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It’s been a little longer than usual since Bend has heard from folk-pop songwriter Brett Dennen. The earnest singer was once a regular in these parts, racking up shows at Les Schwab Amphitheater (opening for Michael Franti), the Domino Room and the Tower Theatre, where he last played Bend in 2016 in support of his sixth album, the deeply personal “Por Favor.” Since then, Dennen released a pair of EPs in 2018, the more acoustic-leaning “Let’s” and the upbeat pop-rocker “Here’s Looking at You Kid.” He will finally return to Bend on Thursday to play the second installment of this year’s Munch & Music series as a prelude to an August tour of the East Coast, in which Dennen will perform with a trio.

Brett Dennen, with The CJ Neary Band: 5:30 p.m. Thursday; free; Munch & Music, Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd., Bend; munchandmusic.com.