Entertainment Roundup: fifty-seven miles of music to pick from

By BEN OLSON/for The Herald  —  “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” is an oft-cited Lewis Carroll quote that, true as it is, is not quite correct. Of course, it is from Alice in Wonderland. 

In Carroll’s altered reality, the conversation between the disoriented Alice and the mysterious Cheshire Cat went like this: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go.” 

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” said the cat. “I don’t much care where,” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” said the cat. “–So long as I get SOMEWHERE!” Alice added, as an explanation. “Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the cat, “if only you walk long enough.”

That really has nothing to do with this week’s entertainment lineup. At the far eastern extreme of the Highway 58 corridor is beautiful Lake Odell, and on the east end of that lake stands Lake Odell Lodge. Although they’ve been open for business throughout the winter, their entertainment schedule kicks in this week. 

At the eastern end of Hwy 58

This Saturday evening, Kelly Thibodeaux and Scott Hitchings will be out on the deck, weather permitting, May 28, from 6 until 8 p.m. Kelly’s Cajun fiddle, accompanied by Scott on the keyboards will have everyone up and dancing. 

Odell Lake Lodge serves a dinner menu and has a full bar. No cover charge for the live music. Musical acts are scheduled every Saturday night until Labor Day.

Down the hill in Oakridge, Memorial Day weekend will start Thursday night, May 26, at the 3 Legged Crane on 1st Street. The Song Dawgz will be howling at the moon from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. It is an open mic, so bring your bagpipes, or what have you. 

On Saturday night, May 28, Buffalo Romeo will be making their first trip back to Oakridge in some time. Lea sings some wonderful original songs, as well as some choice covers and Keenan may be the best guitar picker west of the Snake River. Show time is at 7 p.m. 

There is no cover charge for musical events at the Crane. They serve a sandwich and appetizer menu and have a fine selection of hand crafted beers and ales.

Just down 1st street a few blocks, the Deep Woods Distillery will start their live music season with a “Raise the Rent” party on Friday afternoon, May 27, with cocktail hour commencing at 5 p.m. 

I’ll be playing my guitar there from 5 until 7 as Mick and Cindy begin another chapter in the ongoing saga of the Insensitive Wetlands. No cover charge for this event.

Further east on Highway 58 at the Lion Mountain Bakery, I’ll be playing the earliest secular music in Lane County when I do my Sunday morning set, beginning at 9 a.m. I’ll be playing my ukulele or my stand-up bass, although never at the same time. 

Sometime short of 11 a.m., I’ll be making way for Broken Horn to play his song stylings from the classic era of rock and pop music. Broken Horn plays until 1 p.m. 

The Lion Mountain Bakery serves both a breakfast and lunch menu in a comfortable, spacious atmosphere. There is no cover charge for live music.

At the western end of Hwy 58

Twenty miles closer to Eugene, near milepost 13 is the Dexter Lake Club. This Tuesday, May 24, at 5 p.m. I’ll be there with my guitar playing old familiar tunes, warming up the crowd for the acoustic jam session and open mic hosted by Brian Chevalier and Craig Sorseth. 

On Sundays, Brian is back with a different cast of characters playing a rock and roll jam session. Both shows begin at 6:30 p.m. and there is no cover charge for these events. 

The Dexter Lake Club offers a sandwich and dinner menu and has a full bar. For more information, call 541 581 3000.

Now that you know where the live music is, and when it happens, you know that not just any road is going to get you where you’re going. You will have to travel up or down Highway 58. Support live music and the musicians who make it!