Mother’s Day is Sunday! Happy Mother’s Day to all of our readers who are mothers! Naturally, there are a lot of Mother’s Day–related events this week so take your pick and enjoy spring!
May 9
Meet An Archeologist | Have you wondered what it is like to be an archaeologist? Drop in any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m. to chat with MNCH archaeologists Todd Braje (MNCH), Scott Fitzpatrick (University of Oregon), Richie Rosencrance (University of Nevada, Reno). and Jordan Pratt (Texas A&M University) and Katelyn McDonough (MNCH and University of Oregon). Get a book signed, learn about their research, see artifacts, and discover how learning about the past can help us understand the present. Museum of Natural and Cultural History, natural-history.uoregon.edu
May 9
The Moth | The Moth is true stories, told live and without notes. They celebrate the ability of true, personal storytelling to illuminate both the diversity and commonality of human experience. Their work allows people all over the world and from all walks of life to share their stories on stage in front of a live audience. Through live and virtual shows, storytelling workshops, a podcast, Peabody Award-winning Radio Hour, and New York Times Best Selling book “The Moth” brings the power of personal storytelling to millions of people each year—creating community and building empathy around the world. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
May 9
Zsofia Tardy’s Hunglish Project | Original compositions inspired by Bela Bartok, Balkanian folk tradition, and Horace Silver’s hard bop compositions with vocal arrangements. Attila Csikos is a Portland-based musician. For decades, he has actively participated in the music business as a multi-genre guitarist, educator, composer, arranger, producer, and recording artist. Zsofia Csikos-Tardy is a Portland-based jazz singer, music educator. She regularly performs with her quartet “Hunglish Project” and in duo with guitarist Attila Csikos. The Jazz Station, thejazzstation.org
May 9 – 12
Ballet Fantastique’s “Alice in Wonderland,” The Steampunk, Electro-Swing Remix | Escape down the rabbit hole in a bright, newfangled tour of Wonderland. Ballet Fantastique presents “Alice in Wonderland: Remix”! See the vivid visions of Lewis Carroll’s classics brought to life Mother’s Day Weekend with High Step Society’s exhilarating, daredevil hot jazz score. Hult Center, balletfantastique.org
May 10
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). Downtown Springfield, emeraldartcenter.org
May 11
An Evening with David Sedaris | With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America’s preeminent humor writers. He is the master of satire and one of today’s most observant writers addressing the human condition. His most recent book, Happy-Go-Lucky, is his first new collection of personal essays since the bestselling Calypso. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
May 11
Mother’s Day Tea | Visit the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House this Mother’s Day for an early afternoon tea before heading to the Hult Center to see Ballet Fantastique’s “Alice in Wonderland” performance. Learn about Victorian-era history and customs while enjoying delightful treats at an elegantly prepared table. Tea times include scones, savories, tea sandwiches, dessert and freshly brewed tea, of course. Prepaid reservations are required. Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, smjhouse.org
May 11
Royalty for a Day | A Family for Every Child presents Royalty for a Day! This is a community event where kids of all ages and backgrounds are treated to a day of luxury as they transform into princes and princesses. Both foster and community kids alike receive a day of pampering and excitement, straight out of a fairytale. Royalty for a Day is free to foster youth and open to community kids through ticketing online. Lane Events Center, afamilyforeverychild.org
May 11
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
May 12
Mother’s Day Walk | Take a springtime morning walk among Oregon’s beautiful flora. Local herbalist Kassaundra Lynn will take you for a Mother’s Day stroll, helping you identify and learn about the different wild herbs and medicinal plants. Hendricks Park, rootedremedies.co
May 12
Shedd Classical: Beethoven Symphonies | Michael Anderson and microphilharmonic premier Anderson’s arrangements for chamber ensemble of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 (1800) and his Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 (1808). The Shedd, theshedd.org
Through May 12
Emeralds Baseball | The Eugene Emeralds Minor League Baseball team will play six games against the Tri-City Dust Devils. PK Park, milb.com
Month of May
E4 Exhibits at New Zone Gallery | New Zone will host four exhibits throughout the month of May. An opening reception will be held on First Friday, May 3, from 5:30-7:30pm. Beverages from Hop Valley Brewing and wine from Sundance Wine Cellars. Live music performed by Steve Goodbar. On display is Robin Marks-Fife – “Random Thoughts and Retrospective” showing watercolor paintings from the past as well as new work. Ralf Huber – “Hegemony” is an art installation discussing the preponderant influence of the Western powers; wars fought in the name of democracy and their cost. Contemporary Mosaic Art 2 (CMA2) – Juried Members Exhibition is an international community of mosaic artists featuring 38 mosaic artists from 13 states and 3 countries. ECCO – Students exhibition is a display of art created by the ECCO alternative high school students. New Zone, newzonegallery.or
