Our booking coordinator Hannah put together the amazing lineup for the free and upcoming Summer Series. This exciting series features a wide array of performances every Thursday in July & August.
Summer is my absolute favorite season. I love the hot weather and all the outdoor activities. I love not having to pack a cardigan when I leave the house. And as much as I love shoes, I love being barefoot even more. Summer also means that we are getting ready for another series of unique and energizing performances on our beloved little plaza here at the Hult Center.
This year, we have artists ranging from very local student groups to nationally touring acts, representing genres from Mexican folk dance and flamenco, to soul, funk, European jazz, and bluegrass. You just never know what you’re going to get and that’s all part of the fun! We want everyone to come see it all. You might discover your next favorite group or sound. Or maybe the tiny humans in your life will be inspired to pursue a new practice!
The beauty of this series is its financial accessibility. You don’t need to buy a ticket. You don’t even need to commit for the full hour (of course we hope you do). You can come and go as you please. Running late? No problem! Show up when you can and enjoy the rest of the performance. Grab some dinner to go from a nearby restaurant, or just pack a picnic from home, and make it an even more memorable evening out. Who doesn’t love dinner and a (free!) show?
All of the artists this summer are outstanding and deserve recognition in their own right. Red Bird on July 6 will restore your faith in humanity. Outer Orbit from Portland is going to be out of this world on July 13. The Jacob Joliff Band will impress you to no end on July 20 with their fast-moving fingers and ability to harmonize, all the while making it look so easy and natural. Juniper Djinn is coming in from the Southwest on July 27 to take us to a different time and place with their slinky sound. Dúo Flamenco with Elena Villa finally makes it up the road to Eugene from Ashland on August 3, where they regularly perform with Ballet Folklorico. August 10 will be a dance party for sure with Melao de Cuba from Portland, so wear your comfy shoes! August 17 is going to be very special, as we have Kelly Willis, Brennen Leigh, and Melissa Carper performing together. Definitely don’t miss this show as this maybe their last tour together! We are particularly excited for the students of Raíces de Oregón to flaunt their dance skills on August 24. Check out their gorgeous photos on our website! Lastly, on August 31 we have Jessica Fichot, who last played our series in 2019. Her blended multicultural sound is sure to make you believe you have been transported to Paris.
Mark these on your calendars! Share with your friends! Tell anyone who will listen, because who doesn’t like free stuff? And we’ll see you during our Summer Series at the Hult Center.