EUGfun!, a City of Eugene program, will offer more than 100 free, family friendly events this summer, starting today. Events are listed in the EUGfun! summer passport, available at Eugene Rec centers and the Eugene Public Library. The passport is also being distributed at 4J schools. The summer event schedule includes live music, movies, dancing, human-powered fun, library events, theater in the parks and more.
"Arts and culture are integral to creating a vibrant, thriving and livable community," City of Eugene Cultural Services Community Events Manager Colette Ramirez said. "The EUGfun! series is important because it provides accessible opportunities for community members to connect, create, entertain and be entertained all year long throughout our beautiful city."
EUGfun! has expanded its downtown offerings this summer with music, dance and more in the Park Blocks, Broadway Plaza (Kesey Square), the Library Plaza and Hult Center Plaza. The summer kicks off with a human foosball tournament from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. May 30 to June 2 at the Park Blocks. Also in the Park Blocks starting June 1, Tai Chi classes offer the opportunity to improve coordination and relieve stress 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The new HiFi Street Performance Series celebrates local artists, musicians and performers downtown during lunchtime and happy hours Tuesday through Friday each week. Starting June 6, performers will be in the Park Blocks with food carts noon-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Performers will be in Broadway Plaza (Kesey Square) with food carts noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and with a beer garden 4-6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Library Plaza will also have performers noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
The Now! Performing Arts Series features many talented artists of different genres at the Park Blocks from noon-1:30 p.m. almost every Wednesday this summer starting June 14. From folk, country, pop, African American Gospel, jazz, hip-hop, high-energy African and Hawaiian guitar, a variety of performances will complement lunch from local food carts on the new dining deck.
Continuing outside the Hult Center this year is the pARTy on the Plaza series 5:30-6:15 p.m. every Thursday in July and August. Performances include Japanese drumming, American Sign Language dance, a water balloon gladiator show, Zimbabwean music and more.
Fridays at the Park Blocks will offer a variety of arts and entertainment activities beginning June 9 from book parties to concerts to an open-air art studio with live models. Throughout August, movies will be the feature at the Park Blocks every Thursday night.
For the full event schedule and a virtual version of the EUGfun! passport, visit eugfun.org.