Eugene weekly., July 06, 2017, Page 17, Image 17

Alt-Fair
s taying in t o wn during
the oregon country fair
by c o rinne bo ye r
C
rowds, dust and scorching temperatures aren’t for
everyone. So if you’re like me and want to avoid
gaggles of people at the Oregon Country Fair, use
the empty streets of Eugene as your catbird seat.
Eugene Weekly gets hundreds of event sub-
missions every week, and Fair weekend is no exception,
so make sure to check out our What’s Happening calendar
to start.
During the Fair, hiking Spencer Butte won’t be quite
so much like waiting in line at Disneyland, and strolling
through Saturday Market will be much quicker. Here are a
couple more things you should check out while Fair takes
place July 7 through 9.
The Wayward Lamb hosts a variety of dance parties,
burlesque shows and events, and is one of the best plac-
es in town to enjoy a cocktail on a warm afternoon. The
bar opened nearly two years ago, providing a welcoming
space for the queer community. It offers a menu of locally
sourced food, a private events space and has male and fe-
male go-go dancers that make monthly appearances.
“We are a safe, welcoming and inclusive space,” owner
Colin Graham says. “It’s very clean, we have the best bath-
rooms, the windows can’t be beat, we have great DJs.”
B.O.B. PLAYS THE HI-FI FRIDAY, JULY 7
Both Graham and Tony Tam Sing, the Wayward Lamb
marketing manager, say it’s a great place to enjoy a drink
alone. Graham says the comfortable environment makes it
easy to enjoy conversations with staff and other customers
and a lot of people become fast friends after having a drink.
During Fair weekend, the Wayward Lamb holds dance
nights on both Friday and Saturday until 2:30 am. Once a
month, Queer Burlesque takes over The Den — the bar’s
private events and dance space. That takes place Saturday,
July 8.
If you’d rather enjoy a more relaxing weekend, take a
yoga class. Studios are less likely to be crowded this week-
end, and whether you’d like to hit your yoga mat in the
morning or in the evening, Eugene has several options.
Everyday People Yoga is a Vinyasa flow studio —its
website recommends an $8 to $12 donation per class. The
instructors are friendly and helpful, and the bright and spa-
cious studio hosts a variety of class offerings, making it a
great place to explore practicing yoga whether you’re a be-
ginner or advanced. The studio hosts workshops through-
out the year too. Visit epyogaeugene.com for class sched-
ule and workshop offerings.
On Saturday, July 8, the Friends of the Library is hold-
ing its summer book sale at Eugene’s downtown library.
Bring your reusable totes because most books — fiction,
mystery and children’s books — are $1. The sale runs 10
am-4 pm.
B.o.B is performing at Hi-Fi on Friday, July 7. The
28-year-old rapper has been nominated for six Grammys
and six BET Hip Hop Awards, and is on tour promoting
his fourth album Ether. The show admits all ages, begins
at 7 pm, and tickets are $25 to $30. Meet and greet tickets
are $99.
If you want to venture beyond Eugene, check out the
McKenzie River Lavender Festival just outside of Spring-
field. The festival is a celebration of Oregon’s lavender
farms and industry. Local vendors will be selling lavender
products as well as books, jewelry and other local products.
Tours of the McKenzie River Lavender Farm will be offered
from 10 am to 5 pm Friday through Sunday, July 7-9.
And a gentle reminder — as refreshing as the Oregon
Coast is, in order to get there you’d have to pass through
Fair traffic. So it might be best to save that for another
weekend, especially since the Lane County sheriffs depu-
ties like to step up patrols along Highway 126 during the
Fair. ■
eugeneweekly.com • July 6, 2017
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