If you have fond memories of the movie “Xanadu” that came out in 1980, you’ll want to make time for Very Little Theatre’s production. It’s time for May flowers, and for the 166th year we celebrate with a parade, vendors, and more at the Florence Rhododendron Festival. The Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum is hosting an artist reception for a new series by Iranian artist Naeemeh Naeemaei. Baseball season is in full swing Eugene Opera’s production of “Acis and Galatea” brings you tuneful melodies, delightful plot twists, and music you know and love. Enjoy samples of Thinking Tree’s newest vodka infused with butterfly pea flower and organic Oregon lavender. And if you’re the one your friends ask for book advice, join up with your fellow book lovers for a “Bookish Trivia” event at New Zone Gallery.
May 12 – 14
“Anastasia” | From the Tony Award–winning creators of the Broadway classic “Ragtime” and inspired by the beloved films, “Anastasia” is the new Broadway musical that transports viewers from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past.Hult Center, hultcenter.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 12 – June 9
“Not Just: A World Collage Day Exhibition” | The opening reception is May 12 for “Not Just: A World Collage Day Exhibition,” a juried show in honor of World Collage Day (May 13), featuring work by 40 local, regional, and national collage artists, as well as the collage art of 11 invited international artists from nine different countries, including Greece, Germany, Brazil, France, Spain, Columbia, Mexico, Argentina, and Canada. Maude Kerns Art Center, mkartcenter.org
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 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
May 18 – 21
2023 Florence Rhododendron Festival | The rhodies that thrive along the coast are the stars of this festival, now in its 116th year. Also enjoy the Street Vendor Fair, Car Show, 5K run, and the Carnival with rides, games, and a few surprises. The Rhododendron Floral Parade starts at noon on Sunday the 21st. Florence, florencechamber.com
May 19 – June 24
Naeemeh Naeemaei: JAAN | The artist’s reception is May 19 for Naeemeh Naeemaei’s JAAN series. Born in Tehran, Iran, in 1984, Naeemeh Naeemaei received her BFA from Tehran Art University in 2006, majoring in sculpture. Locally, Naeemaei is known from her stunning 2019 exhibit “Dreams Before Extinction,” at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. The JAAN series features eight stunning, large format photographs on canvas. Karin Clarke Gallery, karinclarkegallery.com
May 19
Eugene Emeralds Giants Day & Long Sleeve Tee-Shirt Giveaway | Our hometown heroes the Eugene Emeralds baseball team will be wearing the uniforms of their parent club, and the first 1,000 fans will get a special long-sleeved tee presented by Carl’s Jr. PK Park, milb.com/eugene
May 19 & 20
Eugene Opera’s “Acis and Galatea” | Join Eugene Opera in southern Europe for a romantic romp that transcends the ages. Fairies, nymphs, and shepherds accompany you on a picture-perfect journey set in Roman Holiday–era Italy. But will romantic destiny be thwarted by a jealous giant, or will love prevail? Handel’s sparkling pastoral opera “Acis and Galatea” will charm you with tuneful melodies, delightful twists and turns of the plot, and Baroque music you know and love by this renowned composer. With an English libretto by John Gay. Wildish Theater, app.arts-people.com
May 20
Butterfly Lavender Vodka release party at Thinking Tree | Join Thinking Tree from 4-7 pm to celebrate their newest vodka infused with butterfly pea flower and organic Oregon lavender. Butterfly pea flower’s vibrant blue-purple hue changes color when citrus is added — a true taste for the tongue and a feast for the eyes! Free and open to all ages until 9 pm. Thinking Tree, thinkingtreespirits.com
May 20
8th Annual Bookish Trivia | At 6 pm, the New Zone Gallery will be hosting the 8th Annual Bookish Trivia, which will choose eight books for you and three of your favorite bibliophiles to read. Teams will get together for an evening of trivia, laughter, prizes, and general merriment. New Zone Gallery, facebook.com
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
May 21
30th Annual Bark in the Park | Alton Baker Park goes to the dogs when Greenhill Humane Society’s 30th Annual Bark in the Park returns. The dog-friendly event is one of Greenhill’s biggest fundraisers. The shelter hopes to raise $100,000 to help care for over 3,400 animals in 2023. Alton Baker Park, green-hill.org
May 21
Eugene Tea Festival | Eugene’s first tea festival will take place from 10 am- to 4 pm at the Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza in downtown Eugene on Sunday, May 21, International Tea Day. Advanced tickets are $10 and advanced ticket holders will get first dibs on signing up for an array of workshops with tea experts and regional tea brands. Workshops are free for festival attendees but expected to sell out quickly. To make the event accessible to all, day-of tickets to ETF will be available via a sliding scale (suggested donation $15). Farmers Market Pavilion, eugeneteafest.org
May 22
Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini | Trombonist-singer/songwriter Natalie Cressman and composer-guitarist Ian Faquini stop by in support of their most recent CD, “Autumn Whisper.” Cressman & Faquini have created a uniquely intimate duo collaboration, drawing from impressionism, jazz, and the great Brazilian songwriting tradition. This event is part of The Shedd’s free tickets for youth program. The Shedd, theshedd.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 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
