PHOTO BY BRIAN LANKER
WHAT’S
happening
It’s Ken Kesey season in
Eugene, and a myriad of events
will play homage to Eugene and
Springfield’s favorite author.
Kesey is widely hailed for his
1960s novels, One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest and Sometimes a
Great Nation, as well as his wild
adventures with the rebellious Merry
Pranksters. Even after his death in 2001,
Kesey stands out as one of the country’s
foremost counter-culture icons. This
week’s events will include a Ken Kesey
Symposium at the UO, including five panels
of scholarly papers, poetry readings, fiction
and a special performance by the Merry
Pranksters. Tsunami Books will hold a cele-
bration entitled “The Last Kesey Test” on
Thursday, Nov. 13, a downtown dedication of
the new Ken Kesey Memorial will take place
Friday and the UO’s Robinson Theater will
present the stage adaptation of One Flew Over
the Cuckoo’s Nest through Nov. 22. See this
week’s Calendar.
The mysterious and worldly dark
duo, Faun Fables (bottom left) ,
returns to Eugene Nov. 17, bringing
its signature, eerie sound. Vocalist
and guitarist Dawn McCarthy and
guitarist and multi-instrumentalist
Nils Frykdahl are known for their
foreboding theatrical rock. The
shows often include costumes and
skits, as well as occasional guest
musicians and dancers. Catch this
creepy, velvet treat at Sam Bond’s
Garage. See Monday Calendar.
Members of the quirky three-person band Guster (bottom right) dub them-
selves stenographers, saying they simply “transcribe life and put a little melody
under it.” Indeed, the indie-rock group’s sound encompasses everything from
emotional nirvana to pure agony. Adam, Brian and Ryan are now touring their
fourth album, Keep it Together, and will come to McDonald Theatre this week.
Eccentric vaudeville art-rock group The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
will open for Guster, dishing out its one-of-a-kind brand of music and vintage
slides. See Thursday, Nov. 13 Calendar.
Ordained Tibetan Buddhist nun Ani Tsering Chodron will present “Our Lives
are Our Practice: How to Use Everyday Events in Life as Tools for Spiritual
Growth” on Friday. Chodron has been immersed in intensive dharma practice
for 22 years, including eight years in India, one year in Bhutan and one year in
Nepal with several great Buddhist masters. Chodron now lives in Eugene, where
she teaches local Buddhists, manages a group home for disabled adults, and
serves as treasurer for the Lane Institute of Faith and Education. Chodron’s
presentation will focus on the transformational power of spiritual practices in
the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. See Friday Calendar.
NOVEMBER 13, 2003 15