Eugene, Oregon

Eugene is the third largest city http://www.ci.eugene.or.us/local/euggov.htm#Facts:Cite_sources and boasts the second largest metropolitan population http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1119225167&men=gcis&lng=en&gln=xx&dat=32&geo=-223&srt=pnan&col=aohdq&pt=a&va=x&geo=-3793 in the state of Oregon, and is also the county seat of Lane County, Oregon. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie River and the Willamette River, about 60 miles (97 km) east of the Oregon Coast. According to the 2000 census, it has a total population of 137,893. As of July 1, 2003 the US Census Bureau estimated the population of Eugene to be 142,185. The city's population is expected to further grow to 228,400 within the next 10 years.

Culture

Performing Arts

Eugene is home to numerous cultural organizations, including the Eugene Symphony (Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor), the Eugene Ballet (Toni Pimble, Artistic Director), and the Eugene Opera. Eugene is also home to a number of cultural events, including the world renowned Oregon Bach Fesitval (Helmuth Rilling, artistic director) and the Oregon Festival of American Music("OFAM"). Eugene has a number of performing arts venues, including the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, The American Music Institute (also known as "The Shedd"), Beall Concert Hall on the University of Oregon campus, the McDonald Theater, and WOW Hall, which is primarily a venue for alternative music.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fine Arts

Eugene has over a dozen private art galleries, and is home to the recently renovated Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on the University of Oregon campus. Arts advocacy organizations include DIVA, Maude Kerns Art Center with its non-profit summer Art & the Vinyeard festival, and the Lane Arts Council. Eugene is also home to The Eugene Glass School, a art school featuring workshops with some of the most prestigous glass artists in the world in off-hand, lampworked, and fused glass.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cinema

The film Animal House was filmed in Eugene and Cottage Grove. John Belushi had the idea for the film The Blues Brothers during filming of Animal House when he happened to meet Curtis Salgado at the then Eugene Hotel. The "Chicken Salad on Toast" scene in the Jack Nicholson movie "Five Easy Pieces" was filmed at the Denny's restaurant at the southern I-5 freeway interchange (Glenwood exit). In addition, Eugene is home to the Bijou Art Cinemas, an independent movie theater located in a building modeled after Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style by the first dean of the University of Oregon School of Architecture in 1925.

Related Topics:
Animal House - Cottage Grove - John Belushi - The Blues Brothers - Curtis Salgado - Five Easy Pieces - Spanish Colonial Revival - University of Oregon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Live Theatre

A surprising number of dedicated live theatres, all non-profit or governmental, are busy in Eugene: Lord Leebrick Theatre, The Very Little Theatre, Actors Caberet, LCC Theatre, University Theatre etc.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Radio

Some of the most familiar names in Public Radio come from the local NPR affiliate KLCC. The University of Oregon has a student-run radio station, KWVA. Additionally, the community supports two other radio stations: KWAX (classical) and KRVM (alternative).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~