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Overview:
An art walk (and a hop), Eugene Symphony’s take on the “Elf” score and a 1990s-style dance showcase are on the cultural calendar this week.
Happy Thursday, Lookout readers. There’s so much going on this weekend, this is a longer-than-usual things to do roundup, with three different art shows, two nostalgic holiday musical events and plenty more to fill out your calendar.
Also, a note: I’m trying something a bit different with our roundup. Let me know what you think of splitting things up by category. Let’s get into the agenda items for this weekend.
Art
First Friday ArtWalk and Holiday Night Out
This event is a two-for-one special. The monthly First Friday ArtWalk is happening alongside Downtown Eugene Merchants’ Holiday Night Out. You can double up on exploring downtown art currently at galleries like Karin Clarke and New Zone, and checking out small businesses and their holiday window displays.
- When: Friday, Dec. 5. ArtWalk festivities start at 5:30 p.m., while Holiday Night Out starts at 6 p.m. Both events go until 8 p.m.
- Where: Start at the Farmers Market Pavilion at 85 E. Eighth Ave. at 5:30 p.m. to get your ArtWalk guide. At 6:30 p.m., stop by Kesey Square to see the annual tree lighting during Holiday Night Out.
- How much: Free to attend, but be ready to spend some money shopping at small businesses and vendor tables.
Westside Art Hop
Looking for even more art? Hop on a bike and over to Eugene’s west side. The first Saturday of each month is now time for Art Hop, the tour of artists and small businesses in west Eugene who are looking to cultivate the area as a cultural hot spot in the Warehouse District. More information and a full list of participating venues are available on the Art Hop’s website.
- When: Saturday, Dec. 6. The event listing starts at 11 a.m., but check vendor hours if you want to make a particular stop along the way.
- Where: The Art Hop is a curated bike tour of west Eugene between Chambers Street and Beltline, with 11 stops along the way. A map online shows each stop.
- How much: Free to attend, but bring some money for food and art!
Clay Space Holiday Pottery show
’Tis the season to buy elegant ceramics for your friends and family. This holiday pottery show from the Eugene ceramic studio Clay Space will feature work from more than 35 artists, a raffle with prizes and a free gift to the first 25 people who attend.
- When: The show is open both days this weekend, on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: At Clay Space, 222 Polk St., Eugene.
- How much: It is free to attend, but bring money to buy some pottery.
Music
WOW-a-Thon II
This two-night musical festival is a celebration of the 50 years since the marathon fundraiser that saved WOW Hall’s historic building from demolition. Stop by for performances from the guitarist Shelley Doty of the band Jambay, The Jungle Hens, Baroque Betty, The Sugar Beets, and a local hip-hop reunion with The Architex and Prim8s. It’s not just music, though: There will be themed bingo, rock music trivia, and Voices of the Hall, a storytelling hour to share WOW Hall memories.
- When: Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6. Doors open each day at 4 p.m., and music goes from 5 to 11 p.m. both days.
- Where: WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave., Eugene.
- How much: A single day’s attendance is $15, and a two-day pass is $25. Tickets are available for purchase online.
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ jazz
Looking to get jazzy and nostalgic? Seattle’s Jose “Juicy” Gonzales Trio will play Vince Guaraldi’s score to the 1965 animated TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in its entirety. Fun fact: 2025 is the 60th anniversary of the animated TV special.
- When: Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m.
- Where: Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, Eugene.
- How much: Tickets are $35 for adults, and $15 for students.
Eugene Symphony does ‘Elf’ in concert
This screening of holiday favorite “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell as a human accidentally raised on the North Pole with Santa’s elves, will be accompanied by the Eugene Symphony performing John Debney’s score live, as part of its “Blockbuster” series of programming.
- When: Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Where: Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center in downtown Eugene.
- How much: Tickets start at $22.
Shows
‘Alice in Wonderland’
If you’re like me, you might feel like everyday life is a little bit absurd these days. In Cottage Grove, things are getting curiouser and curiouser, as “Alice in Wonderland” opens this Friday at Cottage Theatre. This new adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll was penned by Glenn B. Rust, “a playwright who grew up at Cottage Theatre,” according to the listing details.
- When: The show runs from Dec. 5 to Dec. 21. Performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday performances are at 2:30 p.m.
- Where: Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove.
- How much: Tickets are nearly sold out for many performances, but start at $29 for adults and $15 for youths. If you’re interested, act quickly.
Gareth Reynolds
Thursday night, comedian Gareth Reynolds takes the stage at WOW Hall. I unfortunately spend a lot of time scrolling through Instagram Reels, where I’ve seen a few clips of Reynolds’ standup and podcast hosting — I’m a fan! His comedy “advice” podcast “We’re Here to Help,” which he hosts with friend (and “New Girl” actor) Jake Johnson, is a fun listen.
- When: Thursday, Dec. 4. Doors open at 7 p.m.
- Where: WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave., Eugene.
- How much: Tickets are available online for $31.
Elite Dance Company’s ‘All Out 90s’
Miss the 1990s? In for a night of rad dance moves? Eugene dance group Elite Dance Company and six additional guest dance crews will channel the spirit of the 1990s this weekend with their “All Out 90s” show on Saturday night.
- When: Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, Eugene.
- How much: Tickets are $28 for an adult, and $24 for students and teens.
Movies
Our box office releases for the week are mixed between classy and trashy, while a much-anticipated Netflix release will be on a local screen.
- First, we have “Hamnet,” the Chloe Zhao-directed adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s historical fiction novel, about the marriage between William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes (renamed from Anne Hathaway for the fictional take), the death of their son Hamnet and Shakespeare’s writing of “Hamlet.” Reviews have been mixed, but praise for actress Jessie Buckley as Agnes is widespread. Playing at Metro Cinemas and Cinemark Eugene Springfield 17.
- On the absolute opposite side of the cultural conversation, there’s “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” the sequel to the horror video game adaptation about a pizza parlor filled with haunted, murderous animatronics. I intend on hate-watching. This entire franchise has been laughable from its early days. Playing at Regal Valley River Center and Cinemark Eugene Springfield 17.
- Sound the alarms: We have a new Benoit Blanc mystery. “Wake Up Dead Man” is playing starting Friday, Dec. 5, at the Art House in Eugene before it releases on Netflix next Friday, Dec. 12. I love a Rian Johnson-directed mystery (“Poker Face” fan club president over here), so I’m looking forward to this installment after loving “Knives Out” and enjoying “Glass Onion.” Playing at the Art House.
