Eugene Buzz
Posts
🎹 Bach fest returns

🎹 Bach fest returns

Bach Fest kicks off, a new city budget is approved, events happening in and around town

Derek Carlson
June 27, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

Good morning, Eugene! There’s A LOT going on this weekend, so get those walking shoes ready.

In today’s Eugene Buzz:

🎹 Oregon Bach fest kicks off
🏢 Eugene passes two-year budget
🚗 Hit the road for biking, running, and vintage cars

Let’s get to it.

-Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

📄 City passes two-year budget

Eugene City Council has approved a new two-year, $1.6 billion budget that avoids major cuts to library and animal services by raising stormwater fees. The added revenue will help keep the downtown library open on Sundays and Mondays, fund the city’s animal services contract, and maintain operations at Amazon Pool and Sheldon Community Center. While some administrative positions and business programs are being trimmed, city leaders say the plan protects core community services. The new budget takes effect on July 1.

🥾 New trails coming to Suzanne Arlie Park

Work has begun at Suzanne Arlie Park as new trails for both hikers and mountain bikers are under development. By next summer, there will be a brand-spankin’ new two-mile connector trail from Mount Baldy as well as a whole host of downhill mountain bike trails. Workers are asking that folks avoid the area until construction is complete.

🎹 Oregon Bach Fest kicks off

Classical music will be taking over performance halls around town for the next few weeks as the Oregon Bach Fest kicks off on Friday. This weekend’s events include:

Friday

Oregon Bach Festival 2025 Opening Night Celebration at Beall Concert Hall - 6:30 PM
Beethoven’s First “Akademie” at Beall Concert Hall - 7:30 PM

Saturday

OBF Family: Mother Goose Suite at Hult Center - 11 AM
Community Sing with Craig Hella Johnson at Hult Center - 2:30 PM
Let’s Talk! Considering Matthew Shepard at Hult Center - 6:30 PM
Considering Matthew Shepard at Hult Center - 7:30 PM

Sunday

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos, Vol. 1 at Beall Concert Hall - 2:30 PM
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos, Vol. 2 at Beall Concert Hall - 6:30 PM

You can find the full lineup of events happening through July 13th here.

📣 I asked, you answered

Thank you to everyone who chimed in on Tuesday’s poll about what I could add to this newsletter to make it a more valuable resource for the community. Also, thanks to everyone who pointed out my typos (eventually the kids will go back to school, and I can work again without being interrupted every 17 seconds 😆 ).

Here were the top 4 voted on items:

More events
Community spotlights
Classifieds board
Home of the week (I liked the suggestion to make this one a little wackier than just a home)

This gives me a lot to chew on and you’ll likely see a few changes in Tuesday’s newsletter. In the meantime if you’re an artist, small business owner, or just a person doing cool stuff in the community, feel free to hit reply to this email to connect. Also if you have any cool photos from around town feel free to send them in - [email protected]

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍾 Elevate Kombucha 10-year anniversary: Elevate Kombucha is celebrating ten years in business with a party at PLAY Eugene. Swing by to say congrats and enjoy some music, kombucha, and raise a few bucks for the NW Dog Project. Saturday 2 - 5 PM

GET OUT OF TOWN

Want to get out of town this weekend (but not too far out of town) and take in an air show, rip some hero dirt, or run through wine country? Well, you’re in luck as all three are taking place.

On Saturday, head down I-5 to Cottage Crove for Wings & Wheels where you can wander the tarmac and check out the vintage planes, cars, and motorcycles.

Looking for a bit more of a workout? Mountain Bike Oregon has taken over the trails in Oakridge all weekend long. Swing by to check out the festivities or book their Moon Lander riding package that will have you covering over 50 miles and 17,000ft of vert (luckily mostly downhill).

Over in wine country, tackle the 5k or half marathon at the Benton-Lane wine run. Finishers will go home with a shatterproof wine glass and, of course, a post-race pour of wine.

@THEEUGENEBUZZ

oakwaycenter
2,635 followers
View more on Instagram

📸 @oakwaycenter | 📍Oakway Center
Tag @theeugenebuzz to get your photos featured!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 6.27

🤝 Speed friending: Break through the Eugene freeze and make some new friends at this speed friending event at the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House. Hopefully, there are still a few tickets left, as this event has gotten a lot of buzz this week. 6:30 PM SMJ House

🎥 Dive in movie: This event is worth making the trek across town. Splash at Lively Park is kicking off summer with a series of dive-in movies on the sun deck. This week’s showing is The Garfield Movie. 8 PM Splash at Lively Park

😆 Mark Normand at McDonald Theatre: Kick off the weekend with some laughs at McDonald Theatre as comedian Mark Normand takes the stage. 7 PM McDonald Theatre

🤣 Aries Speares at Olsen Run: Aries Speares kicked off his stay in Eugene last night, and if you missed it, no worries. There are four more shows to choose from with early and late performances on Friday and Saturday nights. 7 & 9:30 PM Olsen Run Comedy Club

🚲️ Breakfast at the bike bridge: Learn the ins and outs of safely transiting our fair city by bike and get a free breakfast along the way with this month’s breakfast at the bike bridge event. 7 - 9 AM Defazio Bridge

🧺 Last Friday pop-up market: How is it the last Friday in June already?? Time certainly doesn’t slow down, and neither does the fun at the last Friday pop-up markets in the Whiteaker neighborhood. Stop by to enjoy the live music, tasty drinks, and local art. 5:30 - 8:30 PM Equiano Coffee & The Hybrid Gallery

📙 Silent book club: Bring a book and snack to the park and mingle (or don’t!) with the silent book club. 6:30 PM Owen Rose Garden

Saturday 6.28

😆 Bleepin’ funny live comedy: Kick off your Saturday evening fun with some (free) bleepin’ funny live comedy. 5 PM Sam Bond’s Garage

🐶 Children’s Celebration: It’s the little ones’ turn to party with this fun, family-friendly event that will feature bouncy houses, community art projects, and more! 10 AM - 2 PM Island Park

🍺 Pints and purrs: Head to Viking Brewing for a night of fun with proceeds going towards helping the kitties. 5 - 10 PM Viking Brewing

🎭️ Rebelle Summer Soiree: Rebelle Movement Studio is hosting its 4th annual Rebelle Summer Soiree. The event will feature performances by some of the area’s most talented adult dance groups. 7:30 PM Oregon Contemporary Theatre

🏓 Pickleball tournament: Get ready for an action-packed day in the kitchen while you watch (or participate) in the dinking and dunking on the pickleball court (I think I got all those terms right 🤔). 8:30 AM Eugene Family YMCA Tennis & Pickleball Center

🧺 Saturday market: Head over to the Saturday market to support local artists and find that perfect piece to complete your art collection. 10 AM - 4 PM Saturday Market Park Blocks

🌈 Eugene Pride Festival: Cap off pride month in style with the Eugene Pride Festival at the Lane Events Center. With vendors, food, drinks, and live performances taking place all day, this will be the place to be to celebrate all things Pride. 11 AM - 7 PM Lane Events Center

🏳️‍🌈 Pride after party: Want to keep the party going after Pride Fest is over? Hop over to the CHUB x Pride after party where the dancing continues deep into the night. 5 - 10 PM Lane Events Center

Sunday 6.29

🔢 Family bingo: Bring the whole family to try your hand at filling the board first. 5:30 PM Drop Bear Brewery

🥽 Sensory swim time: If the usual open swim times are a little too chaotic for your little ones, try swinging by sensory swim time at the Sheldon Pool. 11:15 AM - 12 PM Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center

🪶 Midday drag brunch: Grab your ticket now for the mascara and mimosas drag brunch at Mac’s Restaurant. 12:30 PM Mac’s Restaurant

🛍️ Whiteaker community market: Couldn’t fit in all the fun in Whiteaker during last Friday? Well, then head back for their Sunday community market where you can browse the handmade crafts, tasty food, and community experience. 10 AM - 3 PM Scobert Gardens Park

🪄 Secret society magic show: Come be amazed by some of Eugene’s best magicians during this Sunday matinee. 11 AM The Sparrow & Serpent Pub

🏃 Destination trail run: Scout out some new trails with friends as Run Hub NW will be hosting a group run at Wild Iris Ridge. Coffee and chatting about your favorite GU flavors to follow at Coffee Plant Roasters. 8 AM corner of Bailey Hill Road and S Bertelsen Road

💃 Salsa at the plaza: Want to do a little salsa dancing or watch the salsa pros do their thing? Now’s your chance with salsa at the plaza where a 14-piece band will be providing the music. 5 PM Farmers Market Pavilion

ON THE FIELD

Want to hit up a game at the ol’ ballpark, pitch, court, or course? Here’s who’s playing in Eugene this weekend.

⚽️ LUFC - Tickets

Friday - LUFC Men vs Ballard FC @ 7 PM
Saturday - LUFC Women vs Tacoma Galaxy @ 7 PM

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 6.27

Saturday 6.28

Sunday 6.29

THANKS FOR READING!

If you have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our 3,300+ readers in Eugene, feel free to drop us a line → [email protected]