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

WHAT’S
happening
Blues music is known to have its regional variations in
sound and styles, but it also appears to have its regional
preferences in booze, too. Bourbon for the Nashville/Deep
South blues, beer for Chicago blues and, due to the explosion
of viticulture in the area, a goblet of wine for Willamette
Valley blues. How else can the Wine and Blues Festival
continue in its popularity for 17 years straight? While our
theory has it that grape-stains are more bluesy than malty
beer spillage, it could be that Oregon wine is just the best
choice for soothing the haggard vocal cords of area blues
musicians. At Sunday’s event at Secret House Winery, things
kick off with the Northwest Harmonica Championships,
a surefi re way to make the throat thirst for a pinot noir.
Aussie blues-rocker Fiona Boyes (pictured) makes a special
appearance with mad licks and lyrics that show that, yes,
even the gals get the blues, even when they’re from the
sunny land of Oz. See Sunday Calendar.
Now in its second year, Savor the Vine is a
celebration of Oregon wine, showcasing different
regions and varietals. The big event goes down
Friday night at the “Celebrity Crush for the Cure,”
and no, it’s not about Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben
Damn! All this talk of vino is making us work up a sweat, but not a big enough sweat to shake our bones loose. It’s
time for a brisk long-distance walk! And if you’ve ever thought that vineyards are perhaps some of the most scenic,
Gibbard’s man-crush on The Cure’s Robert Smith.
soothing places for a stroll, check out the King Estate Winery on Saturday or Sunday for the Winery Fun Walk.
It’s about pitting local celebrities, including a
The walk, which is marked and maintained by
highly anticipated Mayor Kitty Piercy vs. Jim
the Eugene-Springfi eld Mossback Volkssports
Torrey matchup, in a grape crush championship.
Club, is a free, self-guided jaunt with a 5k and
Spectators may place bets on who will be the
10k option, depending on your fi tness level,
champion crusher, with all proceeds going to the
that winds its way past vineyards, small lakes,
American Cancer Society. Folklore has it that
estate homes and an outdoor terrace, all on
the winner of the grape crush will determine
the King Estate property. Organizers request
Eugene’s mayor in November, so those candidates
that you start your walk between 8 am and
better hit the step-aerobic workouts. Wine and
2 pm, returning to the start point by 5 pm.
chocolate tastings with music by Swing Shift, The
And do remember to bring water, as the sun is
Sugar Beets, AVID and Skip Jones round out the
scheduled for a brief but hot reappearance this
weekend. See Calendar.
weekend. See Calendar.
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