Pirates

Ready to set sail for laughter, adventure, and a night of pure joy with Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved comic masterpiece, The Pirates of Penzance? It’s coming to the Hult Center for the Performing Arts on October 3 & 5.

The timeless operetta tells the story of Frederic, a young man mistakenly apprenticed to a band of “tender-hearted” pirates. When Frederic falls in love with the beautiful Mabel, hilarity ensues as he struggles to balance love, loyalty, and a ridiculous sense of duty. With absurd twists, quick wit, and unforgettable melodies, this production promises delight for audiences of all ages.

Combined with the Eugene Opera Chorus and the Eugene Opera Orchestra, this production promises to be a rousing kickoff to our season. Don’t miss this chance to revel in laughter, romance, and music that has charmed audiences for over a century. Tickets at tinyurl.com/53zfddwu

Part of Pass

Part of the Old McKenzie Pass, the historic and scenic Highway 242 that winds between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, will remain closed for the winter, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced this week.

The seasonal closure, which runs from November through mid-June, comes slightly earlier this year after the route was shut down in September due to the Foley Ridge Fire east of McKenzie Bridge. With the fire now more than 50 percent contained, a portion of the highway has re-opened to local traffic. But ODOT officials confirmed the stretch between mileposts 62 and 77 will stay closed until next spring.

The closure is standard practice for the Old McKenzie Highway, a narrow, winding route that is not maintained for travel during the winter months. “Weather conditions, logistics, and cost make it impractical to maintain for year-round travel,” ODOT said in a statement.

Flora & Fauna

While you’re out leaf peeping be sure to stop by the Vida McKenzie Community Center and view artwork currently on display. This is a collaborative effort between the VMCC and the McKenzie River Artist’s Guild, and is the first of several events designed to bring local art and our river community together.

One of the artists is Kathryn Cannon of Walterville. She practices quilling – the craft of curling, bending and arranging small strips of paper to create beautiful and detailed artwork. Self-taught, Kathryn began making personalized cards for family, friends and colleagues who encouraged her to start a business. She gets her inspiration from the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Lucy Rudy, who works in both oil and acrylic paints, believes her art was nurtured by exposure to her father’s woodworking when she was young. Raised believing Oregon was heaven on earth, her works reflect the area’s mountains, rivers, ocean and trees.

The Artists Guild looks forward to sharing works from these artists with you. Their artwork will be displayed through October.