Eugene Weekly : Calendar : 05.12.05

One part memoir, one part political platform, Of Grunge and Government is the story of Krist Novoselic's musical and political coming of age. In a glowing review, The New York Times Book Review said, "[I]t is Novoselic's singular perspective, since he straddled the homemade, homegrown punk rock community and the high-stakes, high-priced global marketplace, that give him the sort of evenhanded insights into the balance between labor and capital, between people and property, that call to mind Theodore Roosevelt." Wow. Do we even need to mention that Novoselic, who reads at the WOW Hall on Tuesday, was the bassist for Nirvana? Probably not, but there you have it all the same. See Tuesday Calendar.

Frankly, we think the words Northwest Chocolate & Confection Challenge should be enough to get every sweet tooth in the area to Coburg this Saturday. But just in case you're still on the fence, here's a scrumptious reason to go: 14 chocolate companies are creating a special bite for the event, with judged and people's choice awards for the most drool-worthy pieces. Independent contestants who enjoy the creative side of chocolate will also have entries in the competition. (Expect dramatic works of art in the sculpture category.) The Challenge is a benefit for the Lane County Relief Nursery, and it coincides with the Coburg Merchants' Spring Garden Gathering, which features entertainment, antique dealers and food. Never been to Coburg? Clearly, this is your chance. See Saturday Calendar.

Hot on the heels of the Andy Warhol exhibition comes MFA 2005, the first Master of Fine Arts group exhibition to be shown at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. This year's show features a full range of media, including fibers, painting, metalsmithing and photography, including Angaleen Schroeder's Propriety, pictured. The show opens with a free public reception Friday night; Gallery talks by Schroeder, printmaker Chad Tolley and fiber artist Sally Metcalf follow on Saturday afternoon (the other six artists speak on May 21 and 25). See Friday Calendar.

The first two rounds of the Eugene Poetry Slam are over and the elite eight have been chosen: Katya Jennings, Jes Painter, GL Morrison, Samuel Rutledge, Jon Labrousse, Jason Graham, Michael Munkford and Miranda Willette take the stage at Territorial Winery this weekend. As the press release explains, "Poetry slam is a competetive form of spoken word. It brings together the skills of writing and theater, stripped to the bare minimum of a voice and a microphone." Four finalists will become the new Eugene Slam Team and go on to represent Eugene at the National Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, N.M., this August. Bay Area poet Mike McGee, Indie Champion of the 2003 finals in Chicago, appears as well. See Saturday Calendar.

The Eugene Symphony, with the Eugene Symphony Chorus and solists Elizabeth Norman and Allison Swenson, brings its 2004-2005 season to a close with with Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection." The composer's favorite symphony, "Resurrection" is sweeping in scope, from its soul-searching first movement to its apolcalyptic, glorious climax. See Thursday, May 12 Calendar.