Eugene Fashion Week (see 4/25 issue) wraps up this weekend with the Ready-to-Wear (May 3) and Avant-Garde (May 4) runway shows at The Shedd. EW is excited to see this culturally symbiotic relationship; EFW is exactly the kind of youthful shot-in-the-arm The Shedd needs to attract a younger demographic, and The Shedd provides the kind of institutional recognition that EFW needs to keep growing.

Ready for the occasional acid flashback? The David Minor Theater hosts its 5th annual Big Lebowski Party with trivia, White Russians and screenings at 7:15 pm and 9:30 pm May 2-3; $3. Come in costume and a second ticket is free.

Up until a few years ago, 35 mm film was the universal language of movie studios and theaters worldwide, but now, everyone is speaking in digital. The Bijou has started a Kickstarter campaign to acquire a digital projection system, offering financial backers rewards from free popcorn to membership to the chance to name one of the downtown auditoriums. For critics who are worried that digital doesn’t have the warmth or grit of celluloid, don’t be; the downtown Bijou Metro is also installing a new 35 mm system. The Kickstarter ends May 22; for more info visit
wkly.ws/1gm.

In other Bijou news, the cinemas have paired with a distribution company, Gathr Films, to bring brand-spanking-new indie films to Eugene before they hit NYC or LA. Take that big cities! Tickets are first come, first served, except for members who can RSVP for shows in advance. In the queue already: The Iceman (May 2), The Deep (May 9), Ain’t in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm (May 16) and What Maisie Knew (May 23). See http://wkly.ws/1gr for details.

Former Duck (’51) and Academy Award-nominated Director James Ivory (A Room with a View, Howard’s End), of the uber-classy and stiff-upper-lip-ish Merchant-Ivory Productions, is coming back to campus. The Global Scholars Hall will screen Remains of the Day 6 pm Thursday, May 2, and Lillis Hall will screen Savages 5 pm Thursday, May 9, which will be followed by a Q&A with Ivory. Both events are free and open to the public.

Oh Bacchus! It’s that time of the month again — First Friday ArtWalk. Many of you may be saying, “But I just don’t get art.” Perhaps a glass of wine will get those right-brain juices flowing? Several galleries are offering samples from local wineries for WineWalk, an event sponsored by Downtown Eugene Inc., South Willamette Winery Association and the Lane County Arts Council. 

Speaking of wine and art, Mecca hosts its annual wine tasting and silent art auction, “Raise a Glass to MECCA,” with Slug Queen Sadie Slimy Stitches at the Broadway Commerce Center lobby 5 pm Saturday, May 4. See work by area artists such as Rogene Manas and Perry Joseph while enjoying pours by Ryan Stoltz of Marché. Apps and ’serts provided by Belly, Morning Glory, Eugene City Bakery and Red Wagon Creamery; $12.