Eugene Weekly : Calendar : 12.15.05

Here in town, the Eugene Ballet Company's annual production of The Nutcracker is almost as much a marker of the season as the solstice. The Mouse King, the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and all the other parts of sleeping Clara's dream come to life on the Hult Center stage year after year, a tradition that never fails to light up the faces of the children in the audience. This year, the EBC continues its participation in Share the Holiday Spirit, a program that allows more than 1,000 underserved community members to attend the Sunday evening performance for free. The Nutcracker plays for five performances over the course of the weekend. See Calendar.

Ballet isn't the only dance in town this weekend — for those looking to get down themselves, the WOW Hall hosts Stompy Jones, a San Francisco-based "vintage jazz, rhythm & blues, boogie and swing band." Get to the WOW early for a dance lesson starting an hour before the show, and don't duck out during the set breaks, when members of the ELLA Swing Dance Club will be performing a variety of dances, including the Charleston and the lindy hop. West Coast Rhythm Kings, who frequently perform at Mac's at the Vet's, open the show. See Friday Calendar.

The weather outside is sure getting frightful, but take heart: We're very nearly to the shortest day of the year, after which things have to improve. Right? Well, either way, there are a handful of good ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Dharmalaya Meditation Center's Winter Solstice Celebration is billed as "an evening of spiritual practices, meditation, mantra practices, prayers for world peace, kirtan singing where anyone can lead, present poetry or prayers" and features special guests Vakasara M'Bira and Solala Towler. At Cozmic Pizza, there's a rockin' Solstice Celebration with The Dead Ringers (featuring Barry Flast, Peter Harris and Arthur Steinhorn) and The Ginger Hustlers — and a midnight show with Lucidic for the night owls. The 2nd Annual Pocketful of Change benefit concert and raffle is on over at the Downtown Lounge, with SpunHoney (below), Jupiter Hollow and friends. And just down the street, the Winter Solstice Goddess Celebration is at the WOW Hall for a night of costumes, music, ritual and dance. See Wednesday Calendar.

There are about a gazillion places other than the dreaded, crowded mall to do your shopping this holiday season. There's the Holiday Market, for one, weekends at the Fairgrounds. This particular weekend you can pick up crafts by Eastside Elementary students who are hosting a sale to benefit local homeless families. If you're looking for art to give (or keep), try the Artists in the Round Holiday Art Show and Sale, or maybe the 2nd and Blair Artists' 8th Annual Holiday Studio Sale and Open House, featuring work by Judith Sparks, Chris Paulson, Betsy Wolfson, Peter Chapman, Alison Shiboski, Roni Simone, Sandy Tilcock and Michael DiBetto. Six local artists are selling jewelry, sculpture, mosaics, herbal body products and more at a Holiday Studio Sale on Saturday; Tim Boyden and Linda Lu are just a few of the artists holding studio sales over the course of the month. Eccentricities Gallery is open for the weekend, and Clear Lake Elementary tries out their first annual Craft Faire. Out on Camp Creek Road, a Holiday Gift Sale and Open House features sandtrays, Zen gardens, holiday gifts and decorations. For a change of pace, try MECCA's Less is Best Holiday Fair, or pick up a wreath or tree and help FOOD for Lane County at the GrassRoots Garden. Last but not least, Temple Beth Israel's Annual Chanukah Fair is Sunday, with music, vendors, raffles and more. See Calendar.