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From whale watching to a gem faire, these local events have it all

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

There are many springtime events happening through the Oregon area that can help with looming boredom. Ranging from Eugene to Dallas, some of these events are in person, while others can be attended virtually. If people are still looking for something to do for Spring Break while safely social distancing, it can be useful to know the latest happenings around town.

Eugene

Gem Faire. March 26 through 28, 12 p.m to 5 p.m. $7 admission fee. Located at the Lane County Events Center. Additional details can be found at gemfaire.com.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. March 19 through May 2. Monday through Friday: 9 a.m to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunrise Entry: 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Additional details can be found at woodenshoe.com.

Portland

March Medicinal Marketplace and Plant Sale. March 28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located at the Medicine Garden. Additional details can be found at stayhappening.com.
Monthly Plant Walk: Early Bloomers. Event by The Arctos School of Herbal and Botanical Studies. March 26, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Class location TBA within the Portland Metro area, limited class size, must register by March 22. Additional details can be found at arctosschool.org.
National Crafting Month with The Craft Factory. March 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Currently offering curbside pickup or free delivery of supplies. Additional details can be found at craftfactorypdx.com.

Salem

22nd Annual Clay Ball: Through the Looking Glass. March 20, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Virtual streaming event. Additional details can be found at salemart.org.

Oregon Coast

Oregon Spring Whale Watching Week. March 20 through 28. Additional details can be found at gowherewhen.com.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

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St. Patrick’s Day folklore to explore

Try these traditions and check out some St. Paddy’s Day folklore

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will look a little different this year without large gatherings and events, but there’s still fun to be had in the various traditions and folklore that revolve around the holiday. Traditionally, the day honors the death of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. Over time, people continued to recognize Irish culture ⏤ often involving elaborate get-togethers with food, dancing, music and wearing green clothing. Consider looking at these traditions and tidbits of folklore to get into the festive spirit come Wednesday, March 17.

Legends believe that the shamrock became a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, partly because they also believe that St. Patrick used the three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity in his teachings.
St. Patrick used to be associated with the color blue, but green fell into favor and has been associated with the holiday ever since.
It has also become custom for people to pinch each other for not wearing green, as it is seen as bad luck.
In ancient Ireland, shamrocks are considered to be sacred and symbolize the rebirth of spring.
The odds of finding a four leaf clover on the first try is one in ten thousand, which makes it extremely lucky to find one.
Leprechauns date back to Celtic mythology and are believed to be fairy-like creatures in Irish folklore, which connected them to St. Paddy’s Day. It is said that they are dressed in green, are mischievous and live in remote areas, where they make little shoes and protect their gold.
Corned beef and cabbage have been a staple dish for this gathering for years, but corned beef really came into popularity for Irish-American families who used it as a substitute for traditional Irish bacon.
In 1962, Chicago dyed a portion of the Chicago River green to celebrate the holiday, which has since become a long-standing tradition for the area. Although there were no gatherings for the event this year, the city still dyed the river green to show their spirit.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

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Grab some popcorn and catch these latest local plays

Western presents “Little Prisons: A Series of Short Plays by Portland Playwrights”

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

There are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the performing arts from home, and local theater events are still happening throughout the year to provide some much needed entertainment. Beginning Mar. 6 Western’s theater students will be live streaming their upcoming event, “Little Prisons: A Series of Short Plays by Portland Playwrights,” which is directed by Jessica Wallenfels. This performance highlights four plays written by local playwrights, all of which will be free to watch. There will also be various streaming methods to accommodate different schedules — some will be pre-recorded, while others will be streamed live.

The plays featured will have a wide range of topics and themes, the titles being: “The Third Prisoner” by EM Lewis, “A Wing and a Prayer” by Josie Seid, “Three Love Songs” by Anya Pearson and “Joy Fricken Hates her Stupid Dumb Room” by Sara Jean Accuardi.

These local art performances can be found on WOUTV and will be available to stream at 7 p.m. on Mar. 6, and will be available on demand until Mar. 8 at midnight. To learn more about the event and to support the local arts, check out the theater department’s Instagram, @woutheatredepartment, or their Facebook page, @WOU Theatre Department.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

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‌Daft Punk’s era has come to an end

Exploring Daft Punk’s unique goodbye YouTube video

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

The world of music received some surprising news at the end of February: legendary French duo Daft Punk has announced the band’s break up. After performing together for 28 years, Daft Punk released a nearly eight minute long YouTube video titled “Epilogue,” which shows an interesting farewell between the two artists. As of the video’s release on Feb. 22, it has racked up over 23 million views, and the message portrayed through the footage is that of an authentic, creative and explosive goodbye.

Thomas Bangalter and Guillaume Emmanuel “Guy-Manuel” de Homem-Christo are seen in their iconic, shiny robot helmets and are shown walking forward, surrounded by a deserted landscape. The two walk at different paces, with Bangalter stopping and watching Homem-Christo walk off into the distance.

The two share a short stare, and Homem-Christo returns to Bangalter to stand face-to-face — in this case, it’s chrome helmet to helmet. The rest of the video continues with Homem-Christo setting off a timer on Bangalter’s back, only for Bangalter to walk onward and then explode. The ending of the video shows each of their hands coming together to form a brightly glowing triangle, with the years “1993–2021” below it. For the final few minutes, the viewer is left with the final image of a figure ⏤ presumably Homem-Christo ⏤ walking toward the sunset.

Their cryptic goodbye video is exactly what should be expected from Daft Punk after all these years, as they gave their audience one final show and ended with their own flair. While the video doesn’t offer a reason as to why the band is splitting up, it does provide a final farewell and nod to their musical legacy since their debut album, “Homework,” released in 1997.

Since the near three decades of performing and music making, Daft Punk leaves fans around the world with their beloved electro hits and singles, “Around the World,” “Da Funk,” “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” “One More Time” and “Get Lucky.” Thankfully, their existing music can still be streamed, but many were shocked and saddened to hear that they’re done collaborating for now. Daft Punk’s publicist has confirmed the group’s retirement, but did not elaborate on if they are pursuing new projects under different names.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

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Embroidery is one of life’s thimblest pleasures

Embroidery is the latest activity to try from home

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌

Through the last year, people have had to get creative with their activities and pastimes. The world went through a collective bread baking phase and making the TikTok famous whipped Dalgona coffee, but there’s one activity that’s been overlooked. Embroidery has long been used throughout history to adorn and craft clothing items or to make elaborate art pieces. It continues to be a popular and eclectic activity, with a variety of ways to mix materials and try new designs.

The starting materials don’t have to cost the artist a lot of money, and many smaller items can be found around the house or at an art store. It’s a hands on project that requires practice and patience, but it pays off to see the finished product. Here are some insider knowledge, tips and tricks that can make it easier to enjoy:

Starter supplies:

Key items for any beginner embroiderer would be a wooden or plastic embroidery hoop or frame, a set of needles, thread of the artist’s choosing, fabric and sharp scissors.

I find it useful to have a small pouch or container to keep supplies in, and it helps keep some of the smaller items organized.

Hoops, frames, fabrics and embroidery patterns can be found in thrift stores at low price points and often be bought in bulk.

Optional supplies:

There are specialty embroidery scissors that one can use, which tend to be smaller and sharper than traditional scissors — they are also often decorated or embossed.

A thimble is small but mighty, and it can protect sensitive fingertips from the threading and sewing process.

Using a very small amount of thread conditioner or beeswax can prevent tangling and knotting. If using a conditioner kit, lightly take the thread that is being used and run it along with the conditioning agent, while pressing against the thread with a finger. Then, pull the thread between two fingers to remove any static.

Learn the stitches:

Knowing the difference between a French Knot, a Running Stitch, Chain Stitch, Stem or Split Stitch, Long and Short Stitches, Woven Wheels and Lazy Daisy Loops will help narrow down which ones should be used for the desired effect.

Take it slow at first; consider watching YouTube videos and practicing on cheaper fabric to get the hang of it.

Watch out for pulling stitches too tight, which can distort the fabric and overall design.

Overlapping stitches can provide a lush look for flowers or nature scenes.

Stitches that involve knots can be perfect for finer details or building texture.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

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Podcasts: true crime for killing time

A collection of podcasts for true crime junkies

Rylie Horrall | Managing Editor

According to forbes.com, podcasts are beginning to become a mainstream form of entertainment. With the medium’s diverse options for listeners, it’s easy for anyone to find something they would enjoy. For those interested in true crime thrillers and mysteries of the like, check out these podcasts.

“Ear Hustle” ⏤ This podcast tells the daily realities of inmates in California’s San Quentin State Prison and their lives post-incarceration, and is the first to be created and produced in an actual prison. Told by current and former inmates themselves, the episodes feature difficult, humorous and honest stories for listeners on Stitcher, Spotify and RadioPublic. More information and episodes can be found on their website, earhustlesq.com.
“S-Town” ⏤ A branch from the creators of “This American Life” ⏤ a popular podcast series about life stories ⏤ host Brian Reed explores the story of John, a man from Alabama that hates his town and wants to dig up information about a wealthy family. Supposedly, the son of this family has gotten away with murder, and more mysteries and death are unearthed during this search for the truth. Listen to it now on Stitcher, RadioPublic and stownpodcast.org.
“True Crime All The Time” — An anthology of true crime stories by Wondery, “True Crime All The Time” focuses on lesser known cases, sparing no details. The hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson claim they “don’t take themselves too seriously, but take true crime very seriously,” providing relief amongst serious discussions. Those who like this podcast can also listen to Wondery’s various other true crime podcasts. Listen on Stitcher, Spotify and their website wondery.com.
“True Crime Garage” ⏤ A new case is covered every week on this podcast. Whether it’s local horror stories or headline news, cold or open cases, serial killers or unsolved mysteries, hosts Nic and the Captain provide ample entertainment for their listeners. All episodes ⏤ past and present ⏤ are available on Stitcher, Soundcloud and their website truecrimegarage.com.
“And That’s Why We Drink” ⏤ Hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz take their listeners on both paranormal and true crime journeys every Sunday. Covering terrifying cases of ghosts and killers, their motto is “The world’s a scary place. And that’s why we drink!” Episodes and more can be found on their website ⏤ andthatswhywedrink.com ⏤ Spotify, Stitcher and Apple Podcasts.
“Down the Hill” ⏤ Each episode uncovers more information about the murder of two girls, Abby and Libby, from Delphi, Indiana ⏤ a case that is still open today. A recording of the killer’s voice from a phone call still remains the biggest clue in this three-year-old mystery, and investigators have yet to apprehend the culprit. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and their website downthehillpodcast.com.
“Ear Hustle” ⏤ This podcast tells the daily realities of inmates in California’s San Quentin State Prison and their lives post-incarceration, and is the first to be created and produced in an actual prison. Told by current and former inmates themselves, the episodes feature difficult, humorous and honest stories for listeners on Stitcher, Spotify and RadioPublic. More information and episodes can be found on their website, earhustlesq.com.
“Mommy Doomsday” ⏤ A podcast from Dateline NBC, it focuses on the children of Lori Vallow from Rexburg, Idaho, who disappeared in September three years ago ⏤ a bizarre and haunting story of death, deception and Doomsday that’s available for listeners on Stitcher and Apple Podcasts.
“S-Town” ⏤ A branch from the creators of “This American Life” ⏤ a popular podcast series about life stories ⏤ host Brian Reed explores the story of John, a man from Alabama that hates his town and wants to dig up information about a wealthy family. Supposedly, the son of this family has gotten away with murder, and more mysteries and death are unearthed during this search for the truth. Listen to it now on Stitcher, RadioPublic and stownpodcast.org.
“Serial” ⏤ Made once again by the creators of “This American Life,” one story is uncovered over the course of a full season. Full of twists and turns amongst the plot and characters, even the narrators don’t know what happens at the end. Current and past episodes can be found on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and serialpodcast.org.
“True Crime All The Time” — An anthology of true crime stories by Wondery, “True Crime All The Time” focuses on lesser known cases, sparing no details. The hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson claim they “don’t take themselves too seriously, but take true crime very seriously,” providing relief amongst serious discussions. Those who like this podcast can also listen to Wondery’s various other true crime podcasts. Listen on Stitcher, Spotify and their website wondery.com.
“True Crime Garage” ⏤ A new case is covered every week on this podcast. Whether it’s local horror stories or headline news, cold or open cases, serial killers or unsolved mysteries, hosts Nic and the Captain provide ample entertainment for their listeners. All episodes ⏤ past and present ⏤ are available on Stitcher, Soundcloud and their website truecrimegarage.com.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

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AppleTV+ presents Billie Eilish’s latest artistic creation

Billie Eilish’s debut documentary is an instant hit with fans

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

It’s no doubt that Billie Eilish continues to dominate the music industry with her creative and haunting music, but this time she took a new approach in highlighting her journey to fame with her debut documentary, “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry.” Released in select theaters and on AppleTV+ as of Feb. 26, the two-and-a-half-hour-long documentary covers everything that fans could want to know about the latest year in Eilish’s life.

Director R.J. Cutler provides an exclusive look at key moments from the crafting of her latest album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” to her subsequent winning of the Big Four awards at the Grammys.

In the documentary’s trailer, which is available on YouTube, the audience can hear Eilish steadily saying, “I look into the crowd, and I see that every single person in there is going through something, and I have the same problems. I was like, ‘Why don’t I turn this into art, instead of just living with it?’”

The film covers Eilish in a way the public hasn’t seen before, showcasing her personal relationships and creative process, along with the quick-paced world of the music industry and the pressure of staying authentic while in a position of superstardom. Viewers can gain a better understanding of her personal life, with the documentary containing vulnerable scenes and conversations with her family, and the toll that fame took on young Eilish’s mental and physical health. The film takes time to address her mental health struggles and battle with self-harm, and how she turns to her music and creative process to combat her depression and suicidal thoughts.

Diving further into her private life, Eilish speaks more on her relationship and breakup with rapper Brandon Adams, also known as 7:AMP, who is nicknamed “Q” through the film. There’s also plenty of footage from her concerts, tours and behind-the-scenes clips in her childhood bedroom turned music studio. At one point in the film, Eilish delves into her creative process with her brother Finneas O’Connell when forming the album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”

By the end of “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry,” fans can fully appreciate the way director Cutler showcases Eilish’s journey of being an authentic and grounded person, while also being one of the most talked about and heavily awarded music artists in the industry.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, reach out to friends, family or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

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Enjoy the sunshine with these spring events

St. Patrick’s Day folklore to explore

Grab some popcorn and catch these latest local plays

‌Daft Punk’s era has come to an end

Embroidery is one of life’s thimblest pleasures

Podcasts: true crime for killing time

AppleTV+ presents Billie Eilish’s latest artistic creation

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