Whats happening in Eugene this week and things to do

Temperatures are getting chilly after dark this week! With early evenings and cold nights, it is definitely a week that invites staying in. If you’re looking for something cozy to do in Eugene or Springfield, this is the list for you.

A variety of events are happening this weekend, including a new show on stage at Oregon Contemporary Theater and the second film in the French New Wave series at Art House. The winter edition of the Oregon Festival of American Music is coming to The Shedd, with five days of French art for festival goers to partake in.

The Rocket Men Opens at Oregon Contemporary Theater

A play is the perfect way to spend a wintry Saturday night, and OCT has a new performance opening this weekend. “The Rocket Men” follows the former Nazi scientists who became the backbone of the NASA team that sent the United States to the moon. Six women step into the roles, and play the men as they remake their lives in the American South, build the machinery of the space race, and carry the weight of their pasts.

The Rocket Men will run from Jan. 17 to Feb. 1. Evening shows, which start at 7:30 p.m., begin on Jan. 17 and run Thursday through Sunday through Jan. 31. Matinees at 2 p.m. take place on Jan. 18, 25, and Feb 1. OCT is located at 194 W. Broadway in Eugene. Tickets at octheatre.org.

Catch ‘Les cousins’ at Art House

The second film in Art House’s French New Wave series, “Les cousins,” follows Charles, who came to Paris to stay with his cousin Paul while studying law. Paul is a decadent bohemian who shows meek Charles the thrills of city life, but when Charles falls for Paul’s friend Florence, the relationships begin to shift.

“Les cousins” is showing at Art House from Jan. 16 to 22, with different showtimes each day. For more information, check the Art House website at eugenearthouse.com. Art House is located at 492 E. 13th Ave.

Attend the Oregon Festival of American Music’s winter show

It seems Oregonians just can’t get enough of the French. This winter, the Oregon Festival of American Music, or OFAM, is exploring the French Connection with their “I love Paris” shows at The Shedd. The festival will feature films and four unique concerts to explore the intersection between the United States and France. There will be a jazz party on the final day to round out the festival.

The Shedd is located at 285 E. Broadway in Eugene. “I love Paris” is taking place from Jan. 21 to 25, with unique schedules each day. For more information on the festival, showtimes, or tickets, check The Shedd’s website at www.theshedd.org.

See the Eugene Symphony at The Hult Center

Former Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero is returning for a night of musical storytelling and brilliance at The Hult Center with the Eugene Symphony. The show will open with “Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun” by Claude Debussy and then move to “Paris” (how on theme!) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. After the intermission, the symphony will move through “Symphonie Fantastique” by Hector Berlioz, a stunning 49-minute number that also will close the show.

The Hult Center is located at 1 Eugene Center in Eugene. Giancarlo Guerrero Returns is Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Silva Concert Hall. Tickets can be bought online at hultcenter.org.

Rock out for R.A.V.E.N. at Dark Pine

Dark Pine Coffee is hosting a pop-up benefit on Friday, Jan. 16, calling for cold-weather supplies like clean blankets, jackets, tents, socks and gloves. All proceeds will go to R.A.V.E.N., or Radical Assistance for Vulnerable Eugene Neighbors, a group that works to provide food and basic needs to the local unhoused population. The event features live music from Failure to Comply, Culprit PFP, and Come Jazz You Are.

Dark Pine Coffee is located at 954 Pearl St. in Eugene. The pop-up benefit begins at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16, and admission is $10.

Samantha Pierotti is the food, drinks and “things to do” reporter for The Register-Guard. With news on restaurants and local happenings, you can reach her via email at [email protected].