Old Nick’s Benefit Concert for EW

Inside sources say Old Nick’s Pub is the place to be this Friday night.

At 6 pm, on Jan. 12, Old Nick’s at 211 Washington Street, will host a “Save Eugene Weekly” benefit concert with 100 percent of suggested donations collected at the door benefitting the paper. Pub goers can expect big bands, big food and even bigger beers.

As most locals know, Eugene Weekly was the victim of an embezzlement that forced the paper to lay off all staff just three days before Christmas and stop printing. Fortunately, an outpouring of support from local businesses,community members and people across the country have kept spirits high and hopeful.

Hell, we’re still publishing online.

This embezzlement can’t hold a local newspaper down, especially with the community lifting it up.

“The Weekly was the first thing I read when I moved to Eugene” writes Emily Chappel, owner of Old Nick’s. “The staff have supported me through two cancer treatments and the opening of my business. It is absolutely vital to protect and support this newspaper.”

During the concert, an art auction with donated works from local artisans, and a raffle containing gift bundles from community businesses will be held by the public house as well. All proceeds from both will go to the Weekly.

After doors open at 6 pm, attendees can expect to enjoy the vivacious sounds from local artists and bands like Savelle Tha Native, Grrlband, DJ Club Neveau and DJ Smuve.

“We have all witnessed the impact Eugene Weekly has had on Eugene…. As a journalism student the Weekly has taught me the value of community-oriented journalism,” Kayla Krueger, a University of Oregon journalism student and the guitarist in Grrlband says in a message. The all women, all UO student band will be debuting several songs off of their new self-titled EP, to be dropped this Valentines Day.

“If the EW went away, our community would become disjointed…. It’s more than a newspaper, it’s the heart of our community,” Krueger tells the Weekly over text. “Eugene would become less personal and more mass generated, which doesn’t account for the wonderful aspects of our silly town.”

Several comedians will be attending as well, yucking it up with the crowd for the sake of community journalism. Local legends like Leigh Anne Jasheway, Seth Milstein, James Manning the 3rd, Sarah Levi and Jen Jay will be performing their acts during the event.

Be there, or be square.

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!