bend Memorial Clinic Free Summer Sunday Concert Series start June 22 and continue through July 27 on consecutive Sundays. Come on down to enjoy a beautiful afternoon of great music and healthy family fun. Delish food vendors, bouncy-houses and other activities will be onsite.

Here’s the full scoop on this year’s line-up::

Natural Vibrations-June 22
Natural Vibrations, aka Natty Vibes, have been driving the Pacific reggae scene for over 15 years. The band’s sound is a catchy mix of pop/rock/reggae with smooth vocal harmonies and dance rhythms.
Dynamic and energetic live concert performances from this Hawaii based band. Natural Vibrations has a reggae sound with an edgy modern style.

Randy McAllister – June 29
McAllister weaves material in the singer/songwriter tradition, with nods to a variety of styles—gospel, blues, country, Tex-Mex, rock and zydeco. McAllister’s 2002 album Givers and Takers received a Grammy nomination for his hard driving Americana  sound with a streak of Blues.
“Randy McAllister is one harp-blowin,’ blues singin,’ song-writin’ Texas bonafide blue blood with talent and power to spare. This is Blues with an attitude.” Real Blues Magazine

Cerny Brothers – July 6
The Cerny Brothers have found a home for their Midwest roots in the heart of Los Angeles. The band’s sound is definably American folk/rock genre and their songs are loaded with emotions that run deep through the musical stories of home, growing up and family. A four piece band with acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, upright bass and drums.
“One minute you’re pulled into a frenzy that makes you want to jam out and stomp your feet, then you’re thrown back into a whimsical reflective state. This band delivers great energy, style and sincerity.” ReallySF Blog

The Weather Machine – July 13
The band roots itself firmly in a Pacific Northwest folk aesthetic, but holds on tight to a hard-hitting love for alt-rock. Slater Smith’s singer-songwriter style is something he honed as a student in Sisters High School’s Americana Project program.
Last summer the band partnered with Oregon Film and Oregon State Parks to tour the entire state of Oregon, collecting footage for their debut music video. Go find it on youtube—185 state parks!

The Ballroom Thieves – July 20
Rock band in a Folk suit! The Ballroom Thieves are a high-energy rock trio performing under the guise of well-crafted, emotionally sincere folk. “The intensity and passion of The Ballroom Thieves for the songs they delivered— it was hard to believe it was just three of them.” Allston Pudding
“Get ready for a slow single-guitar buildup making way for a boot-stomping finale, complete with banjos and those trademark soaring three-part harmonies.” Adam Parshall

Dakota Brown Band-July 27
Dakota Brown and Luke Basile have been writing and performing together in their small town of Pendleton, OR for the last few years. In 2011, the Dakota Brown Band recorded and released their EP titled Find Your Way. The band’s sound and style can be described as alternative soul/pop/rock mixing their original material with covers from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Martin Sexton and Elton John.
The Dakota Brown Band is currently working with Grammy nominated producer, Brook Floyd on a full length studio release to be released in 2014. www.dakotabrownband.com.

Be sure to stop by the BMC tent at the Summer Sunday Concerts for family friendly activities and enter to win a Fun in the Sun package each week. Bend Memorial Clinic includes more than 120 providers representing 30 specialties including urgent care, primary care, specialty care, imaging and clinical services with locations in Bend, Redmond and Sisters, Oregon. The BMC Westside Clinic located in the Old Mill District will open in Fall 2014.

Thank You To Our Summer Sunday Sponsors who make this series possible!
Bend Memorial Clinic, Windermere Real Estate,  Boneyard Beer, BendBroadband, Breedlove Guitars, The Garage,  The Bulletin and the Old Mill District
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