Eugene Weekly : Calendar : 11.17.05

Seeing Harry Manx (pictured) at Luna feels like watching a world class performer play at a private party in your living room. Alternating between banjo, harmonica, lap slide guitar and a Mohan Veena, a 20-stringed sitar/guitar, Manx blends the soul of blues with the magical depth of Indian ragas. A modern day troubador, Canadian-born Manx sings with an intimate, quiet warmth that makes his shows mesmerizing. The subtle interplay between the haunting, bent notes of the sitar and the gentle, rhythmic groove of the blues gives his songs a beautiful sensuality that defies comparison. See Wednesday Calendar.

More than 70 photographs from 48 prominent photographers will be up for grabs Saturday at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art's annual Photography at Oregon Auction. Northwest photographers Christopher Burkett, Brian Lanker (whose Warm Springs Indian Reservation, 2004, silver gelatin print, is pictured above), Dennis Purdy and Patrick Sterns are among those contributing photos to this year's auction, which raises money for the museum's photography programs. Public viewing takes place at 5:30 pm, with the auction following at 7; even if you're not quite sure you're going to bid, the photos on display are well worth a visit to the musuem. See Saturday Calendar.'

Eugene independent bookshop and sometime venue (and host to many a great reading) Tsunami Books celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend with a themed (im)peachment party, featuring (im)peach cobbler, homemade (im)peach pie and (im)peach ice cream — and you're welcome to bring your own (im)peach treats, as well. The afternoon extravaganza will include music by Jim Page and Brian Cutean, spoken word and poetry performances, art, and a "political soap-box" with a special surprise guest host (or hosts). The celebration also marks the first day of the bookstore's week-long Anniversary Sale, so remember to pick up some reading material with your (im)peachy treats and entertainment! See Saturday Calendar.

This week, more than 7,000 screenings of Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low-Price are taking place across the country; according to the movie's website, www.walmartmovie.com,this is the largest grassroots mobilization in movie history. At least 30 screenings are scheduled in Oregon, including Friday's event at LCC, where filmmaker Robert Greenwald (pictured) will appear to conduct a question and answer session at the movie's end. Greenwald has directed a host of documentaries, including Outfoxed, which focused on the conservative bias of Fox News. About his new movie, which focuses Wal-Mart's shady practices in its stores and factories, Anita Gates of The New York Times wrote, "'The High Cost of Low Price' makes its case with breathtaking force." The screening is free with purchase of the film on DVD, or $3 at the door. See Friday Calendar.