This week might be the week you learn to play a new board game (Funagain Games) or finally learn to knit (The Gone Rogue Boutique). Learn to paint and sip a beer that might just become your new favorite (Drop Bear Brewery). If taking a class isn’t in the cards, how about watching a modern retelling of “Cinderella” (Generations Theater Company). Enjoy folk, bluegrass, and jazz from the Honey Whiskey Trio at the Shedd, or meet Alison Mariella Désir, author of “Running While Black” at the Graduate Eugene during the Eugene Marathon weekend of events. Portland Cello Project brings their diverse repertoire to the Hult Center, and if weather permits, local astronomers will set up atop College Hill Reservoir to share views of constellations, planets, and the moon.
April 27
Beginner’s Board Game Night | Learn a new game by picking up a board game or a card game from one of Eugene or Springfield’s many game stores. Try Funagain Games for lots of different games. Funagain has ongoing Beginners Board Game Nights where you can stop in any time between 5 – 10 pm every Thursday or Saturday at Funagain Games, funagain.com
April 27
Paint And Sip With Alejandro | Join Drop Bear Brewery for a fun night of art and good drinks. With the help of expert instruction from Art With Alejandro, you can create a masterpiece while sipping on your favorite beverages at Drop Bear. This event will include instruction and painting materials. Drop Bear Brewery, artwithalejandro.com
April 27 – May 6
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” | A group of talented performers are bringing a special performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella to the stage this spring. Come see a modernized version of the classic fairytale, where Cinderella’s magical night with the Prince begins a journey of growth for both iconic characters. This show is presented by Generations Theater Company, a musical theater company that aims to provide fabulous musical experiences for Junction City and surrounding areas. Generations Theater Company, theater.gen-arts.com
April 28
Honey Whiskey Trio | The Honey Whiskey Trio brings their unique blend of folk, bluegrass, and jazz to the Jaqua Concert Hall. Come and see musicians Courtney Gasque Politano, Ann Louise Jeffries Thais, and Christina Wilson as they share their extraordinary spirit and art onstage, in workshops, and as leaders of The Shedd’s annual Vocal Arts Festival. The Shedd, theshedd.org
April 28
Meet Alison Mariella Désir, author of “Running While Black” | Alison Mariella Désir, author of “Running While Black,” is in town for Eugene Marathon weekend. She will be at the Health & Wellness Expo at Graduate Eugene Hotel for a book signing 4-5 pm, followed by a panel discussion with Conan Cope and Sasha Spencer. After the discussion, lace up your shoes and join Alison at 6 pm for a quick shakeout run or walk through Black history using the free Strides for Social Justice app. Graduate Eugene, eugenemarathon.com
April 28
First Quarter Star Party | Stargaze with experienced and amateur astronomers alike atop College Hill Reservoir on the first Friday of the moon’s first quarter. Star enthusiasts bring their telescopes to share views of constellations, planets, and the moon. Learn all about the heavens courtesy of the Eugene Astronomical Society with your own telescope or one of the many provided — some even invented — by members of the society. Children are welcome if they can look into the eyepiece without grabbing or touching it. Please do not use flashlights or mobile phones near the stargazing site as the light interferes with night vision. This event is weather dependent. If it’s clear, the party is on. If there is cloud cover, the stargazing gathering is rescheduled or skipped. Star parties begin at dusk or 6 p.m., depending on which is later. College Hill Reservoir, eugeneastro.org
April 28
Portland Cello Project: 90s vs 90s | Taking the cello beyond its classical roots to frame it in unexpected music and places, the Portland Cello Project has appeared anywhere and everywhere from punk rock clubs to exclusive private events; from dance parties to symphony halls. Their diverse repertoire boasts more than 1,000 pieces of music by the likes of Taylor Swift, Elliot Smith, Bach, Saint-Saens, and beyond. Witness as the Portland Cello Project builds bridges across musical communities! Hult Center, hultcenter.org
April 28 & 29
Themed wine tastings at Sundance Wine Cellars | Sundance’s 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
April 28 – 30
2023 Eugene Marathon, Half Marathon And 5K | Celebrate one of America’s premier marathons with thousands of participants, fans, and volunteers from around the globe who will show up on race day for the Eugene Marathon and Half Marathon in TrackTown USA. All your established running events are on the starting block including a 5K and the Kids 1K Duck Dash on Saturday. On Friday and Saturday, explore the Health & Fitness Expo at the Graduate Hotel and 5th Street Alley Marketplace. The Eugene Marathon is a Boston Marathon Qualifier and can even earn top finishers a spot at the Olympic Trials! Eugene and Springfield, eugenemarathon.com
April 29
The Shedd’s Vocal Arts Festival | The Shedd Institute’s 5th annual Vocal Arts Festival closes Saturday evening with A Night Of Vocal Arts hosted by Honey Whiskey Trio and featuring five of Eugene’s favorite vocal ensembles. Come early and join the Shedd for a pre-concert dinner at 6 pm. The Shedd, theshedd.org
April 29
Beginner Knitting Class | This beginning class will cover basics like how to choose your yarn and needles, how to read basic patterns, and some terminology and skills like casting on and basic stitches. You will get to start a basic scarf pattern. Class fee includes instruction, a skein of yarn and needles. This class is for teens and adults and has limited spots available. Pre-payment to the instructor Judy is required to reserve your spot. The Gone Rogue Boutique, knittingclass.com
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
