The Spin

Rita Honka, Director of Dance Africa. Photo by Dakota Bouher

All across town, dance is lighting up the New Year.

A chapter in the local dance scene has closed, as Geni Morrow, who has served as the director of The Reach Center and its dance company The EDGE, also serving as the impresario behind the 20-year-running performance fundraiser Dance for a Reason, announced that there would be no Dance for a Reason this year.

For two decades, Dance for a Reason has given many hundreds of dancers the opportunity to perform and has raised thousands of dollars for local charities. Thank you, Ms. Morrow. We wonder: Who will take up the cause?

Kicking off performances in 2015, don’t miss the UO’s Dance Africa, when the celebrated company returns for its annual concert featuring guest performer Alseny Soumah. Always educational and entertaining, Dance Africa’s repertoire this year includes Nzobi, from the Congo; Gumboots, which evolved in mining camps in South Africa; Muchongoyo from Zimbabwe; Kassa from Guinea; and Yonvalou from Benin. Performances are 8 pm Thursday, Jan. 22, through Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Dougherty Dance Theatre, Gerlinger Annex; $10 general, $5 students and seniors. Tickets are available in advance from the UO Ticket Office, 346-4363.

Also on tap, DanceAbility International has recently received support from the Chambers Family Foundation to continue to develop its teen dance class for all abilities. Kellee Blanchard teaches classes for teens across the full spectrum of abilities and disabilities 3:45 pm Wednesdays, Jan. 14 through March 11. Register by calling 682-5311. In addition, grants from the Lane County Cultural Coalition and the Oregon Cultural Trust will allow DanceAbility International to expand its teaching and performances throughout Oregon.

And our friends at the City of Eugene Recreation & Cultural Services would like to remind everyone that they offer more than 20 dance classes in their neighborhood rec centers. Classes for toddlers include Pre-school Play & Dance, Hip Hop & Bop, Princess Dance and Tutu Tapping Tots. For pre-teens and teens, classes include beginner and increasing skill levels of ballet and hip hop, and tap and jazz. Classes for adults (ages 16 and up) include ballet, line, folk, belly and hoop dance, bhangra and Nia.

For more information, visit GetRec.org, or pick up a class schedule at any community center, pool or library.

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!