Friday, Jan. 27: Blues to Cure the Blues at Ninkasi Brewing Company (155 Blair Blvd.) 7 p.m., $60, 21+
This weekend, Ninkasi Brewing Company will host a live blues performance to raise money to benefit a local nonprofit called WellMama. The night will consist of live country blues and bluegrass music, great food, and classic Ninkasi beverages. Furthermore, a silent auction will be held featuring local products, artists and excursions in the Willamette Valley and Portland areas. Dinner will be provided for guests by Eugene’s Bill & Tim’s Barbecue.
Proceeds go to WellMama, a non-profit “providing education, advocacy and resources” for parents struggling with mental health issues during pregnancy and first year postpartum. Its no-cost peer support services treat women with perinatal mood disorders throughout Lane County.
Buy your ticket for the event at wellmamaoregon.com.
-Casey Miller
Thursday, Jan. 26: Barber Piano Concerto at Hult Center for the Performing Arts (7th and Willamette) 8 p.m., $21-$60, $10 for students
If you have an ear for the arts, you can join Ryan McAdams and Andrew von Oeyen this week for their performance of musical works of Mozart, Barber and Brahms, put on by the Eugene Symphony.
McAdams is a Brooklyn resident that made his musical debut in Europe with the Maggio Musicale and later went on to perform with the Israel Philharmonic, being hailed by the Jerusalem Post. He is the first ever recipient of the Sir Georg Solti Emerging Conductor Award.
Oeyon made his debut at 16 years old with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and went on to perform with the National Symphony in Washington D.C. in 2009. He has a range of experience, with a repertoire that includes a wide variety of works, from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky.
For an evening of classical piano music, you can learn more at eugenesymphony.org.
-Mathew Brock
Friday, Jan. 27th: Ladysmith Black Mambazo at WOW Hall (291 W 8th Ave), 7 p.m., tickets $21 seated, $35 GA
This Grammy award-winning group will make a stop in Eugene this weekend to share its blend of world and a cappella style of music. Founded by frontman Joseph Shabalala in the early 1960s, this South African group considers itself a form of musical preservation of heritage just as much as they are entertainers. Its unique sound is derived from the traditional African musical style of Isicathamiya, which was first developed by miners in the early 1900s. After being captured and forced to work for European mining companies, South Africans would sing this music in their native tongue, Zulu.
The group got its first big break when American folk musician Paul Simon enlisted Ladysmith Black Mambazo to sing backup vocals for a track on his critically-acclaimed album Graceland. Simon later produced their first record in 1998. The album went on to win a Grammy for best folk recording. Since then, the group has been nominated for 15 Grammys and completed several worldwide tours.
-Zach Price
Saturday, Jan. 28: Masquerade Ball at Opal Center for Arts and Education (513 E. Main St.), 7:30 p.m., tickets $13
This weekend, an evening of mystery awaits you. Take yourself back to the Renaissance days of costumed parties and join Eugene’s Opal Center for Arts and Education for a Masquerade Ball. Formal attire and costumes are highly encouraged as well as festival hair and theatrical makeup. If this isn’t your first ball, bring a mask of your own — if not, there will be a chance to make your own at a mask making workshop held by Crafty Mercantile.
Tickets include hors d’oeuvres and a beverage in addition to a night full of music, dancing and intrigue. The event lasts until 12 a.m.
Find tickets and more information online.
–Carleigh Oeth
Tuesday, Jan. 31: Drew Shirley/Switchfoot at Mcdonald Theater (1010 Willamette st.), 7 p.m., tickets $38.00 advance, all ages
Christian rock band Switchfoot, known best for its musical contributions to the Nicholas Sparks film A Walk to Remember, will make its way to the Mcdonald Theater on Tuesday. Led by frontman Drew Shirley, the band helped popularize alternative, radio-friendly rock, complete with soaring vocal melodies and heavy, pounding guitars. The show promises to inspire and uplift audiences of all ages.
Ohio-based duo Relient K will open for Switchfoot on Tuesday. The prolific band has been around since the late ’90s and released 11 albums. It brings a huge amount of material to each set list and promise a huge amount of variety to their energetic performances. Even for the non-religious crowds, both bands are sure to entertain and make for a fun night.
-Dana Alston
The post Things to do this week: Masquerade Ball, Drew Shirley/Switchfoot and Ladysmith Black Mambazo appeared first on Emerald Media.