No doubt about it - The Gorge Giggin’ Guide is in Fair and Festival Mode! Whether you’re at the County Fair, the Bluegrass Festival, or one of the special benefit shows coming up this week - You're Gonna Have A Good Time! Get Out There!

The Dalles is
Little Music City

Tuesday, July 21

Little Music City was founded in The Dalles, Oregon by a group of individuals passionate about music and their community. https://www.littlemusiccity.com/

Tuesday July 21, 2026

Reddy Black Trio at Zim's Sports Bar, 7 p.m.

Ruins Tuesday: MØTRIK w/ Night Heron

The Ruins in Hood River, Tuesday, July 21

Portland’s MØTRIK are “America’s Best Krautrock Band,” channeling the genre’s driving pulse through a kaleidoscope prism of cosmic textures, hypnotic rhythms, and alien clarity.

Tickets at: https://www.theruins.org

All Ruins Tuesdays shows are a $5 cover if you arrive before 7 p.m., and $10 cover if you arrive after that. Tickets for these shows are only available at the door. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. No early entry! The shows are all-ages until 7 p.m. and then 13+ after.

Wednesday, July 22

Hood River County Fair

The Hood River County Fair is here! Join the fun July 22–25 at the Hood River Fairgrounds for carnival rides, live music, livestock exhibits, family entertainment, delicious food, and so much more. Get ready for four days of summer fun! More information: HoodRiverFairgrounds.com

Hood River County Fair Entertainment Schedule

Entertainment (Main Stage on the Football Field)
is included with paid Fair Admission

Friday, July 24, 6:30 p.m.

Los Bondadosos & Grupo Maravilla de Robin Revilla

“Los Bondadosos is a unique group with its own style and a 55-year-old leadership.”

Saturday, July 25, 6:15 p.m.

CASCADE HIGH (Saturday Night Opening Band)

We're proud to welcome one of Hood River's own to the main stage! Featuring Al Hare, Matt McCravey, and Nolan Hare, this talented group brings decades of musical experience and chemistry built from years of playing together. After officially forming the band last year, they've developed a dynamic sound that blends seasoned musicianship with fresh energy. Don't miss this special hometown performance as they take the stage to kick off an unforgettable night, opening for BlackHawk at the Hood River Fair.

Saturday July 25, 8:15 p.m.

BlackHawk

For more than 20 years, BlackHawk has shared a unique sense of harmony with their voices, their songs and their fans. It’s a harmony that has sold over 7 million albums, scored some of the most distinctive country radio hits of the ‘90s, and still draws tens of thousands of fans to their electrifying live performances. Today BlackHawk continues to honor its past as it forges its future, and does it all with a commitment that takes their music – and the harmony – to a whole new level.

Sunset Music Series at Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks

Wednesday, July 22, Big River Blues Band, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

64 oz. Taphouse in Hood River brings live music to the stage.

Wednesday, July 22, Sonny Hess & Lady Kat, 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 23

Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival

July 23-26

https://www.facebook.com/CGBluegrassF

The Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival, in scenic Stevenson, WA, is a unique blend of the best in bluegrass music. The event features amazing talent, workshops including Chick's Kids, Jammers Jamboree, fine craft and food vendors, a beer garden, and nightly dances. Located only 45 minutes from Portland, OR, event camping is available with hot showers and an unforgettable vista.

Hood River County Education Foundation Presents:
Jennifer Batten & Full Steam

The Ruins in Hood River

Tickets at: https://www.theruins.org

Thursday, July 23

Join HRCEF this summer to see Jennifer Batten and Full Steam live at the Ruins! There will be a food cart on-site, along with a raffle for a variety of vacations. This show is a benefit for Hood River County Education Foundation.

Jennifer Batten is a groundbreaking electric guitarist whose innovative style first gained attention in the guitar underground before earning widespread recognition in major music publications. She rose to global fame after being selected from over 100 guitarists to join Michael Jackson’s band, touring the world for a decade on the Bad, Dangerous, and HIStory tours and performing in the record-breaking Super Bowl XXVI halftime show.

Friday, July 24

The Builders & The Butchers w/Sunbathe at Trout Lake Hall

https://www.troutlakehall.com/

Friday, July 24, $20 Advance // $25 Day Of Show, 6 p.m. Doors / 7 p.m. Show, All Ages

THE BUILDERS & THE BUTCHERS

It’s been four years since Portland, Oregon’s The Builders and the Butchers released their sixth studio album, Hell & High Water. That album received rave reviews and led to sold out shows - including opening for The Dead South at 3,000 capacity venues across the U.S. Their 2026 album No Tomorrow was produced and recorded by multi-instrumentalist bandmate Ray Rude at his own Laundry Room Studio. It will be released on April 9th, 2026 via Badman Recording Co.

SUNBATHE

Sunbathe is a guitar-pop band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2015 by songwriter Maggie Morris. Known for her ethereal vocals and introspective songwriting, Morris radiates the smarts and edge of Liz Phair at her anthemic best, but with delicate golden guitar and a glut of catchy harmonies that would make James Mercer shed a little tear. The live band has an exceptional lineup including Adria Ivanitsky, Tyler Figley, and Skyler Hamler. Together, the band has an energetic and joyful presence on stage and a signature sound characterized by shimmering guitars, sweeping melodies, and a deep sense of emotional resonance.

The Dalles is
Little Music City

Little Music City was founded in The Dalles, Oregon by a group of individuals passionate about music and their community. https://www.littlemusiccity.com/

Friday July 24

Infamous Soul at Bargeway, 7 p.m.

Got Your Six at Zim's Sports Bar, 7 p.m.

Kalida at Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River

Friday, July 24, Live Music with Kalida, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Kalida is a soulful Americana and blues-rock band from Portland, Oregon, known for their groove-driven sound, lyrically rich songwriting, and tight live performances.

The Dalles is
Little Music City

Saturday, July 25

Little Music City was founded in The Dalles, Oregon by a group of individuals passionate about music and their community. https://www.littlemusiccity.com/

Saturday July 25

The West Goats at Bargeway, 7 p.m.

(TBA) at Zim's Sports Bar, 7 p.m.

Americana Trio at Phelps Creek

Americana Trio at Phelps Creek in Hood River, 6-8 p.m.

Kerry Williams, Michelle Goguen & Chic. Mandolin, rich harmonies and standout Americana performances. Another beautiful evening in our Hood River tasting room, celebrating Gorge talent and Gorge-ous wines.

DJ PopnFresh at River City Saloon

Saturday, July 25, 9:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.

The party is back at River City Saloon in The Dalles! Get ready for an unforgettable night as DJ PopnFresh brings the mixed hits and high-energy vibes all night long. Grab your friends, hit the dance floor, and let's make it a night to remember!

Sunday, July 26

Benefit concert for Logan Kalsch

The Bargeway Pub in The Dalles

Sunday, July 26, 5 p.m.

Got You r Six - Veter an Band, 6 p.m.
Walk Thro ugh Fire, 7 p.m.
Cascade High Band, 8 p.m.
Our dear friend Logan Kalsch was in a serious motorcycle accident and is now facing unexpected medical bills after surgery. Logan has always been there for others, and now our community can support him during this tough time. Please consider sharing or donating to help ease his burden. Every bit of support makes a difference for Logan and his family. Thank you for helping us show up for someone who’s always been there for others.
Contribute: https://gofund.me/812cff3f2

Matt Mitchell Music Co. at Trout Lake Hall (Early Show)

https://www.troutlakehall.com/

Sunday, July 26, $20 Advance // $25 Day Of Show, 11:30 a.m. Doors / 12:30 p.m. Show, All Ages, *Limited Tickets*

Sunday Serenade is Trout Lake Hall's new brunch music series. Each Sunday features an intimate, two-hour live set dedicated to a single style — jazz, Americana, groovy indie, country, folk — paired with delicious, chef-crafted brunch available for purchase. With limited tickets and cozy seating, it’s a relaxed, up-close experience — perfect for lingering over food and gentle Sunday tunes. Come in for a real Sunday Funday!

MATT MITCHELL MUSIC CO.

Centered around the old-soul, observational storytelling of Matt Mitchell, who lives full time out of an imported Japanese bus, MMMC brings Mitchell’s tunes to life in solo, acoustic duo/trio and full on, electrified band configurations. Mitchell's songs are equal parts clever, quick-witted and heartbreakingly confessional, (oftentimes all at once) translating well both in attentive listening rooms and rowdy rock halls. If ‘The Band’ took a road trip to Laurel Canyon and pulled their tour bus over to pick up John Prine hitchhiking his way down the pacific coastline, their rolling jam sessions might sound a little like Matt Mitchell Music Co.

The Pines Tasting Room in Hood River hosts live music featuring local and regional musicians.

Sunday, July 26, Juliet Yanko, 3-5 p.m.

Monday, July 27

Col. Gorge Skating Association Presents: Ten30

A fundraiser for an ice rink in Hood River!

The Ruins in Hood River

Tickets at: https://www.theruins.org

Monday, July 27

Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon brings local and regional music to the stage.

Monday, July 27, Alonzo Garbanzo (Folk Rock), 6-8 p.m.

Thanks for Reading! If you enjoyed Gorge Giggin’ Guide Highlights please check out our Local Calendar for a deeper dive into what’s happening in The Gorge! You can even Upload your own event - Subscribe to Stay in the Know!

Gorge Giggin’ Guide - July 21 - 27

Columbia Gorge Community College Manufacturing Program Named Center of the Year by U.S. Department of Energy