Back Beat

Edit: The Boreal is relocating the February Poison Idea show due to capacity issues to a yet-to-be announced venue.

The Boreal is changing the local music climate. As of Dec. 18, the new all-ages music venue surpassed its Kickstarter goal of $3,500 and will open its 1,100-square-foot space at 450 W. 3rd Ave. in January. The Boreal is operated by a four-person collective including Kathryn Alexander, Sean Prive, Eric Devin and Tyler Giard (of local band Southtowne Lanes). “We had lived in Eugene off and on for several years, and we never really saw that there was a place to see the music we were interested in,” says Alexander, who is originally from St. Paul, Minn., but has lived around the PNW for the past 10 years. “There are more DIY music venues in Seattle and Portland. There wasn’t that same culture in Eugene and we missed it.” The first show Friday, Jan. 10, is a benefit concert to offset the expenses of opening a new venue, featuring four to five local bands including Southtowne Lanes. The Boreal already has some big shows on the docket; look for Portland’s famed Kings of Punk band, Poison Idea, in February. For more info, visit facebook.com/TheBorealEugene.

Don’t miss: Olympia-based experimental folk-pop singer Stephen Steinbrink 9 pm Jan. 5 at Tiny Tavern; the “dream country” and chocolate-y voice of Jake McNeillie & Co. 8 pm Jan. 7 at Cozmic.

The Axe & Fiddle in Cottage Grove continues to book some of the most interesting regional female musicians, e.g., Kattail and Whitney Mongé. Kattail layers folksy vocals over twinkling electro-pop and acoustic melodies — hear her at a free show 8:30 pm Saturday, Jan. 4. The L.A.-based former Eugenean even has a ditty called “Cottage Grove,” with an accompanying music video shot entirely in Cottage Grove. Seattle-based Mongé and her smoky, gritty pipes deliver a twist on alt-soul 8:30 pm Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Fiddle.

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!