Trying to add a payment method? You can do this on the 
QuickTake:
This week’s roundup of things to do includes a stop in Eugene from GZA, plenty of theatrical performances, two fine arts events, Cuban dance workshops and more.
Happy sunny Thursday to you all, Lookout readers, and I hope you have your Mother’s Day plans squared away. We have a few items on our things to do roundup that could fit that bill, from a stage musical and film screening of “Mamma Mia!” to, if your mom is super cool, an evening with a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan. (Your mom mileage may vary.)
Let’s get into it:
Performances
Two resident companies launch shows at the Hult Center, while a legendary musician stops in town on tour.
‘Mamma Mia!’ on tour
The touring Broadway production of “Mamma Mia!” is in Eugene this week at the Hult Center, and it’s hard to find a more crowd-pleasing jukebox musical than the ABBA extravaganza. I do not think it is physically possible to not enjoy “Mamma Mia!” (though, my favorite ABBA-adjacent media is “Muriel’s Wedding”). So why not vicariously go to Greece and gallivant around for an evening?
- When: “Mamma Mia!” is in Eugene for performances through Sunday, May 10.
- Where: The Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center in downtown Eugene
- How much: Tickets are available online and start at $34.
‘As You Like It’
Yeehaw and verily: Ballet Fantastique’s latest jukebox ballet offering is the return of the company’s country Western “As You Like It,” a take on the William Shakespeare romantic comedy narrated in a Western drawl.
- When: There will be four performances, with the first beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, and the final show scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Sunday, May 10.
- Where: The Soreng Theater at the Hult Center in downtown Eugene
- How much: Tickets are available online and start at $14.
GZA at WOW Hall
There’s no way to say this other than to say it: We have a GZA/the Genius concert on a weekday evening next week. Any “Liquid Swords” fans with no plans next Monday after work?
- When: 7 p.m., Monday, May 11
- Where: WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave.
- How much: Tickets are available online for $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the show.
Arts
Springfield Art Walk
It’s the second weekend of the month, which means it’s time for the Springfield 2nd Friday Art Walk. This month’s highlights include Kenji Shimizu’s photography exhibit “The Way It Felt,” Amelia Kay’s acrylic works, Tyler E. Burgess’ illustrations of walking tours he’s taken across the world, the Emerald Art Center’s 20th annual national juried art show of paintings, and the University of Oregon Department of Interior Architecture students’ design proposal for the Rivett Building commercial space in downtown Springfield.
- When: 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8
- Where: Along Main Street in downtown Springfield. A full map of participating locations is on the Art Walk website.
- How much: Free
‘Forever in Blue Jeans: A Mid-Career Retrospective of Hilary Pfeifer’
This exhibit, on view through June 5, is a retrospective of the work of Hilary Pfeifer, a Eugene-born artist who works in sculpture, collage, installation art and beyond. The exhibit is also a full-circle moment for Pfeifer, who lives in Portland but studied as a young artist at the Maude Kerns Art Center.
- When: The opening reception for the exhibit is 5 p.m. Friday, May 8. At 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Pfeifer will be at the gallery to discuss her work and share practical advice for a working artist.
- Where: Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E. 15th Ave., Eugene
- How much: Free to attend, but donations are welcome.
Get out and go
A day of Cuban dancing
One option for this weekend: get dancing. Wilfredo Guilbiac, of Cubatá Dance Company in San Diego, specialized in Afro-Cuban technique and modern dance in school in Havana, and is in Eugene this weekend for a day of workshops with Azúcar Cuban Dance y Más. ¡Baile!
- When: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9; dinner and social dance follows at 7 p.m.
- Where: Workshops are at the WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave., while the evening dinner and social dance are at Claim 52 Brewing, 232 Lincoln St.
- How much: Workshops are pay-what-you-can with a suggested payment of $25, but participants must register in advance. The live music evening is also pay-what-you-can, with a suggested $15 to $20 entrance payment.
Summer Plant Sale
Another option: get planting. Start your summer garden (or, if you’ve had bad luck so far this year like I have, restart it) at the Food for Lane County Summer Plant Sale this weekend, with live music, and more than 300 varieties of vegetables, fruits and herb starts. (A full inventory is available to peruse.) Send recommendations for hard-to-kill plants so I can … share them with a friend.
- When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9
- Where: 34596 Seavey Loop Road
- How much: However much you’d like to budget for plants. Cash, check, credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and EBT/Snap accepted.
Movies
Box Office
There are no real stand-out feature film moments to call out this week at the box office — though you might want to check out “Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour” if you’re a fan of Ms. Eilish and feel comfortable jumping up and down in a movie theater. Looks like fun!
Playing at Cinemark Eugene-Springfield 17 and the Regal Valley River Center.
Special Screenings
I wanted to flag two screenings this week for you:
If you want to double up on Mother’s Day ABBA, you can catch “Mamma Mia!” at the Art House this weekend. Playing Saturday, May 9, through Wednesday, May 13.
Then there’s the documentary “Steal This Story, Please!” about journalist Amy Goodman, the main host and executive producer of independent news radio Democracy Now!. Playing Friday, May 8 through Thursday. May 14 at Metro Cinemas.
Thank you for reading, Lookout members. If my picks aren’t up to your liking, check out our events calendar for more things to do. As always, if there are any events I should include here, or any feedback for this weekly list, drop me a line at annie@lookoutlocal.com.
