Final exams haven’t burdened students yet, but it’s not too early to start thinking about summer events in the Eugene area, which will include two big names in indie rock and blues and three outdoor events.
Tonight South Eugene High School graduate Mikah Sykes, known for his artsy approach to music rather than commercial appeal, will open for The Waxfire at 9 p.m. at Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd., in Eugene. Tickets are $5.
“The Full Monty,” based on the 1997 film about unemployed steelworkers who perform strip shows, will be playing at the Actors Cabaret, 996 Willamette St., in Eugene Friday and Saturday. The show will also be performed on June 2 and 3 at the Hult Center. This summer, Actors Cabaret plans to perform “Girls and Poise” and “Evita,”according to the group’s Web site.
Although Built to Spill was forced to cancel its appearance at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, and postpone summer tour dates because of frontman Doug Martsch’s eye surgery, Eugeneans can be thankful the surgery did not affect June tour dates, according to Pitchfork magazine. The Northwest indie rockers will still play at the WOW Hall as scheduled on June 19 in support of “You In Reverse,” their first album in five years; it was released in April.
The summer will bring three outdoor events that have storied traditions in Eugene and the surrounding area.
After the 36th annual Willamette Valley Folk Festival, held at the Cuthbert Amphitheater in Alton Baker Park near Auzten Stadium was deemed a success, the Cuthbert is hoping to bring back its summer concert series. The series is being managed by Double Tee Concerts and Kesey Enterprises for the first time.
Eccentric country singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett will perform on July 6, and Widespread Panic – known to never play the same show twice – will play a mix of rock, blues and boogie on July 11 at the Cuthbert. The String Cheese Incident will play on Aug. 4, 5 and 6 at the Cuthbert and play Aug. 7 at WOW Hall.
Other performers to visit the Cuthbert include Los Lobos on Aug. 10, bluesman Buddy Guy on Aug. 11, and Bonnie Raitt and Keb’ Mo’ on Sept. 6. Tickets are available through TicketsWest at the EMU Ticket Office.
The Summer in the Vineyard concert series, held at the Secret House Vineyards in Veneta, will also feature major artists. The vineyard will host Portland rockers Everclear, along with the Presidents of the United States of America and Eugene’s Rock-n-Roll Soldiers during a June 3 afternoon show.
Other vineyard show highlights include MxPx and Floater on June 24, the Indigo Girls on July 3, Death Cab for Cutie on Aug. 10 and Ani DiFranco on Aug. 14. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
The Oregon Country Fair, in its 37th year, will be held in Veneta on July 7, 8 and 9. The event will feature vaudeville music, crafts and food. Tickets are available through TicketsWest.
Before the start of school, Comedy Central star Carlos Mencia will be visiting the Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center on Sept. 24.