It’s Mother’s Day weekend! Happy Mother’s Day to all of our friends who are mothers. You won’t have any trouble finding something to do this week. If your mother (or you!) loves wine, explore Sundance Wine Cellars’ free themed wine tastings on Friday and Saturday, or a winery tour through Sip, Savor, Explore Oregon visiting multiple vineyard locations. Carl Woideck plays selections from the Great American Songbook at The Jazz Station. Ballet Fantastique’s “Robin Hood & Maid Marian,” at the Hult Center, is bold and beautiful. Very Little Theatre’s “Xanadu” relives all that we loved about the 1980 classic. Age better and celebrate your age, whatever it is, at the Eugene Boomerama 50+ Health & Age Less Living Expo at Lane Events Center. Take your science-loving child or grandchild to Family STEM Day at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, and shop for spring decor (pick up a Mother’s Day gift, maybe) at Willamalane’s Spring Marketplace.
May 11
Carl Woideck | Saxophonist Carl Woideck plays the music of Ellington, Jobim, Horace Silver, the Beatles, and the Great American Songbook. Carl has been performing in various clubs and concert spaces in the area for decades. He is also known for his radio show The Soul of Jazz on KlCC-FM. The Jazz Station, thejazzstation.org
May 12
Learn To Cultivate Cannabis And Process Your Own Medicine with Guy Holmes | Learn all about Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and learn how to make it yourself with cannabis plants you have grown, and with little or zero beforehand knowledge. Guy Holmes brings over 20 years of cultivation experience to this free seminar open to the general public on Friday, May 12th at Kesey Square in Eugene, Oregon from 10:30-Noon, courtesy of Grow Magazine–the world-famous ‘Hemp and Cannabis Horticulture Magazine” which was founded by Guy in 2016 and continues to be headquartered here in his hometown of Eugene. Guy will be joined by Grow Magazine Cultivation Editor Cos Burnigham and RSO patients who have triumphed over cancer. Bring your note pads because this team will get you flying with their 30,000 foot aerial view of the complete process from genetics, seed selection, germination, basic care and objectives through harvest, cure and actually processing of your flowers into RSO. This seminar is 100% free and includes a complimentary copy of Grow Magazine for the first 100 attendees. Limited snacks and beverages will also be provided courtesy of Grow Magazine. growmag.com
May 12 – May 28
The Fantasticks | The Jones and Schmidt musical opens May 12 at 7 pm and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7 pm until May 28. Pegasus Playhouse, www.pegasusplayhouse.com
May 12 & 13
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
May 11 – 14
Ballet Fantastique’s “Robin Hood & Maid Marian” | Fredrick Davis from Dance Theatre of Harlem stars as Robin Hood in a thrilling new production, with fight scenes choreographed by Lord of the Rings’ Michelle Ladd. But Robin isn’t the only star — brilliant, bold Maid Marian and an all-female team of creatives help make this a show unlike any other. Hult Center, balletfantastique.org
May 12 – 28
Very Little Theatre’s “Xanadu” | Based on the 1980 cult classic of the same name, this musical is sure to “roll” into your hearts at the first note! It’s your typical story: boy meets Muse, Muse inspires boy, Muse and boy team up to create great art in the form of converting an old theater into a roller disco. It’s legwarmers. It’s neon jackets. It’s the Tony Award-nominated musical and it’s the VLT’s 94th season finale, “Xanadu.” Very Little Theatre, thevlt.com/xanadu
May 13
CageWarriors Northwest | Live action MMA from CageWarriors Northwest at 7 pm. After the matches enjoy the full-service spa, pool, drinks, and food! Seven Feathers, sevenfeathers.com
May 13
Dorris Ranch Open House: Rental Venues | Tour Dorris Ranch rental venues — the barn, and the historic Tomseth House at this open house. Willamalane’s rental team will be on-site to answer questions and make recommendations, so you can start planning your perfect event. Dorris Ranch, willamalane.org/events
May 13
The Eugene Boomerama 50+ Health & Age Less Living Expo | Attendees enjoy this annual celebration for Baby Boomers and beyond who choose to “re-fire” not retire. This fun-filled and information-packed event brings a positive and life-affirming message to the baby boomer/senior demographic. Enjoy demonstrations, all day door prize drawings, sample giveaways, free health and wellness screenings, the Boomerama treasure hunt, as well as amazing exhibits and expert speakers covering a range of relevant topics. Lane Events Center, boomerama.com
May 13
Family STEM Day at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History | The world of science, technology, engineering, and math is stronger when it includes diverse voices and different perspectives. Join the Museum of Natural and Cultural History to celebrate a new generation of STEM superheroes with a variety of hands-on science and engineering activities for all ages. Explore the museum, learn about STEM careers, and enjoy the snacks! Activities are bilingual Spanish/English. Museum of Natural and Cultural History, mnch.uoregon.edu
May 13 & 14
Willamalane’s Spring Marketplace | Have lunch and browse locally crafted handmade goods at Willamalane’s Spring Marketplace, a one-stop shopping destination for spring décor and gifts such as birdhouses, garden art, collectibles, home decor, plants, gourmet treats, and more. Free, all ages, and open noon – 5 p.m both days. Bob Keefer Center, willamalane.org
May 14
Mother’s Day Wine Tasting | This trip is for mama friends and/or mothers with their adult children (husbands can come, too) willing to share the trip with other passengers. Join Sip, Savor, Explore Oregon for a special Mother’s Day wine tasting experience with multiple vineyard locations. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the winery grounds (weather permitting) and learn about the winemaking process from their knowledgeable staff. Sip, Savor, Explore Oregon, sipsavorexploreoregon.com
May 17 – 21
Archaeology Channel International Film Festival | The mission of the festival is “To exhibit for [the] audience the wonderful diversity of human cultures past and present in the exploration of our place in history and in our world. To promote the genre and the makers of film and video productions about cultural heritage.” The Archaeology Channel is a streaming media website from the Archaeological Legacy Institute, which is devoted to bringing attention to and fostering an understanding of the cultural heritage of humans. Screenings at The Shedd and online, archaeologychannel.org
Month of May
New Zone Gallery’s ECCO art exhibit | During the month of May, New Zone will host an art exhibit from students of ECCO. It is free, and open daily, from noon to 6 pm. ECCO stands for Early College and Career Options, and serves students with the desire and potential to succeed in post-secondary education. Typically, ECCO students have not experienced success at the traditional high school and have sought out an alternative environment that better meets their needs. New Zone Gallery, newzonegallery.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/museumexhibits