Matt s Picks: Union Fest at WOW Hall, University Theater s Personal History, Animal Collective at Karin Clarke Gallery
Make sure to keep an eye on The Register-Guard for updates on theater and business openings.
For a full list of events, surf on over to registerguard.com/calendar. Union Fest, WOW Hall
This Saturday, WOW Hall coordinates with We All Rise, Eugene-Springfield NAACP, the University of Oregon Music Industry Collective and the UO School of Music and Dance to host “Union Fest.”
The free virtual festival will feature five hours of Black artists and allied performances including Amindi, Kaelin Ellis, Jordan Fletcher, Bluphoria, Ratie D and more.
The show does go on, for the sake of Egan Warming Center. For nine years, the
Eugene Caldera Songwriting Tribe, nearly two dozen strong, has convened at Tsunami Books in Eugene to play a benefit for the St. Vincent de Paul program that provides overnight shelter for the homeless on cold nights. It’s always been a popular benefit. This year, because of COVID, two prerecorded hour-long virtual watch parties have been set up where the musicians from Beth Wood and John Shipe to Julia O’Reilly, who also produced the shows will perform from their homes or from socially distanced locales. There may even be haiku performances. They have been known to happen at this benefit. Mark your calendars, because the show must go on.
Almost 11 years ago
Cowfish Dance Club & Cafe opened its doors in downtown Eugene, and Shawn Di Fiore laughs at the suggestion that it’s his child. “It’s my primary focus,” Di Fiore admits, but he’s quick to point out that “so many people have contributed to this place.” This includes the employees who have organized a GoFundMe account called COVID vs. 2020, COVID-19 Relief Fund for Cowfish Dance Club & Cafe. The GoFundMe page reads in part: “The Cowfish staff decided we needed to come together and do something to help Shawn and Cowfish stay afloat during this very tough time for small businesses.” Di Fiore is humbled by it all. “I was definitely taken back by that,” he says. “I’m definitely grateful to them.” Cowfish has been an influence in the community the past 11 years, and not just for its DJ-driven dances and ping-pong tournaments. It has organized fundraisers for Beyond Toxics, Egan Warming Center, Occupy Medical, Womenspace, the Civil Liberties
Credit Wendy Machalicek
While Marcy Hellman prepared lessons for Veteran’s Day this year, the weather turned cold enough for Egan Warming Center to activate its services. This led to discussions about unhoused veterans. And how Egan Warming Center’s namesake, Major Thomas Egan, was found frozen to death 12 years ago on Eugene’s streets.
To help, the class sent a letter to school families asking donations be dropped off when they pick up supplies for online learning.
Second grader Lola Schultz, who contributed a significant amount to the letter, shared how participating makes her feel.
The ponchos are military grade and are large enough to cover a grown man wearing a backpack. It also has grommets so it can be spread out and pitched like a tent. Juniper has chosen to donate the Cosmic pattern so they’ll look nice and be easily recognizable.