Arts Hound

Eugene’s biggest dance event of the year, Dance for a Reason (DFAR), celebrates its 20th year 7:30 pm Friday, Jan. 24, at the Hult; $20. This year the nonprofit recital will benefit the School Garden Project and feature more than 20 dance organizations and groups including Kindrid Tribal Belly Dance, Crazy Diamond Hoop Troupe, Kings Krew and Ballet Fantastique. With longtime dancer and teacher Geni Morrow at its helm, DFAR raised $7,000 for last year’s recipient, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, and has contributed over $80,000 to local nonprofits in its 20-year history. For more info, visit danceforareason.com.

In Eugene, we like our food locally grown, our clothes locally made and our beer locally brewed, so why not our films? The Eugene Film Society, headed by the Bijou’s Edward Schiessl and Joshua Purvis, wants to support local film production and develop a stronger grassroots film culture. In collaboration with community partners, the Eugene Film Society is putting on “Screening & Social” 5 to 8 pm Sunday, Jan. 26, at Bijou Art Cinemas (13th Avenue location), featuring short cuts of feature films by locals Henry Weintraub and Scott Kuschel, as well as Schiessl, highlights from Cinema Pacific and DIVA’s Open Lens Film Festival, the Bijou’s 72-Hour Film Fest jury prize winner, Repair, with refreshments from Plank Town Brewing Company, Sizzle Pie, Townshend’s Teahouse and Caffe Pacori. To find out more, visit bijou-cinemas.com.

What happens to an artist’s life work when she passes away? The family of late local artist Margaret Vie answered that question with grace on Jan. 11 at her Celebration of Life memorial at First United Methodist Church. Vie’s sketches, watercolors and paintings were placed around the church’s big hall and guests were encouraged to take home a piece in remembrance of the artist.

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!