Early Wednesday evening, Eugene Fire Department responded to a fire at Southtowne Lanes on Willamette Street and 24th Avenue. As of 7 p.m. Wednesday, access has been restricted on Willamette Street between 24th and 27th avenues.

According to Alan Gerard, a Eugene fire marshal at the site of the fire, everyone inside the building was evacuated. Several bystanders, including a police officer and two employees from Capella Market across the street said that it appeared no one was hurt.

A.J. Lugo, a Capella store clerk, said he noticed smoke and flames around 3:40 p.m. Soon after, ambulances and fire trucks arrived. “I saw the ambulances come, but nobody got taken away,” he said.

Gerard said that his crew got the call around 3:55 p.m., informing them of loud crackling sounds and smoke coming from the rear of the building. They arrived shortly after to find that the back side of the building was on fire.

In the following 30 minutes, the fire enveloped the entire building, and the roof soon collapsed. The firefighters successfully contained the fire, so it did not spread to any nearby structures.

For much of the afternoon, the neighboring building, Polansky Gross dental clinic, had not been evacuated. 

“We’re actually still working,” said Debbie Ward, a dental assistant. “We have a couple patients in there. I don’t think they realize how big this is.”

Meanwhile, a crowd of about 80 people gathered to watch from the market parking lot across the street.

Approximately 30 firefighters were on the scene as of 5 p.m. attempting to contain the fire.

According to Gerard, the fire is contained. At 6 p.m. the flames were no longer visible from the outside of the building, but smoke continued to billow through the streets, intermittently blocking the sun.

Gerard said it’s going to be a while before the area is cleared and the firefighters leave. He estimates they will be there overnight to ensure no flames hiding underneath the layers of debris. They will continue to flood the building to prevent that.

“It depends on how the material in the roof and all that stacks up,” he said. “If it stacks up in such a way that we can’t get water under it, then we have to overhaul. Overhaul is the process where we go in and chase out all the remaining hidden fires.”

As of now, they do not know the cause of the fire, or whether it started inside or outside the building. Investigation will begin during overhaul, once the area is rendered safe.

This story is developing. More updates will be added as more information is released. In the meantime, follow @dailyemerald and @andrearharvey on Twitter for updates.

In the summer of 2011, four boys from Roseburg, Oregon, started a band in the attic of one of their houses on Hemlock Lane — the street that later became their name.

What originated from casual jam sessions morphed into an unofficial John Mayer tribute band, and later grew into something no one had anticipated. Now, the band is overbooking themselves with shows and producing original music — including their most recent single, Halfway There, which was produced with the help of Portland’s Larry Crane and L.A.’s Mark Needham, who has worked with the Killers, Walk the Moon and Imagine Dragons.

Their music has several influences, including The Killers, Young the Giant, even the Beatles and Daft Punk. And those influences are evident in Hemlock Lane’s sound — Halfway There sounds exactly like something you’d hear from Young the Giant.

The current band members include 20-year-old drummer Nate Hansen, 19-year-old vocalist and keyboardist Natty Burmeister, 22-year-old bassist John Queant and 18-year-old guitarist Isaac Brickner. Though the band has included others in the past, these four have been close from the beginning.

“Isaac wasn’t even in high school when I graduated. He was still a middle school kid,” Queant said. “Just this weird, awkward kid who broke a bass string the first time we practiced. And I just remember thinking, ‘Why is this little kid at our practices?’ And it’s so funny because over that summer, he and I became best friends.”

Currently, Queant is “technically a junior” at the University of Oregon, majoring in biology. Hansen is a UO junior majoring in history and minoring in music, Burmeister is attending George Fox and Brickner is at Lane Community College.

Having started as a group of small-town kids, they’ve been doing everything themselves — from managing the band to producing their own songs.

“When we came to Eugene, we were definitely kind of an unusual presence,” Hansen said. “We grew up without anyone to show us the ropes. We learned all of it ourselves through a process of trial and error.”

The most recent single, however, was “the complete antithesis” of how they usually create their music, according to Hansen. It started out as a jam session, and was the first with an outsourced producer, who happened to have worked with one of their favorite bands in the past.

“I just remember one morning, I was getting ready to go to school and Nate called me and told me that Mark really loved our music and wanted to work with us,” Queant said. “I think I ended up skipping school. I was just on my laptop clicking refresh all day, waiting to see when that song would come in.”

With uplifting lyrics complementing a live-in-concert feel, the end product is easily one of the best songs they’ve released so far.

Although the band is taking a break for the summer, they plan to continue performing and producing new music afterward.

To stream or download Hemlock Lane’s newest single, Halfway There, check out their Soundcloud page.

This Saturday, August 1, Eugene’s G-Spot can be found on the corner of Third Avenue and Van Buren Street. The G-Spot Stage that is — one of 11 different stages that will fill the streets of the Whiteaker neighborhood with live music and dancing at the ninth annual Whiteaker Block Party.

Starting at 1 p.m. and continuing until 10 p.m., the block party will feature a variety of games, food carts, craft vendors, a beer garden and a long lineup of local musicians and comedians.

Besides fun, of course, the point of the event is to bring together members of the community and celebrate Eugene’s vibrant Whiteaker neighborhood.

It’s completely organized by volunteers, and will offer free admission and even a coupon for a free day-long bus pass that can be printed from the website — take advantage of that if you decide to drink.

Ninkasi, Wildcraft Cider Works, Papa’s Soul Food, Vanilla Jill’s, Izakaya Meiji, Blairally and Cornerstone Glass are among the many local companies that are sponsoring the event. The full event lineup is online and in the photo below.

THURSDAY, JULY 30:

pARTy on the Plaza: Rezonate A Cappella – 5:30 p.m., Hult Center Plaza, free.

Hear your favorite music of all different genres with a new twist from this Eugene-based a cappella band.

Beers Made by Walking Hike – 6 p.m., Hagen’s Confluence Farm on Ferguson Creek, free.

Beers Made by Walking is a program that uses nature hikes and the outdoors to inspire the brewing of different beers. The hike will be led by local brewers and other volunteers, which could give you a new way to look at nature.

FRIDAY, JULY 31:

Oregon Jamboree Country Music Festival – 1:30 p.m., Sweet Home, OR, $150 for 3-day pass.
Calling all country music lovers! This year’s festival will have 22 musical acts, featuring performances from stars like Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Hunter Hayes and more. So if you’ve happened to be saving up, this is the weekend you’ve been waiting for.

Theater Production of Whoopee! – 7:30 p.m., The Shedd Institute, $20-$36.
This show for all ages will be put on by Shedd Theatricals running through this weekend, and the following weekend with night showings and Sunday matinees. Price discounts can be found on their website.

SATURDAY, AUG. 1:

Shakespeare in the Park –  6 p.m., Amazon Community Center Amphitheater, free.
Theater buffs, grab a blanket and grab your fellow thespians for a night of some old-school romantic comedy with a performance of Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

SUNDAY, AUG. 2:

Blackberry bRamble – 6:30 p.m., Hilyard Community Center, $39 early registration, $49 late.
If you’re looking to get away from campus and the busy streets of Eugene, take a long bike ride through the countryside to encourage non-motorized travel. Blackberry pie and ice cream will meet you at the end.

Concert in the Park: Springfield Community Band – 6:30 p.m., Washburne Park, free.

Local musicians will be featured at this free music performance in the park.

About two years ago, University of Oregon alumnus Will Cuddy arrived to his callback audition for a role in the film Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon.

Nervous, he tried something unusual: He posed like Superman in the nearby restroom and counted down from 120 before heading into the audition.

“I walked in feeling completely at ease,” Cuddy said. “I finished up and walked out knowing I did my best. I never feel like that walking out of an audition.”

Later, he found out that he got the part.

He credits that success to Amy Cuddy (unrelated to Will), a social psychologist and Harvard business professor featured in one of the most viewed TED Talk videos, who created the power stance theory that Will tested before his interview.

Eager to share his story, Will emailed Amy, and the two soon became friends. He even brought her and her husband to the Boston premiere of the film a year later.

Amy’s theory is that holding power stances, such as the Superman pose, for two minutes can increase confidence and decrease stress levels, leading to improved performance at tasks like job interviews.

This TED Talk is one of many offering expert knowledge and advice that have provided people with the kick-start needed to ignite their careers.

Here are a few others to prepare you for your next big interview.

1. Kelly McGonigal: “How to Make Stress your Friend”

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal talks about stress, but tells a side of the story most don’t know. McGonigal says that it has equal power to do good as it has to do bad. Simply knowing and remembering this in the moment can significantly affect the body’s reaction to stress.

The takeaway: If you’re stressed about your next interview, remember that it’s ultimately up to you how your performance is affected by it. If you choose to believe that the stress is destructive, it will be. If you choose to believe that stress is your body’s way of preparing you for a challenge, it will.

2. Alain de Botton: “A kinder, gentler philosophy of success”

In this video, Alain de Botton, a philosopher, criticizes the way our culture views failure and success. In a meritocratic society, he says, one usually believes that success is earned and deserved. Likewise, that also means we believe that failure is equally as earned as deserved. But often times, that’s not the case.

In another TED Talk more focused on failure, economist Larry Smith makes several arguments about why we fail to get our dream jobs.

The takeaway: It’s likely that the chances of you getting the job may depend on your skill just as much as luck. So don’t take rejection too personally. While it’s important to learn as much as we can from these situations, it’s also important to protect your self-esteem.

3. Ashwini Mrinal Bhagat: “What I learned from 32 grueling interviews”

Ashwini Mrinal Bhagat, now a successful TED Global Human Resources team member for State Street India, endured 32 interviews before finally landing a job.

The takeaway: Don’t give up. Like Bhagat, you may have to do several of these. As we learned in the last one, rejection may not always be your fault. But if one thing’s sure, you’re not going to get your dream job if you stop trying.

Above all, TED Talks show us the power of anecdotes. Nearly everyone starts with a story that exemplifies the point they’re about to make.

The ultimate takeaway here is that stories are more powerful, interesting and believable than simple explanations. So instead of telling your potential future employer how much of a “team player” you are, tell them a story about a time when you helped lead your team to success.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to let your personality show. Chances are you’re not the first qualified candidate they’ve interviewed, so give them a reason to remember you above the rest.

Last week, the University of Oregon lost an accomplished and ambitious student, Pedro Rivera.

Pedro was a 21-year-old economics major who would have graduated in 2016, a three-year employee of the Architecture & Allied Arts Library, a son, a big brother, a boyfriend, a friend.

Many who knew him have expressed grief over the loss, but more than anything, they are grateful to have had him in their lives.

Here’s what they had to say:

“Pedro was the first one in our family to do everything — to learn English, finish high school and go to college, and he did it with such grace and perfection. He made everyone smile, he hyped us up in the mornings, and was so excited to live and learn everything he possibly could. He taught me so much and did everything for our family. He is perhaps the greatest human being this earth has ever had the honor of having. My family and I loved him so much. I am so blessed to have spent these years with him.”

—Ruth Rivera, UO student, Pedro’s sister

“Pedro was an amazing older brother. He helped me in everything, and inspired me every day. My favorite days spent with him were the nights we stayed up till 3 a.m. talking about his hopes and dreams. He would tell me he wanted to be an architect one day and build the tallest buildings in the world, or be the CEO of a company. He was so full of life and so driven. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother. I know his time was cut short, but I’m the luckiest person in the world because I got Pedro as a brother.”

—Evelyn Rivera, UO student, Pedro’s sister

“It is hard to express how truly special Pedro was. He was brilliant, always thinking and always asking questions about everything he was thinking. He loved understanding things, fixing things and finding solutions to problems. He was kind, generous, open hearted and very, very funny.”

—Karen Bankole, A&AA Library manager, Pedro’s supervisor

“There’s nothing I can ever say to describe what the world is missing because of Pedro not being with us anymore. My only hope is that his family and friends can try to remember all the positive things that he did for the world while he was with us, and try to carry that on through the rest of their lives. He’s completely irreplaceable.”

—Alan Sylvestre, UO alum, Pedro’s friend and co-worker

“Pedro had a big, open heart and mind. I think, almost every time I saw him, he would ask me a question, some procedural, but most were about architecture or art: What does this term mean? When did that start? Why does that look like that? He was funny, he had a spark and he was the kind of person you want to see when you need your faith in humanity restored. He had grand plans for the future and I have no doubt that he would have accomplished them and the world would have been a better place because of that.”

—Martha González Palacios, A&AA librarian, Pedro’s co-worker

“Pedro Rivera was an exceptional employee whose cheerful demeanor at the service desk was welcomed by library users and staff alike. He had a genuine interest in people and was adept at conversation. I often get our student employee opinions about library matters because they have unique perceptions of academic life and library use — Pedro had many insights and ideas to share, which I valued. He will be greatly missed at A&AA Library, but will always have a special place in our hearts and minds.”

—Ed Teague, A&AA Library head

“He was one of the most kind hearted, generous people I knew. He was always willing to help out with shifts and ready to have fun outside of work.”

—Erica Leishman, Pedro’s co-worker

“Pedro was such a smart, driven, ambitious guy. And a good friend. There are so many people who are going to miss him.”

—Zoe Ace, Pedro’s co-worker

Cheerful. Generous. Inquisitive. Driven. The kind of person that restores your faith in humanity.

These were the words used again and again by family, friends, colleagues and mentors to describe Pedro Rivera, who would have been a senior economics major at the University of Oregon this fall.

Pedro, 21, was found dead in his Eugene apartment on July 15. The cause of death is still unknown, according to his sister, Ruth Rivera, though evidence suggests it was due to natural causes.

Pedro was born in Inglewood, California, and as a young child moved to southern Oregon, where he graduated from Phoenix High School in 2012.

During his three years at UO, he was continuously recognized for his academic achievement. He was on the Dean’s List several times, volunteered with Eugene’s Centro Latino Americano’s youth mentoring program and was awarded the Diversity Excellence Scholarship and the Alanson H. Kleinsorge Economics Scholarship. He was also in the McNair Scholars Program, preparing for graduate school leading to a Ph.D.

Meanwhile, he worked 20 hours a week at the Architecture and Allied Arts Library, and maintained close relationships with his friends, family and girlfriend of four years, UO student Sophia Pankowski.

Pedro Rivera and his sister, Evelyn Rivera. (Photo uploaded to Evelyn Rivera’s Facebook June 2014.)

Alan Sylvestre, a UO alumnus who graduated last year, worked at the A&AA Library with Pedro for about two years. They quickly became friends on and off the job, occasionally meeting between classes to study, run or play frisbee when the sun was out.

“I think the best way to describe Pedro is ‘selfless,’” he said.

One morning last year, they arrived around 8 to an opening shift at the library. Before getting to work, the two talked briefly, and Sylvestre explained that he missed breakfast because he slept in late. Despite being on crutches with a broken leg at the time, Pedro surprised Sylvestre by attempting to buy him breakfast at the nearby cafe.

“I didn’t even notice until he was hobbling about halfway down the hall,” Sylvestre said, laughing.

Pedro was obliging and ambitious as a friend, but also as an employee.

“I still remember going to library personnel to look at student job applications. Pedro had just left after filling one out. Someone handed his application to me and said, ‘This kid is really great,’ and it was absolutely true,” said Karen Bankole, Pedro and Sylvestre’s supervisor.

“He was brilliant and was always thinking and always asking questions about everything he was thinking. He loved understanding things and fixing things and finding solutions to problems,” Bankole said.

Pedro’s two younger sisters, Ruth and Evelyn Rivera, are also UO students and A&AA Library employees. The trio was as close as siblings can be.

“Pedro was an amazing older brother,” Evelyn said. “He was young, but very wise.”

Evelyn said her favorite memories of Pedro included the nights they spent talking about their dreams until 3 a.m. From “becoming the CEO of a company” to “becoming a senator,” Pedro’s dreams had no limit.

All he knew for sure was that he wanted to help people, to make positive change. He was determined to make that a reality, Evelyn said.

“There’s nothing I can ever say to describe what the world is missing because of Pedro not being with us anymore,” Sylvestre said. “He’s completely irreplaceable.”

Pedro’s funeral took place July 24. The Rivera family is asking for donations to help out with the funeral expenses, which can be given through their GoFundMe page.

Follow Andrea Harvey on Twitter: @andrearharvey. 

By Jordyn Brown

This Saturday, from 2-10 p.m., locals can experience the second annual Westside Warehouse District Block Party, a celebration of wines, beers and other spirits in West Eugene.

This event is free and open to anyone 21 or older, who can help themselves to beverages provided by Noble Estate Winery and J. Scott Cellars, among others, and pair them with dinner and dessert from food trucks and an ice cream wagon. This will all also be accompanied by live music throughout the event.

So, if you’re feeling a little tired of the bar scene this weekend, designate a driver and take your friends to party for free, on the 500 block of Commercial St. in Eugene. This is only a one-day event with plenty of activity to offer.

THURSDAY, JULY 16:

Party on the Plaza: Bounce Circus Arts – 5:30 p.m., Hult Center Plaza, free.

For those kids at heart who still wish they could fly, there will be a partyon the Plaza this week featuring Bounce Circus Arts – a local performing group that specializes in aerial dance, acro yoga, contortion and more.

Concert in the Park: Abbey Road Live – 5:30 p.m., Washington Jefferson Urban Plaza, free.

If you are a self-proclaimed hipster who proudly sings along to The Beatles, check out the Concert in the Park this week featuring Abbey Road Live.

FRIDAY, JULY 17:

Emerald Empire Hempfest – Friday through Sunday, Maurie Jacobs Park, free.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the annual Emerald Empire Hempfest, a weekend of family-friendly activities, music and more in celebration of hemp.

Movie in the Park: Up – 9 p.m., Awbrey Park, free.

Release your inner child at this week’s Movie in the Park, where they’ll be showing Pixar’s Up.

SATURDAY, JULY 18:

7th Annual Eugene Symphony in the Park – 8 p.m., Cuthbert Amphitheater, free.

For those who need a break from the music on the radio, this weekend marks the seventh Annual Eugene Symphony in the Park. While this event won’t cost you anything, tickets are still required.

SUNDAY, JULY 19:

DJ Dance Party in the Park – 3 p.m, University Park, free.

And if you just can’t get enough of the radio sound, but need to mix it up a little, head to the DJ Dance Party in the Park this Sunday.

The Oregon Bach Festival (OBF), which the Wall Street Journal has called “one of the world’s leading music festivals,” is coming to a close this weekend.

The donor-supported program of the University of Oregon has received international attention, drawing musicians from all over the world to participate in its events. One of the most renowned has been the Conducting Master Class, which is taught by a trio of established, expert conductors from around the world.

For the past three weeks in Eugene and Portland, OBF has put on a number of events every single day, ranging from performances by vocalists like Storm Large, to internationally acclaimed duos like violinist Ida Kavafian and pianist Peter Serkin.

As the festival approaches its grand finale this Sunday evening, there are still a variety of events happening each day that are open to the public. Here is a brief but comprehensive list of what’s left on the OBF calendar. (For more information, click on the event links below.)

On the House: Estonian Girl’s TV Choir — Soreng Theater, Hult Center, Friday, 1-2 p.m., free

Canadian Brass’ Family Fanfare — Silva Concert Hall, Hult Center, Friday, 7:30-9:30 p.m., $15-58

OBF Kids: Super Powers! — Soreng Theater, Hult Center, Saturday, 10-11 a.m., $7.50-10

On the House: PICFEST Choirs from Florida and Pennsylvania — Hult Center Lobby, Saturday, 1-2 p.m., free

Joe Powers & Friends — Soreng Theater, Hult Center, Saturday, 7:30-9:30 p.m., $35-40

Pre-concert lecture, Inside Line: Mahler’s Symphony No.2 — Soreng Theater, Hult Center, Sunday, 2-2:45 p.m., free

Mahler’s Symphony No.2 — Silva Concert Hall, Hult Center, Sunday, 7:30-9:30 p.m., $15-68

JULY 10-12: THE 46TH OREGON COUNTRY FAIR 

Attending this three-day, regionally famous fair will set you back about $25, but if you’re coming from inside Lane County you won’t need to worry about transportation. Lane Transit District is offering free rides this weekend.

With events beginning and ending around 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day, coupled with the 80 food vendors that have set up shop in Veneta for the weekend, you can expect to be well-fed and entertained for the entirety of this weekend.

Read our full event preview here.

If classical music or fairs don’t suit your fancy, we’ve also got you covered. Here’s our usual day-by-day guide to the weekend.

FRIDAY, JULY 10:

Movies in the Park: D2: The Mighty Ducks — 9 p.m., Peterson Park, free

Break out the blankets and picnic baskets — the Movies in the Park event series continues this week with the 1994 Disney sports dramedy D2: The Mighty Ducks, starring Emilio Estevez (a.k.a. Andrew Clark from The Breakfast Club). Rated PG, 107 minutes.

FOREVERLAND — Electrifying 14 piece tribute to Michael Jackson — HiFi Music Hall, 9 p.m., $16

Calling all MJ fans: This San Fransisco tribute band isn’t like most others. You won’t find any tacky impersonations or mediocre dancing skills here. Rather, they aim to honor the late King of Pop with a 14-piece musical experience, comprised of nationally acclaimed musicians that have toured the country. If you aren’t sold quite yet, watch this video. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online until 12 a.m. the night before.

SATURDAY, JULY 11:

Concerts in the Park: Platypus Clarinet Orchestra — 6:30-7:30 p.m., Washburne Park, free

Continuing the free Concerts in the Park event series, Platypus Clarinet Orchestra will perform on Saturday evening. The musical group includes over 20 players from Eugene and Corvallis. Its unique sound is described as big and warm, “like a pipe-organ made of wood,” and its repertoire includes a wide variety of international orchestral and folk music.

Movies in the Park: Maleficent — 9 p.m., State Street Park, free

Can’t make it to Friday’s Movies in the Park? No worries — you’ll have another chance on Saturday. The 2014 action-adventure Disney film “Maleficent” is inspired by the Disney classic, “Sleeping Beauty.” It tells a slightly different version; this tale shows the woman who was formerly seen as the villain. Starring talented actors Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning, this film is perfect for anyone in the family. Rated PG, 97 minutes.

SUNDAY, JULY 12:

Burrito Brigade! — Lorax Manner, 1658 Alder St., 12 p.m. (additional location and time below)

The UO student cooperative house Lorax Manner lends a helping hand to the community by participating in Burrito Brigade, a Eugene group that aims to feed hungry community members through a network of personal donors and nonprofit partnerships. They are in need of kitchen prep volunteers this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Occupy Medical on 8th Avenue and Oak Street (the park blocks.) They are also requesting donations (which can be dropped off or picked up) for things like produce, beans, rice, foil and reusable water bottles.

Have an event you think should be included in the Emerald’s Wknd Calendar? Email the summer Arts & Culture team at summerwknd@dailyemerald.com, or tag us (@dailyemerald) in a tweet.

Follow Andrea Harvey on Twitter @andrearharvey.

The University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History has refined the perfect recipe for the first Wednesday of each month: It includes a scholarly blend of local craft beer and thought-provoking discussions with experts about the science, ecology and cultural history behind it all.

“Ideas on Tap will provide opportunities for community members to interact with researchers and professionals – but in a relaxed, non-academic setting that encourages everyone to participate,” Lauren Willis, the museum’s programs and exhibitions developer, told the UO’s “Around the O” online newsletter last January. “And of course, it’ll be an opportunity to enjoy some terrific local beer.”

For the past six months, the MNCH has held these free events from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at breweries, taphouses and pubs, drawing in a small audience of students, professors and other members of the community. They cover all sorts of topics related to beer and the brewing industry, from brewing science to hops history or even climate justice.

The series was hosted at Sam Bond’s Garage in the Whitaker for the first few months, before coming to it’s current location at Claim 52.

“Many of the issues that will be discussed at Ideas on Tap have a direct effect on our business, its customers and the community,” said Jim Montgomery of Sam Bond’s Brewing Co. in the same UO article. “We hope that our brewery’s involvement will bring craft beer enthusiasts to the table to share in this knowledge.”

In addition to Sam Bond’s Brewing Co. and Claim 52 Brewing, the series has recruited the involvement of several other local companies, such as Falling Sky Brewing, Newman’s Fish Company, WildCraft Cider Works and more. The project has been a successful marketing and educational collaboration that has benefited both the museum and the craft beer industry.

The last event on July 1 covered the topic of “Aroma Hop Cultivars and the Craft Beer Industry,” exploring how new cultivars can expand flavor and aroma possibilities for craft beers. It was led by Oregon State University’s Shaun Townsend, an Assistant Professor and hops breeder and specialist who has contributed to numerous studies and articles written about hops and craft beer. (Check out one of his interviews here.)

Next up on the menu is a discussion about the connections between cider making and environmental stewardship with WildCraft Cider Works’ Sean Kelly. Kelly will be focusing on the history of apples in Oregon, the relationships between abandoned orchards and natural habitats and the sustainable harvesting of cider’s raw materials.

WildCraft Cider Works is the only cidery in Eugene and prides itself on its many varieties of seasonal, small-batch dry ciders — both on tap and bottled in flavors ranging from rose to ginger.

The next (free) Ideas on Tap event is August 5, 7-9 p.m. at Claim 52 Brewery at 1030 Tyinn Street. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. For more information on the series or the upcoming event, visit the MNCH website or find the event on the UO website’s event calendar.

Starting on Thursday and continuing until Sunday evening, the Eugene Pro Rodeo welcomes members of the community to partake in one of Eugene’s old traditions at the Oregon Horse Center.

Founded in 1991, and a part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Eugene Pro Rodeo offers four days of events and activities, from cowhide racing to dancing and even some opportunities to win cash prizes.

In honor of Independence Day, a special celebration will take place at the rodeo on Saturday evening. After the daytime rodeo events, a fireworks show will start at 9:50 p.m., followed by a dance until 1 a.m.

For more details on the daily events and ticketing information, visit the website or the Facebook page.

Here are some other events going on this weekend.

THURSDAY, JULY 2:

pARTy on the Plaza: Fefafe, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, 5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m., free

In Susu, a language spoken in Guinea, West Africa, “fefafe” means “something good is coming.” Here in Eugene, it’s also the name of a dance and drumming performance group that presents the traditional culture and sounds of Guinea. See it for yourself tonight at the Hult Center.

Robert Meade Live, First National Taphouse, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., free

Originally from Santa Cruz, the now-local musician Robert Meade has become a nationally acclaimed hidden gem, as he toured the country last year with his upbeat and soulful folk-rock sound and authentic lyrics, eliciting positive reviews from fans and the media.

FRIDAY, JULY 3:

Free First Friday, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free

Free admission to the UO museum is available to anyone this Friday, as part of the monthly Free First Friday event. Current exhibits include Explore Oregon, Road Trip! The Roadside Geology of Oregon, Highlights of the Jensen Arctic Collection, Site Seeing: Snapshots of Historical Archaeology in Oregon, Oregon – Where Past is Present, Tradition Keepers – Shayleen Macy, Geophotography and Scientific at the Core. Click on the title links to learn more about each exhibit.

MUSE at Art and the Vineyard, Alton Baker Park, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday until 6 p.m.

The Museums of Springfield and Eugene (MUSE) will have a booth at Art and the Vineyard this weekend. The Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Cascade Raptor Center, Wayne Morse Ranch and the Science Factory will offer various activities for all ages. See event link for more info and ticket pricing.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Emeralds vs. Vancouver, PK Park, July 4-8, see website for game times, $7-$13

Eugene’s minor league baseball team, the Emeralds, take on the Vancouver Canadians starting this Saturday, and continuing with a game each night until Wednesday, July 8. Game times and ticket prices vary — click the event link for more details. On July 4 the Emeralds will have a fireworks show post-game.

Concerts in the Park: Eugene Symphonic Band, Washburne City Park, 6:30-7:30 p.m., free

As part of the summer Concerts in the Park series, Eugene Symphonic Band returns for its annual 4th of July performance. Bring your friends, some snacks, some lawn chairs or a blanket, and head over to Washburne City Park to participate in Eugene’s Independence Day tradition.

For information on Fourth of July firework shows in your area, check out our guide published earlier this week.

SUNDAY, JULY 5:

Concerts in the Park: Left Coast Sax Quartet, Washbourne City Park, 6:30-7:30 p.m., free

The former Eugene Symphony musicians of the Left Coast Saxophone Quartet expertly mix many styles: ragtime, Latin, jazz, klezmer and classical. See them perform live in a free outdoor concert for all ages this Sunday.

Chamber Music Northwest: Mozart and Ralph’s Old Records, 7:30-9 p.m., Beall Concert Hall, UO campus, $15-$52

Presented by Oregon Bach Festival, this concert will include the world debut of nationally-acclaimed composer Kenji Bunch’s new quintet, Ralph’s Old Records. The program will also include Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D Major and String Quintet in D Major.

Have an event you think the Emerald should include in its Wknd Calendar? Email the summer arts & culture team at summerwknd@dailyemerald.com.

Follow Andrea Harvey on Twitter @andrearharvey.