Tuesday, June 16, 2026
 
Eugene Lowdown This Week in Eugene: Juneteenth Celebration and Sugar Beets Show
Everything Happening In Eugene In Your Inbox Twice A Week!
Freedom, food, and performances Friday at Riverfront Park, then a songbook release concert Saturday in Jaqua Hall.

Good morning. It's Tuesday, June 16. Eugene's calendar is doing that thing where it pretends it's a normal week, then casually drops a parade and a songbook party on your lap. If you're craving something that feels like community (and not just another errand run), you're in the right place. Alright, here's today's edition of your Eugene Lowdown.


Parade, Performances, and Plenty of Joy

Downtown Riverfront Park is set for a full Friday of celebration as Rhythm and Resilience runs noon-6 p.m. The free Juneteenth gathering from Xcape Dance Company includes a parade, Kids Zone, live performances, youth showcases, family programming, food vendors, community groups, and local businesses centered on freedom, culture, and joy.

The Sugar Beets Play Saturday

The Sugar Beets mark a big milestone Saturday with a Songbook Release Show at 7:30 p.m. in Shedd Jaqua Concert Hall. The long-running Americana group will celebrate its new songbook with the rich harmonies, dual female lead vocals and multi-instrument sound that have defined the band since 1990.


Weather Lowdown
Tuesday, 6/16
Folk / Acoustic

Jackero with Sitka & Salt

Harmonies so tight you might double-check whether two sisters and a duo can really sound that big, with banjos, fiddles, and guitars trading licks while you plot which song to brag about discovering first.
Viking Brewing West | 6 PM | 520 Commercial St Eugene
Tuesday

Disc Golf

Disc Golf: Summer Putting Series

Putts, chains, and friendly bragging rights await as discs fly toward the basket, prizes and raffles add extra suspense, and a casual course layout keeps things fun for first-timers and die-hard disc golfers alike.
Alton Baker Disc Golf Course | 6 PM | 100 Day Island Rd, Eugene
Tuesday

3D Printing

Science & Tech

Open Hack Night

Gadgets, gizmos, and half-finished dreams all find a home here, with plenty of tools, friendly nerds, and just enough solder fumes to prove that real making is in progress.
Eugene Makerspace | 6 PM | 3890 W 1st Ave, Eugene
Tuesday

Jewelry Making

Kids Craft

Tweens: Craft Perler Bead Jewelry

Bracelets, pendants, and plenty of spilled beads await as crafty tweens turn tiny Perler pieces into bold jewelry while picking up new skills, trading design ideas, and heading home with handmade sparkly treasures.
Sheldon Branch Library | 5 PM | 1566 Coburg Rd, Eugene
Tuesday

Yoga

Gentle Chair Yoga With Clark Stacer

Harmonies of breath, balance, and back-friendly stretches turn an ordinary chair into a quiet little wellness studio, giving you a midday reset without needing to roll out a yoga mat.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church | 12 PM | 1465 Coburg Rd, Eugene
Tuesday

Mountain Biking

Active

Thurston Taco Tuesdays

Trails, tacos, and tire tracks combine into a weekly ritual where the climb warms your legs, the descent boosts your grin, and the post-ride tacos reward anyone who thinks fun should come with extra salsa.
Thurston Hills Natural Area | 6 PM | 7575 McKenzie Hwy, Springfield
Tuesday

Craft & Workshop

Teen Event

Chaos Art: Collage Night

Scissors snip, glue sticks roll, and masterpieces magically appear from magazine scraps and chaos. Bring your wild ideas, raid the snack table, and turn a regular weeknight into an art-fueled adventure.
Youth Era Drop-in Center | 4:30 PM | 1635 Oak St, Eugene
Tuesday

Story Time

Baby Storytime

Tiny humans, big stories. Share songs, wiggles, and giggles while sneakily boosting early literacy skills one rhyme and lap bounce at a time.
Downtown Eugene Public Library | 9:45 AM | 100 W 10th Ave, Eugene
Tuesday

Wednesday, 6/17
Traditional Folk

Tobiasphere Live on the Lawn

Stories in song, a lawn under your feet, and zero cover charge make this the kind of midweek plan where the toughest decision is which friend to text first.
PublicHouse | 7 PM | 418 A St, Springfield
Wednesday

Americana

Lucy Clearwater & Love, Dean

Harmonies, heartache, and probably a few happy tears are on tap as Lucy Clearwater and Love, Dean turn a midweek night into a cozy, folky soundtrack for your feelings.
Art House | 7:30 PM | 492 E 13th Ave, Eugene
Wednesday

Teen Event

Karaoke

Teens: Karaoke

Vocals, courage, and maybe a little stage fright collide in a low-pressure teen karaoke hour where lyrics are loud, judgment is quiet, and singing off-key still totally counts.
Downtown Eugene Public Library | 4:30 PM | 100 W 10th Ave, Eugene
Wednesday

R&B / Soul

Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers

Grooves, glittering piano licks, and a frontman playing sax and keys at once make this gig feel like a Southern-fried dance party where standing still probably is not an option.
Blairally | 9 PM | 245 Blair Blvd, Eugene
Wednesday

Bluegrass

Gabe & Nicole

Fiddles, banjo, and guitar collide in a joyful tangle of bluegrass and folk, with toe-tapping tunes, singable choruses, and enough sweet harmonies to satisfy even the most melody-hungry listener.
PLAY Eugene | 7 PM | 232 W 5th Ave, Eugene
Wednesday

Blues

Brian James & the Revival

Guitars roar, solos strut, and the blues get a fresh coat of soul as a road-tested band turns a simple Wednesday evening into a mini festival, powered by big tone, big grooves, and big smiles.
Mac's Nightclub | 7 PM | 1626 Willamette St, Eugene
Wednesday

Performing Arts

Family & Kids

Summer Reading Kick-Off Celebration

Stories leap off the page as hips, drums, and smiles get moving in a one-hour Tahitian dance celebration, proving that summer reading can start with a soundtrack, a swirl of skirts, and plenty of audience participation.
Springfield Public Library | 10:30 AM | 225 5th St, Springfield
Wednesday

Yoga

Balance for Life: 55-Plus Mindful Fitness

Fresh energy, steady feet: this 55\+ mindful fitness hour trades high-impact workouts for simple moves, good company, and the joyful feeling of walking away taller and more balanced.
Eugene Garden Club | 10 AM | 1645 High St, Eugene
Wednesday

Thursday, 6/18
Punk Rock

Guttermouth

Chaos erupts in the best possible way when a legendary skate punk crew hits the stage, serving breakneck songs, bad manners, and big laughs that make losing your voice feel totally worth it.
WOW Hall | 7 PM | 291 W 8th Ave, Eugene
Thursday

Country

The HipBillys

Strings meet swagger when this country-leaning duo plugs in for toe-tapping tunes, sing-along choruses, and just enough twang to pair perfectly with a pint and a summer evening.
Oakshire Brewing | 6 PM | 207 Madison St, Eugene
Thursday

Sip & Paint

Paint & Sip at 5th St Alley: Sand & Sea

Brushstrokes and beach vibes collide as you recreate a sunny shoreline scene, sip something tasty, laugh with fellow painters, and discover how easy it is to turn blank canvas into coastal wall art.
Art with Alejandro | 2 PM | 590 Pearl St Ste 104, Eugene
Thursday

Bingo

Bingo at Zest with Ty Connor

Cards, calls, and crowd banter turn a simple bingo night into a mini comedy show, with Ty Connor spinning, players cheering over $1 wins, and someone inevitably yelling "Bingo!" with dramatic flair.
Zest: Kitchen and Bar | 6 PM | 999 Willamette St, Eugene
Thursday

Hip-Hop

Andre Nickatina

Lyrics, bass, and Bay Area swagger collide when Andre Nickatina turns a Thursday night into a full-send hip-hop summit, complete with booming beats, fast bars, and a crowd that knows every word.
John Henry's | 8 PM | 881 Willamette St, Eugene
Thursday

Running Event

Outdoors

Emerald City Trail Series

Miles of singletrack, friendly competition, and the promise of raffle prizes turn these Thursday night races into a standing date with mud, sweat, and bragging rights.
Buford Park North Trailhead | 6:30 PM | 34901 Frank Parrish Rd, Eugene
Thursday

Story Time

Family Storytime in the Park

Fun and learning for young children with their grown-ups outdoors in Petersen Park. Free.
Petersen Barn Community Center | 10:15 AM | 870 Berntzen Rd, Eugene
Thursday

Track Field

Active

Nike Outdoor Nationals

Sprinters, jumpers, throwers, and distance stars converge in Oregon to chase PRs, medals, and bragging rights at one of the biggest stages in high school track and field.
Hayward Field | 9 AM | 1580 E 15th Ave, Eugene
Thursday

Eugene in 1904

The Eugene Public Library was established as a tax-supported entity.


That's it for today's Eugene Lowdown - your friendly reminder that the best plans usually involve other humans, a little music, and a reason to celebrate. Thanks for reading, and if this helped you dodge decision fatigue, do a solid and forward it to a friend. We'll be back with more good stuff soon.


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