Eugene, OR — A Great City for
the Arts and Outdoors

Eugene is a really unique and vibrant place to live. There's always something going on: concerts, plays, student groups jamming in coffee shops, and Yo Yo Ma performing with the Symphony.

1. Largest comprehensive fine arts facility between San Francisco and Seattle
2. EIGHT resident companies including a symphony, opera and ballet with distinguished visiting artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Marin Alsop, Sarah Chang and other world renowned soloists
3. Rolling Stone's list of "America’s Top 10 Campus Music Scenes That Rock"
4. More than 150 arts and cultural nonprofit organizations
5. Scores of artisans and craftspersons such as world-renowned violinmaker David Gusset and master organ builder John Brombaugh
6. Money Magazine has consistently ranked Eugene among the best six US cities in which to live
7. Eugene was named the number one green city in the U.S. for air quality, recycling, transportation, and green space in National Geographic's "Green Guide"
8. One of the ten most bicycle-friendly cities in the country in Bicycling Magazine
9. Tons of multicultural celebrations: The Oregon Asian Celebration, Fiesta Latina-Cinco de Mayo, the Asian Kite Festival, and the Japanese Obon and Taiko Drum Festival are all held in Eugene, while Springfield hosts the Ukrainian Day festival and Junction City, the Scandinavian Festival.
10. Location, location, location… nestled between the Pacific Ocean—with miles of unspoiled public beaches, rocky cliffs, tidepools, sand dunes, sea lions, and migrating whales—and the Cascade Mountain Range—with ancient forests and wild rivers, elk and eagles, and hiking and ski trails

Check out these STUDENT FINDS:

Music Student Hang Outs:
Cozmic Pizza
Serving up organic pizza and salads, Cozmic Pizza also hosts concerts, films, and speakers every week.

Jazz Station
Located in downtown Eugene, the Jazz Station hosts jam sessions and concerts on the weekend. All events are open to the public.

John Henry's
Voted "Best Place to Dance" in the 2009 Best of Eugene Awards

McDonald Theatre
An historic theater in downtown Eugene, the McDonald Theatre hosts a variety of theatrical and musical performances throughout the year.

The Wandering Goat
Located in the historic Whitaker district, the Wandering Goat roasts and brews some of the best coffee in town. They also serve local microbrews, show films, and serve as a venue for local music groups.

WOW Hall
"Fighting to save rock & roll since 1975," Woodmen of the World Hall is run by the Community Center for the Performing Arts and is a venue for a variety of performances.

Ax Billie Grill and Sports Bar
A classy place to take a date while listening to UO faculty and graduate students play jazz. The Carl Woideck Quartet plays there each month.

Papa Soul Food Kitchen and Blues Joint
Renowned for its delicious down-home cooking, Papa Soul Food Kitchen also hosts live music. It is located in the heart of the Whitaker district, across the street from Sam Bond's Garage (see below).

Sam Bond’s Garage (music every night)
There is always something happening at Sam Bond's. On Monday you can play Bingo, on Tuesday you can drink your microbrew to the sound of live bluegrass, and other evenings hear local, regional, or even international musicians. High quality, affordable food, an excellent beer selection, and exciting evening events make this the perfect casual hangout.

Classical Music
Chamber Music@Beall
Jointly presented by the UO School of Music and Dance and the Oregon Bach Festival, the Chamber Music@Beall series hosts some of the world's finest string quartets. It is not to be missed!

Hult Center for the Performing Arts
The Hult Center regularly hosts such high-profile musicians as Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman. Its Silva Concert Hall seats an audience of 2,500. The Hult Center is home to the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, the Eugene Concert Choir, the Oregon Bach Festival and other companies.

The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts
The Shedd hosts many performances throughout the year, as well as the Oregon Festival of American Music and The Emerald City Jazz Kings Series. The venue attracts artists from around the country. For example, this year some of the guests for the Now Hear This Series are Nellie MacKay, B.B. King, and Chris Botti.

The Oregon Bach Festival (OBF) is an annual celebration of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and his musical legacy. It presents a diverse slate of concerts and guest artists, which in recent years has included non-Bach-related programs by Garrison Keillor, Bobby McFerrin, and Frederica von Stade. The Wall Street Journal has called the OBF "one of the world’s leading music festivals".

Music Stores:
Eugene Music
Provides quality woodwind, brass and percussion instruments and accessories at affordable prices, as well as the expertise for quality instrument repair. Check out their Facebook page.

Pacific Winds Music
This local music store specializes in woodwinds, brass instruments, percussion, and ukeleles.

Other:
Food carts in Kesey square
Okay, this is not just your ordinary hot dog stand. Think hip, healthy, organic and local. These local Eugene chef entrepreneurs are dedicated to the use of local, farm-fresh ingredients and are committed to sustainable operation practices. So go ahead and check out their lamb Phillies with caramelized onions and raw vegan wraps, both for $6 bucks or less. Stand names: Carte Blanche and Nosh Pit, Raw Love. Check out their Eugene Street Food Facebook page!

The Oakway Center
The Oakway Center, with national and local shops and restaurants, offers a Summer Music Series each Wednesday evening from mid-June through August. A different group plays in the courtyard each week. It is a fun place to unwind on a warm sunny evening.

Saturday Farmer’s Markets
From local peas to pine needle baskets, you can find it all at the weekly Saturday Farmer's Market in downtown Eugene. And don't miss out on lunch at one of the organic food stands while listening to local musicians.

UO Bike Program program
The UO Bike Program is a resource for all things bicycle to the campus community.  Come to our shop any time we’re open and get help fixing your bike for free.