Sisters adds another music venue

Sisters has developed a thriving music scene over the past few years, with new venues for live music cropping up regularly.

The newest is The Dairy Barn at Pine Meadow Ranch.

Last month saw the re-opening of the Dairy Barn venue, celebrated with a concert by local singer-songwriters. The barn has been lovingly renovated by Doug Sokol and Rebecca Morton and will be the setting for an upcoming series of musical events called the Barn Concerts at Pine Meadow Ranch.

"This is the maiden voyage of a community music circle," said singer/songwriter David Z, who performed with his band, the Rockin Folkers, on opening night at The Barn. "This old barn is a gathering place for local musicians and their friends, but it will also function as an event center for private parties, weddings and other gatherings."

Opening for David that night was soul-rock songwriter Leif James, a New York transplant who's been living in Bend for just over a year.

"I love playing here," James said, "It's a high-energy place and everybody can feel how popular this place is going to become."

Doug Sokol's family has owned Pine Meadow Ranch since his mother, Dorro Sokol, purchased the place in 1971. The ranch has had various incarnations over the years, including a potato farm, pastures for horses, sheep and cattle, a hay operation and the old Sisters Dairy.

"When we got the idea to turn the barn into a venue, we had to face the daunting task of cleaning it out," said Rebecca Morton. "It was full of what usually fills a working barn, plus a lot of old furniture and equipment. Then we power-washed the whole barn on the inside from top to bottom. Doug is now in the process of installing a heating system and professional kitchen equipment in the old dairy room."

Morton and Sokol expect the place to be fully functional for private parties by January and plan to have music performances once each month. In addition to the barn, they will be installing a solid floor in a smaller round barn and will also make their garden available for weddings and other outdoor events.

"This isn't really a profit-making business, although we do want it to support itself," said Sokol. "We're inviting local artists to perform here as part of a community music circle. There's a cover contribution for the band, and food and drinks are available for a donation. It's similar to the way house concerts are set up."

The 6,000-square-foot barn, owned by Pine Meadow Ranch, Inc., will be available for private functions, including concerts, seminars, weddings, retreats, art events and private parties. A 6,000-watt JBL 24-channel sound system is available.

For more information call Douglas Sokol or Rebecca Morton at 419-2595.