Onslaught for the senses
By Pat Yonalty
E merald Contributor
Little dirt the Woodmen of the World know
when they built the WOW hall in 1932 that it
would someday be the home of the Eugene
Community Center for the Performing Arts and
the scene of an alternative rock blowout just in
time for the Halloween weekend
The performances tonight feature tin* incredible
assortment of piano-god D J Lebowitz, poprawk
ers My Name. Texan fallout Three Day Stubble,
and Portland’s own brand of noisehead godrock.
Hitting Birth.
D,J Lebnwitz will get things rolling at 9 30
tonight with his punk-powered piano stylings An
exception to the largely guitar-dominated world
of alternative rock culture, Lelatwilz has found
his calling performing maniacally-driven, piano
crazed music from coast to coast He's been called
"a pure genius" and "sheer entertainment," but
praise like this hasn't come lightly Lebowitz has
seen his share of heartache, including being
gonged in 1979 on the world famous Gong Show
Performing covers by bands as diverse as the
Police and the Dead Kennedy*, Lebowitz always
manages to instill a heavy dose of the bizarre into
his work With lyrics like "Who is the king of
happiness? Who is the king of success? Who is
the king of our future and our future destiny? 'Not
I said the duck," he blows the lid off of the tradi
tional approach to the term "pianist."
The names Abe. Robb, Trevor, and Dave make
up My Name, coming all the way down from
Tacoma to help liven up tonight's festival of
sound. These guys have been playing together for
six years in one form or another and their efforts
show through in lioth their live performances and
thi-ir first CD. Megacrvsh, on CJ7. records.
Their lyrics are so well-scuIpted that one may
tie struck with the sensation of reading a tiny lit
erary magazine when first glancing through the
(ID insert Ixxjklet Some of the phrasing is remi
niscent of an unpublished comic hook lying
unfinished in someone's shoe box underneath a
bed "Perverted and nervous man stares through
his sunken sockets, checking for incriminating
evidence in his pockets. Finding none, he
methodically scrubs his hands in a sink that
could tell some stories. Then repairs to the chair
in the middle of his white trash living room oper
ating his remote control with authority, and
savoring sordid memories..." It might not look
like a song on paper, but these guys really put it
out.
Next up is Three Day Stubble from Houston,
Texas. Any band whose first recording was only
available on 8-track has to be worth seeing.
They've called themselves "a giant mental can
opener" and practice the art of nerdism at its
musical finest.
Likened to Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart,
these folks churn out an off-kilter assemblage of
tunes designed to challenge the theories of tradi
tionally-oriented musical sensibilities. The odd
layerings of semi-vocals and disjointed sound
momentums might lead a person to wonder if this
is what it would sound like if guitars spoke a for
eign language
Closing tonight's showcase of Halloween
inspired audio-visual oddities is, suitably, Hitting
Birth These freaks from Portland carry out a most
Turn to ONSLAUGHT, Page 10 A
CourtMy Photo
Thraa Day Stvbbla (Mbov*) play thalr aalf-proclalmad “nard rock" tonight at tha WOW Hall along with
Hitting Birth, My Mama and D.J. iabowiti
Court—) Photo
Col. Bntco Hompton mnd Tho Aquarium Raacua Unit loin Ltttla Woman and Tha Ranagada Salnta on
Hallowan night at tha WOW Hall.
Rescue Unit will rock and rollick
By Ming Rodngues
Emerald Contributor
It promises to be a devilishly rollicking
Halloween at the WOW Hall Saturday night
Three major bands who were offered "twice as
much money to play elsewhere” have instead
decided to get together at the WOW Hall for this
event.
"it’s a rare opportunity to see these big bands
in one region and in a venue this small," said
Adam Zacks, EMU Cultural Forum's national
music coordinator. "It’s going to be a pretty trip
py evening, and 1 think everyone should come
and celebrate.”
The subject of two recent Rolling Slone articles
including a four star review and tours with
bands such as Phish, Blues Traveler, Widespread
Panic Ik Spin Doctors, the Atlanta band Col
Bruce Hampton It The Aquarium Rescue Unit art
making this their first headlining (lerformance in
Eugene and the last stop on their Northwest tour
"We had a hard time getting them in, hut if
they were playing the South on Halloween it
would lie in a .1,OOO-seat theater rather than a 400
capacity community dance hall That says some
thing special about our Halloween," Zack said
Little Women and The Renegade Saints are the
other two hands slated for the evening, Since
their last sold-out show at the WOW Hall and a
new li\i- album, Little Women have t ome under
the fiery looking glass of the industry's best
When pressed to describe his band. Little
Women singer-songwriter Jerry Joseph says. "It's
ZZ Top on acid with Black flhuru in the rhvthin
section."
Meanwhile, Renegade bassist Dave Coey likes
to describe the Saint sound as a "Bohemian boo
gie grind " Hut whether it's straight-ahead mid
western rock, Texas swing. Latin-Afrii.an or San.
Francisco psychedelic, the guys deliver from the
gut. or in guitarist Alan Torihio's words, "play
ing every note like it was our last " Halloween
will mark the end of the group's month-long tour
that spanned California. Utah. Colorado, Idaho
and Wyoming.
In addition to the major hillings, there will he
a few surprise guests and an "espei tally new and
strange Halloween atmosphere" planned for the
Hall "All I can say about the decor is that it's
going to be humorous and enlightening." Zack
saul
"With Halloween falling on a Saturday, this
party's going to lie unforgettable." he said
Tickets, at SlO for students and Stl general
admission, are available at the KMU Main Desk
Showtime is H p m and doors open at 7 tl) p rfi
El Dia de los Muertos has various incarnations
"The Day of the Dead" or "El Dia de los Muertos," a tradi
tion which existed in Mexico and other Latin American
countries in pre-Columbian cultures, is being revitalized and
preserved by Chicanos anti Latinos in Eugene and through
out the United States.
Although the specifics involved in the practice of this tra
dition vary greatly between countries and even between
cities within Latin America, those who practice the tradition
share a common desire to pay tribute to deceased loved
ones.
In Mexico as in other countries, "The Day of the Dead” is
a national holiday Preparation for the celebration begins as
early as Oct. 31, said Armando Morales, who grew up in
Mexico. Morales warmly recalls the preparation for the day
of celebration.
"My mother would buy camote, which is a sweet root like
the potato," he said. “Then she would boil it and add fruit.
From the mixture would result a jam called cajeta. Later she
would buy the pan de muertos and candles. Then we would
construct the altar.”
Many Mexicans construct an altar in their homes to pay
special tribute to their loved ones. Pictures, flowers and
favorite items of the deceased adom the altar along with one
candle to represent each soul of the dead. Morales said that a
picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe is often placed in the cen
ter of the altar or next to the picture of a loved one.
Susan Deerborn Jackson, who recently spent a year
researching the "The Day of the Dead” in Oaxaca. Mexico,
said the altar is constmcted to please the dead. It is a com
mon belief in Oaxaca that the dead can intercede with God
for the blessings of the living.
Jackson also observed that in areas such as Oaxaca, where
there is a large indigenous population, "The Day of the
Dead" is celebrated with more traditional elements. Such
elements include aromatic things as "copal." a resin with an
intense pine odor. “Cempasuchil," which is similar to the
marigold, is used to make a path to the altar to guide the
A A A A AAAAAAAAA.A..
dead souls
"The dead are attracted by odors and partake of the
essence of the food through aromas.” Jackson said.
Latin American students from countries such as Colombia.
Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela, say the construction
of an altar is not common. On Nov. 2 they do share the cus
tom of going to the cemetery to pay their respects to the
dead. However, the exact day may also vary from place to
place.
Story by
Kacy Moeller
In Mexico, people typically bring flowers, favorite items of
the deceased and food to the cemetery. Many spend the day
there praying, talking about their deceased loved ones and
eating The atmosphere is a mixture of resptx:tful solemnity
and festivity. Parents take their children to buy toys that
teach them about death. Morales said, "Kids are taught to
laugh at death, to make fun of it and also to respect the
dead ”
In contrast to the festive aspects of the Mexican tradition.
"The Day of the Dead" is practiced with more solemnity in
Panama Sol Crespo, a sophomore at the University,
explained that the tradition in Panama is a very serious,
quiet occasion.
"You don't turn on the radio. You have to be quiet." said
Crespo.
Crespo described "The Day of the Dead” as a national hol
iday in Panama and a time when the family members gather
and go to the cemetery. She said this tradition occurs on
Nov. 2 and ends abruptly and festively on Nov. 3. which is
Panama's Day of Independence
In other countries, the traditions of "The Day of the Dead"
are interwoven with Catholic elements that were imported
r
with the Spanish Hernando Munoz Gaviria. .1 student a
Lane Community College who grew up in Quito. Ecuador,
described the events of the morning of "The Day of the
Dead."
"Everyone gets up and goes to mass at 5 a m. It is called
the "Misa de Gallos" or the "Mass of the Roosters" because
it is so early. There are certain people who volunteer to carry
a statue of "Jesus de Gran Poder.” They wear long black
tunics, black cone shaped hats and masks. These people are
tailed “cucuruchos"."
Gaviria said he believes these people volunteer to carry
the statue because they see it as a form of penitence or
cleansing
"Other people dressed in purple tunics, hats and masks
walk along carrying rosary beads, praying and sprinkling
incense," Gaviria said.
They spend the day cleaning and decorating the cemetery
with flowers. They picnic there and some bring priests with
them. Gaviria described some of the food they prepare espe
cially for the occasion.
“They prepare guaguas de pan. which is bread made in the
shape of babies They are flat and are decorated with colors
They also make colada morada, which is a thick, fruity, pur
ple drink consisting of pineapple, blueberries, corn starch,
water and milk."
Gaviria reflected on the Ecuadorian tradition: "Now that I
am far away . I can see that it was valuable. You have some
thing that is yourself. It belongs to you. You cannot appreci
ate the magnitude of the event at a young age "
In Costa Rica, there are several masses held on "The Day
of the Dead" if it does not fall on a Sunday. Also. Olger
Palma, an MBA student from San Jose, said there is a special
edition of the newspaper that contains an obituary section
that lists all people who died that year.
Palma explained that it used to be common practice for
people to cook at home and also go to mass. Now most peo
ple must choose one or the other due to time constraints.
1 is
Folk art piaca from tha axNbltton, -Daath and Flaatm: Day of
tfta Daad In Oaxaca, ttaxlco, ~ on dlaplay through Dac. 23 at
tha Un/varaltyt Muaaum of Natural Hlatory.
Costa Ricans traditionally do not eat in the cemetery as part
of the celebration of the day As in the case of the Mexicans,
they do teach their children about death
"Death is just a matter of life. Wo don't laugh about it but
we don't ignore it either. Death is not something to hide,"
Turn to MUERTOS, Page 11A
Colonial Jnn Sle&tawiant
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
All You Con Eat Champagne Brunch $4.95
{Very Sunday 9 a m -2 p.m.
w
1626 Willamette St
1/2 OFF
Cover Charge Coupon
LOLLIPOPS
(Jiggles Junior)
Totally Nude Dancers
2175 West 11th
Next door to Jiggles
Open at 5:00 p.m. daily
1 per person 18 years and older to get in. Expires 12-31-92
Direct frea Lm Vtfii
Tho Khrls Kxporlenco
Uvo BMs 90 s Show
oa.si
Red Uon, Gateway Doors open 7 p.m.
$12.50 Admission Includes 2 free drinks of your choice
Come In costume or as your favorite 50‘s character
D«st Party In Townl
MnUiMM
eCktH AOMMKM KAVtTJt^STw SO • *»C* ttW
»" CQWOlTKXJtP' WKW HM(} Q>. A«^*» *** *<* *»- <***> *» "J
r Nigrttiy viu r:ia, aun mmi j.w
“***A INDEPENDENT
FILMMAKING AT ITS BEST!"
"STRONG, BEAUTIFULLY
BALANCED PERFORM ANCEST
Till NIW VO** I Mil
mhVm
(earK^it
COM NO THE ADJUSTER
Jk
\
V. S
492
E. '31^
606
2458
73
Nightly IJO (Ml. TOO, IOO %un MM
’SEXIER THAN A DOZEN BASIC
INSTINCTS ONE OF THE BEST
FILMS OF THE YEAR!*
KHIL 4 ttl4T
L «}MWO: LIGHT SIEEPEB A
BUGU l Alt NI!t-U«»N.» Ad'll |I>S>U Su We JJ 46 ■ BUOU l 411 NIT t • BIJOU l 411 NIT l
r - ... '
« Miffciir not
bridgat Mtt
fond*
dillon
singles
UNFORGIVEN
rwuNDERyweiSSr)
I*
VIDEO
Foames
Mh STREET
PUBLIC MARKET
UUMT-M (W*MI
683-8464
f -~'j¥ DtO ADVENTUkc }
^ VALLEY RIVER PLAZA
fMtMl
wu uani
s' ^,
\ CUSTOM PRINTED
*1 J T-SHIRTS
Lowest Ratesi
8‘Mj 0101
SPRINGFIELD
SCIENTIFIC
SUPPLIES
Scales
Chemicals
Lab Equipment
9-6 Mon-Fri • 10-5 Sat
726-9176
1124 Main St.
OPENS
TOMORROW!
• Cotton Cisutli
High Quality
Cotton Clothing,
Priced Right.
Located at the
5th St. Public Market
Next to Folkways
10% discount
to all faculty, students,
and U of O staff with a
valid I.D. card.
EQUUS
by Peter Shaffer
University Theatre
November 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20,21 *8pm
University Theatre Box Office 346-4191
TOEjm«NX
FUMY NOV,
TICKITS AVAIUIU AT
OB (HMM-IT-I