Arts Hound

Eugene’s biggest dance event of the year, Dance for a Reason (DFAR), celebrates its 20th year 7:30 pm Friday, Jan. 24, at the Hult; $20. This year the nonprofit recital will benefit the School Garden Project and feature more than 20 dance organizations and groups including Kindrid Tribal Belly Dance, Crazy Diamond Hoop Troupe, Kings Krew and Ballet Fantastique. With longtime dancer and teacher Geni Morrow at its helm, DFAR raised $7,000 for last year’s recipient, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, and has contributed over $80,000 to local nonprofits in its 20-year history. For more info, visit danceforareason.com.

In Eugene, we like our food locally grown, our clothes locally made and our beer locally brewed, so why not our films? The Eugene Film Society, headed by the Bijou’s Edward Schiessl and Joshua Purvis, wants to support local film production and develop a stronger grassroots film culture. In collaboration with community partners, the Eugene Film Society is putting on “Screening & Social” 5 to 8 pm Sunday, Jan. 26, at Bijou Art Cinemas (13th Avenue location), featuring short cuts of feature films by locals Henry Weintraub and Scott Kuschel, as well as Schiessl, highlights from Cinema Pacific and DIVA’s Open Lens Film Festival, the Bijou’s 72-Hour Film Fest jury prize winner, Repair, with refreshments from Plank Town Brewing Company, Sizzle Pie, Townshend’s Teahouse and Caffe Pacori. To find out more, visit bijou-cinemas.com.

What happens to an artist’s life work when she passes away? The family of late local artist Margaret Vie answered that question with grace on Jan. 11 at her Celebration of Life memorial at First United Methodist Church. Vie’s sketches, watercolors and paintings were placed around the church’s big hall and guests were encouraged to take home a piece in remembrance of the artist.