Back Beat

Black Forest hosts a free show 10 pm Thursday, July 16, featuring local singer-songwriter Jake McNeillie, who has a country-dusted baritone evocative of David Bowie, with his “dark roots” band. McNeillie and Company is joined by the folk blues of Utah “one-man band” Tom Bennett and Minnesota folk-rock musician Kevin James Pertinen.

You could say Graham Nash is rock royalty, literally. Beyond his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice (in 1997 for Crosby, Stills and Nash and 2010 for The Hollies), Nash was anointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2010. Catch the king performing “career-spanning hits” 8 pm Friday, July 17, at McDonald Theatre; $46. All ages.

Westside: The Westside Warehouse District is hosting its second annual block party 2 to 10 pm Saturday, July 18, at the libations cluster in West Eugene (Viking Braggot Company, J. Scott Cellars, Claim 52 Brewing, Noble Estate Winery) with a set by DJ Tawrence and music by local singer Scott Austin and headliners, The Long Hello, the funky, soulful band featuring Emily Jensen (vocals, guitar) Tim McLaughlin (guitar, trumpet, vocals), Rich Llamas (bass, vocals) and Adam Bushey (drums, vocals). This free 21-plus event will be held in the parking lot at 560 Commercial St. Event organizers says it is easily reached by the bike path and bus route on West 11th Ave., and there will be plenty of bike parking.

Don’t miss: Dream pop trio Spectacular Spectacular hits Cottage Grove for a free show 8:30 pm Monday, July 20, at Axe & Fiddle. Isley Reust fronts the Los Angeles band, which has already garnered comparisons to Garbage, Cat Power and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. A transgender activist, Reust first gained a following by documenting her transition on YouTube followed by an appearance on Glee. Spectacular Spectacular released its debut album Blur June 30.

Rock icon Joan Jett comes to the Lane County Fair with her band the Blackhearts 8 pm Wednesday, July 22; tickets are free with fair admission. As Jett takes the stage, she’s also taking some heat: The Huffington Post published a damning exposé July 8 about The Runaways manager Kim Fowley and his sexual assault of original bassist Jackie Fox while band members and groupies looked on. Jett has refuted the claim.

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.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

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!