Setting the bar for
Eugene has an array of attractions for underage thrill-seekers
BY LESLIE WAARA
FREELANCE REPORTER
The illustrious bar scene calls to
those lucky enough to be 21, but
fortunately for the remainder of the
student body, the alternative night
time attractions are no less alluring.
A number of restaurants, concert
halls and theaters in the Eugene
area offer late-night entertainment
and do so in classic collegiate style
— inexpensive and local.
Favorite destinations for minors
include the Gateway Century 12
Theaters in Springfield, where $1.50
admits viewers to slightly overdue
new flicks; the WOW Hall and
McDonald Theatre: concert halls
featuring innovative new bands;
and the Bijou Theatre, with its col
orful array of films. The Hult Center
for the Performing Arts features
musicals, concerts and numerous
other events within Eugene , and
is only a block away from the
5th Street Market with its daily
offerings of fresh produce and
local merchants.
Rachel Quinajon, a freshman liv
ing in the residence halls, said she
attends the WOW Hall to see new
bands play and really enjoys the
music and atmosphere.
“The other night I went to see
‘People Under the Stairs’ and it was
great,” she said.
The WOW Hall, which according
to the venue’s web site has been
“Fighting to save rock & roll since
1975,” books local and touring
groups, hosting a multitude of new
and old talent.
The McDonald Theatre, locat
at 1010 Willamette St. in down
town Eugene, shows film
screenings, hosts speakers,
and showcases diverse
touring acts.
Tickets for be
venues are conve
niently available
for purchase
from the Univer
sity Ticket Office.
The Bijou Art
Cinemas, at 492
E. 13th Ave.,
shows movies
not common
ly found
in national the
aters including inde
pendent flicks and cult cla^
sics that are just too good to watch
on a 13-inch television screen.
Sarah Veitch, 20, said the theater
is a fun place to go on weekends
and she likes the fact that it is locat
ed close to campus.
“Last year I went and saw ‘This is
Spinal Tap,’” she said. “It was hilari
ous, I love that movie.”
Veitch said having a vehicle has
increased her options for weekend
entertainment.
“I’ve gone with groups to
Florence and we had
bonfires on the beach
until two in the
morning,” she
said.
stu
dents have
the luxury of per
sonal transportation,
and this fact weighs heavily on
their weekend escapades. Many
choose to entertain themselves at
local house parties or fraternity and
sorority events, where admittance is
usually free.
“Because I’m a freshman, I try to
meet up with older kids who own
houses to get out of the dorms,”
Quinajon said. “Plus they have cars,
so usually I can get a ride to where I
want to go.”
Getting involved on campus with
community and University events
opens up numerous possibilities for
an active social life outside the
repetitive daily routine.
Campus life at the University
offers many interesting and
entertaining events, from
new exhibits at the Jor
dan Schnitzer Mu
seum of Art, to
poetry readings
and jazz perform
ances at
The Buzz Coffeehouse
in the EMU.
Dance classes are avail
able through the School
of Music and Dance, and
performances, from ballet
to belly dancing, are free and
open to the public. The
UO Hawaii Club holds a luau
every year to promote Hawaiian
culture on campus, and discounts
on tickets are always offered to
University students to enjoy a fun
and festive evening.
HOTSPOTS
Souttrtowne Lanes
2486 Willamette St.
1541)345-8575
WOW Hall
291 W 8th Ave.
(541)687-2746
McDonald Theater
1010 Willamette St.
(541)345-4442
Lord Leebrick Theater
540 Charnelton St
(541)465-1506
Biiou Art Cinemas
492 E. 13th Ave.
(541)686-2458
Brought to you by: ASUO, Office of Student Life, Eugene Police Department and Department of Public Safety
What does it mean if the police
tell you to leave an area?