Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 1987)
WOW Hall performances benefit local community HU Photo WOW Hall, or the Community tenter for the Performing Arts, is a historic Eugene land mark built in 1932. It has always been used as a gathering spot for the local community. MAJOR IN MUSIC! Study These Hot Deals On Music, Movies And More! Sale ends September 27, 1987 V 099 Mm i f* Tape Sale Sony HF 60 Normal Bias Cassettes Sony HF 90 Normal Bias Cassettes Maxell XLII 60 High 099 Bias Cassettes Maxell EX T-120 Standard Grade VHS Videocassettes Maxell XLII 90 High *99 Bias Cassettes 449 Storage All regularly priced audio and video home storage units and carrying cases! mm wOFF musidand WE GOT WHAT’S HOT. Downtown Mall 683 8119 (formally Earth Rive* Recoids) Valley Rive* Came# 3*5 0935 (f o*me*ty Evo*ytxxly s Record* Ana Tapes) 50? Willamette Street 342 8354 (Fo*me*ty Everybody s Records And Tapes) *' oiei orr By Semn Nelson Of Ik* Kmrald Since 1932 the Community Center for the Performing Arts on Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Street has been a Eugene land mark, according to Jon Pincus. coordinator of the hall. “It has always been a place for the community to gather.” Pincus said. In 1932 it became the local headquarters for the Eugene “camp” of the Woodmen of the World fraternal organization, which was founded in Omaha. Neb. in 1890 Members of the local organization included pro minent citizens from pioneer families. They felt a new building was needod. According to the old Eugene Morning Register, “...it was the most expensive building con structed (in 1932) at a value of $8,000 and (considered) “modern in every detail." Prior to the construction of WOW Hall, a Seventh-Day Adventist Church was housed on the site. Built in 1867, it was on part of Eugene Skinner's donated land claim. Skinner had originally used the land as an orchard and a farm. During the '30s and '40s. revelers joyously strolled in the moonlight from a site known as the "Wintergarden," a dance hall at Eighth Avenue and Charnelton Street, to WOW7 Hall. "They had Saturday night dances,” Pincus said. Today, as the Community Center for the Performing Arts, the hall is still a dance spot. “To me this place is more like an old church than a sock hop." said Eugene resident John Gib bons, a mechanic and first-time visitor to WOW Hall. "It's a community center with a focus on performing arts activities." Pincus said. "There is always good music to listen to." said John Parry, another Eugene resident who is a regular at WOW Hall. "We have all kinds of perfor ming acts," Pincus said. He ad ded that "virtually every type of music" is played there. "Our dance performances and our theatre program are also a very important part of what we do here." he pointed out. "An important part of our work here is also an educational program in dance and theater arts, Pincus added. The hall is a training ground for volunteers in the production and operation of facilities in volving the technical work of shows. Many technicians and production people have gone on to professional careers from their beginnings at the WOW Hall, he said. All of this points to one fact: WOW Hall has become a Eugene institution as well as a landmark. "I think of it as re taining a lot of the same character of the time (the ’30s)," Pincus said. The community still gathers at WOW Hall, just like they did then, he added. "It's an intimate kind of place that relates directly to the peo ple living in the community,” Pincus said. An historical account of WOW Hall also mentions its ’’art deco" facade and a "simplified classical interior which reflects the architectural values of the time," Pincus said. During the 1940s, numerous community activities were held there, from Boy Scout meetings Turn to Hall, Page 27B THE WESLEY FOUNDATION THE UNITED METHODIST CAMPUS MINISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON I WELCOMES YOU! We are here for the University community, located at 1236 Kincaid, behind the UO Bookstore. • weekly discussions and Bible Study • meals, fun. worship, theatre and retreats • community-building, music and counseling • a library/lounge for studying Thursday, September 24 3:30-5:00 OPEN HOUSE at Wesley Center. 1236 Kincaid Refreshments i Meet others, program information , 5:30 CAMPUS INTERFA1TH MINISTRY PICNIC (Down the street at 1414 Kincaid The meal is provided Tuesday, September 29 5:30 "UNLAST SUPPER" Join us to start the term off with conversa tion and getting acquainted A supper is provided Women's Issues in Higher Education This special 1987-1988 program will include discussion groups, speakers, and more A support group will be formed for female students who are not attending directly from high school (This program is partially funded by a Division of Higher Education. Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church grant.) For Information Call Leslie Hall. Campus Minister 686 4694
