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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 1987)
■ I *11 Continued from Page 26B “Those were typical com munity center activities at that time.” Pincus said. “The facilities of the building were at that time run independently (by the organizations meeting there),” Pincus said. Today, the City of Eugene collects the rent. Along with rock and roll dur ing the '50s, the West Eugene Secure a Westside Community Center for the Performing Art* was formed in that same year It was made up of hall users, per formers. neighbors and people concerned with historic preservation. The committee learned that the owner of WOW Hall. E. William Mullholland. would To me this place is more like an old church than a sock hop.’ — John Gibbons Boxing Association took up residence in the hall, and a por table boxing ring went up. Many of the activities which are now part of the Community Center for the Performing Arts saw their beginnings at WOW Hall, from the Eugene Dance Collective, later called the Wallflower Order, to the Checkered Players, a comedy theater group. More recently the hall saw such attractions as nationally popular Blues artist Doc’ Wat son, the 1-Tals, a Reggae group, and Queen Ida. a Cajun singer from New Orleans, La.. Pincus said. Many other well-known bands from both Eugene and elsewhere have appeared there. In 1975 it became apparent that WOW Hall couldn’t stay open under the existing management situation. In response to the many con cerns of Eugene citizens, a group called the Committee to sell it to the community at a price of $75,000 with a $10,000 down payment provided the down payment was delivered within 13 days. The Checkered Players pro posed a WOWATHON - five days of continuous entertain ment — to raise money for the hall. The “Peoples Food Annex." run by the workers at Mama's Home-Fried Truck Stop, turned in a $1.000 donation putting the total over the required $10,000. and history was made when the era of the Westside Community Center for the Performing Arts, the community’s WOW Hall, began. Pincus said he inav have another WOWATHON this year. "We don’t get a large percen tage of outside help," Pint.us said. “A fund-raiser is schedul ed for mid-September to early December,” he said. The WOW Hall "depends on ■§gi&y ORONK ^500°^^ W System 14 >^7 ^ (Typewriter not Included) PERSONAL WORD PROCESSOR Major Features • SO Column x 24 Una Monitor • 64,000 Characters Editable Memory • Oil Line Storage via 3Vi” Disks • Built-In Disk Drive • 12 Kay Keypad • aearcnjntfpiaie Capability • Automatic Pagination • Auto Reformatting • Right Margin Justify • Full Editing Capability • Mail Marge Capability The Typewriter Shop Sales • Service • Supplies • Rentals 2717 Olympic *21 Springfield. OH 17477 747-2340. ^ 1/ (JPSTAIRb-UU dRtne //y your, used textbooks anyume the fund raiser," for its very survival in the future, he pointed out. Gate fees aren't enough without monetary assistance from the community, he said Pincus hopes to earn enough ($500,000 by Jan. l)tO "stabilize the future of the organization. "Due to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers, ” Pincus said, the patronage of WOW Hall by Eugeneans continues today. Without community support there will be no WOW Hall, he added. In the words of a member of the Checkered Players comedy act referring to the first WOWATHON. let all members of the community, "make one last stand to save this place ” tiKi tlKVriKk* § i in mi no cr » TfZl pox office urs JJ PMa b* Sl.pbMi M<kw Posters outside the box office door reveal the diversity of events held at WOW Hall. During the year those events in clude concerts, dances and theatrical performances. ★ Mon^r Cookes Baked daalv ★ Espresso & Cappuccino Drinks MONSTER COOKIES!! T\ MONSTER COOKIE CO. 5th and Willamette Eugene. OR 97401 687 1064 Wholesale & Retail THE FRIENDLIEST STORE IN TOWN! At Shop & Save you can save 10%-20% on your grocery bill. We have over 200 items on Green Tag Special at all times! Come in and compare! BULK FOODS We have over 400 items in our Bulk Section. Save 10%-50% by buying BULK FOODS. OIJR WINE DEPT. IS THE BEST 17 Coburg Road 7a.m. • 11p.m. 7 days The Big Y 2175 W. 7th 7:30 - 10p.m. M-S Sun 9a.m. • 9p.m. MEAT We sell only USDA cuts of meat. Check out our special cuts of cheese also, and we have fresh sea food delivered daily. PRODUCE For the HIGHEST QUALITY Produce SHOP & SAVE is the place! HEALTH !()()!) We have the BEST Health Food Department in town. (Coburg Store Only) SAVE AT SHOP & SAVE ■
