Eugene weekly., February 21, 2008, Page 19, Image 19

WHAT’S
happening
So this week Fidel Castro
stepped down as leader
of Cuba, and our own
erstwhile, impotent leader
responded by saying
we’ll help Cubans “realize
the blessings of liberty”
by keeping Gitmo, the
number one institution of
blessed freedom, up and
running. But we digress.
Every other Wednesday
since Jan. 16, the UO’s
Department of Romance
Languages has been
presenting the Films of
Cuba’s Special Period,
1994-2003. Beginning
just after the collapse
of the Soviet Union, this
Some people unplug their computers to break free of the digital realm while others unplug
themselves from society to break free of the social cycles, but musicians known for their electric-
assisted sound (amps, distortion, samples, feedback, vocoders, etc.) must, from time to time,
“special period” was a time
of radical transformation,
when Cuba weaned
unplug themselves. So it’s big news this week that two prominent music groups near and dear to
itself off dependence on
the Eugene scene play “unplugged” sets. The Sugar Beets’ (pictured above) stripped set at The
imported goods such as oil
Shedd on Saturday allows the members to highlight their favorite acoustic instruments, such as
from Russia, implemented
the mandolin, djembe, concert violin, djembe and sitar. But the Beets have always sort of been
organic permaculture and
acoustic based anyway. Floater (pictured below), on the other hand, is what is known as a “power
trio,” grinding through chords like amped up beasts in their live shows. Their Friday and Saturday
sought the most innovative
acoustic gigs at the WOW Hall should breathe a more intimate wind into their rock/psychedelic/
mass transit options.
The fi lms Strawberry and
reggae sails. And with proceeds benefi ting the Center for Community Counseling (Sugar Beets)
Chocolate, Guantanamera
and improvements to the WOW Hall’s bar (Floater), these hometown heroes ask that you show
your philanthropy bone. See Calendar.
and Life is to Whistle have so far chronicled the years 1994,
1995 and 1997, respectively. Up next is Waiting List (2000) a
sort of Waiting for Godot meditation on grassroots community
development as diverse Cubans wait (in vain) at a bus station for
a seat on a bus to Santiago. On March 12, the fi fth and fi nal fi lm,
Suite Havana (2003) follows 10 Havana residents through their
daily lives. If you had the good luck of being born in the U.S., it’s
diffi cult to visit Cuba (unless you’re Michael Moore), making these
movies all the more eye-opening. See Wednesday Calendar.
Readin’ in the Rain organizers have chosen Kenny Moore’s Bowerman and the Men of Oregon as this year’s One
Book to read and discuss in Eugene/Springfi eld. This selection has its detractors griping about supposed pandering to
the UO/Nike establishment, but it also has its enthusiastic supporters, chief among them local historians and, of course,
the large population of elite athletes who have benefi ted from Bill Bowerman’s innovative waffl e-iron footwear at some
point in their lives. While it’s not one of the most literary reads you can fi nd at the local bookstore or library, Bowerman
is key reading for those who often wonder: Why the moniker “Track Town USA”? It may shed light on why Bone Thugs-
N-Harmony gave a shout out to “Track Town” at their show last week, not “MethLand” or “Granolaville.” Moore will give
a free reading with a book signing at the Hult Center this week in the premiere event for this year’s Readin’ in the Rain.
As is tradition, the constant drizzle outside the Hult will be sponsored by Nike. See Wednesday Calendar.
WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
EUGENE WEEKLY FEBRUARY 21, 2008 19