Eugene Weekly : Calendar : 06.02.05

Since forming in 1979, Social Distortion has been winning fans and influencing new bands with their particular kind of straightforward Southern California punk. Thick distortion and Mike Ness' distinctive, raspy voice mark their unmistakable songs, from "Mommy's Little Monster" in the early '80s to the band's trio of major-label releases in the mid-'90s. Last year's Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll was Social D's first release in nearly six years as well as the first with a nearly entirely new band behind Ness, who just keeps truckin'. Highly influential, highly energetic, highly entertaining: If punk's your thing, this isn't a show to miss. See Sunday Calendar.

Friday night you can take your pick of amazing evenings for a pair of great causes. LCC's Center for Meeting and Learning hosts Noche Cultural, a black-tie optional gala evening and benefit for Centro LatinoAmericano. Across town, Mallard Hall will be filled with delicious aromas for the 3rd Annual Sasquatch Brew Fest Dinner, a four-course meal pairing unique beers with select cuisine. The dinner, like the actual Brew Fest, which takes place Saturday at Broadway Plaza, is a benefit for the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation. See Friday Calendar.

Keep It Simple, Keb' Mo's last album, is still winning accolades — like a shiny new Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album — and already he's got a new record out. Peace … Back By Popular Demand "… started out as a collection of protest songs, but it evolved into an album about peace and freedom," Mo' says on his website. Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changing" and John Lennon's "Imagine" are two of the best-known songs on the album, which also includes a single new Keb' Mo' song, "Talk." Mo's tour brings him to the McDonald this week. See Tuesday Calendar.

This month's Lane Arts Council First Friday Artwalk is led by George Evano of the Oregon Bach Festival. The walk begins at 5:30 pm at the recently opened Opus6ix with prints by Dan Welden. Get there a little early at 5 pm for the Lane County Cultural Coalition Awards Ceremony honoring the 10 Cultural Opportunity Grant recipients. At the second stop, Fenario Gallery, watercolors by Mara Tygeson and sculptures by Ricardo Samuel are on display. Stop #3, Jacobs Gallery, hosts the first annual YouthArts exhibition, and Imagine Awards will be presented to friends of YouthArts at 5:30pm. The Walk then heads to Broadway Plaza for the ArtFest sidewalk show and sale by local artists. The last stop is DIVA, for new and retrospective work by Jerry Ross, work by the Guild of Eugene Metalsmiths, new work by Thomas Rubick and a surprise Oregon Bach Festival performance. Many other downtown galleries are open late but not part of the Artwalk. See Friday Calendar.