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Also: Ballet Fantastique is interpreting creepy Edgar Allan Poe tales. The Eugene Symphony opens its season with Stravinsky. And Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth” comes to the McDonald Theatre with a live musical accompaniment.
Good day to one and all, Lookout Eugene-Springfield readers. Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Things to Do. We finally got a bit of rain this past weekend, but here comes the sun — again. I’ve grown to miss the rain, but this week’s weather seems great for doing things both inside and outside.
Let’s get into this week’s suggestions:
Ballet Fantastique ‘Nevermore’
October is the month for the macabre, and Ballet Fantastique’s “Nevermore” encapsulates that by putting on a performance inspired by the literary works of Edgar Allan Poe. “Nevermore” interprets some of Poe’s most famous pieces, like “The Raven,” “Annabel Lee,” “Fall of the House of Usher,” “Cask of Amontillado” and “Masque of the Red Death.” Experience this on-theme ballet performance accompanied by live music while you can, this week only.
- When: Four performances: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.
- Where: Soreng Theater at the Hult Center in Eugene.
- How much: Tickets start at $24; tickets and details.
Eugene Symphony season opener
The Eugene Symphony is back, officially opening its season with Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite,” followed by American composer Anna Clyne’s “Color Field,’ inspired by the famous abstract painter Mark Rothko. For the finale, the symphony takes on Antonín Dvořák’s “New World Symphony,” for a swelling end to the night.
- When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15
- Where: Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center in Eugene
- How much: Tickets start at $73.60; tickets available online.
Jim Henson’s ‘Labyrinth’ in concert
More than three decades after his death, Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, still has a mark on pop culture. One of his films, “Labyrinth,” will be shown at the McDonald Theatre, accompanied by a live band, almost a small orchestra, paired with David Bowie’s recorded original vocals to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the film. Some of the puppets from the film will star in their own musical performances as well.
- When: Doors open 7 p.m., show starts 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.
- Where: McDonald Theatre, 1010 Willamette St., Eugene
- How much: Tickets start at $45.50, available online.
Comics Art Festival of Eugene
Presented by the award-winning Books With Pictures Eugene, this festival is busting at the seams with comic book goodness. For all ages, the Comics Art Festival of Eugene combines the community’s love for art and storytelling by showcasing independent cartoonists, small publishers and local talent, “with a focus on uplifting diverse voices.”
- When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18
- Where: Lane Events Center Auditorium, 796 W. 13th Ave., Eugene
- How much: Free
Live drone racing at Blairally
Take a leap into the future of “extreme” sports with live drone racing from the Underground Drone League. Drone pilots from all over Oregon will be competing at Blairally, with a “futuristic neon twist.” Sign-ups start at 4 p.m.; racing starts at 5 p.m.
- When: Thursday, Oct. 15; open for all ages from 5 to 9 p.m.; then 21 and older only from 9 to 10 p.m.
- Where: Blairally, 245 Blair Blvd., Eugene
- How much: Free
Oregon Jazz Ensemble
The University of Oregon’s premier jazz band returns to the Jazz Station. The ensemble plays a wide range of jazz styles, from classic big-band repertoire to new works by student and faculty composers. With only about 70 seats, the Jazz Station provides a close-up way to hear a full big band.
- When: 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16
- Where: The Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway, Eugene
- How much: Tickets start at $15; available online.
FUN-raiser for Tsunami Books
Do you want to help the staff at Tsunami Books buy their building? Do you enjoy a free raffle and free live music? Well, this weekend, there’s a gathering for you.
With music from the Romanelli Revival, Spoken Word and cello via Cello Poetica with Jorah La Fleur and Nisha Calkins and wild surf music from El Borko, this event features an eclectic array of different genres and chances for the community to help out Tsunami Books.
- When: 6 p.m. Saturday Oct. 17
- Where: Viking Brewing Company, 520 Commercial St., Eugene
- How much: Free admission
What’s playing at the movies?
Special screenings
The local band Minor Mirage will be performing the original score for the silent Western drama “The Wind.” In the 1928 silent film, a young woman from Virginia relocates to west Texas, where the wind doesn’t stop. It’s perhaps your only opportunity to hear the spaghetti Western band’s twangy original soundtrack for “The Wind.”
- Where: Art House, 492 E. 13th Ave., Eugene
- When: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17
A couple of weeks ago, the Eugene Symphony performed soundtracks from some of Studio Ghibli’s fan favorites. This week, the Ghibli love continues with the Eugene Art House playing one of them, “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” Follow Kiki through the air at the Art House this weekend!
- Where: Art House, 492 E. 13th Ave., Eugene
- When: Options for screenings with subtitles or dubbed in English, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18
Box office
“You Can See Everything” follows Elizabeth Holmes, the infamous founder of Theranos, for 34 days before she went to prison. Canadian actor, filmmaker and comedian Nathan Fielder, co-directs this documentary in collaboration with Lance Oppenheim.
Playing at Metro Cinemas and Cinemark Eugene-Springfield
Based on Daniel Kraus’ 2023 novel, “Whalefall” follows Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams of “Euphoria” and “Resident Evil”), a grieving scuba diver who goes searching for his late father’s remains off the California coast. Instead, he gets swallowed by a sperm whale and has about an hour of oxygen to find a way out. Josh Brolin plays his father, and Elisabeth Shue and Jane Levy are also in the cast. Whale he get out?
Playing at Metro Cinemas, Cinemark Eugene-Springfield and Regal Valley River Center
That’s all for this week, folks. As always, if this week’s picks aren’t up to par, check out our events calendar for more things to do. If there are any events I should include here, or any feedback for this week’s list, feel free to shoot me a message at leoh@lookoutlocal.com
