What will you choose to do this week? Attend the opening weekend of the Saturday Market, watch a regatta on a lake, watch the opening of a play, attend the opening of an art exhibit, see a concert, raise funds for FOOD for Lane County at Chef’s Night Out . . . and that’s just the start of what you can do this week.
April 5
Grand Opening Party for Adventure! Children’s Museum | Adventure! Children’s Museum, which first opened March 31, 2017, is celebrating their 7th anniversary with a party and grand opening for their second expansion. The event will take place Friday, April 5, from 6:30 to 9 pm at the children’s museum, 490 Valley River Center. adventurechildrensmuseum.org
April 5
Cottage Theatre’s “Brigadoon” | Cottage Theatre’s “Brigadoon” opens on April 5. Its 2024 season continues with a 4-weekend run of “Brigadoon,” the Highlands tale where time stops and love blooms. This popular 1947 musical runs from April 5–28. Cottage Theatre, cottagetheatre.org
April 5
First Friday ArtWalk | Celebrate Eugene’s vibrant art scene. Start your self-guided tour at Farmers Market Pavilion (85 E 8th Ave.), where you can pick up your ArtWalk Guide and shop the Artist Marketplace before exploring the many galleries and art venues of Downtown Eugene. Also featured in the Pavilion this month is an ArtWalk After Hours performance by SoulStruck from 7:30–9:30pm. The monthly First Friday ArtWalk is from 5:30–8pm and is always free. Downtown Eugene, lanearts.org
April 5
“From Wolf Country” Exhibit By Ronan Donovan At New Zone Gallery | View fine art photography by National Geographic explorer and conservation photographer Ronan Donovan highlighting conservation issues to help reframe some of the stuck narratives around modern humans and the non-human world. Join the Opening Reception during the First Friday ArtWalk on April 5, starting at 5:30pm. In addition to the eclectic mix of art created by the New Zone members, also enjoy beverages by Hop Valley Brewing, wine by Sundance Cellars and live music. On display through April 30. New Zone Gallery, newzonegallery.org
April 5
The Fabulous Thunderbirds | For more than 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The group’s distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by a diversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap It Up.” Co-founder Kim Wilson, the sole original member, still spearheads the group as it evolves into its newest incarnation. WOW Hall, wowhall.org
April 5
“Of Dreams and Dragons: A David Lunney Retrospective” | The Maude Kerns Art Center will host “Of Dreams and Dragons: A David Lunney Retrospective,” opening with a free reception from 5–7pm on Friday, April 5 and on view through Friday, April 26. The exhibit showcases more than 70 artworks by Lunney, including monotypes, prints, paintings, and drawings, as well as a variety of sketchbooks and artifacts of his art making. Many of these pieces have never been exhibited before. On Saturday, April 6, from 1 – 2, the public is invited to “Connections & Conversations,” a family-led discussion about Lunney and his work. Maude Kerns Art Center, mkartcenter.org
April 5
Jesse Meade | Friday nights at Elizabeth’s Wine Lounge means great live music and a perfect dinner night out with friends, family, or a special date! A variety of music performances will be showcased on Friday evenings, with some outdoors, weather permitting, though most will be inside the Lounge’s beautiful indoor space. Explore the complete lineup of gifted musicians on the Lounge’s online calendar. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Elizabeth’s Wine Lounge, heartoforegonwine.com
April 5 & 6
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
April 6
The Saturday Market | Enjoy the opening weekend of the Saturday Market, a weekly celebration of local arts and food. More than 250 artisans sell handcrafted goods — this is the perfect place to shop for unique gifts. The Saturday Market is the oldest weekly open-air crafts festival in the U.S. It has been operating for 54 years, open every Saturday, April through November, rain or shine. The Saturday Market coincides with the Lane County Farmers Market. Parking is available on-street and at nearby garages. Do not miss this iconic Eugene experience! Downtown Eugene, eugenecascadescoast.org
April 6
Saturday Session: Pam Spettel on Robert Canaga | Artist Pam Spettel will lead the discussion with the audience and fellow artist Robert Canaga as she analyzes and reviews Canaga’s current exhibition of new and never before shown oil paintings. All are welcome at 1pm to join the conversation, meet the artists, and enjoy some light bites and refreshments. Free. Don Dexter Gallery, dondextergallery.com
April 6
The Collegiate Covered Bridge Regatta | The Collegiate Covered Bridge Regatta is for college rowers. Dexter Lake, oarowing.org
April 6
Musical Moombah’s Rowdy Rodeo | Hey partners, come join the Moombahteers for a wonderful day at the rodeo way out in cowboy country! We’ll have lots of fun and sing swell songs like “Happy Trails To You,” “Dainty June And Her Farm Boys,” “I’m An Old Cowhand,” “Back In The Saddle Again,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” and a whole lot more! Come join the Magical Moombah for a great good time with contests, jokes, and lots of songs. The Shedd, theshedd.org/RowdyRodeo
April 6 & 7
Eugene Ballet & Tracy Bonham | Two-time Grammy nominee and New York–based musician Tracy Bonham joins Eugene Ballet in song, sound, and story. This exciting collaboration with Resident Choreographer Suzanne Haag is a tribute to the soundscapes of her youth. Bonham, a multi-talented singer, songwriter, violinist, and guitarist will play from her broad catalog of music — from alternative rock to jazz and everything in between. Her raw, intimate lyrics paint the picture of the life of an artist and harken back to her native Oregonian roots. The program opens with Gerald Arpino’s “Reflections” and Toni Pimble’s “Slipstream” before Bonham takes the stage. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
April 8
Chef’s Night Out | A delightful evening filled with food and beverages created just for you by Lane County’s finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries, and distilleries! More than 50 purveyors are offering small bites of their creations so you can attempt to try them all as you take your taste buds on this culinary adventure. You can select your favorite bite by voting for the People’s Choice award. Enjoy music from local artists as well. Only 350 tickets available! Lane Events Center, foodforlanecounty.org
April 9
Willamalane’s Trips Showcase | Attend the Trips Showcase to enjoy food and drinks while you learn about all the fun trips Willamalane Parks & Rec has planned for this season. You’ll also have a chance to register at the event before registration opens to the public! One lucky attendee will win a free trip, thanks to 5 Star Concierge. This is a free event, and no registration is required. 3-4pm. Willamalane Adult Activity Center, willamalane.org/trips
April 10
Cyrille Aimée | Cyrille Aimée returns in support of her new CD “à Fleur de Peau” with French-Malagasy pianist Mathis Picard on piano. Aimée grew up in a multilingual household full of music where dancing was an everyday activity, soundtracked by the Afro-Caribbean sounds of her mother’s native Dominican Republic. The family home was in Samois-sur-Seine, the location of the Django Reinhardt Festival, and the teenage Cyrille would climb out of her bedroom window at night to mingle with the players, igniting a passion for jazz. The Shedd, www.theshedd.org/CyrilleAimee
April 10
An Evening with Oregon’s Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani | Oregon’s current Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani is a two-time individual champion of the National Poetry Slam and winner of the International World Cup Poetry Slam. Enjoy an interactive reading experiencing the artform of poetry. Cottage Grove Public Library, events
Through April 14
“Alabama Story” | The Very Little Theatre continues its 94th season with the Oregon premier of “Alabama Story,” based on true events. Set in 1959 in Montgomery, Alabama, at the cusp of the civil rights movement, a seemingly innocuous children’s book ignites a dramatic clash. At its heart, this play is a love letter – to the freedom to read and to librarians. Very Little Theatre, thevlt.com
