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EW's Unofficial Eugene Celebration Guide
Seems like just yesterday I was talking to Rooster on a sunny day at Alton Baker Park, his eyes filling with tears when he told me how overwhelmed he felt by all the love he was receiving from his community. But that affection should have come as no surprise to a man who helped, supported and encouraged so many of Eugene's fine musicians.

It's hard to believe it's been three years since we've seen him.

This year, in Rooster's honor, Eugene Weekly is proud to co-sponsor the Eugene Celebration's Saturday, Sept. 21 Women in Blues concert to be held at the 5th Avenue Stage, which will be dedicated to the Blues Man.

Of course another anniversary lurks in our hearts and minds this September. Last year, dumbstruck by the 9-11 tragedy, many could not bring themselves to celebrate living in Eugene — or anything else. This year, healing can begin for many. Try to make it downtown if you can, to eat, drink, dance and sing, to greet the familiar faces that support you in your endeavors all year long.

We are, after all, a strong community, regardless of our differences. If we can remember that in Eugene, perhaps that message can spread throughout the world.

Happy Celebration. — Aria Seligmann

Celebration hours: Friday, Sept. 20: 6 pm - midnight Ç Saturday, Sept. 21: 11 am - midnight Ç Sunday, Sept. 22: 11 am – 5 pm Ç Food Court at Broadway Plaza and KidZone open Saturday at 10 am

How Much? Weekend Pass Buttons: Adults $8 adv.; $10 at gate. 12 & under FREE
Day Pass Stickers Sold Only On Day Used: Adults $7; 12 & under FREE

2002 Button Outlets Albertsons, Eugene Chamber of Commerce, PC Markets (all), Backstage Dancewear, Footwise, Ray's Food in Pleasant Hill, Barnhart Associates, Candy Baron (5th St. Market), Ray's Food in Creswell, Book Mark, Urban Garden (5th St. Market), Ray's Food in Veneta, Centennial Bank (downtown branch), Jerry's Home Improvement, REI, Convention and Visitors Assoc. of Lane County Oregon (CVALCO), Lane Council of Governments, Saturday Market, Downtown Eugene, Inc., SELCO Credit Union, Downtown Athletic Club, New Frontier Broadway Market, U Lane O Credit Union, Evergreen Film Service, Wild Oats (both stores), U of O Bookstore, EWEB, Oregon Metro Federal Credit Union, Wood Products Credit Union, Eugene Weekly, Pacific Cascade Credit Union

 


 

The Musical Connection
Forever blues, in Rooster's honor.
By Vanessa Salvia

The Eugene blues-loving community has never known anyone like Gavin Fox. Everybody knew him as Rooster, host of the hugely popular Monday Night Blues Jam, held for years at Good Times, and from Blues Power, a radio program he hosted on local radio station KLCC.

Rooster's positive attitude and unceasing energy in supporting the music and the people he loved have kept his memory alive in this town and beyond, three years since his untimely passing. Rooster died Sept. 5, 1999, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, a neuromuscular disease for which there is no known cure.

Sonny Hess Tracy Ferrara
Leah Hinchcliff Kathy Walker
Kim carson Margo Tufo

Saturday afternoon, before the performance of Rooster's All Stars on the 5th Avenue Stage, that stage will be officially dedicated to him. From here on, Saturday night's 5th Avenue entertainment during the Eugene Celebration will be blues in all its glorious permutations — in Rooster's honor.

Skip Jones, a musician who was hired by Rooster to drum for the house band when the Blues Jam moved from Taylor's to Good Times, says he "had the musical connection" with Rooster, and thinks "it's a fabulous idea to honor Rooster" by dedicating the stage to him.

"I know from being a musician that every musician that came into his contact is in his debt," says Jones.

The headlining act this Saturday will be Women In Blues. The women who comprise this group all lead popular and successful bands of their own, and now-defunct but much-loved Eugene group Swamp Mama Johnson will provide the backup.

Sonny Hess, based in Portland, is the lead guitarist and glue that holds Women In Blues together. She also is thrilled about the stage dedication. "I think he (Rooster) did a lot for the music scene down in Eugene and anybody who plots the way for musicians to find places to play and does any of the work I know he has done should definitely be recognized," she says.

Hess draws talented women vocalists from their primary projects and brings them together for special events. The Eugene Celebration show will feature a stellar assembly of women: Swamp Mama Johnson's Leah Hinchcliff on bass, Tracy Ferrara on saxophone, Kim Carson on drums, Sonny Hess, Bonnie Lee Bluestone on keyboards, and vocalists Linda Hornbuckle, Kathy Walker, Margo Tufo, MaryAnn Mayfield and Marilyn Keller (who will be appearing with Don Latarski and Rue de Blues earlier in the evening).

Many of these women met in Women in Blues long before they had established bands of their own. Linda Hornbuckle has been involved with Women In Blues for about three years, and she deems it "really powerful to be on stage" with the other women.

Hornbuckle considers it an honor to be a part of the show. "Rooster used to play my music, and he opened Eugene up for me and pretty much all of us who have CDs out. He was not just a disc jockey — he was like this guy that was full of information, that knew all the background of these guys' lives and I'm really happy to be doing this for him. He needs to be remembered in whatever way we can do it in and I'm very proud to be a part of this dedication," she says.

Hess, who is proudly making a living in the male-dominated field of lead blues guitarist, says Women in Blues grew out of the need for the genre to focus more on women.

Hess says that the early incarnations of Women in Blues were "totally blues oriented," but over the years, each member's growth, as well as changes within the very definition of "blues," have made descriptions of that musical style much more complicated. She admits that "some of the women feel their blues in more of a rock vein," while others "feel their blues in more of a jazz vein, and of course there's a traditional blues feel."

In Saturday's show, she says, "There's every style of blues that you could get."

Hess says it takes a lot of preparation putting a show like this together. "Each show's different. For the Eugene Celebration show, I'm pretty proud of the lineup. Every one of them is a star within her own right. This particular show you will probably never see again."

New-to-Eugene MaryAnn Mayfield, 66, who was a jazz singer in Portland for 30 years, says "You never know what is going to happen. The blues can vary so much, especially what my generation thinks of as blues and what their generation thinks of as blues, so I'm interested in seeing what happens."

No one could be more interested and excited by this show and stage dedication than Rooster's mother, Lois Fox. "Of course I'm absolutely delighted," she says. "I'm so glad he still means so much to so many, bless his heart."

Mrs. Fox attempted to imbue in all of her children a positive philosophy. "No one was a stranger" to Gavin, she says. "He had enormous empathy. Gavin abounded in his love of people. My goodness, how the love has poured back."


 

Embracing the Extremes 
Celebrate Diversity
story and photos by Joseph Lieberman

Talk about diversity. Eugene may well be the only town in the universe where Jesus, Satan, Uncle Sam, Dykes on Bikes, and past and present Slug Queens all march together in the same parade. Our community is nothing if not eclectic, and most folks here wouldn't have it any other way. Or would they?

Steve Remington, President of the Downtown Events Management, Inc. board (DEMI) and Managing Director of The Eugene Celebration, has discovered that while the general population of Eugene-Springfield just loves to party, a minority seems bent on trying to incline the program toward their own special agendas.

"People tend to see in the Celebration what they want to," he says, "kind of like when pet owners imbue their dogs or cats with anthropomorphic traits. Is that puppy really smiling, or is that just how the owner interprets it? The Celebration is what it is, but various folks want to define it according to the projections emanating from their own minds."

Remington explains that, "Garnering feedback and guidance from certain factions who are at odds in this community is sometimes like sitting in on a political convention where one party denies that the others have any legitimacy. What some don't understand is that the Celebration is a microcosm of Eugene. Sure, it's fine to set out a few ideals of where people would like to see us heading in the future, but the Celebration is really a reflection of who we are right now."

Remington notes how other festivals that could not evolve over the years eventually became extinct. "The Albany Timber Carnival ran for half a century," he notes, "but it died when organizers couldn't accommodate the views of environmentalists alongside those of loggers. As times change, cities change, and so must their festivities."

While this year's Eugene Celebration is once again Northwest of Normal, when it first started up in 1983 it was somewhere between the middle of the road and the right-hand lane. The Eugene Rodeo was originally a Celebration event, and the timber industry also displayed a major presence here back in the early days. Right from the get-go, however, a smattering of those unconventional, irrepressible oddities that are so much a part and parcel of our Lane County lifestyle were bidding for some recognition.

"There have always been sanctioned events as well as a few rogue players who latched onto our big-crowd opportunities through a side gate," says Remington. "It shouldn't really bother anybody, because a lot of what is established now started out as indy activities."

Remington points out, for example, that even now some would-be parade entrants are hesitant to be seen in close proximity with Slug Queens. Then again, Slug Queens absolutely delight in embarrassing such people. Being outrageous is a major part of what the Celebration is all about, and those who are too shy to put on the face paint and dance might feel more comfortable sitting on the sidelines, watching the parade pass them by.

If there is confusion in the ranks, however, it is not always the left that gets the blame. When "Believers in Christ" introduced their first parade entry in 2000, no one was quite sure if they were for real or if that portion of the parade had been hijacked by some absurd manifestation of guerrilla atheism. Watching Jesus bearing the cross while being flagellated by authentically outfitted Roman soldiers as he rounded 8th and Olive was a bit over the top for some spectators who didn't know if they should be shocked, amused or leap up and go running to His aid.

Wake up!
Where's the coffee?

NEW PARADE START TIME THIS YEAR!
(as if you hadn't heard)

Saturday Sept. 21

TIME: 8 friggin' am 'til it's over (Roughly 11 am)

Early, diverse, controversial, colorful and fun! "Ever on the edge of appropriately behaved," say the DEMI gods.

Dan Starner, who played the lead role that year, explains that the group is a genuine collaboration of the faithful culled from several denominations who simply wish "to present the hope of Christ via a walking diorama." Fair enough, for after all, there is nothing written in the Celebration manual that requires a separation of church and fete.

Last year "Believers in Christ" had JC riding on a white horse aka the Second Coming, and this year we can expect to see a reenactment of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey complete with palm-frond waving acolytes.

One can admire the believers' enthusiastic sincerity even if one does not share all the tenets of their faith. The same can be said for Dykes on Bikes who were criticized by some parents, according to Remington, "not because they flaunted their sexual orientation but because they set a bad example by refusing to wear bike helmets. That kind of complaint was just – so Eugene!"

The DOB leader explained that hiding their butch haircuts under helmets would have diminished both their impact and their objectives.

Some rebels have become practically respectable. The Rickies' (and Lucies') style of pranksterism is by now legendary. While some have viewed them as being equal opportunity offenders, others eagerly anticipate observing what irreverent form their next annual incarnation, which is never a certainty, will take.

Remington seems as comfortable with the outlandish entrants and mischievous intruders as he is with the more conservative contestants. "Eugene is not your average college town," he says. "There is room for all of us at the Celebration because that is really the essence of what Eugene personifies, finding space for all the extremes and whatever lies in between."   

 


 

Leapin' Lizards
They missed last year, but let's try again!
By Vanessa Salvia

Last year at this time the Eugene community joined with the world in trying to find its way through the tangled web of grief surrounding the Sept. 11 tragedy. There were some in our town who would find no solace in the idea of attending the Eugene Celebration. Others would not stay away. Throughout the past year our spirit and endurance has been tested in many ways, but each new day allows us another opportunity to live a meaningful life. I hope we can all find a reason to celebrate and give thanks, and join our hands and hearts together in song and dance this weekend.

Austin Lounge Lizards

Friday's musical headliner on the Broadway Stage is the Austin Lounge Lizards. The Lizards are from Texas, and they love country, but their brains contain too much gray matter that actually works to allow them to fall into the slop bucket that is Hollywood-style new country. Their style has always been to poke fun in an intelligent way.

They'll happily lampoon anything, including their home state — "Stupid Texas Song." While they formed in 1976, they didn't release music until 1984's Creatures from the Black Saloon. The Lizards are the only ones who can claim responsibility for such epistles as "Shallow End of the Gene Pool," "Jesus Loves Me (But He Can't Stand You)," and the famous "Gingrich the Newt." For these plucky guys, "Lounge" is a misnomer; the grass is always blue on their side of the fence.

Their music is acoustic countrified bluegrass, with mandolin, banjo and fiddle-fueled silliness. Plow an Austin Lounge Lizard field and you'll reveal a writh-ing nest of satire, depravity, and playfulness.

Portland's King Black Acid will bring their unique sound and vision to the Spirit Mountain Stage Friday. Former Hitting Birth front man Daniel Riddle formed K.B.A. in 1995, and they've garnered fans and critical acclaim ever since. Most recently they recorded original songs for the soundtrack of the 2002 movie thriller The Mothman Prophecies, along with Minnesota's Low.

Intensely atmospheric, K.B.A.'s music can oscillate between mood-heavy jams and ethereal tension. Sarah Mayfield contributes vocals and guitars, while keyboardists Rich Landar and Sean Farrell, bassist Sean Tichenor and drummer Joe Trump coalesce into a mysterious neo-psychedelic pop fog. The soundtrack is an epic exploration of evocative tone poems, one the band is completely qualified for.

Saturday on the Spirit Mountain Stage will be a headlining appearance by the one and only Fishbone. Since 1985 Fishbone have been bridging the gap between James Brown's funk, Curtis Mayfield's soul and powerful rock inflamed by a deep ska beat. Their manifesto has always been incorporating many different musical styles into their funkified approach, paired up with an uncompromising agenda of social commentary.

They tackle the drug epidemic, hunger, racism and "mental slavery." A new CD will be available Sept. 24, entitled Fishbone 101: Nuttasaurusmeg Fossil Fuelin The Fonkay. It's a 2-CD extravaganza with 35 tracks chronicling the band's prolific Columbia years, from 1985 to 1993. One CD is hits and one CD is rarities, including their first demo tape, recorded when the band members were still teenagers in South Central Los Angeles. The CD contains extensive liner notes and photos, and a letter to fans from each of the musicians.

Visible Men

This weekend will be a very busy time for a couple of local musicians. Dan Schmid and Dustin Lanker will be appearing in no less than three bands, and Lanker will also be appearing with his other brand new project, 100% Chips (along with Visible Men drummer Jordan Glenn and Jake Pavlak, Buckhorn guitarist), at a non-Celebration show later Saturday night.

Schmid and Lanker perform together as Visible Men and also as part of Mood Area 52 (both bands perform Saturday on the Wine Stage).

Of course, for us fans, it's always a treat to have the Daddies play here at home, and the band loves it too. Lanker's excitement shows when he says, "I think it's gonna be a blast. To me, playing a Eugene show, it's not like working. As a professional musician, playing in Eugene, particularly with [The Daddies] is a lot more like a party. I love it."

Schmid echoes the sentiment by reminiscing that last year's Celebration show was one of the best Daddies' shows he's ever played. Lanker says that at recent Daddies shows in other states they've brought out "some of the more obscure songs that the Daddies have done over the years. We're trying to do a lot of the favorites still, but pull out some of the stuff that probably hasn't been played by the band in 10 years for the fans who've been around forever who haven't gotten to hear those songs. It's actually a really cool mix now of the songs everybody likes and the songs that probably only the die-hards will even recognize."

If you have not exposed yourself to the many facets of these fine musicians, I urge you to see them at 3:45 pm, Sunday at the 5th Avenue Stage.

Eugene resident Norma Fraser, who performs at 1 pm Sunday on the Spirit Mountain Stage, casually recounts her career highlights and experiences, but to anybody listening the interest is anything but casual. Her Jamaican upbringing put her in a unique position that she calls "the right place at the right time." Fraser "never imagined" she would be singing.

She started singing in her bathroom and "decided [she] sounded pretty good." It was then that she decided to start a band. She was 15.

Fishbone

Fraser encountered some opposition from Jamaica's leading reggae/ska band at the time, The Skatalites, who told her and her band to "find other professions." Undeterred, Fraser charted at number one for over a year with her first LP, We'll Be Lovers, at age 19. Her second and very popular LP, First Cut Is The Deepest, appeared in 1967. That same year, Londoners voted her Best Female Newcomer. This led to a contract with Jamaica's premier label, Studio One.

She released Get-Up-Stand-Up in 1993 and continued to perform exclusive engagements and large festivals, including the One World Music Festival in 1998. In June of 2001, Fraser released a CD of original compositions entitled C'Mon Baby. True to her style, the CD is an uplifting meld of reggae, pop and lover's rock.   

 


 

Making Merry
Celebration pulls together some great acts. Here they are (in the Celebration's own words).

5th Ave. Stage
(at 5th, between Oak & Pearl)

Friday, September 20th
7 pm Gypsy Soul Alternating between haunting melodies and atmospheric soulful grooves, Gypsy Soul creates a lush, unforgettable musical landscape.

8:45 pm Guarneri Underground Voted one of the best new bands in Seattle by the Seattle Weekly, Guarneri Underground is an infectious blend of Afro/Celtic /Flamenco Violin World Jazz.

10:30 pm Tempest Nationally acclaimed Celtic rock band from the Bay Area that delivers a globally renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements.

Saturday, September 21st
12 pm Walker T. Ryan and the Delta Mystics Ryan is a dynamic and engaging performer who is full of stories, anecdotes and tall tales. The passion he brings to his music is intense and honest.

1 pm Motherfunction Formerly Darcy Lee and the Hitmen. Rhythm and blues, funk 'n' soul.

2:30 pm Rooster's All Stars Blues jam oriented set including many local blues artists paying tribute to the Rooster Man and formally dedicating 5th Avenue Stage to Rooster. Saturday night, 5th Avenue is Rooster's Roost.

4:15 pm The Terry Robb Trio Original eclectic West Coast rhythm and blues, Western Chicago blues and solo East coast acoustic picking.

6 pm The Henry Cooper Band "Henry Cooper plays slide guitar with a high-octane combination of Albert King's sense of rhythm and Elmore James' hellbent juke joint lyricism. It works to perfection, too, on this debut release, Baby Please, on his own High Action label." -Blues-to-Do's Monthly, Seattle.

8 pm The Lloyd Jones Struggle "Jones sings like Delbert McClinton's long-lost brother and plays guitar like Robert Cray unleashed." Quoted by Vintage Guitar.

10 pm Women in Blues Unique, all-star show featuring Northwest talent, Linda Hornbuckle, Marilyn Keller, Margot Tufo, Maryanne Mayfield, Kathy Walker, Sonny Hess and more.

Sunday, September 22nd
12:15 pm Miami Airlines Ska Punk

2 pm Pocketface As founders of The Lounge Derbies, they play shows with ska legends like The Toasters, Let's Go Bowling and Five Iron Frenzy and placed top three in the Portland Rose Festival. The band has toured extensively in Japan. Now, members of Double-O-Seven have joined and the result is an international horn-blasted, power-pop funky-punky style.

3:45 pm The Cherry Poppin' Daddies Formed in 1989 in Eugene, the nationally acclaimed kings of neo-swing are back to spread their swing, ska and rockabilly sounds. This is rock's boldest and brassiest band!


Broadway Stage
(at Broadway & Willamette)

Friday, September 20th
7 - 8:15 pm Saltlick Alternative Country, Americana.

8:45 – 10 pm Sugarbeets Their music draws from the foot-stomping traditions of bluegrass, Celtic and old-time fiddle yet is inextricably woven to the worlds of Motown, gospel, country and pop.

10:30 - 11:45 pm Austin Lounge Lizards Twenty years of satirical genius with bluegrass edge, the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram says "Their subversive triumph is to have mingled impeccable, countrified musicianship with wickedly funny original material."

Saturday, September 21st
10 - 10:45 am Willamette Valley Folk Fest New Song Contest Winners Nicole Barrett, Steve Taddei and Gina Edge.

11 - 11:45 am Angela Lecompte With powerful vocals and passionate delivery of pop, folk, cabaret and rock, singer-pianist-composer, Angela LeCompte is destined for comparison with Rickie Lee Jones, Kate Bush, Jewel and Sarah McLachlan.

12 - 12: 45 pm Justin King Acoustic guitar.

1 - 2 pm Syrius Jones A lyrical, danceable rock band that will get you in the party mood.

2:30 - 3:45 pm Micky & the Mojo Hitmen "If you like John Lee Hooker, the Temptations, Al Green, War, Herbie Hancock and Santana you'll like us. Dancing shoes required."

4:15 - 5:30 pm The Cheeseburgers A "buffet" of Jimmy tunes.

6 - 7:30 pm Don Latarski and Rue de Blues w/Marilyn Keller Formed around the writing and playing of guitarist Don Latarski and featuring the vocalese of longtime Latarski collaborator Marilyn Keller, the band rips through jazz inflected original blues as well as jump, swing, jungle boogie, sultry Americana slow blues and shuffles.

8 - 9:30 pm LaZoo Local favorite LaZoo unleases its full potential in a live performance expressing their souls to the listener with a passion to play, leaving room for spontaneity.

10 pm Satin Love Orchestra The Eugene based, 10-member disco/funk group packs every show with as much adrenaline as any party animal can stand, and their appearance is nothing short of stunning, with metallic '70s-inspired wardrobe and flare to spare.

Sunday, September 22nd
12 - 1:15 pm Fiddlin' Big Sue Band "Sue Grass" old-time fiddlin', blue grass and country swing.

1:45 – 3 pm McClosky Brothers "Their spirited performances, youthful exuberance, and unique approach to blending jazz, bluegrass and rock makes them a band to be watched!" says Tony Furtado.

3:30 - 4:45 pm Clumsy Lovers The Spokesman Review reports, "The band has one heck of a thing going...feisty music that has people dancing and reeling and jiggling like lunatics on a clover high."

 

 

Spirit Mountain Casino Stage
(at 8th, between Lincoln & Charnelton)

Friday, September 20th
7 - 8:15 pm King Black Acid Recently featured on the soundtrack of the new Richard Gere movie, The Mothman Prophecies. The Oregonian describes the band: "Darkness. Allure. Tension. Magnetism. Inscrutability. Atmosphere. Otherworldliness. Wonder."

8:45 – 10 pm Medicine Drum Progressive psy-trance sound with a more tribal edge.

10:30 - 11:45 pm Dahlia Electronic based techno-jazz music.

Saturday, September 21st
1 - 2 pm Grynch Alternative rock reminiscent of The Doors.

2:30 - 3:45 pm Prodd Power Groove. Heavy alternative.

4:15 - 5:30 pm Cigar Melodic power punk.

6 - 7:45 pm Basic Assumption Melodic Rock influenced by Jane's Addiction and others.

10 - 11:30 pm Fishbone Before Public Enemy, before Living Colour, before N.W.A. — there was Fishbone, "deeply influential, massively important, madly loved music," as characterized in the expressive and well-scripted liner notes written by Rolling Stone, Village Voice.

Sunday, September 22nd
1 pm Norma Fraser Internationally renowned reggae artist, now a local.

3:30 pm Alpha YaYa Diallo International award-winning artist, originally from Guinea, Africa, based in Vancouver, B.C., Alpha YaYa Diallo is a powerful force in African pop with tight grooves, funky drums and percussive guitar.

 

 

Wineries of Lane County Stage
(top of the Parcade, Willamette, 7th & 8th)

Friday, September 20th
7 - 8:15 pm Tim McLaughlin's 11 Eyes Their jazz is not standard. They combine funk, hip-hop, latin/cuban, rock, jazz, techno, electronic and improvisation in their unique performance.

8:45 - 10 pm West Coast Rhythm Kings A review from Portland's Crystal Ballroom says, "Meet a new dance band that has the zeal to entertain, the grooves to make you boogie, and the chops to back up all the attention they've been getting."

10:30 - 11:45 pm Swing Shift w/ Cami Local Big Band with Reno, Nev., vocalist Cami Thompson, who, in the words of the Reno Gazette-Journal has "a voice that caresses, scats, soars, and gets way under the skin of every tune she sings..."

Saturday, September 21st
12 pm OFAM Youth Jazz Ensemble Jazz, Latin, Swing, BeeBop

1:30 pm Visible Men Pop-rock piano, bass and drums, evoking Elvis Costello, Squeeze and XTC.

3:30 pm Olem Alves A Eugene-based quartet of young musicians performing original electric funk.

5:15 pm Mood Area 52 A Eugene-based tango sextet, plays some traditional compositions while focusing on original material that blends traditional elements with ideas culled from other genres.

7 pm Chuck Prophet The L.A. New Times says, "He blends disparate styles from country to hip-hop to rock to folk to blues to soul in a way that's never less than natural."

8:45 pm Tony Furtado Drawing inspiration from such influences as blues, old-time, Celtic and bluegrass, Tony Furtado composes and arranges his music in a spirit similar to Ry Cooder's early '70s recordings.

10 pm Laura Love Incredible singer/songwriter/bassist who gives an "afro-celtic-hip-apalachian-funkabilly" performance.

Sunday, September 22nd
12 pm Son Mela'o The 11-piece Son Mela'o promises something special with its fiery, joyful, exotic Cuban dance music that reaches back and beyond salsa into the roots of one of Latin music's most celebrated and vibrant musical traditions.

1:30 pm Perla Batalla Billboard writes, "sultry chanteuse who sang backup for Leonard Cohen, k.d. Lang, and others steps into the spotlight on an impassioned, at times sublime debut. " She sings Latin-inspired folk and rock, melodic, seasoned originals with powerful vocals.

3 pm Caliente Hot Local Salsa band that will make you get up and dance!

 

 

Urban Stage
(WOW Hall, on 8th, between Lincoln & Charnelton)

Friday, September 20th
Upstairs Hip-Hop

9 - 9:15 pm DNLT

9:15 - 9:30 pm Consciencious Objectors

9:30 - 9:45 pm Side Effects Include

9:45 – 10 pm Qumulus

10 - 10:15 pm Nelec, Mist, Ethic and DJ Caden

10:15 - 10:45 pm Plan B

10:45 - 11:30 pm Ten Thousand Fold Form

11:30 - 1 am Lifesavas

Friday, September 20th –
Downstairs DJs-Downbeats and Trip-Hop

9 – 10 pm Miles

10 - 11 pm Dan Craig

11 - 1 am Forest Avery

Saturday, September 21st
Punk

5:30 - 6 pm Blue Collar Threat

6:15 - 6:45 Hellen Bents?

7 - 7:30 pm EPD

7:45 - 8:30 pm Monkey Torture

8:45 - 9:15 pm Bastard Saints

9:30 - 10 pm Miami Airlines

10:15 - 10:45 pm Capgun Suicide

11-midnight Blasphemous Abnormality

 

 

Comedy Stage
(Studio 1 from 1-3 pm; Soreng Theater from 3-5 pm; Hult Center)

Sunday, September 22nd
noon- 1 pm Comedy Sportz

1 - 2 pm Comedy Workout featuring Randy Mendez, Paula Larson, Jennifer Eliot

2 - 3 pm Live Matinee

3 - 4 pm Comedy Workout featuring Leigh Anne Jasheway, Josh Krecklow, Newman

4 - 5 pm Wymprov

 

 

Soreng Dance Stage
(Studio One-Hult Center)

Saturday, September 21st
noon - 12:30 pm Musical Feet Youth Tap and Jazz

2 - 2:20 pm CoArt Dance Modern Dance Duets

2:20 - 2:30 pm Sherrie Barr Modern Dance

2:30 - 2:50 pm Bonnie Simoa Dances from Bali

Saturday, September 21st

(Soreng Theater-Hult Center)

3 - 3:45 pm Eugene School of Ballet "Kids on Broadway"

3:45 - 4:15 pm Dhamaka Folk Dances from Punjab, India

4:15 - 5 pm Van Ummersen Dance Company Modern Dance

 

 

2002 Kidzone Stage

The totally unofficial un-Eugene Celebration not related to DEMI in any way
GOOD TIMES CELEBRATION September 20-21

The Good Times celebration exists in conjunction with the Eugene Celebration to give people who can't afford a button a place to celebrate for free. It also serves more musicians who want to perform for the public and receive wider exposure. There is no cover all weekend. Participants must be 21 or over.

Friday, September 20
6PM ISLAND JAMMIN', STEEL DRUM BAND

10PM I-CHELE AND THE CIRCLE OF LIGHT, REGGAE

Saturday, September 21
6PM ITCHY ITCHY, ALTERNATIVE POP ROCK

8PM THE COURTESY CLERKS, POP STYLE PUNK

10PM THE DANGED, SWAMP RAWK 'N' ROLL, SEXY, SOUPED UP ROCKABILLY

MIDNIGHT 2 BUCKS SHORT, POP STYLE PUNK

BETWEEN EACH SHOW THE DRAGON TRIBE WILL PERFORM FIRE DANCING

Sunday, September 22
6PM TYMPANIC

8PM WHAT YO MAMA WARNED YOU BOUT

9:30PM ZAWADI, REGGAE

Saturday Sept.21
10:30 - 11:15 am Ballet Sangamar West African Dancing & Drumming

11:30 – 12 pm Oregon Fantasy Puppet Theatre Big marionette show/ string puppets

12:15 – 1 pm Dr. Delusion's Illusions Magic

1:15 – 2 pm National Acadamy of Artistic Gymnastics Tumbling Demo

2:15 – 3 pm Mad Science - Spin, Pop Boom Science Show

3:15 – 4 pm Sharon Rodgers Folk Songs/Sing Alongs/Family

4:15 – 5 pm Dean Livelybrooks Science - This ain't no rocket science

Sunday Sept. 22
11 - 11:45 am Kutsinhira's Youth Ensemble Zimbabwe Music

12 - 12:45 pm Invincible Vincent Magic, mystery and mayhem

1 - 1:45 pm Oregon Fantasy Puppet Theatre Big marionette show/ string puppets

2 - 2:45 pm Dr. Delusion's Illusions Magic

3 - 3:45 pm Mad Science Spin, Pop Boom! Science Show

4 - 4:45 pm Dana Smith with Lacey the Performing Dog Juggling/Dog Tricks

 

Ambient Entertainment
Dana Smith Family style juggling, comedy and acrobatics; has been featured at the Eugene Celebration in past years.

Alex Elixir World-class Canadian entertainer, award-winning funnyman.

Hillbilly Willie Veteran of the Eugene Celebration, his musicianship is unique.

David Kelly Local 19-year-old Eugenean returns to entertain with his infectious comedy and juggling.

Elias Joseph Another Canadian entertainer with a smooth style and technical juggling ability.

Derrick Smith That "robot guy" returns from northern California to amaze with his mime robotic abilities.

Jason McPherson New to the festival, Jason brings his talent for fun.

Robert Hart Another highly recommended newcomer to the Eugene Celebration.

Gypsy Soul A husband and wife team from Ashland. This highly musical act will take your breath away.

 

 

Celebration Events

Thursday, Sept. 19

2002 Mayor's Art Show The 2002 Mayor's Art Show is an annual juried exhibition of new works by Lane County artists. Exhibition features work in various media completed within the last 12 months and runs through Oct. 24. In conjunction with the Hult Center's 20th Birthday. Thursday, Sept. 19th - Sunday, Sept. 22nd, 6 pm., Sept. 19th, 11 am – 1 pm, Sept. 22nd, Jacobs Gallery/Hult Center

12th Annual Salon de Refusés The 2002 Salon des Refuses will be in its 12th year. This is a very popular, special exhibit of works refused by the Mayor's Art Show, attended by the public and artists. The Salon will be open for public viewing until the closing reception on Friday, Oct. 4. Opening, Thursday Sept. 19: 6:30 pm - midnight, Heron Building (576 Olive St.)

Saturday, Sept. 21st

Rugby Celebration 10s Tournament The Eugene Rugby Football Club, Ltd. hosts approximately 10 host games per year and travels all over the Pacific NW playing rugby. Throughout the 1970s and early '80s, the Eugene 10s Tournament was known around the West coast. Lane Community College main campus.

Saturday, Sept. 21st - Sunday, Sept. 22nd

Shelton-McMurphy Johnson House Tours Free admission to the Historic Shelton McMurphy Johnson House during the weekend of the Eugene Celebration to admission button holders. 303 Willamette St.

Saturday, Sept. 21st

Eugene Celebration Cycling Classic-Crow Valley Road Race The Crow Valley Road Race starts and ends at Crow High School and is an 8.52-mile course done as laps with a 1.5 mile gradual climb, and rolling to flat country roads. Prizes will be awarded. Registration | Course Maps | More Info 10 am. Crow High School, Crow.

Saturday, Sept. 21st

Eugene Celebration Cycling Classic-Crow Time Trial The Crow Time Trial course is flat to gradual rolling roads with good to excellent pavement. The course begins and ends at Crow High School and is a total of 9.76 miles. Prizes will be awarded. Registration | Course Maps | More Info 4:30 pm Crow High School, Crow. Participation Fee: Adults: $65 to $70; Juniors: (18 & under): $20-$25. Public Contact: Jim Anderson 503-975-8229.

Sunday, Sept. 22nd

Eugene Celebration Run 2002 DEMI presents the 8-Kilometer Main Race, 5-Kilometer Fitness Walk, and a 2-Kilometer Kids' Fun Run. All three races start and finish at the Alton Baker Park parking area. More information | Map 9 am: Main Race/Walk. 9:45 am: Kids' Fun Run. Alton Baker Park Participation Fee: Varies

Sunday, Sept. 22nd

Eugene Celebration Cycling Classic-Skinner Butte Criterium The Skinner Butte Park Criterium course is .85 mile and includes wide, flat city streets and a 500 meter gradual hill. It starts at Skinner Butte Park Loop/Lincoln St., uses Lincoln, 3rd, Lawrence and Cheshire streets. It finishes on the hill. Prizes will be awarded. Registration | Course Maps | More Info 4:30 pm Skinner Butte Park, Eugene

Sunday, Sept. 22nd

Second Annual OAR Jr Crew Canoe Regatta - Rowing Shell Rides/Race Don't miss this rare opportunity to climb into a rowing shell with seasoned rowers and experience one of the oldest and most elegant sports. Then test your skills in a race at High Noon. 10 am – 3 pm Alton-Baker Reflecting Pond

Sunday, Sept. 22nd

Second Annual OAR Jr Crew Canoe Regatta - Relay Canoe Race Win the coveted "Golden Oar" award and a day on the water at Dexter Reservoir in a 60' 8-person rowing shell, complete with coxswain, coach and picnic lunch. Pre-race meeting at 11:30; race starts at High Noon! Prizes will be awarded for "Best Uniforms" and "Best Team Spirit" 11:30 a.m. Dexter Reservoir

Sunday, Sept. 22nd

Stickball with Your Friends Show up and play a New York style street game; bring your own stick! 2:30 p.m. 10th & Olive

Sunday, Sept. 22nd

AIA People's Choice Awards Each year the American Institute of Architects' Southwestern Oregon Chapter sponsors this event to showcase the work of its members. The program spotlights design excellence and allows the public to learn more about the profession of architecture. 11 am – 5 pm 35 W. 8th Ave. Participation Fee: $25.

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