Up in the Air

Aerial performers know what it feels like for the world to tip upside down better than most. Zenith Aerial Arts is the aerial circus ensemble of Eugene’s Bounce Gymnastics and Aerial Arts Center. The youth performers work alongside coaches to create, choreograph and produce their own original aerial shows. Saturday’s 16-person performance of Everything is Fine! Leaning Into Discomfort asks viewers to step outside of their comfort zone alongside the artists and walk into the unknown. Naja Rossoff, owner and director of Bounce, says “each scene explores a different way that you might feel uncomfortable or be pushed outside your comfort zone, using creativity and aerial apparatus to tell these stories.” These scenarios range from “being singled out, feeling out of control, making decisions to being in dark, creepy or scary environments,” she says. “We learn about what happens when you ‘lean into your discomfort’ and the journey and growth that can come from those experiences.” This performance benefits Looking Glass Community Services, a Lane County nonprofit dedicated to supporting Oregon youth by providing shelter, counseling, educational services and more. “Though the theme is relatively serious,” Rossoff says, “the show features incredibly talented and dedicated youth, high-level circus arts, imagination, fun music and is appropriate for all ages.”

Everything’s Fine! Leaning into Discomfort is 6 pm Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Hult Center, 1 Eugene Center. Tickets are $26 and can be purchased at Tickets.HultCenter.org.

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!