The Spin

We hear that the Oregon Country Fair new movement arts program will feature performances and workshops on a dedicated stage, the spiffy new Dance Pavilion, during the weekend (July 10-12) of the OCF. Look for Salseros Dance Company, the Connexus dance collective, Track Town Swing Club, Danceability and more. A full schedule is available at oregoncountryfair.org.

The Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene (MEDGE) will perform to live music by Americanistan 8:30 pm Friday, July 17, at Cozmic, featuring special guest musicians Kenneth Helms on violin and Leigh Ann Starcevich on vocals and saz (a stringed instrument from Turkey); all ages.

All That! Dance Company hosts public master classes with choreographer Rosero McCoy 1 to 2:30 pm Saturday, July 18, for beginning to intermediate dancers, and a second workshop from 3 to 4:30 pm for advanced dancers. Find more information by calling 688-1523 or visiting allthatdancecompany.com.

The Lane Community College dance program’s lead faculty Bonnie Simoa is in Bali this month for a book launch in which she is featured as “someone carrying the Legong dance tradition outside of Bali,” Simoa says.

And after more than two decades, the UO dance department’s Rita Honka says, “The rumors of my retirement are greatly exaggerated. Thanks to all of you well-wishers, but I am sticking around the UO, simply stepping down as Dance Africa director. It has been a wonderful 23 years, and while it saddens me that it is ending, it is time. Time for the next generation.” Over the years, tens of thousands of children and adults throughout the state have been treated to the dance, music and culture of Africa through Honka’s efforts. Hats off to her for her dedication to the arts and her service to the community.

August dance kicks off with another installment of #instaballet, an interactive dance performance featuring artists from the Eugene Ballet Company 5 to 8 pm Friday, Aug. 7, during First Friday ArtWalk at Oregon Contemporary Theatre (194 W. Broadway); free. July’s installment was a hit at OCT, featuring a dance photography gallery by #instaballet co-creator Antonio Anacan.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

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None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!