Happy Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17! The Pint Pot has a two-day event with all kinds of celebrations and there’s also a walk / run race you can register for. Enjoy a March Madness-style IPA blind taste test, a performance by Eugene Symphony, bluegrass and gospel or the musical of Uppland at the Shedd, and lots more! This is the last month to see “Racing to Change” at Lane County History Museum, which tells the story of Black experiences in Oregon highlighting those right here in Lane County, so don’t miss it!
March 14 through April 1
March Madness IPA Blind Taste-Off Challenge At beergarden & Publichouse | Each year, the teams at beergarden and PublicHouse duke it out to see who drafted the best IPA. The Beer Teams choose the beers. Your vote decides the favorite. The three-week event features four blind flights of four, two flights at beergarden and two at PublicHouse, comprising the Sweet 16 IPAs. You’ll have two weeks to taste all four flights and cast your vote for the tastiest brews in a blind taste off from March 14 – March 26. The Final Four will take place March 27 – April 2. The votes will be tallied to reveal the winner on April 3. PublicHouse and beergarden, beergardenme.com
March 16
Eugene Symphony: Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto | You’ll be swept up by Sergei Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto, which sparkles and charms from its deceptively simple first notes to the elation of a triumphant close, played by dazzling American pianist Claire Huangci. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
March 16
John Reischman & the Jaybirds | Like the powerful mandolinist and composer at its helm, John Reischman and the Jaybirds fashion a stylish take on bluegrass that seamlessly blends original songs and instrumentals with Appalachian old-time music for a truly unique band sound. Tsunami Books, tsunamibooks.org
March 16
Hari Kondabolu | Touted by The NY Times as “one of the most exciting political comics in stand up today,” Brooklyn-based comedian, writer, and podcaster Hari Kondabolu and his critically acclaimed works have spurred global conversation about race and representation. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
March 16
The Dave Douglas – Elan Mehler Sextet: If There Are Mountains | A collaboration between Dave Douglas and Elan Mehler, If There Are Mountains includes settings of Haiku and short form poetry, composed by the two bandleaders. The Shedd, theshedd.org
March 17 – April 2
Very Little Theatre’s “Prelude To A Kiss” | “Prelude To A Kiss” is a timeless romantic comedy that explores the power of love and the complexities of relationships. It tells the story of a young couple who fall in love and decide to get married, but their lives take an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger at their wedding kisses the bride and triggers a supernatural event that changes everything. Very Little Theatre, thevlt.com
March 17
Väsen | Mikael Marin and Olov Johansson have, after 37 years of interaction and touring, refined their sound and their stage presence with a foundation firmly rooted in the traditional music of Uppland. They perform on a variety of stringed instruments, including a silverbasharpa, oktavharpa, three-rowed Nyckelharpa, violoncello da spalla, and a blue electric viola. The Shedd, theshedd.org
March 17
Hot Fuzz Band at The Cooler | Music, dancing, shenanigans, memories, magic, and gold at the end of the rainbow! This can all be yours at the St Paddy’s day party at The Cooler with your favorite local party band, Hot Fuzz. Music to delight your senses. Food and drinks to savor as you dance the night away. Don’t forget to wear green so you don’t get pinched! And be on the lookout for leprechauns. hotfuzzband.com
March 17
Lucky Clover 5K & 10K Race | Register for a 5K Trail, 5K Road, 10K Road/Trail race. Dorris Ranch, level32racing.com/lucky-clover
March 17 & 18
Pint Pot Public House St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Celebration | Enjoy a Celtic celebration block party featuring a fundraiser for our local IAFF 851 Firefighters Pipes & Drums. Kids 12 and under are free, minors welcome until 6pm, free giveaways all day plus music and all kinds of entertainment . Pint Pot, pintpotpublichouse.com
March 18
Josephine County | Josephine County combines the talents of four exceptional traditional musicians into one powerhouse musical experience ranging from the United States to Ireland and back. The band has been featured at the Austin Celtic Festival, Winterfolk, and a number of respected folk music venues throughout the United States. Tsunami Books, tsunamibooks.org
March 19
Lynnea Barry’s “Some Bright Morning” | Lynnea Barry welcomes Marisa Frantz and Vanessa Greenway and her entire I’ll Fly Away ensemble back for a second installment of that project’s journey through the byways of Southern roots music, gospel, blues and bluegrass. Most of the songs from that show remain in this March’s remount: “The Wayfaring Stranger,” “Down To The River To Pray,” “Hide Me In Thy Bosom,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Peace In The Valley,” “I’m A Man Of Constant Sorrow,” with a handful of new songs introduced that they couldn’t get to in the fall. The Shedd, theshedd.org
Through March 19
DisOrient Film Festival | The 18th annual DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon is a hybrid festival with an exceptional line-up of both live and virtual film screenings as well as in-person filmmaker Q&As. Virtual events will be held March 13–19. disorientfilm.org
Through March 19
Oregon Contemporary Theatre’s “Something Clean” | Oregon Contemporary Theatre will stage a regional premiere of Selina Fillinger’s moving drama, directed by Inga Wilson, about Charlotte, a mother for 19 years, a wife for three decades, and a respectable community member her entire life. But when her son is incarcerated for sexual assault, Charlotte is forced to reckon with a brand-new identity, both public and private. Oregon Contemporary Theatre, octheatre.org
March 21
Unknown Mortal Orchestra | Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s genre-defying approach to music has allowed the band’s sound to shift and evolve with every new album. The group’s driving force, Ruban Nielson, is a psychedelic explorer with an experimental bent that was clear from the very first home-recorded Unknown Mortal Orchestra album, which paired his soaring guitar work with winsome melodies and trippy production. McDonald Theatre, mcdonaldtheatre.com
March 22
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, dropbearbrewery.com
Month of March
Zone 4 All | Eugene’s incredible creativity is on display again at the New Zone Gallery during the month of March in its bi-annual Zone 4 All. This non-juried open show showcases more than 200 artists and their eclectic work, from traditional to experimental and from paintings to 3D and assemblage and everything in between. New Zone Gallery, newzonegallery.org
Through April 1
“Racing to Change” | “Racing to Change” tells the story of Black experiences in Oregon highlighting those right here in Lane County. The original exhibit was created by the Oregon Black Pioneers with added content by the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. New content added by the Lane County History Museum includes historic photographs and videos, oral history, and an interactive poetry wall. Lane County History Museum, lchm.org
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
