Covering well-known songs can be tricky. Artists have to decide whether to play it safe or completely reinvent a song they cover. Some covers end up sounding like an off-brand version of the original, while others add something special to the meaning.

Damsels, Divas and Dames will be taking the Hult Center stage on April 20 for their 20th anniversary show. This year they are bringing an extended director’s cut that is full of exciting guest appearances, bonus acts and tons of new surprises.

LA-based rapper Earl Sweatshirt made a stop at Portland’s Crystal Ballroom on Tuesday night as part of his ongoing “Fire It Up!” tour. Throughout the night, Sweatshirt kept a casual vibe, performing songs from his 2018 LP, “Some Rap Songs,” alongside a slew of deep cuts.

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Walking into the Crystal Ballroom for Maggie Rogers’ show on Monday night, I could feel my muscles tensing up — not in excitement or anticipation, but in pain. I was unsure if I could make it through a show I had been waiting months for because I was experiencing a bad flare up of my chronic pain.

Brandon Paak Anderson, better known as Anderson .Paak, is back with another instant classic. On April 12, Paak dropped “Ventura,” his fourth album.

The NewArt Northwest Kids Exhibit is returning to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art for its 12th year. The program is a collaboration between elementary, middle and high schools from all across Eugene, Springfield and Junction City.

Los Angeles punk band Girlpool made a stop on April 11 at Portland’s Wonder Ballroom. The duo — composed of guitarist Cleo Tucker and bassist Harmony Tividad — first visited the venue back in 2015 on their tour with pop punk band Joyce Manor. Tucker reminisced on the previous experience, exp…

It’s not a requirement for a science teacher to have a background in science, and many schools will hire unqualified teachers when teaching positions need to be filled. Yet, when schools hire teachers with no previous experience in the main subject they teach, it knocks the school down on ov…

Ruban Nielson, singer and guitarist of Unknown Mortal Orchestra excitedly addressed the sold-out crowd at the WOW Hall on April 11th. “What’s up, Eugene? You alright?” Unknown Mortal Orchestra brought a unifying experience to Eugene with their psychedelic rock performance on Thursday night, …

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Rain fell outside, but inside Uki Uki, soft pink lights illuminated a tropical paradise, complete with bamboo structures and plants covering the walls.

Eugene Ballet is closing their 40th anniversary season with the world premier of Suzanne Haag’s reimagined version of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird,” set to take place at the Hult Center for Performing Arts. “The Firebird” is no stranger to Eugene Ballet — it was first choreographed by co-…

Food for Lane County held it's annual Chefs Night Out fundraiser at the Hult Center on Monday.

Sara Willis first moved to Mexico in her 20s just to spite her ex-boyfriend after the two had previously visited and fallen in love with the country. What began as a spur of the moment decision transformed into a career of privately cooking for the extremely wealthy, the founding of popular …

Nintendo excels at creating games that offer a high skill ceiling while remaining accessible. Their greatest productions are simple enough for a kid to play comfortably, yet complex enough to hold the attention of dedicated fans for years after the initial release. Such a multi-layered, enco…

A single is a way for an artist to keep fans on their toes by releasing music without the pressure of a full album. It is usually an indicator that an album is on the way, and gives listeners a stylistic preview of what’s to come. Let’s dive into the last few weeks and look at a few notewort…

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Within the realm of post-punk — nearly fifty years after the genre’s genesis — it can be hard to create something that still holds on to the tradition’s original edge and pertinence. In 2017, the Washington D.C.-based Priests was able to overcome that challenge with “Nothing Feels Natural,” …

From shape-shifting aliens in “Captain Marvel” to magic horse-blobs in “Now Apocalypse,” 2019 has been a year of extreme science fiction magic. “Transit,” a subtle dystopian inspired by 1940s noir, proves that the intersection between reality and the unknown can be much more terrifying than …

I’ll never forget the moment I found out my best friend died of a Fentanyl overdose.

Breweries from the Pacific Northwest and around the country poured diligently crafted beer at the 2019 Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Festival over the weekend. Eugene breweries Alesong Brewing and Blending and Freehand Brewing made the trip north to pour their wild beers.

Springtime brings blossoming flowers, warmer days and new beginnings. It’s the uplifting season we all deserve after winter quarter. Whether you prefer relaxing in the sun or biking around campus, happy, lighthearted music is an essential part of creating a perfect atmosphere for however you…

Cajun food is often misrepresented west of the Mississippi River and is not a frequent culinary adventure chefs want to tackle on the West Coast. With a blend of Southern and French influences, Cajun is not for weak taste palates.

What I love about hip-hop music is the ability to hear and connect with underrepresented voices. It’s a chance to hear stories that otherwise aren’t being given a platform. It's the auditory embodiment of a victory lap for the oppressed. Some artists use their past as an anecdote to explore …

Music brings people together. Whether it’s at a concert or in a conversation, music can connect any two people. If you come from a place like Los Angeles or Portland, it may not seem like there are many opportunities for live music in Eugene. We get some big concerts, but it seems like you h…

Asking for a Friend is a weekly Sex and Relationships column hosted by Arts and Culture writer Dana Sparks and fueled by your curiosities. Click here to anonymously submit questions regarding sex, relationships and sex education. 

Donald Trump was elected in 2016. His presidency has been met with controversy, from his offensive rhetoric to his racially charged immigration and economic policies that have negatively affected underprivileged communities. A slew of critically acclaimed horror films have been released in t…

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Billie Eilish has become a household name.

Eugene has a growing yet manageable beer scene: Local breweries are not too few that we are subject to just one abysmal brew, but not too many that we can’t count them all and never know when another is popping up. In the briefest overview of Eugene, it’s immediately evident that there’s a w…

In order for Zadie Smith to be fully cognizant of the world around her now, she considers what she will explain to her future granddaughter about the cultural evolution that she’s witnessed.

(Sydney Dauphinais/Emerald)

One of Eugene’s newest breweries, Manifest Beer Co., celebrated its first anniversary and label release party on Friday, March 29. Head brewer Brandon Woodruff accomplished his first year at the current location, perhaps due to his unorthodox motto: “We don’t necessarily want you to like our…

As warmth and sunshine returns to Eugene after months of cold and rain, Mount Pisgah starts to transform. Fresh green grass covers meadows, oak trees grow bright new leaves and wildflowers bring splashes of color to the hillsides.

Follow Sarah Northrop on Instagram: @SARTAKESPICS

Follow Sarah Northrop on Instagram: @SARTAKESPICS

The right soundtrack can transform a good movie into a great one. Certain soundtracks can make a movie feel infinitely more personal, while also giving the viewer a way to continue feeling the movie’s effects by listening to the soundtrack long after finishing it.

Chef Taro Kobayashi dances to funk music and loudly banters with customers while slicing raw fish, shaping rice and rushing between the sushi bar, kitchen and dining area at his new restaurant, Akira, which opened two weeks ago.

Need something to do over spring break? Here’s a selection of concerts in Eugene and Portland that are worth checking out.

The Daily Emerald takes to the University of Oregon's campus streets to find out what students are doing over their spring break.