Most weeks in the summer, this reporter could write, “Central Oregon will host a ton of music festivals this weekend,” and be completely accurate (if a little too vague).

This week, the statement couldn’t be more true. The first total eclipse to be visible in the mainland United States since 1979 will take place Monday morning. The path of totality cuts right through Central Oregon, just north of Bend, and local communities are getting ready to celebrate.

If you’re up to braving the crowds, here’s a primer on some of the biggest music events happening around the eclipse.

Oregon Eclipse 2017 (Symbiosis), Big Summit Prairie, Ochoco National Forest

Antibalas didn’t have to think twice about performing at the largest eclipse gathering in Central Oregon.

The Brooklyn-based, Afrobeat big band, one of more than 300 acts booked for the seven-day, seven-stage Oregon Eclipse 2017 gathering at Big Summit Prairie in the Ochoco National Forest, has spent nearly two decades promoting unity and love through its often politically and socially charged music. And unity and love is what the eclipse viewing should be all about, according lead singer, percussionist and longtime member Duke Amayo.

“Personally, I’m into anything or any idea that builds on the idea of ascension — all of us being ascended to a place where we understand better, and (have) better interpersonal relationships, better awareness with our environment,” lead vocalist and percussionist Duke Amayo said recently from Brooklyn. “This sort of event is a good opportunity to align with like-minded people so we can keep the movement activated and spread that love.”

Oregon Eclipse 2017 is a collaboration among 14 international music festivals spearheaded by northern California-based festival Symbiosis Gathering, which has hosted two previous eclipse events around the world.

The other collaborators include Bass Coast Festival, Envision, Hardra Trance Festival, Noisily, Ometeotl, Origin, Rainbow Serpent, Re:birth, Sonic Bloom, Science and Non-Duality, Beloved and Universo Parallelo. As such, performers run the gamut stylistically, with a focus on electronic/fusion acts (headliners Bassnectar, Beats Antique) and festival friendly live bands (progressive newgrass band The String Cheese Incident, Portland funk/marching band hybrid MarchFourth).

Antibalas’ jam-heavy sound mixes modern hip-hop, rock and funk with the large-ensemble Afrobeat music pioneered by Fela Kuti in the ’60s and ’70s (the group has performed alongside members of Kuti’s bands over the years, and performed in the off-Broadway musical, “Fela!,” celebrating Kuti’s life). Eclipse audiences can expect plenty of the band’s trademark rhythmic exploration, especially on new material from its first studio album in five years, “Where the Gods are in Peace,” due out in September.

The album tackles historic racism and oppression of indigenous peoples in the U.S. and beyond, particularly on lead-off track “Gold Rush.” The three-part suite “Tombstown” was actually inspired by the second Bush administration, but still holds relevance in today’s politically charged environment, Amayo said. And in light of the recent violence incited by racist groups in Charlottesville, Virginia, the themes addressed by Antibalas seem even more timely.

“I would say back then — because you could say, how worse can it be? Obviously, it was already bad; now it’s in your face,” Amayo said. “It was always there, we just didn’t pay attention. It wouldn’t do any good to recycle all that. And that’s another good point that comes out of the song ‘Hook & Crook’ (on ‘Where the Gods are in Peace’): We’re just recycling vengeance; it’s all we’ve been doing; it’s all we’ve ever done.”

All passes sold out. Visit 
oregoneclipse2017.com for more information.

Funk’s Solar Obscuration Celebration, Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, Sisters

When the Suttle Lodge & Boathouse asked The Decemberists multi-instrumentalist Chris Funk to book some music for a two-day festival marking the total eclipse, he couldn’t say no to the opportunity.

“I think at this time of the year, I’m generally festived out,” he said recently from a tour stop with The Decemberists in Salt Lake City. “But it being such a monumental event — and also, the Suttle Lodge is such a great place — it’ll feel more like a reprieve from festival season and touring life.”

The Indiana-born guitarist, banjoist and songwriter tapped friends and collaborators on the Portland music scene, ending up with a diverse cross-section of Pacific Northwest favorites for Funk’s Solar Obscuration Celebration, which takes place at the lodge Saturday and Sunday. Performers include Ural Thomas and the Pain; The Builders and the Butchers; Y La Bamba; Sallie Ford; Kyle Craft; Cat Hoch ; 1939 Ensemble; The Lower 48; Edna Vazquez; Máscaras; Ashleigh Flynn; Johanna Warren; Cobra (“a set of celestial improv featuring Chris Funk and a cast of others,” according to the Suttle Lodge’s website); Afterlife Revival; Avery Trufelman from 99% Invisible; and Blesst Chest.

“This wasn’t about flying in headlining acts,” Funk said. “It was more about adding really great, local music to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The Decemberists’ tour will wrap just in time for Funk to join the festivities and perform the Cobra set — an improvisation game created by New York City composer John Zorn, Funk said. Funk will prompt the musicians (he’s not sure who will participate yet) using flash cards.

“We’re just trying to do something unique for a unique moment,” he said.

The festival is free, but parking is limited. Visit thesuttlelodge.com or call 541-638-7001 for more information.

Oregon Solarfest, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Madras

Sandy Forman, one of three co-owners of the Jefferson County Tourism Group, began fielding calls about the eclipse in 2012 while working for the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. After enough people called looking for places to go to see the eclipse, Forman thought she and the tourism group should create one.

“We had already thought about it because we love our community and we want to help Madras prosper, and developing Jefferson County Tourism Group to promote tourism to our area,” she said. “And then we took on Oregon Solarfest.”

Forman said she’s expecting attendees from 39 different countries (including Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland) and all 50 states at the four-day event, which begins Friday morning and ends after the eclipse Monday morning. Oregon Solarfest will feature live music Friday through Sunday from local and regional performers such as Corner Gospel Explosion, Doc Ryan and The Wychus Creek Band, Tigers of Youth, Kinzel and Hyde and Victory Swig, as well as former Bend-based country duo Cloverdayle.

The lineup is heavy on tribute acts, with Tom Petty (Petty Fever), Foreigner (Juke Box Heroes), Aerosmith (Aerosmith Rocks), Pat Benatar (All Fired Up), Heart (Barracuda), Creedence Clearwater Revival (Creedence Revelation) and Reba McEntire/George Strait (Reba & George — So Good Together) set to perform crowd favorites in the evenings.

Music won’t be limited to the two festival stages. Buskers will traverse the fairgrounds throughout the festival, and attendees can show off their stuff on the open mic stage in the Solartown campsite, located five miles away from the fairgrounds.

Full festival passes cost $60 for adults or $45 for children ages 4 to 11; day passes for Friday, Saturday or Monday cost $20 or $15; and day passes for Sunday cost $30 or $20. Camping is sold out. Visit oregonsolarfest.com for more information.

Moonshadow Festival, Wine Down Ranch, Prineville

Wine Down Ranch often receives international visitors at its on-site Airbnb cabin, so the owners weren’t surprised two years ago when a German family called to reserve the cabin. The timing of the booking was a bit more shocking.

“I remember when that booking happened, and my mom saying, ‘Oh, something about some eclipse; this is kind of weird, but sure, we’ll take it,’” said Lauren Teague, daughter of owners Roy and Mary Beyer and the main organizer of the Moonshadow Festival, which takes place Friday through Monday at the ranch. “Fast-forward to the end of last year, where we really got the idea of, what can we do to bring people to the ranch and give them a really great experience … but also open their eyes to what it’s like to live and work in Central Oregon as a landowner, as a working rancher?”

The music reflects a strong Oregon focus, too. Performers are primarily regional, and include Portland musicians Crow & The Canyon, Dan Weber, There is No Mountain and The Talbott Brothers, as well as Bend-based band Wayward Soul.

“We didn’t want to be straight country, and we didn’t want to be too far out there in any specific genre,” Teague said. “So I think we got a great mix of bands that people — even if they don’t recognize all of the music, they’re gonna enjoy hearing that.”

Full festival tickets cost $400 for RV camping for up to two people; $200 for each additional adult in the RV; $200 for tent camping; or $100 for junior camping (ages 11 to 17, RV and tent). Day passes cost $25 for Saturday or Sunday and $50 for Monday. Parking costs $25 for campers or $10 for day parking. Kids younger than 11 get in free. Visit winedownranch.com or call 503-810-7003 for more information.

Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards, Terrebonne

If the warnings from state officials, the media and more are to be believed, there may be no escaping the crowds expected to flood Central Oregon this weekend. But Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards’ four-day event may be the best bet within the path of totality for human-wary eclipse gawkers. The winery will host live music, food trucks and other outdoor activities Friday through Monday.

General manager Brooke Maggio said the event will be capped at 500 people.

“We definitely are doing (something) more intimate for a crowd that doesn’t want to be around all the craziness,” Maggio said. “… We have live music all the time here anyway on Friday and Saturday nights, so we just added it to make it a whole weekend event here so that people will have a place to come and hang out.”

Performers include Bend Beatles tribute JuJu Eyeball at 6 p.m. Friday; Tacoma John Denver tribute John Hoover and the Mighty Quinns and party rock band Mango Stew on Saturday; and duo Reno and Cindy Holler and Crooked River Ranch classic rockers Opal Springs Boys on Sunday. Reno Holler will also perform solo from noon to 3 p.m. Monday following the eclipse.

Reservations recommended. RV camping for the full weekend (Friday through Monday) costs $1,800. Tent camping and day-of-viewing passes Monday cost $170 for couples or $100 for individuals. Day passes cost $15 for Friday or $25 for Saturday and Sunday, with half-off Sunday for people who have purchased day-of-viewing/tent camping passes. Visit fhceclipse.com or call 541-526-5075 for more information.

Soular Preclipse with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The Cutmen; Century Center, Bend

Then again, you could just stay in Bend and miss the crowd, er, some of the crowd. Though not in the path of totality, the city is still expected to fill up with the overflow. Still, if you live in the city, getting to the Century Center for the Soular Preclipse celebration Friday night should be easier than making a trek to Madras or Prineville.

Saxophone legend Karl Denson, known for his work with The Rolling Stones, Lenny Kravitz, The Greyboy Allstars and his own extensive solo career, will bring his band Tiny Universe back to Central Oregon for the third time this year, after triumphant sets at Volcanic Theatre Pub (which is promoting the Soular Preclipse along with ActionDeniro Productions) and the 4 Peaks Music Festival. Expect Denson’s usual high-energy mix of funk, jazz, jam-band improvisation and of course, soul — and possibly another solo from local, young keyboard phenom Maxwell Friedman, whom Denson has taken under his musical wing. Local eight-piece soul/jazz/funk combo The Cutmen will open.

“We thought it would (be) great to offer one helluva soul and funk act that folks could walk to while avoiding driving the streets, highways and traffic,” Volcanic Theatre Pub owner Derek Sitter said via email.

Tickets cost $25 in advance (plus fees at bendticket.com or volcanictheatrepub.com) or $30 at the gate. Gate opens at 5:30 p.m., and the show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit volcanictheatrepub.com or call 541-323-1881 for more information.

Redmond Brewfest, American Legion Park, Redmond

It’s no accident the first Redmond Brewfest will happen in the midst of eclipse mania in Central Oregon.

“Of course, we knew what we were doing,” said brewfest executive director J.T. Taylor, also a well-known mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor. “We thought it would be a good way to set Redmond off with the inaugural, first-of-its-kind (brewfest).”

The free, two-day festival Friday and Saturday is set to feature 80 breweries and more than 300 varieties of beer, Taylor said.

Bend roots-punk institution Larry and His Flask leads the music lineup Saturday, capping off performances by Rhonda Funk Band, Riot on a Sunday, Third Seven and Justin Lavik. Portland blues-punk duo Hillstomp headlines Friday, with The HWY 97 Band, Tom Bennett and A.M. Interstate rounding out the lineup.

Proceeds from all alcohol sales will go to four local charities: Redmond Experience Activity Connection Hub, Redmond Area Park and Recreation District, Rock of Redmond Wrestling and Redmond Parks Foundation.

Visit redmondbrewfest.com for more information.