Eugene Weekly : Calendar : 6.28.07

Yes, you could be inside the Hult Center Friday evening to kick off the Oregon Bach Festival with a little Requiem ditty by Brahms. Or, yes, you could be out in the evening sun taking in the 33rd consecutive Last Friday ArtWalk, a walking tour of 24 art exhibits, installations, happenings, music and participatory democracy. Be bold and expand your wandering to some new venues this week, like "Lilly's Closet" at 1283 W. 4th, featuring an "interactive garden" and a costume dress-up area. There's The Full Spectrum over on Clark Street with prints by John Schou (pictured) and a selection of art in many mediums at "The Neighbors" along West 5th. Also of note is a group Dada show at Possum Place Gallery and a chance to mold your own clay at Elemental Play. And when you don't know where else to turn, head over to the Scobert Gardens Park for the return of the Art in the Park concert series, this week featuring Rob Tobias and Friends. See Friday Calendar.

Why is it that we celebrate Independence Day by getting together in a group and doing the same things? Just something to think about. There's lots to do in large crowds of people; plan accordingly. Start your day right by racing the Butte to Butte 10k run. Just remember to eat a very light breakfast, as the first mile is up the steep section of Donald Street. Then spend the day at a BBQ event like King Estate Winery's Grillin' & Chillin' at the MarketPlace or Maitreya Ecovillage's Harry Potter Eats Local, a vegan (and wizard) affair featuring Harry and the Potters, a highly entertaining HP tribute band. As evening sets in, head to Alton Baker Park for the Freedom Festival, with music by McKenzie Page, The Swingin' Marmalukeys and Voodoo BBQ. Or head to the equally enticing Springfield Utility Board's Light of Liberty Celebration, with music by Mystery Train, Lee Highway and BJ Thomas, and featuring a fireworks display set to classical and contemporary pop music. The bombs start going off at sundown. See Wednesday Calendar.

Perhaps it's Eugene's reputation as a haven for jam bands with a penchant for funk, but this town seriously loves its bass players. In May we saw Victor Wooten light up the stage with his amazing double-thumb bass-thumping and now we're graced with Les Claypool (pictured), the bass maestro himself, in an unabridged performance without his Primus bandmates. He's touring in support of his latest live concert DVD, Fancy, and indirectly touting his directorial and acting debut on Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo, a spoof of the jam band scene in the tradition of Spinal Tap. Claypool calls the film's humor "Very, very dry," and notes that, fitting to the jam band scene, a few people didn't know it was a joke. Look for it in theaters late this year. Look for Les this week at the McDonald Theatre. See Saturday Calendar.