Welcome the New Year with Fermata Ballet Collective

Fermata Ballet Collective is hosting its annual Winter Series Jan. 2 to Jan. 4. It invites dancers of all levels to engage with dance, conversation, original choreography and music composition by Alexander Schwarzkopf. Fermata — a musical notation that means pause — is a collective of artists, creators and educators who provide a communal space that helps people to enhance and learn new skills, as well as break down the pervasive mold dancers are sometimes forced into. “We wanted to make a container for artists who looked like humans and didn’t have to all be the same, and a place where art could thrive in a multidisciplinary way too,” says Alaja Badalich, Fermata co-founder and organizer of the Winter Series. The collective provides community classes on a sliding scale and seasonal workshops. Fermata’s Winter Series 2026 theme is “Thresholds: entering the year unfolding.” This theme focuses on leaving behind what we do not need and opening up ourselves to what we do, according to Badalich. Badalich herself founded Fermata when she saw a gap in Eugene’s professional dance world, and also the lack of representation and encouragement for professional artists. Gabriel Warren, a resident artist and facilitator of the Winter Series, says they “really wanted to be a professional ballerina and wear the tutus.” After experiencing rejection from several studios in his youth, they dedicated his life to proving the industry wrong. He now dances professionally with the Eugene Ballet Company and became a resident artist with Fermata in 2025. Warren and fellow facilitator Jessica Hovermale say the focus and commitment dancers bring to Fermata is unique, and the “Thresholds” theme allows them to have a conversation through movement. Attendees of the Winter Series will receive a custom video package that can be used for media, auditions and reflection.

Fermata Ballet Collective Winter Series is 5 pm to 8:30 pm Friday, Jan. 2, and 1 pm to 5 pm Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4, at Midtown Arts Center, 164 East 16th Avenue. $110 per person, $10-20 for drop in classes. Register at FermataBalletCollective.com.

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!