Back Beat

On Oct. 5 The Majestic Theatre in Corvallis will host one of America’s best contemporary singer-songwriters:
Dar Williams. Touring for her 2012 Greek mythology-inspired album, aptly named In The Time Of Gods, Williams mines the stories of our Mount Olympus ancestors for triumphs and tragedies that parallel our own modern-day plight.

Downtown Eugene is saying goodbye to another nightlife staple: Diablo’s Downtown Lounge has lost its lease and will close mid-November. But in true Diablo’s spirit, the partying will continue until the end with one last Fetish Ball Oct. 26, the final Club Arena reunion Nov. 8 and three more G.L.A.M. Nights. Glamaversary, G.L.A.M.’s three-year anniversary, kicks off at 10 pm Oct. 5; $5. Catch a special performance by Work Dance Company.

Speaking of former downtown staples, John Henry’s ’80s Night alumni bring the vinyl party to Blairally Vintage Arcade for Church of ’80s night 9 pm Oct. 4; $3 (free play on all games included).

Los Angeles-turned-Eugene acoustic rock artist Grace Holmes celebrates her CD release of Love Will Find A Way at Sam Bond’s 9 pm Oct. 4 with local favorites Kingdom County and Stagger and Sway.

Don’t miss: the HIV Alliance and Sexual Assault Support Services benefit with music by Taste, Mood Area 52 and The Upstate Trio (Oct. 4) and poppy bossa nova Brothers of Brazil at Luckey’s (Oct. 9); heartbreaking Americana vocals and lyrics by Tara Stonecipher and The Tall Grass at Sam Bond’s (Oct. 6); the deep drone of Olympia punk rock legend Calvin Johnson at Wandering Goat (Oct. 7); Montana-grown stompgrass from The Dodgy Mountain Men at Axe & Fiddle (Oct. 9).

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!