Music, plays, and flower Bouquets: Things to do in Eugene this weekend

As rain begins to batter Eugene, it’s easy to forget that summer still isn’t over. Good weather is on the horizon this weekend, and Eugenians can soak up the last rays of sun with live outdoor music at “Tipping Forward”, or making a spell jar at Seasons’ End Flower Farm’s Bouquet Bar in the Lane County Farmers Market.

Two plays will be opening in Eugene this weekend as well. "The Mousetrap" at the Very Little Theatre and "The Play that Goes Wrong" at at Oregon Contemporary Theatre offer entertainment for these late summer evenings as sunset creeps earlier and earlier.

Make a Spell Jar with Seasons' End Flower Farm

Gwendolyn Iris, owner of Seasons’ End Flower Farm, launched a new event at her booth at the Lane County Farmers Market last weekend. The event, a Spell Jar Boquet Bar, allows market-goers to make their own bouquets infused with magic and intention.

“When I started thinking about the meaning of flowers across the world, and that they’re used in magic so often, and steeped in folklore, it was easy for me to combine that with the idea of a flower bar,” Iris said. She was raised Wiccan, and incorporates her relationship with spellwork into her work at Seasons’ End Flower Farm.

At the Spell Jar Bouquet Bar, customers choose a large or small jar size for their spell jar. Then, they can pick out flowers with the intention of casting a spell or providing a blessing. When their jar is full, Iris will help them seal it with wax and add a charm. She’s always ready to help customers who have questions.

“Last weekend I had two customers who were part of a bridal party come and make a blessing jar for the bride, someone make a healing jar, and people come and make their jars without saying a word,” she said.

Iris will also be offering premade jars, such as the home blessing pictured above. The large jar costs $22 dollars to fill, and the smaller jar is $15. Her booth at the Lane County Farmers Market will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dance your heart out at "Tipping Forward"

Lea Jones has been involved in the music scene in Eugene since he was in college at the University of Oregon in 1975. He’s played bluegrass, Americana, and everything in between, bouncing between playing in bands and as a solo act around town.

His most recent project is “Tipping Forward”, a live music event on the patio of 16 Tons Café on Willamette St.

“This patio has terrific juju,” Jones said, gesturing to the space in front of 16 Tons. What might not look like much, just a concrete patio with five tabletops next to a Market of Choice, transforms into a bumping music venue when “Tipping Forward” is happening.

“We reserve tables for $20 a piece, and when the beer is flowing around 60 or 70 people will show up, just dancing and having a good time,” Jones said.

This weekend, “Tipping Forward” will have its last two shows of the season, with the South Town Saints playing Friday and David Helfand and the Majestic Ensemble playing Saturday. Shows are free, and music goes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 16 Tons is located at 2864 Willamette Street.

Catch "The Mousetrap" or "The Play that Goes Wrong" on opening weekend

Two of Eugene’s theatres are opening their doors on Friday for their fall plays. The Very Little Theatre is kicking off its 95th season with “The Mousetrap”, an Agatha Christie play considered the longest-running play in the world.

“The Mousetrap” is a who-done-it that follows seven strangers isolated in a large house while a killer is on the loose in London. Things get interesting when the cast realizes the killer is inside the house.

“The play is going to be magic that everyone can participate in,” Very Little Theatre General Manager Adrienne West said. “Live theatre is such a nice place to gather and support your community.”

"The Mousetrap" will open on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The play will run Friday to Sunday until September 29th, at 7:30 p.m. for evening shows on Friday and Saturday and matinees on Sunday at 2 p.m.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” will open at the Oregon Contemporary Theatre on Friday. The play follows the “Cornley Drama Society”, an acting troupe attempting to put together a 1920s’ murder mystery. As suggested by the title, everything in the play seems to go wrong.

"The Play That Goes Wrong" will run during the weekends from September 13th to the 29th, for 7:30 p.m. evening shows Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays.

Samantha Pierotti is the food, drinks, and "things to do" reporter at the Register-Guard. With restaurant recommendations or tips on local happenings, you can contact her at spierotti@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Live music, new plays, and flower arranging this weekend in Eugene