Valentine’s Day is almost here and there are a lot of events to choose from. It’s also Super Bowl weekend so there are watch parties happening everywhere! Eugene Ballet’s “Gatsby” takes audiences on a rollicking ride back to the glamorous 1920s with lavish parties, gorgeous costumes, and Wynton Marsalis’ music played live by Orchestra Next’s Jazz Ensemble. It’s Downtown Springfield’s Second Friday Art Walk, where you can see art, nibble hors d’oeuvres, and hear ethereal music. Be the boss of that wall with a Women On The Wall Rock Climbing Clinic at the Bob Keefer Center. Celebrate Oregon’s Indigenous culture and explore new music and a geological presentation at “Oregon Origins Project II: Seven Wonders” in Florence. There’s lots more going on this week so find your fun!
Opening February 9
“Frankenstein” | Cottage Theatre leads off their 2024 season with an electrifying dramatization of the Shelley classic. Nick Dear’s “Frankenstein” offers a thought-provoking examination of the roots of good and evil. On stage February 9 – 25. Cottage Theatre, cottagetheatre.org
February 9
Downtown Springfield’s Second Friday Art Walk | Tour downtown Springfield to see this month’s curated art exhibits. Participating businesses and storefronts in the historic district along Main Street and on nearby blocks will host live music and artist receptions. This self-guided tour is hosted by Emerald Art Center, a destination of local art exhibits and cultural displays. Visit them for tour directions (and to see their Simpsons exhibit). During the walk, catch live music on piano during the photography art show by Don Meyers of the Grid Project at the Springfield Public Library. Join for art, hors d’oeuvres and the ethereal music by Lizzie Cable singing and playing piano at the courthouse entryway. Downtown Springfield, emeraldartcenter.org
February 9
Valentine Speakeasy | Step into an evening of romance, glamor, and mystery at Thinking Tree Spirits’ Valentine Speakeasy. Join a modern speakeasy experience celebrating love in style. Try their curated selection of signature cocktails, sway to love songs, and dress in Prohibition-era attire for a night filled with live burlesque performances. An enchanting glamourous party awaits. Thinking Tree Spirits, valentine-speakeasy-tickets
February 9
Women On The Wall: Rock Climbing Clinic | The Women on the Wall clinic is for women ages 14 and up to join others in having a comfortable and non-intimidating environment to learn rock climbing techniques from trained staff. Have fun and find out what you’re capable of! Bob Keefer Center for Sports and Recreation, willamalane.org
February 9
“Oregon Origins Project II: Seven Wonders” | “Oregon Origins Project II: Seven Wonders” is a captivating music exploration into the ancient roots of the state of Oregon, led by Matthew Packwood, director of the Oregon Origins Project and composer of the evening’s featured composition. Join Packwood and a string quartet for a musical journey through Oregon’s wild places — from Steens Mountain to the Oregon Dunes, and many stops in between. The musical segment will be followed by a presentation by geologist Ian Madin. Attendees will then be treated to an indigenous cultural presentation by Jesse Beers and Patricia Whereat Phillips, culture bearers of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. Established in 2021, the Oregon Origins Project serves as a dynamic platform for indigenous culture bearers and invites artists from diverse backgrounds to craft new works inspired by the state’s rich origins. Florence Events Center, oregonorigins.org
February 9
Craig Einhorn | 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
February 9 & 10
Eugene Ballet’s “Gatsby” | Take a time machine back to the glamorous 1920s and enjoy Eugene Ballet’s “Gatsby,” with lavish parties, gorgeous costumes, and Wynton Marsalis’ music played live by Orchestra Next’s Jazz Ensemble. Plus, Resident Choreographer Suzanne Haag premieres her “Portrait in Glass,” based on Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie.” Hult Center, hultcenter.org
February 9 & 10
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
February 9 & 10
The Magical Moombah | Come join the Magical Moombahteers as they go off to the circus! Look for fabulous songs like “Casey Jr.,” “Make ‘Em Laugh,” “One Elephant Came Out To Play,” “I Love A Parade,” “Be A Clown,” “The Bare Necessities,” “The Hokey Pokey,” and more! Come join the Magical Moombah for a great good time! Fun! Contests! Jokes! Lots of songs! Dancing around! And don’t miss the special Magical Moombah Music Box at 11:15 a.m., free with your ticket. The Shedd, theshedd.org
February 9 & 11
“Don Giovanni” | Join the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance Opera Ensemble’s performance of Don Giovanni, Mozart’s rendition of the Don Juan legend. The opera is filled with some of Mozart’s most famous music and combines comedy and tragedy as it follows the notorious womanizer, Don Juan, as he lusts his way toward his dramatic downfall. UO’s Ragozzino Performance Hall, musicanddance.uoregon.edu/events
February 10
Sound Advice | Drop in for Sound Advice, a free, peer-led, monthly gathering to discuss the challenges of hearing loss and to learn about using hearing loops and other assistive listening systems. The Shedd installed hearing loops throughout their concert halls and classrooms to access sound, clearly and directly, through telecoils in hearing aids and cochlear implants. They discovered that few community members knew how to use their hearing device to access a loop. Many other sites in Oregon now also have loops. Come learn about this life-changing system. Call 541-434-7000 for more info. The Shedd, theshedd.org
February 10
The Joriad North American Truffle Dog Championship | Watch some of the world’s most talented truffle dogs compete in the only competition of its kind in North America — The Joriad Truffle Dog Championship. The Joriad begins with a series of qualifying spectator-friendly arena events where dogs race to find hidden truffle-scented targets with a human partner. Finalists are announced at the end of the morning’s qualifying events. A championship with the finalists will take place in the afternoon in the Joriad Field Trial. This event coincides with the annual Oregon Truffle Festival (OTF) which draws truffle lovers from around the world to learn about and enjoy truffles from Oregon. Lane Events Center Large Animal Arena, oregontrufflefestival.org
February 10
Resolve to Remodel Bathroom Design Workshop | Whether it’s your guest bathroom, kids’ bathroom, primary suite, or powder room, resolve to remodel it in 2024 with Neil Kelly! Meet their award-winning designers for a fun morning filled with bathroom design inspiration and expert remodeling advice— plus a brunch social! Neil Kelly Company, 200 S Mill Street, Springfield, eventbrite.com
February 11
Nerds To Lovers Valentine’s Meetup | Pixie Panic is beyond excited to announce their first event of 2024! This time they’ll be gathering at Level Up Arcade to celebrate nerdy lovers of all kinds; from platonic friendships, to gay romance to nerdy lovebirds yet to meet. Dress up as your favorite fictional crush, bring a friend (or a date) and come enjoy the festivities they’ll have in store: free board game library, treasure hunt, art vendors, food, arcade games, V-Day craft station, and more. All ages welcome. Those 18+ can take part in the Geeky Singles Meet. Level Up Arcade, instagram.com/reel
February 11 & 12
Chamber Music Amici’s “One and Only” | Chamber Music Amici presents “One and Only,” an exquisite French program featuring Debussy’s piano trio and Saint-Saens’ piano quintet. The musicians include Hal Grossman (violin), Arnaud Ghillebaert (viola), Steven Pologe (cello), Colin Pip Dixon (violin) and Susan DeWitt Smith (piano). Enjoy post-concert desserts from Sweet Life Patisserie. The mission of Chamber Music Amici is to produce excellent, affordable chamber music concerts that appeal to all ages. Wildish Community Theater, chambermusicamici.org
Through February 18
Pegasus Playhouse’s “Steel Magnolias” | Pegasus Playhouse (Scott Frazier-Maskiell, artistic director) announces their production of the beloved comedy “Steel Magnolias”, written by Robert Harling and directed by Scott Frazier-Maskiell. The play explores the power of multigenerational relationships within the walls of Truvy’s salon, where the play’s women laugh, grieve, and share their stories. Pegasus Playhouse, pegasusplayhouse.com
Month of February
Fire, Water, Earth, Air: Elemental Fiber Arts | The elements have an intrinsic and primal place in our lives. Whether we think about them or not, Fire, Water, Earth, and Air shape our lives from the most intimate to the most grand. Those elements are woven into stories daily and into the art on display. This collection of art quilts was created with those elements front and center by the Fiber Arts Group, Valley South. New Zone Gallery, newzonegallery.org
Month of February
Rebecca LaMothe – “One Woman’s View” | Paintings by Rebecca LaMothe are a personal dive, visually portrayed, into her inner life. “Inspiration for my paintings comes from deep within, as well as from the outer world, compelling me to express,” Rebecca states. New Zone Gallery, newzonegallery.org
Through February 29
“Distinct Visions curated by Emerald Art Center” | Don Dexter Gallery hosts a collection of artwork from seven artists who represent Emerald Art Center with their mature vision and consistent technique in their respective craft, through February 29. Don Dexter Gallery, dondextergallery.com
Through March 1
Karin Clarke’s The Northwest Landscape | Karin Clarke Gallery presents a large invitational exhibit featuring some of the Pacific Northwest’s most dynamic contemporary and historical landscape painters. Each artist’s very distinctive work captures and celebrates the Northwest landscape in ways that deepen both our perception and appreciation of it. First Friday ArtWalks and Receptions take place February 2 and March 1 from 5:30-7:30 pm. Featured artists are Mark Clarke, Margaret Coe, Bets Cole, Carl Hall, Hart James, David McCosh, and Erik Sandgren. Karin Clarke Gallery, karinclarkegallery.com
Through April 20
“Duality” Marina Hajek (Herrera) | Don Dexter Gallery hosts “Duality,” a limited exhibition of bronze sculptures from Guatemalan American artist Marina Hajek (Herrera) from January 6 – April 20, 2024. Don Dexter Gallery, dondextergallery.com
