If beings of higher intelligence arrived in Western Oregon this weekend and found old promotional materials declaring Eugene the world’s greatest city for the arts and outdoors, the aliens might not think that slogan too far out of line.
People live here for any number of reasons, but the ones who have gone out of their way to settle here often say it is because of the easy access to mountains, rivers and all kinds of natural beauty.
This weekend, those natural features are splashed in hyper-color as musicians of all genres descend on the hills, valleys and rivers in or within a two-hour radius of Lane County.
We’re talking summer music festivals. This week, many events take advantage of the great outdoors, while the Whiteaker Block Party turns its urban environment into a playground for local music, arts, nonprofit groups and food vendors.
In order of proximity to Eugene-Springfield, here are some options for hanging out, listening to some music — and strengthening whatever community you want to be a part of.
Willamette Valley Blues and Brews
The third annual Willamette Valley Blues and Brews Festival, today and Saturday at Springfield’s Island Park, features music on three stages named for departed folks near and dear to the local blues community.
The lineup features great gender balance as well as diversity in ages and styles of performers.
Today’s headlining acts on the stage named for longtime KLCC blues DJ Gavin “Rooster” Fox: Northwest diva Linda Hornbuckle with Janice Scroggins. Also set to play is Reggie Houston’s Crescent City Connection with two guest vocalists, including Lilla D’Mone, who also will perform at the Cuthbert Amphitheater on Aug. 13, opening the Satin Love Orchestra show there.
Robbie Laws will perform today, as will Bill Shreve and the Best of Eugene Orchestra with vocalists Joanne Broh, Gaylee Russell and Barbara Healy. Deb Cleveland’s and Vicki Stevens’ bands will play the first two sets of the evening.
The Lloyd Jones Struggle is Saturday’s headliner. Other main stage performers that day include David Vest, Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes, and Rick Welter. Bill Rhoades and the Party Kings once again will host the Blues and Brews Harmonica Showoff.
Music also blasts from the Papa Soul Stomp Stage, which honors Ted “Papa Soul” Lee. It is headlined Saturday by Michael “Hawkeye” Herman.
The Rainy Day Blues Society’s Muddy Road to Memphis International Blues Competition will take place on this stage. A new feature at the festival this year are short “15 Minutes of Fame” slots during main stage breaks.
The Kate Darden Kid Zone, named after the longtime Lane County educator, features free activities for children, including an opening drum circle with Grrrlz Rock! musicians.
Thirteen-year old blues singer Savanna Coen is the Kid Zone headliner, and she will host the stage’s final entertainment segment, with help from participants in the Blues Out! Under 21 Blues Jam.
As its name would imply, there will be plenty of craft brews to sample, as well as wines from the region. An art sale and silent auction tent add to the fundraising aspect of the event.
The proceeds go to Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity. Cartoonist Jan Elliot (“Stone Soup”) will be on hand Saturday afternoon to sign Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build T-shirts.
Music plays from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The Kid Zone is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets at the gate are $10 per day or $15 for a weekend pass, plus three nonperishable items for FOOD for Lane County. Children younger than 12 get in free when accompanied by an adult.
Get your free LTD bus pass online or in the festival program. Island Park is at 200 West B St., Springfield.
Mac’s Restaurant and Night Club will host the festival after-parties: Robbie Laws tonight and Bill Rhoades and the Party Kings on Saturday.
Complete schedules and more details about the festival are available at www.wvbbf.org.
Whiteaker Block Party
The Whiteaker Block Party, now in its fifth year, is a for-the-people, by-the-people event. You’ll hear a big “come on down” from folks living in the historic neighborhood that centers on Third Avenue and Blair Boulevard.
The free event, which runs from noon until nearly midnight Saturday, celebrates “the eclectic arts, music and vibrant community of the Whiteaker neighborhood,” a news release says.
More than 25 local bands and DJs will perform on stages set up around the neighborhood, including at some private homes. There is a fashion show, kids stage, raffle and, the release says, “copious food and craft vending options.”
Organizers say they expect more than 7,000 people to pass through the neighborhood, and for many to attend in costume. Expect parades, both spontaneous and scheduled.
Ninkasi Brewing Co., 272 Van Buren St., has two stages and will host the fashion show at 10 p.m. Also visit the G-Spot Stage, 1050 W. Third Ave., and the stage set up at the Whiteaker Hostel, 970 W. Third Ave.
The party’s website has not been updated since last year’s party, but there is a Web presence at www.facebook.com/whiteakerblockparty.
Oakridge Ukulele Festival
The first-ever Oakridge Ukulele Festival is happening in the “uptown” section of this small city today and Saturday.
Both advanced ukulele players and those new to the instrument will flock to the Cascade foothills to hear concerts and demonstrations in styles as varied as rock ’n’ roll and swing — with the diminutive stringed instrument as the common thread.
An all-ages, free beginners’ class is this afternoon. And starting Saturday morning, ukulele artists Brook Adams, James Clem, Patty Sage and Denise Hinz will offer six workshops and three classes.
Today and Saturday have informal jams. On Saturday evening, everyone is invited to attend free performances at the Oakridge Hostel, the Brewer’s Union Pub and Lion Mountain Bakery.
Check-in and registration begins at 2 p.m. today. The cost to participate in everything is $65; register at www.oakridgehostel.com/events/ukulele-festival or call 541-782-4000.
The Oakridge Hostel, one of the event’s main sponsors, is at 48175 E. First St.
Zimfest
The Zimbabwean music festival on the Oregon State University campus will celebrate 20 years with this week’s event, which starts Thursday with a special Zimbabwean dinner.
Zimfest, which runs through Aug. 14, was created by students of the late Abraham Dumisani Maraire, who brought Shona and Ndebele music to Seattle in the late 1960s. Now, annual celebrations are staged at sites up and down the West Coast and in Colorado, a news release says.
This is the second consecutive year that the event is in Corvallis. A news release calls it a “unique opportunity to learn and have fun at the same time,” the release says.
Workshop topics include marimba, mbira, drum, singing, hosho, dance, guitar, chipendani and language and cultural workshops.
Courses are designed for music teachers to learn Zimbabwean songs, rhythmic games and marimba arrangements that could enhance their school’s curriculum.
Afternoon concerts will happen near the vendor area, and there are evening concerts at LaSells Stewart Center, 875 S.W. 26th St. Event prices vary widely; go to 2011.zimfest.org for the full rundown.
Beloved
Of all the descriptions of the four-day music and sacred arts festival starting Thursday in the Coast Range near Waldport, this one perhaps sums it up best: “Beloved is different.”
For the Beloved festival, music spans genres from electronica to global folk music, but the event also features yoga, performance art and Tibetan healing rituals.
“Central to the concept of the festival is our collective understanding that sacred music can help eradicate the illusion of separation from each other, from the Earth and from The Beloved,” explains an essay detailing the festival’s vision.
The essay continues by saying that sacred music is meant to invoke a “state of openness to the beauty in other beings, other cultures, other life forms and life systems.”
Festival organizers monitor closely how many people are on the parcel of land that hosts it. You camp away from your vehicle, and those who carpool (three or more people in a vehicle) are rewarded by not having to pay the $20 parking fee.
Every person attending must first check in at an off-site box office at 12154 E. Alsea Highway, Tidewater.
Some performers scheduled to attend: Etran Finatawa, Random Rab with Rigzin, Jai Uttal, Baye Kouyate, Jayme Stone, David Starfine Ensemble, Total Experience Gospel Choir, Everyone Orchestra and Zili Misik.
Many of these artists have performed at the Oregon Country Fair or would fit in there, but the objective of this single-stage event is to “(push) beyond mere musical experiences.”
There is “extensive” educational programming in addition to the music, and organizers expect a commitment to respecting the natural beauty of the site. Free water is provided, but attendees must bring their own vessel to carry it in.
No single-day passes are available, and the weekend passes for sale are $191 each if purchased online, or $225 at the gate.
For (lots) more information, go to www.belovedfestival.com.
Pickathon
Pickathon, which starts today and runs through Sunday night, is one festival that’s all about the music.
Located on the 80-acre Pendarvis Farm near Happy Valley, southeast of Portland, attendees camp in the forest, and the main stage boasts a close-up view of Mount Hood.
Some of the acts with featured spots: Mavis Staples, Bill Callahan, Black Mountain, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Califone, Grupo Fantasma, Thao, Fruit Bats, Vetiver, Wye Oak, Michael Hurley and Damien Jurado.
Other performers who have made a splash in Eugene who will perform at Pickathon are Corinne West with Kelly Joe Phelps, Breathe Owl Breathe, Richard Swift, Sonny and the Sunsets, Pokey LaFarge and Eilen Jewell.
Like Beloved, Pickathon is making great strides toward holding a green event. Last year, organizers introduced stainless steel beer cups for reuse throughout the event (and to bring back for as long as you can keep track of them). And this year, Pickathon will become the first large outdoor music festival in the United States to eliminate single-use dishware and utensils.
The festival also has added 20 new acres of trails and camping, and a news release says there is a wide range of new organic, local and sustainable food and drink options.
Weekend passes are $145 each, and day passes are $75 and $80. Children younger than 12 get in free.
The festival address is 16581 S.E. Hagen Road. Get more information at pickathon.com.
Fire in the Canyon
A three-day music festival featuring hip-hop acts and benefiting Mercy Corps starts today at Horning’s Hideout near North Plains.
This year is the inaugural Fire in the Canyon, but big names in the genre are all scheduled to perform, including the Pharcyde, Digable Planets, Del the Funky Homosapien, DJ Rob Swift and the Lifesavas. There are also some rock, electronic and other acts on the bill.
All-inclusive weekend camping passes are $110, and individual day passes are $50. Purchase tickets through www.ticketswest.com.
The full lineup is at www.fireinthecanyon.com.
Call Serena Markstrom at 541-338-2371 or e-mail her at serena.markstrom@registerguard.com.
