Primal stream therapy, April 29

This pandemic has made couch potatoes of us all, but fortunately you don't have to just sit there. Virtual concerts are coming to keep your ears entertained. So tune in and turn up: This is primal stream therapy.

A Franti-less summer? 

A Bend summer concert season without a performance from Michael Franti & Spearhead is almost unthinkable. But alas, the soul/roots/reggae/hip-hop artist is the latest artist to cancel or postpone their Les Schwab Amphitheater performance. Franti and special guest Bombargo canceled their July 17 performance at the amphitheater, making this the latest concert in Les Schwab's season to cancel so far.

He follows country star Chris Young, who canceled his performance at the venue May 8, and roots rocker Brandi Carlile, who postponed her show May 23 and plans to reschedule.

The amphitheater seems to be taking a cautious approach with its schedule and allowing artists to cancel as they see fit, rather than announce a blanket cancellation of the season. Bob Dylan's now season-opening show is rapidly approaching June 4. Stay tuned here or at bendconcerts.com for all the latest.

A screenshot from a recent video upload to NPT Benefit Performances featuring singer-songwriter Matt Puccio Jr.

NPT Benefit Performances

Every month for many years now, the Non Profit Tunes benefit concerts have featured local songwriters performing "in the round" to help raise funds for Central Oregon charities and nonprofit organizations. In recent years, the event moved from venue to venue, eventually finding homes at The Commons and Worthy Brewing.

Of course with the pandemic in full swing, the benefits have been put on hold. But organizer Thomas Hudson started sharing video of past NPT performances over the last two years to a new Facebook page, NPT Benefit Performances. Videos release on the page at 9 a.m. daily, alongside links to the featured artist's PayPal or Venmo accounts so that people can donate.

After years of helping out nonprofits in Central Oregon -- and with the pandemic wiping out many artists' incomes -- these musicians deserve all the support they can get. So go give it.

Worthy Roots

It wouldn't be primal stream therapy without a check-in with the Worthy Roots Relief Fund live streams. The final April stream hits at 6 tonight with Bill Powers of Honey Don't and The Silvertone Devils (check it out here). Then, catch Joseph Balsamo
of Boxcar Stringband at 6 p.m. Saturday here.

As always, Worthy Brewing will donate $5 from every six-pack sold on concert day to the Worthy Roots Relief Fund. The fund will be distributed to the performers, as well as others in need in the music industry on a nomination basis, according to Bend Roots Revival co-founder Mark Ransom. Check last week's primal stream therapy post for more information on how that will work.

Full stream ahead

Every week with these I round up what I can find on ye olde interwebs, but I'm sure I'm missing stuff. How does your pandemic streaming schedule look? Are you a musician performing live stream concerts in Central Oregon? I want to know about it. Comment below or email: brian.mcelhiney@gmail.com.