After Thanksgiving at Eugene Holiday Market

A big three-day weekend is planned after Thanksgiving at the Eugene Holiday Market. The Lane County Musicians Collective will have its booth set up. Please feel free to stop by, sample some of the regional music, and then pick up a bunch of gifts for all your family and friends! Many of our Coop's members will also be appearing on Friday - Sunday on the Main Stage and in Holiday Hall (just down the corridor a short ways.)

Friday, November 25- Dress Up Theme: Black & White Friday
10:30 AM	Rich Glauber	Music in Action!
11:30 AM	Two Easy	acoustic originals
12:30 PM	The Alves Brothers	talented kids on guitar
1:45 PM	Deer & Antelope Band	rock, oldies, blues and jazz
3:15 PM	Tim McLaughlin's Revolving Trio	Boogaloo Funk Jazz Power Trio
4:45 PM	The Huckleberrys	Roots, blues, americana
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Mark Ross	America's most famous unknown folksinger
2:00 PM	Jerry Zybach	original and traditional blues
4:00 PM	TBA

Saturday, November 26 - Dress Up Theme: Mad for Plaid
10:30 AM	Ballet Folklorico Alma de Mexico	Children performing traditional Mexican dances
11:30 AM	Lisa Lynne & George Tortorelli	harp and world flutes
12:30 PM	Walker T. Ryan	Underdog American music
1:45 PM	Sun Bossa	Brazilian Bossa Nova
3:15 PM	Olem Alves & Inner Limits	funk groove
4:45 PM	The Texas Toasters	Western Swing
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	David Rogers	original songs of the new west
2:00 PM	Glenn Falkenberg	Celtic harp & hammered dulcimer
4:00 PM	Michael Hall	folk

Sunday, November 27 - Dress Up Theme: Faux Fur & Feathers
10:30 AM	Lorna Miller	little kid's jamboree
11:30 AM	Gordon Kaswell & Jerry Zybach	blues, faves, etc.
12:30 PM	Laura Kemp	favorite local folksinger/songwriter
1:45 PM	Dan Cioper	acoustic folk/rock and reggae
3:15 PM	Kef	Balkan dance music ensemble
4:45 PM	Steel Wool	Harmony Powered Acoustic World Folk-Rock
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Lisa Lynne & George Tortorelli	harp and world flutes
2:00 PM	Chip Cohen	Dr. Horsehair Himself
4:00 PM	K-Tone	Folk with southern flavors

Opening Weekend at Eugene Holiday Market

Held at the Lane Events Center (796 West 13^th Ave., Eugene, OR), Eugene Holiday Market features hundreds of artisans with quality, hand-crafted items. Saturday/Sunday November 19-20 was opening weekend for the Holiday Market. I especially like the non-stop entertainment perfect for the season.

I appreciated the opportunity to be the opening act on the main stage on Sunday, Nov 20. I interspersed jazz standards with interactive kid's songs. Everyone seemed to enjoy the variety for all ages. I saw several folks singing, clapping, dancing along. A few young volunteers helped me out on "Strike the Bell" (accompanied by concertina) and "My Aunt Came Back" and "Sambalele." Also saw folks singing along with "I'm Beginning to See the Light," "Call Me Irresponsible," and "I'm Confessin' That I Love You."


Then, The Celtic Tradition (Linda Danielson, Janet Naylor and I) took the stage for special Scottish/Irish Holiday shows at 11:30 am (Main Stage) and 2 pm (Holiday Hall). Assistant Market Manager Kim Still even caught us on video playing a Scandinavian waltz called "Bond Vals" (Farmer's Waltz), as well as "Shady Grove." The day's dress-up theme was "Hats, Ties & Tiaras," and Ms. Kim Still was decked out in a cute homemade dress and antique hat from the 1940s.       

After us was Ghillie Dhu & The Dohun'ts (Jeremy Wegner, Chico Schwall, Hilary Jones) with some rousing reels and jigs for our dancing pleasure. I video'ed their set with "Pigeon on a Gate, Monahan Twig, and Jenny Dang the Weaver" and their closing set of jigs and hope you enjoy them.

 

Other acts appearing opening weekend were Eugene Bhangra Youth Group, Richard Crandell, Jerry Zybach & Adam Scramstad, Carolyn Cruso, Tatiamo, Gypsy Moon, Bow & Airo, Jill Ledet, Robert Meade, TheTraceys, Rusty Still, Dirty Dandelions, Gordon Kaswell and Lonesome Randall. WOW!

Food booths in the International Food Court always offer a large variety of delectable delights. I had a great steak burrito from Saritza's Mexican and a refreshing raspberry cooler from the Lemonade Gourmet. My wife had a tofu dish from Bangkok Grill. My bandmates enjoyed crepes from Edible Improv. Check out all the Holiday Market food choices here.   

For the "I Spy Elves" Game, Market artisans created unique elves to be displayed in booths throughout the Market on Opening Weekend, November 19-20. People picked up an Elf spotter's card, then wandered the Market, and wrote down the booth number where each elf was seen. Those finding at least six elves were entered into a drawing to win one of the elves. Those locating 20 elves were entered into a grand prize drawing to win $100 in Holiday Market gift certificates! Check the website to see some elves that folks were looking for. There were also silly clues to help locate them. What a fun activity for families and kids of all ages!

All Holiday Market 2016 Dates include:

Sat.-Sun., Nov. 19-20; Fri.-Sun., Nov. 25-27; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 3-4; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 10-11; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 17-18; Thur.-Sat., Dec. 22-24. Hours are 10 am - 6 pm (but closing at 4 pm on Dec. 24)

For a complete artisan and entertainment schedule, see the Holiday Market webpages. 

DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 5, take Exit 194-B to Eugene (I-105). Continue on I-105 until it ends at 7th Ave. Continue straight ahead on Jefferson to 13th Ave., continue on under the big electronic sign which is the entrance to the Fairgrounds. Holiday Market is in the Exhibit Hall, ahead on your right as the entrance drive curves into the Fairgrounds. Drive past the building via the driveway that passes its left side to the main parking lot and main building entrance. Parking & admission are free.