It’s finally spring with sunshine on the forecast and the events are popping up as fast as the buds are on the trees. Enjoy lots of various Earth Day events this week, including entertainment such as Native comedy at the Hult Center, vocal jazz at The Shedd, jazz standards at The Jazz Station, and “Romeo and Juliet” by the Eugene Symphony at the Hult Center, as well “Come From Away” also at the Hult. If you’ve got weddings on your mind, check out the first wedding showcase Sweet Cheeks Winery. The rhodies are blooming, so you might want to make time to sign up for the guided walk at Hendricks Park. Or if you’re in the mood for something darker, check out a thrilling horror-ific cabaret and circus event called Paranormal Cirque at the Lane Events Center.
April 20
Eugene Symphony: Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” | Sergei Prokofiev’s interpretation of William Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers brings out the hope of love and the agony of loss, taking us all on a moving emotional journey. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
April 20, 21, 22 & 23
Earth Day Events at Beergarden | From April 20 through April 23, Beergarden is celebrating Mother Earth with earth-loving events and live music each night. Thursday, Elysian Brewing is on-site sampling Dank Dust and giving out swag from 6-8pm. Friday, enjoy live music with Inner Limits at 7:30pm. Saturday marks Beergarden’s very first Propagation Event! They’ve been propagating some of the garden’s plants for the past few weeks. They’ll have branded Beergarden bottles, and there will be an opportunity to swap some of their starts with some of yours, from 12-4pm. On Sunday is Beergarden’s very first Adoption Event with Lucky Paws at noon. $1.00 from every drink will be donated to their rescue. Beergarden, beergardenme.com
April 20
Slightly Retro Jazz | Bob Ragan and his quartet, Slightly Retro Jazz, present an evening of vocal and instrumental improvisation that will take you down memory lane. Experience the soulful sounds of jazz with Bob Ragan, a lifelong lover of jazz standards. The Jazz Station is a small, intimate venue featuring live jazz music on Broadway Street in the heart of downtown Eugene. The Jazz Station, thejazzstation.org
April 20 – 24
Paranormal Cirque | Cirque Italia is now presenting a thrilling experience coming to the Lane Events Center: “Paranormal Cirque” Do you love thrilling, wicked, or even dangerous things? Paranormal Cirque will expose you to a unique creation of combined theatre, circus, and cabaret with a new European-style flare, for a mature audience. This innovative horror story features an incomparable storyline — the only thing you can be sure of during this unique experience is that you will not know what to expect! It might be hard to divide reality and illusion! This is a 13+ event. Those 13-17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Lane Events Center, paranormalcirque.com
April 21
Fiddlehead Festival at WildCraft Ciderworks | Join the fun at the 4th annual spring civic party with a cluster of new cider releases, album releases, and collaborations. Musical performances by Free Creatures, High Step Society, Femme Deadly Venoms and Banshee Tree. This is a 21+ event. Food by Makeda’s Ethiopian Cuisine and WildCraft. Limited VIP tickets include exclusive balcony access, signed merch package, package, private cocktail lounge with seating, prime stage viewing and early access, and rare cider tastings and exclusive menu. WildCraft Ciderworks, https://www.wildcraftciderworks.com/venue/fiddlehead-festival-friday-night-jump-off-spring-up-roll-out
April 21 – 23
Lynnea Barry: “I Can’t Stop Loving You” | Lynnea Barry and company return to The Shedd stage with an all-new selection of ’50s and early ’60s classics. Featuring songs like “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Pretty Woman,” create a fabulous weekend of music. The Shedd, theshedd.org
April 22
The Cream Of Clapton Band | The Cream Of Clapton Band have taken “Uncle Eric’s” chart-topping, Versace-clad period and revived it with a flair and flavor that’s all their own. Mr. Clapton and bass guitar legend Nathan East have even offered the band a stamp of approval. WOW Hall, wowhall.org
April 22
Mimosas & Matrimony: Wedding Showcase | Sweet Cheeks Winery is hosting their first annual Wedding Showcase, Mimosas & Matrimony. Join them as they welcome local vendors specializing in catering, event rentals, photography, bridal shops, coordination of your big day, and so much more! Tickets include a complimentary mimosa and entry into the pool for exciting door prizes. Sweet Cheeks Winery, sweetcheekswinery/event
April 22
Some Stars Of Native American Comedy | Native comedy has been on the rise recently with the TV shows “Reservation Dogs” and “Rutherford Falls.” Join a lineup of long-time Native stand-up comedians including “The Naughty Rez Dog,” comedian and horse mugger Gilbert Brown, and Rezzalicious Kasey Nicholson, along with veterans Jim Ruel and Sheila Chalakee for a night of bare-knuckled humor and dry wit that transcends stereotypes. Note: No spiritual guidance will be offered at this show. Please leave sage sticks at home. The Hult Center, hultcenter.org
April 22 & 23
Green Living Fair | The Green Living Fair is a great family friendly Earth Day event highlighting sustainable living practices with vendors, an auction, art contest and more. Cottage Grove Armory, singingcreekcenter.org
April 23
Rhododendron Garden Walking Tour | Walk the meandering paths of the Rhododendron Garden with Emily Aune, Hendricks Park head gardener. See unique trees and ornamental shrubs. Get tips on how to care for rhododendrons. Learn about park history and heritage. The Spring Walking Tours at Hendricks Park will be led by different hosts each week to teach about the Rhododendron Garden, photography and nature, the Native Plant Garden, and the Kalapuya Indigenous People. Hendricks Park, friendsofhendrickspark.org
April 25 – 30
“Come From Away” | The remarkable true story of “Come From Away” takes you to a place you never want to leave,” according to Newsweek. The story starts when 7,000 airplane passengers were stranded in the small town in Newfoundland and it goes on to include the heartwarming story of the people who welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. This has been a favorite musical all across the country. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
April 26
Wednesday Trivia at Drop Bear Brewery | Drop Bear Brewery hosts trivia night every Wednesday starting at 7pm. Doors open at 4 for the early birds. Join in for fun and great prizes while enjoying a beer and some food! Drop Bear Brewery, https://dropbearbrewery.com/db-events/
Through April 30
Cottage Theatre presents “Big Fish” | Cottage Theatre opens the second show of its 2023 season with a production of “Big Fish,” based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed Tim Burton film. Cottage Theatre, cottagetheatre.org
Through May 20
Contemplate: New Works by Jon Jay Cruson | White Lotus Gallery is hosting an exhibit of works by Jon Jay Cruson, one of the most celebrated Pacific Northwest artists who has become known for explorations of space, shapes, and colors of the land. Opening reception April 8, 1-3 pm. White Lotus Gallery, wlotus.com
Through June 30
PhotoZone at Don Dexter Gallery | Enjoy a selection of works from members of PhotoZone Gallery at Don Dexter Gallery. The group exhibition is on view at 2911 Tennyson Ave #202 in Eugene. Featured gallery artists include Mark Anderson, Bryan Andresen, David Becker, Linda Devenow, Ron Dobrowski, Greg Giesy, Sandy Brown Jensen, Don Myers, Sandi T. O’Brien, Walt O’Brien, Patrick Plaia, Doremus Scudder, David Simone, and Michael Z. Taylor. Don Dexter Gallery, dondextergallery.com
Through July 1
Spring Museum’s “Stories of Labor in Springfield” | “Working Springfield: exploring labor in Springfield through local voices” is a new exhibit on display at the Springfield History Museum through July 1, 2023. Curator Maddi McGraw says that this exhibit is “a celebration of Springfield’s labor history over the past 175 years, and of the people who have made Springfield into the community it is today.” Springfield Museum, wheremindsgrow.org
