WHAT’S
happening
Even in simple photographs, Eyes Wide Open: The Human
Cost of War is a truly remarkable memorial. The exhibit, creat-
ed by the American Friends Service Committee, has been travel-
ing since January, making its way through more than 40 cities across the
country. The striking main feature of the exhibit, though it might sound
slight, is shoes: 1,400 pairs of boots honoring U.S. military casualties and
1,000 pairs of shoes memorializing a small fraction of the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war. A multimedia display rounds out the heartbreaking presentation.
Recently, a Corvallis woman lost her son in Iraq; she’s since contacted the
Eyes Wide Open organizers, and her son’s boots, brought home by the
soldiers he served with, will be included in the exhibit’s Eugene stop.
See Sunday Calendar.
On Saturday night,
master multi-instrumentalist
Taj Mahal appears at the
McDonald Theatre. A “cham-
pion of eclecticism,” Taj
Mahal plays in and with as
many genres as instruments.
Zydeco, Chicago blues, Cajun
music, gospel, rock, pop,
jazz, Latin and Hawaiian
sounds (and more) are lay-
ered on his country-blues
foundation. His 39 albums
have earned six Grammy
nominations and one win, for
Señor Blues in 1997. Though
he’s played extensively with
larger ensembles, Mahal’s
current touring incarnation
is simple: himself on guitar,
banjo and piano, Bill Rich on
bass and Kester Smith on
drums. Eugene blues gui-
tarist David Jacobs-Strain
and his band open the show.
See Saturday Calendar.
Celebrate April Fool’s Day with the Lane Arts Council First Friday ArtWalk. This month’s walk, led by reigning Slug Queen
Scarlett O’Slimera, pays special attention to art in downtown Eugene businesses. The tour’s first three stops are at 5th Street
Public Market: Swahili Imports, Lotus Antiques and Freudian Slip. The fourth and final stop is the LCC Artists Who Teach show
at DIVA, which includes Rick Williams’ “Kate’s 4th of July Dream,” pictured. As usual, many downtown galleries are open late
but not part of the walking tour. These galleries include Circle of Hands, where Breaking the Silence: Images of Healing, a col-
laboration with Sexual Assault Support Services, is on display. John Henry’s has an early show from Swing Shift and the
Downtown Library hosts improv comedy teams and a slide show and talk by political cartoonist Jesse
Springer. Maybe the rain will even stop in time for a lovely night around town. See Friday Calendar.
Does this guy really need an introduction? Even his website says “There isn’t much point at this
juncture in rehearsing all of Sting’s accomplishments.” But all the same, let’s see what we can
sum up: many, many records sold. Giant tours across the globe. Hit singles aplenty. More than a
dozen Grammys. A few strange film roles, yes, those too, but really, lots of real rock stars have
those on their resumés. (David Bowie, we’re looking at you.) Sting and his four-piece band arrive
at McArthur Court on Sunday night with Phantom Planet in tow. Phantom Planet used to turn up
in the press a lot because their former drummer, Jason Schwartzman, charmed the socks off
moviegoers as Max Fischer in Rushmore. These days, their name sounds familiar because
“California,” their catchiest song by far, dances over the credits of The O.C. C’mon, admit it. You
watch it too. You probably know all the words. See Sunday Calendar.
MARCH 31, 2005 13