Things to do: Ponder an alternative ending for Juliet; listen to Hawaiian slack key; lots more

Is spooky season officially here? The leaves point to yes, but the weather points to no. These conflicting results make excellent “things to do” conditions. There are plenty of ways to embrace the Halloween festivities before the rain eventually arrives. With everything from a Broadway-style musical to Hawaiian slack-key guitar, a night of jazz and a zombie-filled stage show, there’s plenty to do this week.

Art walk in downtown Springfield

Enjoy a guided or self-guided tour of downtown Springfield businesses featuring local art, music, food and dance. Before you start, grab a map at the Emerald Art Center for featured exhibits, including the 34th annual Mayor’s Art Show, which includes art in all media from all over Oregon.

• When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9
• Where: Emerald Art Center, 500 Main St., Springfield
• How much: Free

D-Squared: ‘earth-rooted’ folk music

Hailing from the central mountains of Arizona, Deb Gessner and Don Charles bring an amalgamation of folk music to Oregon. They describe their music as having “earth-rooted melodies and stark, hypnotic rhythms.” D-Squared blends harp and guitar with other folk instruments. 

• When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11
• Where: 83339 Green Bluff Drive, Creswell
• How much: $25 donation is suggested; details and tickets

‘& Juliet’: an alternate ending

What if Juliet didn’t end it all after Romeo perished? Well, an Emmy-award winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” David West Read, explores that alternate reality through musical theater in “& Juliet.” Juliet starts a new chapter, and the Broadway musical explores her new life through pop hits. (By the way, Lookout’s Annie Aguiar interviewed the show’s 19-year-old star.)

• When: Tuesday through Sunday, Oct. 6-11
• Where: Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center
• How much: Tickets start at $44; details and tickets

‘The Addams Family’ hits the stage

Embrace the spooky season with a timely musical theater performance as The Cottage Theatre presents “The Addams Family.”

Go on the journey with Wednesday, the quirky, independent daughter of the world’s most macabre family, as she falls for someone unusually normal. When the Addamses invite her boyfriend’s straitlaced family over for dinner, one “normal” night spirals into an eventful evening. 

• When: Through Oct. 25
• Where: The Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove
• How much: $32 for adults and $20 for students; details and tickets

Masters of Hawaiian slack key 

Enjoy three of the most popular musicians from Maui’s “Slack Key Show,” featuring the unique open-tuning guitar styles from Hawaii’s 19th century Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture. The three musicians, George Kahumoku Jr., Led Kaapana and Jeff Peterson, grew up in rural Hawaii, and were immersed in “slack key” from a young age.

• When: Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
• Where: The Shedd Institute, 868 High St., Eugene
• How much: Tickets start at $28; details and tickets

Jazz piano: Clay Giberson Trio

Jazz at The Jazz Station? Seems right. Portland-based pianist Clay Giberson assembles the Clay Giberson Trio for a night of world-class jazz piano to celebrate the release of Giberson’s new album, “Moment’s Notice.” Giberson is joined by New York bassist David Ambrosio and Northwest drumming legend John Bishop, three seasoned players with decades of experience.

• When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8
• Where: The Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway, Eugene
• How much: $25; details and tickets

‘Night of the Living Dead’ live on stage

Could anyone survive a night of the living dead? Find out in “Night of the Living Dead Live,” presented by The Very Little Theatre. This tribute reimagines the classic horror film with multiple alternate endings and “what-if” scenarios, each throwing the characters into new challenges as they fight to survive the night.

• When: Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 18
• Where: Very Little Theatre at 2350 Hilyard St., Eugene
• How much: Tickets start at $21; details and tickets

What’s playing at the movies?

Special screenings

The time is right to watch the film version of the musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” It’s approaching Halloween, a chill is in the night air and Halloween candy is back in stores. The Art House is hosting a special screening of the classic, and even hosting a special craft night presented in partnership with Cozy yarn shop. The lights will remain at mid-level during the showing so attendees can knit, crochet or focus on any other handicraft project. 

• Where: Art House, 492 E. 13th Ave., Eugene
• When: Through Thursday, Oct. 15; Crafters Movie Night is 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11

Box office

Folks, “The Social Reckoning” is finally here. The sequel to “The Social Network” follows Frances Haugen, played by Mikey Madison, a young Facebook engineer, who seeks the help of Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) (to blow the whistle on Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook. Instead of Jesse Eisenberg playing Zuckerberg, Jeremy Strong of “Succession” takes on the role. Will he live up to Eisenberg’s critically acclaimed performance? We will see.

• Playing at: Cinemark Eugene-Springfield

Based on Josh Malerman’s 2024 bestselling novel “Incidents Around the House,” and produced by James Wan, famous for creating “The Conjuring,” and co-creating “Insidious” and “Saw,” “Other Mommy” follows an 8-year-old named Bela who gains a shape-shifting, sinister presence that looks like her mother, but isn’t quite the same. The movie follows Bela and her parents (Jessica Chastain in a dual role as both ‘mommies,” and Jay Duplass) as they try to navigate the paranormal entity’s maneuvers and tricks.

• Playing at: Metro Cinemas and Cinemark Eugene-Springfield

Well, that’s all for this week. Get out there and do some things! If this weeks 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