Eugene
Friday, Nov. 27
Create Something Day (MECCA — 449 Willamette St.; 12-4 p.m.)
Instead of spending Black Friday in a crowded shopping mall, do something good for the community and go to Eugene’s nonprofit arts organization MECCA to make gifts out of reusable materials. It’s a free, family-friendly event so everyone can enjoy it.
Oregon State Parks (various locations)
As outdoor retail giant REI makes the bold move to close on Black Friday to encourage more outdoor excursions, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has followed suit. Parking fees (normally $5) will be waived at all of Oregon’s 26 state parks. Two of the closest parks to Eugene: Fall Creek State Recreation Area and Jasper State Recreation Site. There’s also Jessie M. Honeyman State Park just outside of Florence, and Tumalo State Park near Bend. If you end up in Washington state near Mount Rainier or Olympic national parks, all park fees will also be waived this Friday. Likewise, there’s free admission to 49 state parks in California. Wherever you go, it beats getting trampled for a flat-screen.
Saturday, Nov. 28
Snow White and the Seven Dancing Dwarfs/Hansel and Gretel (Lane Community College — 4000 E 30th Ave., 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; $12-$15)
Enjoy an all-children’s performance of the classic fairy tales put on by the Oregon Ballet Academy and Oregon Ballet Foundation. More than 200 dancers, from preschool age to pre-professionals, will take to the stage to perform a ballet you will never forget. The Academy’s Lower School will put on a mini performance of Hansel and Gretel before the show.
Sunday, Nov. 29
GRRRLZ Rock (Hop Valley Tasting Room — 990 W 1st Ave.; 2-4 p.m.)
Part of a month-long festival that celebrates women in music and the arts, Sunday’s event is a performance by musicians Osprey, Matrisha Armitage and Dana Vion. Enjoy craft beer and local music at Eugene’s Hop Valley Brewing Co.
Portland
Friday, Nov. 27
America’s Largest Christmas Bazaar (The Portland EXPO Center — 2060 N Marine Dr.; adults, $7, children 12-17, $3, under 12, free; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
This weekend, you can find hundreds of handcrafted gifts made by local craftspeople and artisans. Skip the lines at the malls and visit this three-day expo, featuring 900 booths stocked with gifts, foods, ornaments, gadgets, jewelry and vintage collectibles.
Saturday, Nov. 28
La Fete du Macaroon (Pix Patisserie — 2225 E Burnside St.; 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Free.)
If you have a craving for macaroons, get to Portland for a macaroon celebration at one of the city’s patisseries. Thirty different flavors will be on display including the macronut (a deep-fried macaroon). If you have an idea for a macaroon, you can enter the flavor contest and get a chance to win a gift certificate. You can even stomp on a cupcake for a free macaroon.
Sunday, Nov. 29
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Gerding Theater — 128 NW 11th Ave.; 7:30 p.m.)
The Tony Award-winning musical comes to Portland to celebrate the life and times of jazz great Fats Waller. The Portland Center Stage pulls dozens of songs from the legendary musician’s discography to create a musical filled with energy and style. Get your jazz on with Fats Waller and get to Portland for this celebration of the Harlem Renaissance.
Weekend calendar 11/27: Eugene entertainment and Portland pastimes
Alex Ruby
November 24, 2015
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