The Felice Brothers at Silver Moon Brewing & Taproom in 2011.
One of Bend’s most prominent spots for live music, Silver Moon Brewing & Taproom, has a new booking guru on board: Jasmine Helsley of JAH Promotions in Bend. JAH announced the move last week.
Helsley replaces Gabe Johnson of Parallel 44 Presents, who left Silver Moon in February and now books Players Bar & Grill, McMenamins Old St. Francis School and various other venues and festivals around town. (His calendar is here.) Since Johnson’s departure, Silver Moon has been handling booking in-house, Helsley said, which perhaps explains the slowdown in Silver Moon shows this spring and early summer. After all, Silver Moon’s expertise is brewing and selling beer, not booking concerts.
Now, JAH Promotions will be Silver Moon’s “exclusive booking agent,” Helsley said.
“I personally will work with other promoters and bands to come up with a show for them. All solicitations/inquiries will go through me with my final call,” she wrote in an email. “I will be closely working with both Tyler (Reichert, owner of Silver Moon) and their team to get feedback.”
Helsley said she will book shows at Silver Moon on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a focus on local bands, “occasional” national touring acts and free shows. When there is a cover, it will typically be $3 to $5, and never more than $10, she said. No matter the cost to attend, Silver Moon will continue to pay bands and others (door person, sound crew) associated with putting on the show, she said.
Jasmine Helsley of JAH Promotions
“There may be rare occasions where a large draw band will come through on a Tuesday or Wednesday. I will make that call along with Tyler if they deem something that is worth it,” Helsley said. “We have such a fun diverse music scene in Bend. I want to focus on that while still bringing in some amazing touring acts.”
Helsley said the pub will be open to most types of bands, with its traditional lean toward bluegrass, funk, rock, reggae and hip-hop. “We want to make the shows something that you want to make an effort to come to and have fun with our amazing funky community here in Bend,” she said.
The first official JAH show was local jam-rockers Your Birthday last weekend, but the stuff currently listed on Silver Moon’s website was booked before Helsley took over.
“We are booking currently our Fall line up that will knock your socks off,” Helsley said. “Can’t tell you the names we have lined up yet but there will be an unveiling SOON!”
Helsley moved to Bend in 2007 and has been booking tours and promoting bands (The Melodramatics, Pitchfork Revolution, Five Pint Mary to name a few) and other products since 2010, she said. She helped establish Common Table’s live music program, and has helped book at The Summit Saloon, several McMenamins sites and festivals both in Central Oregon and Portland, she said. She officially started JAH in November.
Great write up Ben. Thank you! I look forward to the music we will be able to bring in! I must add I can’t do this alone. I work with amazing sound techs and Tera Keller will be our Show promoter/PR Manager. Can’t wait to see everyone out at the shows! Cheers!!