Christmas music from Mason Williams and friends COURTIS* PHOTO Mason Williams and friends and the Eugene Symphony Orchestra will perform songs from his newest album A Gift of Song at a concert In the Hull Center on Dec. 4. 'he festive |oys of Christmas and yule tide melodies have returned to Eugene I bringing with them the second annu al Mason Williams and F needs Hometown Holiday Concert with the Eugene Sympho ny Orchestra It is the time of year Williams, the talent ed artist of such pop culture phenomena as "Classical Gas” and the "Pat Paulsen for President” campaign, as well as two Gram my-winnmg songs, lilies best. "One ot the things I like best about this time ol year," Williams said, "is that I don't have to sell the public on the concept ot Christmas it’s a short period of time where everyone suspends their total interest m pop for the historical, traditional aspects ot the season. Christmas is something that I can plug into and the songs will evolve on their own." A Gilt ol Song is Williams' newest album, which he released last year at this time The album has been turned into a concert with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, Arthur Maddox and several ot Williams' other Inends The concert and album is what Williams considers to be his Christmas pre sent to his "favorite Eugene audience ” Betore every album is produced. Williams does a certain amount ol research to be sure to "capture" the cause and deliver the mes sage through his songs "It's the historical element ot the season that interests me," Williams said. "And gui tar music tits in well with Christmas sounds " For the Christmas album Williams searched tor the meaning of the season throughout the work) and how carols came about One of the things he discovered about hol iday melodies was the lad that they are sup posed to be reproduced and changed as time progresses onward In A Gift ot Song, he features several carols with original com positional elements, which will be heard at the concert "Each year, around the holidays. I brush up on my Christmas favorites and usually end up with a new arrangement of a tradi tional Christmas tune," Williams said. "There's not a lot ot instrumental Christmas music, so I developed an original body ot work " Included in the original songs on the altxim are such tunes as classical- guitar style "Gui tar Carol." Middle Eastern style "The Virgin Mary," and classical gas-like style "What Tune is This." All ot the songs feature Williams' signature guitar sounds and drums and percussion performed by a tew ot his friends Williams said he enjoys this time ot year most because people are more willing to drop anything in order to celebrate In tact, he began working on the concert as an event specifically tor him and his friends to get the chance to play together Among the friends performing will be guitar player Rick Cunha from Los Angeles, author Ken Kesey and the Roosevelt Middle School Choir. turn to WII I IAMS Page I5H Local crafts, music and food available at Holiday Market Saturday Market organizers want everyone to find that perfect holiday gift while enjoying local music and sampling international foods. So, to accommodate those who shy away from the outside market during the colder winter months, the market will move indoors to the Lane County Fairgrounds Friday for its annual Holiday Market. About 300 local artists and crafters will bargain away clothing, jewelry, ceramics and just about anything else that can be hand crafted, said Kim Schramm, assis tant manager of this year’s market. "Everything in the market is handcrafted by the person selling it to you," Schramm said. This year's Holiday Market adds four last-minute shopping days to its schedule on Dec. 20-23. The market is normally open every Sat urday and Sunday from Thanks giving until Christmas. Also new this year is a move from the Wheeler Building to the larger Exhibit Hall at the fair grounds. The move allows all ven dors to sell inside, while previous years some had to set up their business outside, Schramm said. Shoppers will have wider aisles to browse in with the larger building. "It will be really exciting to be in this big space,” she said. Besides the traditional arts and craft booths, Schramm said shop pers can visit an indoor Farmers' Market at the fairgrounds. Lane County Farmers’ Market features locally grown produce and plants and normally operates adjacent to the Saturday Market Another popular feature of the Holiday Market is the Internation al Food Court. A larger building means an expanded food area, and market visitors can sample a wide variety of cuisine Burritos. Chinese egg rolls, cheesecake and Cajun noodles are just a few of the food dishes offered at the market Schramm said six entertainment acts will perform at the market each day Local musicians will per form New Orleans boogie, Dix ieland jazz. Celtic harp, classical guitar, and folk and blues music. Local church choirs will perform holiday and gospel favorites. An Elf Plaza children’s stage will offer two children entertainers each day. Vendors will offer craft work shops for kids throughout the day at the children's stage “In the past we didn't realty have a strong place for kids to go," Schramm said. “It should be a lot better for kids and families this year.” Drew Marchbanks, a metalsmith and jeweler, is excited about this year's market and said she enjoys the community atmosphere pro vided by the market. “It's just wonderful we can move indoors and create a small com munity," she said."It's a place where we can sell our work, but at the same time It's a social event.” The fair is open 10 am. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and from 11 a m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 20-23. — Rebecca Merrill i Guitar Strings« i 50% OFF j I Our List Price I | Ccxjtxxt t xpires Dec 10. IW3 | i Music city i j 2101 17th (a* P*o«f) Eugene J MAKE YOUR GIFTS /4 *7i*t S6