I know you love the Austin, Texas Cajun-jam-billy (what?) band The Gourds. You must, and others around here must, because we’re graced with their presence about once every couple of years. In my humble opinion, The Gourds are one of the best bands that comes to Bend regularly.

Say, did you know they’ll be here again in January to headline the first night of Bend WinterFest? The all-female AC/DC cover band Hell’s Belles will return to headline the second night. More details are here.)

And here’s something else you may not know (since I haven’t seen much promotion): Kev Russell, one of The Gourds’ two main songwriters, will be in Bend on Saturday to play a fundraiser at the Old Stone Church (157 N.W. Franklin Ave.) under his solo moniker Shinyribs. Mai from Moon Mountain Ramblers is going to open the show.

The event will raise money for humanitarian efforts in Africa by a group called Off the Mat, Into the World. Tickets are $25 at the door, and things will get going around 7:30 p.m. For more info, call 541-410-5513.

Sounds like a pretty nifty opportunity to help a good cause and see a fine songwriter in an intimate setting and outside the confines of his best-known band.

Here’s the band’s cover of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin & Juice,” which you’ve undoubtedly heard, but possibly thought was Phish, since the song was widely labeled as such on file-sharing networks back in the day. (Sensitive ears be aware of NSFW language. It’s a Snoop Dogg song.)

Their “Gin & Juice” cover raised The Gourds’ profile more than anything else, I suppose. But if you’re interested in hearing what this band is all about, most of their albums are quite good. I suggest starting with “Ghosts of Hallelujah,” a peach of an album where the band’s mix of melodic sense, Texas twang and surrealist poetry come together seamlessly.