Eugene Weekly : Calendar : 11.13.03

It's Ken Kesey season in Eugene, and a myriad of events will play homage to Eugene and Springfield's favorite author. Kesey is widely hailed for his 1960s novels, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Sometimes a Great Nation, as well as his wild adventures with the rebellious Merry Pranksters. Even after his death in 2001, Kesey stands out as one of the country's foremost counter-culture icons. This week's events will include a Ken Kesey Symposium at the UO, including five panels of scholarly papers, poetry readings, fiction and a special performance by the Merry Pranksters. Tsunami Books will hold a celebration entitled "The Last Kesey Test" on Thursday, Nov. 13, a downtown dedication of the new Ken Kesey Memorial will take place Friday and the UO's Robinson Theater will present the stage adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest through Nov. 22. See this week's Calendar.

The mysterious and worldly dark duo, Faun Fables, returns to Eugene Nov. 17, bringing its signature, eerie sound. Vocalist and guitarist Dawn McCarthy and guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Nils Frykdahl are known for their foreboding theatrical rock. The shows often include costumes and skits, as well as occasional guest musicians and dancers. Catch this creepy, velvet treat at Sam Bond's Garage. See Monday Calendar.

Ordained Tibetan Buddhist nun Ani Tsering Chodron will present "Our Lives are Our Practice: How to Use Everyday Events in Life as Tools for Spiritual Growth" on Friday. Chodron has been immersed in intensive dharma practice for 22 years, including eight years in India, one year in Bhutan and one year in Nepal with several great Buddhist masters. Chodron now lives in Eugene, where she teaches local Buddhists, manages a group home for disabled adults, and serves as treasurer for the Lane Institute of Faith and Education. Chodron's presentation will focus on the transformational power of spiritual practices in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. See Friday Calendar.

Members of the quirky three-person band Guster dub themselves stenographers, saying they simply "transcribe life and put a little melody under it." Indeed, the indie-rock group's sound encompasses everything from emotional nirvana to pure agony. Adam, Brian and Ryan are now touring their fourth album, Keep it Together, and will come to McDonald Theatre this week. Eccentric vaudeville art-rock group The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players will open for Guster, dishing out its one-of-a-kind brand of music and vintage slides. See Thursday, Nov. 13 Calendar.