Eugene comes alive this week with a mix of music, theater, art, and seasonal festivities. Enjoy intimate performances by renowned musicians to arena concerts with classic rock legends, thought-provoking film festivals to home improvement and wedding expos, and a plethora of Halloween and harvest celebrations. What will you do?
October 17
Jenny Scheinman | Jenny Scheinman’s newest album features renowned musicians and Pacific Northwest nature-inspired compositions. Scheinman aims to evoke a sense of awe and connection to the natural world, showcasing a unique blend of jazz and folk influences throughout her music. The Shedd, theshedd.org
October 17
Pink Ribbon Gala | The Pink Ribbon Gala is a night of elegance and impact! Expect a formal dinner, live entertainment, inspiring survivor stories, and a silent auction. Attendees will have the opportunity to support breast cancer survivors and those with scars from surgery or trauma through medical tattooing. Sponsors receive VIP tables, recognition, and exclusive gift certificates. Your participation helps fund vital healing services. Graduate by Hilton Eugene, eventbrite.com
October 17
Night Market | The Lane County Farmers Market comes to the nighttime! Dance to live music, try out some tasty local food and drinks, shop from tons of vendors, and celebrate the end of summer. Farmers Market Pavilion, eugene-or.gov
October 17
Leave Your Troubles at The Door | Enjoy a completely improvised stand-up comedy show where comedians riff jokes using YOUR anonymously submitted problems. It’s a rare comedy show where instead of the comedians joking about their problems, they joke about yours! This very special show features Geoff Tate (Comedy Central, Doug Loves Movies, tours with Tom Segura), Julia Corral (Willamette Week’s Funniest Five 2023, Portland Mercury’s Undisputable Genius of Comedy), Temple the Bard and Chadhurst Sharpe. Hosted by Chris Hudson. This is an ages 21+ show. Olsen Run Comedy Club, olsenrun.com
October 17
“Young Frankenstein” | Pegasus Playhouse presents “Young Frankenstein,” a musical by Mel Brooks based on his popular film send-up of earlier Frankenstein movies. For anyone familiar with Brooks’ campy 1974 black-and-white movie starring Gene Wilder, this musical version of the famous story of the mad scientist and his monstrous creation will be every bit as entertaining. And for those who aren’t familiar with the story, the thrill of discovery will add to their enjoyment. Pegasus Playhouse, pegasusplayhouse.com
October 18
Tessa Lark, Joshua Roman, Edgar Meyer | The Shedd Institute welcomes a unique collaboration featuring three distinguished figures in American concert music: seven-time Grammy winning bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, violinist Tessa Lark, and cellist and composer Joshua Roman. On tour in preparation for their recording of Meyer’s just-completed 4th string trio along with his three string trios from the late 1980s, and Meyer’s arrangement of J.S. Bach’s Sonata for viola da gamba in G Major. The Shedd, theshedd.org/LarkRomanMeyer
October 18
Jesse Mead | Friday nights at Elizabeth’s Wine Lounge means great live music and a perfect dinner night out with friends, family, or a special date! Explore the complete lineup of gifted musicians on the Lounge’s online calendar. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Elizabeth’s Wine Lounge, heartoforegonwine.com
October 18-20
40th Lane County Home Improvement Show | Explore 230 home and garden exhibits under one roof! Discover an acre of exhibits staffed by trusted home and garden contractors, retailers, and suppliers. Shop for spas, gadgets, building materials, home décor, and holiday goodies. And more! Lane Events Center, EugeneHomeShow.com
October 18 & 19
Themed Wine Tastings at Sundance Wine Cellars | Sundance Wine Cellars’ free themed wine tastings highlight various wine regions on Fridays, and on Saturdays, they host local and regional wineries. Apart from the weekends, their tasting bar is always open and has free samples of their featured wines. Sundance Wine Cellars has Oregon’s largest selection of wine and is one of the oldest wine retailers in the Willamette Valley. Since 1983, Sundance Wine Cellars has provided an unparalleled selection of wine from Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Sundance Wine Cellars, orwines.com
October 19
An Evening for Animals | You are invited to Greenhill Humane Society’s 15th annual gala fundraiser. The evening includes silent and live auctions, delicious appetizers and dinner, and a dessert dash. It’s a fantastic opportunity to help the animals in our community and the people who love them. Costumes encouraged. Can’t attend, but want to support the animals and still bid on auction items? You can! This hybrid event allows you to bid on many of the items from the comfort of your home. Graduate Eugene., green-hill.org/gala
October 19
Haunted Hike | Nearby Nature will lead special night hikes through Alton Baker Park for kids and families for their annual Haunted Hike. The hikes will go along festive trails lit with Jack-O’-Lanterns and encounter all sorts of critters of the night in costume, from a gigantic bat to a sneaky spider. At the decorated picnic shelter, families can take part in night-themed activities before or after the hike. Hikes last for about an hour and people are welcome to come early and stay late to participate in the festivities. This event is best for preschool through elementary aged kids, but adults love it, too. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the hike will happen rain or moonshine. Pre-registration is required online. Alton Baker Park, nearbynature.org
Through October 19
Rick Bartow: Crow’s Fear | Karin Clarke Gallery presents Rick Bartow: Crow’s Fear, a richly diverse selection of works from the Bartow Trust Collection. Included are large pastels, hand-colored lithographs, and small drawings, while Bartow’s characteristic bird imagery (crows, hawks, owls, eagles) features prominently in monotypes, mixed media works on handmade Japanese paper, and some of the finest drypoint prints still available. The pieces, created between 1991 and 2015, have been freshly framed for this exhibit. Together, they provide a highly representative cross-section of Bartow’s works and of his powerful mark-making, reaffirming his stature as one of the most important leaders in contemporary Native American art. Karin Clarke Gallery, karinclarkegallery.com
October 19 & 20
Love in Lane County Wedding Show | The Love in Lane County Wedding Show connects couples with the best wedding vendors in the area to help you plan and create your perfect wedding vision. Discover photographers, videographers, beauty professionals, caterers, venues, décor and attire for your special day. Lane Events Center, loveinlanecounty.com
October 20
Run For Your Life 5K | ShelterCare is partnering with Thrill the World Eugene to host a Zombie-themed 5K with 100+ zombies hidden around the Alton Baker Park race course! There will be family-friendly activities such as face painting, pre-race yoga, and a thriller flash mob. All event proceeds will benefit ShelterCare, a Eugene/Springfield-based nonprofit that provides housing and behavioral health services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, or on the verge of becoming homeless. Alton Baker Park, sheltercare.org
October 20
Picc-A-Dilly Flea Market | As Eugene’s largest and longest running flea market, the Picc-A-Dilly Flea Market boasts a continuously fresh mix of vendors, shoppers, and unique wares for sale. Picc-A-Dilly is a family affair, with many of their longtime vendors’ children having grown up to become vendors themselves. Lane Events Center, piccadillyflea.com
Through October 20
Eugene Environmental Film Festival | The Eugene Environmental Film Festival includes 10 days of inspiring films, discussions, speakers, workshops, and special events in downtown Eugene. Experience the power of film and be a part of the movement for a greener future. Art House, eugeneenvironmentalfilmfestival.org
October 23
REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield | Matthew Knight Arena presents REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield. Matthew Knight Arena, livenation.com
Through October 25
Coffee Cocktail Competition | Play’s talented cocktail lounge team created four coffee concoctions to compete to make it onto the winter cocktail menu. You choose! Play, playeugene.com
Through October 27
“Something Rotten” | A hilarious mash-up of 16th century Shakespeare and 21st century Broadway, “Something Rotten” has been hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.” Cottage Theatre, cottagetheatre.org
Through October 27
Apple Daze | Have a blast at Detering Orchards, where all your favorite fall activities are: U-pick pumpkins, wagon rides, cow train rides, a corn maze, tractor rides, apple blaster and corn cannon, and mechanical bull rides. They’ll also have craft beer and cider, as well as homemade caramel apples and pies. U-Pick for fruits and vegetables will be available daily from 9 am – 4 pm. Detering Orchards, deteringorchards.com
Through October 29
Sarkis Antikajian exhibit | Cheshire’s Sarkis Antikajian has recently published his memoir, “An Artist’s Odyssey, from Dream to Reality.” Many of Sarkis’s stunning works are featured in a new show, which opened June 23. Studio 7, Studioevents
Through October 30
A&M Family Farms Pumpkin Patch | Pick your own pumpkins and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, shop for local produce, pasture-raised meats, and delicious baked goods. Bring the kids along to feed the goats and capture some memorable Halloween photos! If you’re interested in professional photography sessions, please call ahead to schedule an appointment. A&M Family Farms, https://www.amfamfarms.com/pumpkins
Through October 31
Harvest Days & Corn Maze | Celebrate the harvest season with a unique fall experience on a family farm. Say hi to the resident goats Teeny and Tiny, explore the corn mazes, and pick a pumpkin from the field. There is a full-service espresso bar, pumpkins, gourds, squash, u-pick sunflowers and sweet corn for purchase as well as unique gift items. The daytime, family-friendly corn maze includes the Clue-like game of “Who Kidnapped Farmer Brown?” Or take it up a notch with the night time corn maze, Friday and Saturday evenings only. Tickets are required for the mazes. Hayride tractor farm tours are offered on the weekends for $2 each. Boots for mud are recommended. Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm, northernlightschristmastreefarm.com
Through October 31
“Walt’s Wild Wagon Ride” & Pumpkin Patch at Johnson Farms | It’s that time of year again when the leaves change colors, the air turns crisp and pumpkins are ripe for the picking. Johnson Farms has wagon hayrides, a U-pick pumpkin patch, pumpkin slingshots, apple cider and other fall treats, and ample room for exploring and photo opportunities. Johnson Farms, johnsonfarmseugene.com
Through October 31
Coburg Scarecrow Festival | While driving through Coburg, enjoy spotting the town’s display of harvest scarecrows. Visit the scarecrows at local businesses and take photos with them! The exhibit will kick off with a Harvest Festival on October 4 at Mill Street Square. There will also be a Pumpkin 5K on October 26. Coburg, coburgmainstreet.com
Through October 31
Walktober | Do you like walking for fun, exercise, or errands? Or wish you had more reasons to walk? Mark your calendar for Walktober – The entire month is filled with events to get you motivated to explore Lane County. Enjoy over 35 walks and tours including art walks, nature walks, historical walks, walk challenges, and more. wewalklane.org
Through October 31
Thi Nguyen – “Love Cats” | Inspired by cats and The Cure, these paintings tell stories, some heartfelt, others funny, all are loved and show the different personalities of cats and their relationships with people. Content for these images derive from personal experience and photos shared by friends and art enthusiasts. New Zone Gallery, newzonegallery.org
Through November 3
Thistledown Farm Pumpkin Patch | Enjoy the magic of autumn with wagon rides, Halloween decorations, and a variety of pumpkins and fall produce. Don’t miss the famous Apple Cider Donuts on weekends, and check out the collection of fall nursery plants to brighten your pots for winter. For a family-friendly outing, hop on a tractor-drawn or horse-drawn wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, with rides on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for $5 per person. No reservations are required but please note that wagon rides are not available Monday through Thursday, and the pumpkin patch is accessible only via wagon rides. Thistledown Farm, thistledownfarm.net
Through February 2
Calvin and Hobbes | Selections of original art and strips of Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes, 1985-1995. All original art is from the Bill Watterson Deposit Collection, The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, jsma.uoregon.edu