THIS WEEK AT THE CLUBS:   Paul Safar Consort The local quintet is Sean Brennan on percussion, Mike Hatgis on bass, Jon Neher on saxophone, Lori Deskin on vocal harmonies and Paul himself holding it all together on keyboard and vocals. On the menu are jazz standards mixed with originals. Saturday, TheoÕs Jazz Club.   Green The Bay-area songwriter with the colorful name comes to town this week with her debut album in tow. The recording, Multiheaded Heart, was produced by California guitar diva Mimi Fox. Green plays in the round with Allette Brooks and Mare Wakefield. Thursday, Cafe Paradiso.   Arlo LA rockers Nate Greely and Sean Spillane named their band Arlo after the sound engineer at their favorite club. The bandÕs influences range from the Pixies and Guided by Voices to The Who, and theyÕre in town with their debut album Up High in the Night. Tuesday, John HenryÕs. CLICK HERE FOR CLUBS LISTINGS Small Packages Chamber musicians reach out to wider, and younger, audiences. By Brett Campbell   The Cypress Quartet plays traditional -- not stodgy -- chamber music. .   In classical music, most of the attention goes to the big stuff 4 symphonies, operas, choral-orchestral extravaganzas. But some of the most intense music is also the most intimate 4 the works for small ensembles called "chamber music." The reduced forces of, say, a piano trio or string quartet clearly reveal the interplay of individual voices, just as a jazz combo sounds more transparent than a big band. Unfortunately, chamber music has also acquired a reputation for stodginess (excepting the Kronos Quartet), with most of the audience members seeming to qualify for AARP cards. In order to keep the audience from dwindling to the size of the performing groups, programmers nationwide have finally begun to go beyond the narrow range of works written in a relatively short period by dead European males, and allow pre-classical, contemporary and even world music groups into the chamber. Meanwhile, other classical performers, such as the Eroica Trio, have followed Kronos's lead by eschewing stuffy dress and narrow repertoire and reaching out to wider 4 and younger 4 audiences. This broadening of the category is improving the UO's Chamber Music Series, which for more than three decades has presented some of the finest small-scale music in the region. CMS director Janet Stewart has tried to strike a balance between preserving the core audience while appealing to younger and more adventurous listeners. Next Thursday, March 8, the CMS features one of the most accomplished of those younger ensembles, the Cypress Quartet. The relatively old-fashioned program includes a typically bubbly quartet by Haydn, another by Mendelssohn, and what's been called "one of the saddest, wildest and wisest works of the last 100 years," Bartok's haunting final quartet, written just before he fled his native Hungary at the outbreak of World War II. The previous CMS show, featuring the cheeky English period instrument group Red Priest, showed just how viscerally powerful chamber music can be. Some have criticized this Baroque ensemble for deigning to actually talk to the audience, stroll about the stage, crack an occasional pun, smile, and play their asses off. I worried that the group's unbuttoned demeanor might prove to be gimmicky or self-conscious; but in fact, these were all magnificent musicians who evinced a real understanding of this music's historical context. One of my favorite chamber ensembles consists of percussion instruments. The UO's Oregon Percussion Ensemble always puts on some of the most fun and exciting concerts in town. The next one, Monday, March 12, features Steve Reich's beautiful "Six Marimbas," Revueltas's " Night of the Mayas" (which they performed so well with the Eugene Symphony last month), and other strong contemporary works. OPE director Charles Dowd also appears as percussion soloist with the Oregon Wind Ensemble in Joseph Schwantner's percussion concerto on March 4, and with the University Symphony in Anthony Cirone's Double Concerto on March 11. Last month, another Beall chamber concert also packed quite a punch. Violinists Fritz Gearhart and Kathryn Lucktenberg, cellist Stephen Pologe, and the pianist throughout, Gregory Mason, played duets of not-so-familiar music by Ginastera (wonderful duets that should be heard more), Poulenc, and others. Mason was a compelling equal partner, not a mere accompanist, throughout these powerful pieces that looked far easier to listen to than to play. Mason doesn't get the attention of some other UO performers, but he's a fine player of real power. A few nights later, an early music group led by UO music prof Marc Vanscheeuwijck enchanted a surprisingly large audience at Central Lutheran Church. Soprano Jamie Weaver especially shone in heavenly arias and madrigals by Italian Baroque masters such as Monteverdi, providing a luminous, warm refuge on a blustery evening. All of these small-group performances demonstrated that if chamber music doesn't give you a thrill, someone's doing something wrong.   Its Own Genre Theurgic Seed explores what music can do. By Brett Campbell   The Waybacks play "acoustic mayhem" Friday at Cafe Paradiso. .   It's Wednesday, June 7, 2000. Inside a theater, a giant screen projecting blooming digital flowers, pulsing ellipses and glowing crystalline shapes greets you as you walk in the door. The music begins. Waves of sound and light wash over you. No, you aren't in a secreted warehouse listening to the hottest European DJ. It's Eugene. It's the Hult Center. And you're experiencing Theurgic Seed. Just what is a Theurgic Seed, you might do well to ask? My Funk and Wagnalls defines "theurgy" as "the production of miraculous results by divine agency," or, perhaps more appropriately, "the art of securing [...] divine intervention in human affairs." Whichever definition you choose, you quickly realize there's more to a Theurgic Seed show than just shoe-gazing while a couple of dudes strap on guitars. That much becomes obvious as soon as you see the show's advertising art, which, much like Theurgic Seed's music, is a journey of sweeping proportions, stretching the boundaries of what's expected and what's possible. Theurgic Seed began two years ago, as members of several well-established Eugene bands came together to see what they could do. James West from Freedom Funk Ensemble, Kevin Murphy from Honeybuckit, Scotty Perey from the Sugar Beets, a local singer-songwriter by the name of Corey Vance and turntablism provided by Needlebreaker from Raging Family joined forces to create something entirely different on the Eugene scene. As band spokesman Jair describes, the members "wanted to push the limits of sound and what people expected from a band." The idea is to create a multi-media show, something that goes as far beyond merely playing music as possible and give the music a deeper meaning. While the band is playing, the listener's mind is fed by films projecting psychedelic geometric and fractal art, footage from the WTO street battles, tree sits, collage and other images designed to sync with the music. The intent, says Jair, is to acknowledge "music has become more than just the experience of listening to music." The band so far has released a multi-media CD with three songs, concert footage, photos and links to websites of non-profits. It's available in local stores. The band is currently in the studio, hard at work on its next offering, with no plans to play anywhere again until the project's completion, which will be in the next couple of weeks. So just what genre does a Theurgic Seed CD fit into? Jair simply describes it as "genre." The band's ambient, smooth jazz and Pink Floyd-ian soundscapes doesn't easily fit into any categories, so listeners are free to decide for themselves. The new CD will feature the tabla work of Abhiman Kaushal, who has shared the stage with Ravi Shankar and Phillip Glass. The band's vision doesn't end at the stage door, either. Click on its website, www.imaginify.com for sound and video clips from the band, as well as web links to sites promoting organic gardening, environmental activism, alternative fuel sources, human rights and more. Even though Theurgic Seed isn't playing anytime soon, lots of other bands are, so check 'em out! The Big Wu brings their jam to the Wild Duck Thursday. It's a hip-hop coup d'état as The Coup performs Thursday at the WOW Hall. String band The Waybacks grace Cafe Paradiso with their fiddle pickin' "acoustic mayhem" Friday. Lesbopalooza music festival is at the Red Lion Friday and WOW Hall Saturday. Get your fix of sugary alterna-pop Tuesday at John Henry's with Sub Pop recording artists Arlo.    Adam's Place 30 E. Broadway * 344-6948 Thu: Gus Russell--5:15, Jazz Fri: Andrea Neimic & Toby Koenigsberg-8:30, Jazz Sat: Abbott & Goebel--8:30, Jazz Mo: Debra Mathis--5:15, Jazz We: Barbara Dzuro--5:15, Jazz Barnes & Noble 1163 Valley River Dr. * 687-0356 Bacari Restaurant 1210 Willamette * 343-8404 Thu: Barbarz Dzuro--5:30, Jazz Piano Beanery 152 W. 5th * 342-3378 Fri: Patty McCulla--12, Folk Sat: Walker T. Ryan--11, Blues Su: Paul, the Retired Cowboy--12, Songs from the trail Beanery 2465 Hilyard * 344-0221 Black Forest Thu: T-Bone Weldone--9:30, Rockin' Blues Fri: Liquid Genie--9:30, Improv Jam Rock Sat: Skip Jones--9:30, Keyboard Boogie Su: Open Mic--9 sign-up Bliss Steak Ranch 2891 W. 11th * 484-6657 Borders 5 Oakway Center * 345-6072 The Brickhouse 4136 4th St. Spfd. * 988-1612 Buzz Coffeehouse EMU, UO * 346-3725 Thu: David Rogers--9, Fingerstyle Guitar Sat: Havila--9, Soulful folk Cafe Paradiso AA NS 115 W. Broadway * 484-9933 Thu: Mare Wakefield w/ Allette Brooks & Green--8:30, Songwriters-in-the-round Fri: The Waybacks--8:30, Acoustic Mayhem Sat: Basic Assumption--8:30, Acoustic Alternative Tu: Open MIc--8:30, Acoustic We: Jessica Plotkin, Painting Daisies--8:30, Acoustic Chantrelle's 5th & Pearl * 484-4065 Thu: Robert I Bander--9:30, Jazz Guitar Fri: Jazz Jam Cooperative w/ Gil Herrera--9:30, Jazz Sat: Solein Jazz Quartet--9:30, Jazz Tu: Blues Jam w/ Byron Case & friends--10 Chez Ray 44 W. 10th * 344-1530 Thu: Grateful Dead Karaoke--9 Fri: Stone Cold Jazz--9:30, Jazz Sat: Jackstraw--9:30, Bluegrass Su: Absolute Improv--9, Comedy Mo: Peter Wilde's Open Mic featuring Walker T. Ryan--8:30 Tu: Taper Tuesday hosted by Jeff Harrison--8 We: Open Guitar Jam--9 Diablo's 959 Pearl * 683-3855 Doc's Pad 165 W. 11th * 683-8101 Thu: Hip-hop--9DJ Dance Party--9 Mo: Rooster's Blues Jam--9 Tu: Karaoke--9 We: House DJ Dance--9 Duck Inn 1795 W. 6th * 342-5729 Fool's Paradise 460 Willamette * 338-9733 Fri: Primal Mates--8:30, Chamber Jazz Duo Foolscap 780 Blair Blvd. * 681-9212 Thu: Silverhawk, Rex Morningstar, Shayne Berry--8 Foxfire 4740 Main, Spfd * 747-7900 Thu: Ozone Baby--9, Rock Fri: Ozone Baby--9, Rock Sat: The Soundblasters--9, Rock Su: Karaoke--7:30 Groucho's 100 E. Broadway * 484-1747 Fri: DJ Mario Mora--10, Salsa & Merengue Hagen's 50 E. 11th * 343-8108 Hilton Lobby 66 E. 6th * 342-2000 Sat: Forrest/Moulton Duo--9, Jazz Hollywood Taxi 535 Main, Spfd * 747-0307 Su: Ronnie James Dio--9:30, Butt-rock Jakes Restaurant 605 W. 19th * 431-0513 Jim's Landing 303 Main St. Spfd * 726-7570 Jo Federigo's 259 E 11th * 343-8488 Thu: Jo Fed's Jazz Jam--9:30 Fri: Cynthia Beal w/ Bow Tie Affair--9:30, Jazz Sat: Side Project--9:30, Jazz Su: Mark Alan--9, Acoustic Mo: Greg Goebol's-open mic -6:30 Tu: Barbara Dzuro--8:30, Jazz We: Paul Paydos Revue--9:30 John Henry's 136 E. 11th * 342-3358 Tu: Arlo--9:30, Rock KOKOMO'S 44 E. 7th ¥ 683-5160 Lavelle Wine Bar 5th St. Mkt * 338-9875 Fri: John Crider--5:30, Jazz Sat: Gus Russell--5:30, Jazz The Love Cafe 145 Pioneer Pkwy Spfd * 763-5710 LUCKY'S POOL HALL 10th & Olive ¥ no phone Sat: DT Smith & the Tremens--9:30, Rock Meridian Building 18th & Willamette * no phone Moretti's 730 E. Broadway * 344-6673 Thu: Off Broadway Open Jam hosted by Tony Rae--8 Sat: DJ Tekneek--10Tu: Karaoke w/ Lydia--10 We: DJ Tekneek-10 Nite Owl (Ramada Inn) 225 Coburg * 342-5181 Fri: Coupe de Ville--9:15 Sat: Coupe de Ville--9:15 The Old Pad 3355 E. Amazon * 686-5022 Oregon Electric Station 27 E. 5th * 485-4444 Fri: Don Latarski Trio--8, Jazz Sat: Don Latarski Trio--8, Jazz Out of the Fog 839 Lincoln * 302-8194 Overtime Tavern 770 S. Bertelsen * 342-5028 Piccolo 999 Willamette * 484-4011 Sat: Mike Denny--8, Jazz Quacker's 2105 W. 7th * 345-2617 Rascals 211 Washington * 345-2617 Fri: Groove Merchants--9:30, Rock We: Westside Blues Jam--9:30 Rick's Pub 20 Hwy 99 N. * 344-3074 Fri: Electric Flies--9:30, Mardi Gras Party Rock 'n' Rodeo 44 E. 7th * 683-5160 Safari Room 3280 Gateway * 726-8181 Sakura 844 E. 13th ¥ 343-6817 Sam Bond's Garage 407 Blair Blvd * 343-2635 Thu: E-Law Celebration w/ Robert Hoyt--9 Fri: Chip Cohen--5:30; Zony Mash--9:30, Improv & Groove Old Time Jam--5; Brian Straw--9:30 Su: Irish Jam--4; Box Set, Carrie Akre from Goodness--9, Acoustic Tu: Bluegrass Jam--9 We: Bingo--9, Free fun! Sam's Place 825 Wilson * 484-4455 Senor Frog's 444 E. 3rd * 484-2927 Thu: DJ Dancing--10 Fri: DJ Señor Mix--10, Salsa & Merengue Sat: DJ Señor Mix--10, Salsa & Merengue SHAKERS    1195 Main, Spfd. ¥ 736-5177 Starbuck's 205 E.18th ¥ 465-9813 Stepina's 1475 Mohawk, Spfd * 744-0811 Taylor's 894 E. 13th * 344-6174 Thu: Jake's--10, New Blues Sat: Quivah--9, Hip-hop Theo's Jazz Club 126 W. Broadway * 344-6491 Fri: Joe Manis Trio--8:30, Jazz Sat: Paul Safar Consort-8:30, Jazz Tu: Jazz Jam hosted by Bruce Cole-8:30 Tiny Tavern 894 E. 13th * 344-6174 Fri: Jimmy Olsen Band--9:30, Nihilistic Peace Mongers Sat: Broken Homestead--9:30, Folk & Flatpicking TJ'S Lounge 365 E. Oregon ¥ 895-3109 Tsunami Books 2585 Willamette * 345-8986 23:6 23 West 6th * 484-9669 Valley River Inn 1000 Valley R. Way * 687-0123 Fri: The Valley Boys--8:30, Variety Sat: The Valley Boys--8:30, Variety Su: Yacov Golian--8, International Folk Tu & We: Tropic Starr--8, Variety Waterfront Bar & Grill 2210 Centennial * 465-4506 Wild Duck Hall NS 169 W. 6th * 485-3825 Thu: The Big Wu--9, Alternative Groove Fri: Glam Friday--10, 80s & 90s House Sat: Shelley James Music Box, Don Latarski--9, World Pop WOW Hall AA NS 291 W. 8th * 687-2646 Thu: The Coup/2 Incognito, DJ Tre & Mikey--9, Hip-hop Sat: Lesbopalooza w/ Ferron, Magdalen Hsu-Li, Nedra Johnson & Americunt--8:30, Folk/Pop/Jazz Tu: Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco), Fred Armisen--8:30, Country Folk, Comedy Back to Top Table of Contents | News & Views | Arts & Entertainment Classifieds | Personals | EW Archive