Actors Cabaret of Eugene (ACE) Fund Drive

A staple of Eugene arts for the past 42 years is in peril and openly asking for help. Actors Cabaret of Eugene (ACE), which has not had a performance in the past year because of COVID restrictions, is seeking financial assistance from the public through its website. “We’ve produced world premieres, innovative productions of Broadway classics, new works by local playwrights, shows exclusively for kids, shows exclusively not for kids and everything in between,” reads a statement from Jim Roberts, executive director (right), and Joe Zingo, artistic director (left), the founders of ACE. “We’ve been able to do this for over 40 years because the shoestring we lived on was based on our amazing community of volunteer performers and a supportive audience willing to come watch us play.” The last year, though, has been a rough one for ACE, as Roberts and Zingo note that “not being able to to produce shows for over a year and create ticket revenue… is taking an extremely serious toll.” Until that time when restrictions ease and musicals can resume, Roberts and Zingo encourage one and all to help the small venue on Willamette Street. “You know that we’re a unique venue with a unique mission, and you probably know that unique things have a way of disappearing.”

You can donate to Actors Cabaret of Eugene at ActorsCabaret.org. — Dan Buckwalter

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!