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Good morning. It's Tuesday, August 25. Late August is doing what it does best: sneaking in new openings while we're still pretending summer lasts forever. Between fresh storefront energy at Gateway and a folk fest on the horizon, there's plenty to clock this week. Alright, here's today's edition of your Eugene Lowdown.
GolfTRK Opens at Shoppes at Gateway
GolfTRK has officially opened at the Shoppes at Gateway, giving local golfers a year-round place to work on their swing without begging the weather for mercy. The new facility offers PGA coaching, five TrackMan bays, PuttView putting analysis, club fittings, and performance data, plus long daily access from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Island Park Gets a Folk-Filled Day
Call it a one-day folk marathon with better scenery. Turning Tides Folk Festival debuts September 19 at Island Park in Springfield, bringing music from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., plus vendors and a community song circle. Carsie Blanton and Crys Matthews headline the lineup. Advance tickets are $47.50, day-of admission is $55, and kids 12 and under get in free.
Ribbon Cutting Marks Boot Barn Opening
Boot Barn marked its Springfield debut last Friday with a noon ribbon cutting at The Shoppes at Gateway. The new store at 3000 Gateway Street, Ste. 118, opened as part of a grand opening weekend that also featured live music, sales, giveaways, and other guest activities.
Trivia
Trivia Night
Conversations flow easily over pints as teams tackle a mix of clever questions, friendly competition, and low-pressure fun that makes a weeknight feel like a mini night out.Tuesday
Latin
Los Cumbiamberos
Colorful percussion, bright horns, and dance-ready Latin beats turn a midday break into a mini vacation, with a free hour of outdoor music that welcomes office workers, visitors, and families alike.Tuesday
Swing Dance
Summer Swing Dance Practice
Community-minded dancers gather in a cooled ballroom to polish swing skills, try new moves, and meet partners at a relaxed practice night supported by a modest suggested donation.Tuesday
Coffee Event
Afternoon Brew 40+
Caffeine might not fix everything, but pairing a solid cup of coffee with people who actually get your references from the 80s and 90s comes close. Meet other 40-plus locals for easy laughs and laid-back conversation.Tuesday
Yoga
Gentle Chair Yoga with Clark Stacer
Calming poses, simple stretches, and supportive instruction create a soothing midday reset, ideal for easing tension, improving mobility, and building confidence in a relaxed community setting.Tuesday
Bingo
Bingo
Evenings here mix friendly competition, simple buy-ins, cash-only jackpots, and comfort food from the kitchen, creating an easygoing weeknight outing for regulars and newcomers alike.Tuesday
Science & Tech
Biz Networking
Tech Tuesday
Connections grow naturally as local technologists, creatives, and community builders gather for casual chats, light networking, and low-pressure social time fueled by good drinks and better conversations.Tuesday
Chess Event
Chess Night
Connections happen over the board as players of all levels gather for a laid-back evening of chess, good food, and great beer, with plenty of time to learn a few new tactics along the way.Tuesday
Jazz
Swing Shift Jazz Orchestra
Rhythms from classic and contemporary big band charts drift across the river as the orchestra swings through favorite tunes, creating an easygoing summer night perfect for friends, families, and jazz fans of all ages.Wednesday
Blues
Henry Cooper & Friends
Grooves unfold as Henry Cooper and his band lay down soulful blues sets perfect for unwinding midweek, catching up with friends, and savoring live guitar tone that feels straight out of a classic juke joint.Wednesday
Hiking
Spencer Butte Sunset Hike
Trails, conversation, and a glowing horizon come together on this midweek Spencer Butte climb, where a steady pace up, shared sunset views, and a group descent create an easygoing outdoor reset.Wednesday
Tango Milonga
Argentine Tango Dancing
Connections grow step by step as instructors guide beginners and continuing dancers, then turn the lights down for hours of tango to carefully curated tracks. Expect friendly partners, patient teaching, and a welcoming midweek rhythm reset.Wednesday
Museum Exhibit
High Drama: Japanese Prints of Theater, Heroes and History
Stories of actors, warriors, and legends come to life through expressive Japanese prints and contemporary artworks, offering a vivid look at how drama, emotion, and movement have been captured across centuries.Wednesday
Yoga
Low Cost/No Cost Community Yoga
Creativity meets mindfulness in this welcoming yoga class that balances gentle challenge with spacious, dogma-free practice, inviting students of varied experience to explore movement, breath, and community on the mat.Wednesday
Rock
Travis Larson
Harmonies of searing leads, melodic grooves, and road-honed stories turn this solo guitar night into a showcase of modern instrumental rock, perfect for music lovers who want big sound in a close-up room.Wednesday
Folk / Acoustic
Epiphonic
Melodies shaped by jazz, rock, and blues swirl together as Epiphonic brings their urban folk sound to an all-ages crowd with free admission and a relaxed, welcoming vibe for music lovers.Wednesday
Country
Dance
Two Step Thursday
Songs and steps blend as live country bands and an inclusive dance lesson create an inviting space to learn, practice, and socialize with fellow dancers of all experience levels.Thursday
R&B / Soul
Sugar Push
Grooves from the 1970s meet fresh original funk as this band of veteran musicians turns a casual evening outside into a laid-back dance party, perfect for friends, families, and anyone craving live music energy.Thursday
Markets & Shopping
Family & Kids
All-Ages Board Game and Puzzle Swap
Families and friends can explore stacks of donated board games, puzzles, and tabletop adventures, dropping off old favorites and picking up something new to try together without spending a cent.Thursday
Comedy Show
Ian Bagg
Laughs build as Ian Bagg brings fast-paced stand-up and sharp crowd work to an intimate Eugene room, creating a high-energy night out for adults who love live comedy.Thursday
Sip & Paint
Paint & Sip: VW Bus
Creativity flows as you paint a retro VW bus scene with easy instruction, all supplies ready to go, and a casual atmosphere perfect for a laid-back afternoon outing.Thursday
Science & Tech
Girls Science Adventures - Registrations Open
Curiosity thrives in this small-group series where girls in upper elementary grades dive into Saturday science sessions led by women in STEM, building confidence through experiments, questions, and discovery in supportive learning spaces.Thursday
Cycling
Active
Breakfast at the Bike Bridges
Community-minded riders can roll in for a simple treat: fresh breakfast, friendly faces, and quick tune-ups that make weekday trips by bike feel easier, safer, and a lot more welcoming for all ages.Thursday
Bingo
Twisted Duck Bingo
Colorful cards, friendly competition, and cash prizes create a feel-good night out that also helps fund vital advocacy for local kids in foster care.Thursday
Gridiron Grill & Tap House Mon-Fri 7-10am + 3-7pm • Sat 2-8pm • Sun open-close
Gateway Grill and Taphouse Mon-Fri 3-6pm • Sat-Sun 2-5pm
Bo & Vine Burger Eugene Mon-Fri 3-5pm + 8pm-close
Rennie's Landing Sun all day • Daily 4-7pm
The Garden on Friendly Mon all day • Tue-Fri 3-5pm
P.F. Chang's China Bistro Mon-Fri 3-6pm
| This week in 2014A mural celebrating the TV show 'The Simpsons' was unveiled in downtown Springfield on August 25, 2014. |
Thanks for reading this edition of the Eugene Lowdown. May your week be efficiently planned and pleasantly surprised by a new opening or two. If this newsletter made you feel even slightly more in-the-know, do a friend a favor and share or forward it.
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