The Weekender
Summer feels like it is already in full swing with sunny days, bike riding, football (soccer!), baseball, track and field, and the Florence Rhododendron Festival. “Peter Pan” celebrates choreographer Toni Pimble and Orchestra Next’s 100th performance with the Eugene Ballet. There’s LOTS to choose from this week. Find your fun!
May is Bike Month | Bike Month is back, along with a month filled with fun rides and events. It’s a good time for returning riders to roll those steads out of the garage and for everyone who rides bikes to celebrate together. May is Bike Month showcases the many benefits of biking and encourages more folks to give biking a try. Bike Month has been celebrated in Eugene and Springfield since it was first nationally celebrated in 1956. Visit the website for the full line-up of free rides, workshops, bike-up discounts at local businesses, and prizes for all ages and riding abilities. City of Eugene, webikelane.org
May 16
Lane United FC | Lane United FC is a pre-professional soccer team based in Eugene, Oregon. LUFC plays in the Northwest Division of USL League Two (formerly PDL), the highest level of amateur soccer in North America. Watch them take on Deportivo Rose City in this home game. Civic Park, laneutd.com
May 16
Thursday Night Run Club | Come join the fun on Thursdays for a community run on the Amazon Trail where they start and finish at Drop Bear Brewery. Distances vary from 3 to 5 miles. Your pace can be whatever you’re comfortable with! All are welcome to run or walk! Stick around after the run to have a beer with fellow runners. Check their Instagram weekly for special events and community collaborations. Drop Bear Brewery, silenus_run_club
May 16-18
Track and Field State Championships | The 2024 OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union Track and Field State Championships will again be held at Hayward Field. Come on out and watch as talented young runners compete in hopes of obtaining that special championship win! 3A, 2A, 1A State Championships are May 16 and 17, while the 6A, 5A, 4A State Championships take place on May 17 and 18. Hayward Field, eugenecascadescoast.org
May 16-19
Florence Rhododendron Festival | Celebrating the abundant, hardy, and beloved “rhody” that splashes vibrant colors across the Oregon coastline, this springtime festival is bursting with family-friendly entertainment and activities. Held every third weekend in May for 117 years. Enjoy a family-focused parade, street vendor fair, car show, and a carnival with rides and games along with a spectacular display of hundreds of rhododendrons. Florence Events Center and Old Town Florence, florencechamber.com
May 17-19
Eugene Ballet’s “Peter Pan” | In their 100th performance with the Eugene Ballet (EB) at the Hult Center, Orchestra Next (ON) will conclude their 2023-24 Season with the World Premiere of Peter Pan, composed by Kenji Bunch and choreographed by Toni Pimble. In a 96-minute original work, “Peter Pan” tells J.M. Barrie’s story of the boy who will never grow up on a fanciful flight through Neverland. Kenji Bunch is a composer and violist based in Portland, Oregon. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
May 17
Oregon Contemporary Theatre’s “Predictor” | Through June 2, Oregon Contemporary Theatre’s “Predictor” tells the real-life story of Margaret Crane, who, in 1967, defied all odds and expectations to become the inventor of the first home pregnancy test. Energetic and theatrical, “Predictor” illuminates Meg Crane’s lost contributions to both science and design, celebrating her persistence, her relentless positivity, and her desire to make the world a better place—for everyone. Compelling, theatrical, and FUNNY, this play highlights and honors a woman in history who deserves recognition of her contribution. Oregon Contemporary Theatre, octheatre.org
May 17
Harlan | 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
May 17 & 18
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 18
50+ Health & Age Less Living Expo | Join the 3rd Annual free Eugene 50+ Health & Age Less Living Expo for a fun-filled and information-packed event that brings a positive and life affirming message to the ever-growing Baby Boomer/Senior demographic in Lane County. Enjoy Tai Chi demonstrations, all day door prize drawings, sample giveaways, free health and wellness screenings, amazing exhibits and expert speakers covering a range of relevant topics. Food is available onsite. Lane Events Center, boomerama.com
May 18
Gary & Eva | Gary & Eva play a variety of tunes, ranging from bossa nova to Beatles, jazz standards to blues, and more. Enjoy the music of guitar, voice, and flute while sipping a glass of fine wine in an intimate, comfortable setting. Iris Vineyards Tasting Room, irisvineyards.com
May 18 & 19
Marisa Frantz’s “We’ve Only Just Begun”: Karen Carpenter, 1969-82 | Marisa Frantz and friends pay tribute to one of the giants of 1970s pop, Karen Carpenter. From 1969, the year she and brother Richard were signed by A&M Records until her untimely death in 1983, Carpenter was the voice of a string of massive hits, including “Close To You,” “All Of My Life,” “Rainy Days And Mondays,” “Top of the World,” “Ticket To Ride,” Sing,” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Make reservations for dinner at 6. The Shedd Institute, theshedd.org
Through May 19
Very Little Theatre’s “Constellations” | Very Little Theatre continues with the sixth show of its 94th season, “Constellations,” which follows the relationship of two people who are inextricably linked to one another through time and through multiple parallel universes. Very Little Theatre, thevlt.com
Through May 19
Archaeology Channel International Film Festival | The Archaeology Channel International Film Festival will once again return to Eugene for four days of juried films and videos on the topic of archaeology, cultural and indigenous topics. This event begins with a banquet on May 15 before film showings begin at The Shedd Institute on May 16. In conjunction with film screenings, The Archaeology Channel hosts a conference for the industry. 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. The Shedd, archaeologychannel.org
May 19
Bark in the Park | Alton Baker Park goes to the dogs when more than 1,000 dogs and their people leash up for a 10K, 5K, or 2K run/walk in the park for Greenhill Humane Society’s 31st Annual Bark in the Park. Festivities include the runs and walk, canine activities, vendor booths, food trucks, demonstrations, contests, prizes, and more. Alton Baker Park, Green-Hill.org/bark
May 19
The Eugene Native American Arts and Crafts Market | The Eugene Native American Arts and Crafts Market is a gathering of Native American and Indigenous artists and crafters from a diverse representation of Tribal Nations. The market’s mission is to provide a safe and supportive venue for the creativity of Native artisans who create authentic arts and crafts individually or with their families. Show your support and shop for authentic Native American beadwork, jewelry, graphic arts and clothing. The market is held on the third Sunday of every month. Farmers Market Pavilion, naacm.org
May 19
“The Bach Dialogues” | Acclaimed musicians Christopher O’Riley and Matt Haimovitz defy convention in “The Bach Dialogues,” a concert that breaks boundaries and reimagines the music of a legend. Forget stuffy recitals! This is an exploration where Baroque meets cutting-edge technology, and iconic sonatas get a vibrant new lease on life. Old Nick’s Pub, oldnickspub.com
May 21-26
Emeralds Baseball | The Eugene Emeralds Minor League Baseball team will play six games against the Spokane Indians. Watch the action unfold at beautiful PK Park! The Ems have been a beloved local team since the 50s and host fun theme nights at every game. PK Park, milb.com
