The WOW Hall will be holding two events of striking dissimilarity on Nov. 4. The first will be a reading by Portland author Chuck Palahniuk from his new book “Diary.” The second is a concert featuring local rockers Yeltsin, local tango band Mood Area 52 and the indie rock group The Desert Fathers.
Palahniuk — author of “Fight Club,” “Lullaby” and the recent travel guide “Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon” — released “Diary” in August. It is a paranoiac horror novel told from the perspective of a struggling artist on a tourist-infested island. She narrates using a journal addressed to her comatose husband. It is Palahniuk’s sixth novel, and his reading will begin at 6:30 p.m.
At 9:30 p.m., the second half of the WOW Hall’s evening begins, with three bands slated to take the stage. The first is local rock band Yeltsin, who recently released their first recording, a five song, self-titled EP. The band is comprised of guitarist Jake Pavlak, bassist Dana Axon and drummer Jivan Valpey. All the band members are veterans of other Eugene groups. Valpey in particular has drummed for a number of local outfits, including the Pass Out Kings, Los Mex Pistols del Norte and Vagiant UK.
The next group performing will be the independent rock band The Desert Fathers, whose latest album is called “The Spirituality.” The band is currently on a national tour in support of the new album.
Lead singer and guitarist Acquaman described the band’s music as “psychedelic, but not in a 1960s way.”
“People can expect something they have never seen before and will never see again,” he said. “This doesn’t mean they’ll like it.”
Third on the bill is local tango group Mood Area 52. The band, which has played together for nearly five years, has released one self-titled album, and recently performed their own score for the 1922 horror classic “Nosferatu” at Tsunami Books.
Band leader and accordionist Michael Roderick describes the band’s music as “Fellini-esque nuevo tango” and inspired by tango composer Astor Piazzolla. The group has written scores for a number of films and was recently voted the third best band in town by Eugene Weekly readers. The band members are: accordionist Roderick, cellist Amy Danziger, bassist Dan Schmid, guitarist Adam Wendt and saxophonist Kee Zublin.
The WOW Hall is located at 291 W. 8th Ave.