JANUARY

Tuesday Irish Dance Class – Salem. Weekly Irish ceili and set dancing class—lively forms of social dance similar to contra and square dancing. Great fun; excellent exercise; no partner or experience is necessary. 503.383.9297. ceiliofthevalley.org.

10 – Connie Fritz Memorial Concerto Competition – Salem. Enjoy performances of the finalists of Salem Chamber Orchestra’s 6th annual Connie Fritz Memorial Concerto Competition. 503.480.1128. salemchamberorchestra.org.

13-14 – Oregon Wine, Food & Brew Festival – Salem. The Oregon Wine Food & Brew Festival features over 35 Oregon wineries, Oregon craft and microbrew, culinary delights, and art from the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State Fairgrounds. 541.497.7481 or 866.904.6165. oregonwinefoodbrewfest.com.

20-22 – Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show – Eugene. America’s first sustainable home and garden show. Over 250 exhibits exclusively marketing sustainable, healthy, natural and earth-friendly products, services and businesses. Enjoy local music, healthy and organic foods, and over 65 eco-seminars. 541.484.9247. eugenehomeshow.com.

21 – Distinguished Artist Series Master Class with Arnaldo Cohen – Salem. Brazilian-born pianist Arnaldo Cohen has a reputation for astonishing his audiences with the musical authority and blistering virtuosity of his performances. 503.370.6255. willamette.edu.

– Eugene Symphony presents Disney in Concert – Eugene. Disney in Concert debuts with the Eugene Symphony bringing timeless music for fans of all ages. Movie scores performed by Broadway soloists including songs from Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Pirates of the Caribbean. 541.682.5000. eugenesymphony.org.

27-28 – The Oregon Garden’s Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show – Silverton. The Oregon Garden’s Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show features hundreds of handmade quilts along with vendors, workshops and lectures. 503.874.8100 or 877.674.2733. oregongarden.org/event-quilt-show.htm.

FEBRUARY

1 – Shen Yun – Eugene. Classical China is brought to life in this brilliant dance with vivid, dynamic backdrops, all set to mesmerizing orchestral compositions. Discover the glory of a fantastically rich culture. 541.682.5000. shenyun2012.com.

7, 14, 21, 28, Session 2: Marine Explorer - Salem. 10 a.m.–noon. Examine the delicate marine food web and discover how our choices can affect our environment.  Discover the unusual anatomy of marine life through squid dissection and learn a traditional Japanese art form using fish. $48 members/$58 nonmembers per monthly session (receive a 10% discount when signing up for more than one session). A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Info:  503-371-3631 | info@acgilbert.org | www.acgilbert.org.

4 – Dramatic Vignettes for Your Garden in Winter – Silverton. Join landscape designer Carol Lindsay and The Oregon Garden to find out how to spruce up your garden and create year-round drama and interest. oregongarden.org. 

– KLCC Microbrew Festival – Eugene. Microbrew tasting featuring 50 breweries and over 100 beers from the West Coast and beyond. Enjoy live music and collaboration brews. Benefits KLCC 89.7 FM. 541.463.6030. klcc.org/News.asp?NewsID=156.

9, 10 a.m.–noon - Be My Valentine – Salem. Preschoolers will explore the sights, sounds and textures of Valentine’s Day as they craft cards, learn friendship songs and enjoy stories about sharing and caring. Ages 3–5. $14 members/$27 nonmembers. A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Info:  503-371-3631 | info@acgilbert.org | www.acgilbert.org.

10,12 – The Big O Roller Derby Tournament – Eugene. There’s no crying in baseball or roller derby, so join the Emerald City Roller Girls as they host 16 other roller derby leagues in their first ever tournament. thebigotournament.com.

11 – Puttin’ on the Ritz – Salem. In its seventeenth year, this event has become a sell-out event popular with both the Willamette and Salem community. You will not want to miss this delightful evening which includes a delicious dinner and dancing to the music of the Kemtones Little Big Band and Willamette Singers vocal jazz choir. 503.871.6127. willamette.edu.

12 – The Four Seasons “Winter” – Salem. Salem Chamber Orchestra presents Vivaldi’s “Winter” concerto from The Four Seasons with Anthea Kreston, violinist. Also on the program is Beethoven’s Symphony No 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55. Conducted by Benjamin Simon. 503.581.4325. salemchamberorchestra.org.

14 – You And Me Valentine Tea– Salem. noon–1 p.m. Bring your little sweetheart for a tea party at the children’s museum. Finish off your “date” with a craft activity for two. $3 per family for members/$5 per family nonmembers (plus admission).  Call 503-371-3631 to reserve your spot. A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Info:  503-371-3631 | info@acgilbert.org | www.acgilbert.org.

15 – A.C. Gilbert’s Birthday– Salem. 1 p.m.–until the cake is gone! A.C. Gilbert, the namesake of the museum, would have turned 127 on February 15. Learn about his fascinating life, many inventions and lasting legacy as we celebrate in his honor.  Check out our inter-active exhibit, A.C. Gilbert’s Imagination Station, while you are visiting. A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Info:  503-371-3631 | info@acgilbert.org | www.acgilbert.org.

17 – Discover The Wonder–Salem. Annual Fundraising Dinner & Auction 5:30–9 p.m. Support the children’s museum during this fundraising dinner and silent auction. The evening will also serve as an awards ceremony for the museum’s devoted supporters. A portion of the proceeds from this event go to support ACCESS, the museum’s community outreach program.  Tickets are $50. A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Info:  503-371-3631 | info@acgilbert.org | www.acgilbert.org.

17–18 – Wurstfest – Mount Angel. “Meat up” with all your friends and family at the 4th annual Wurstfest, presented by the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce. Vendors will be offering a variety of German sausages, beer, chocolates and more. 503.586.8126. mtangelwurstfest.com.

18–20–Sizzlin’ Science Festival, Science In The City. Salem. Enjoy 3 full days of science fun at the children’s museum and throughout the city of Salem. Explore the science of energy with new activities and demonstrations each day!   Join us for “hair-raising” demonstrations and science shows, “explosive” fun with chemistry students and “electrifying” experiments.   Look for a city-wide Science in the City videocast contest which debuts February 1.  A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Info:  503-371-3631 | info@acgilbert.org | www.acgilbert.org.

21–10 a.m.–noon It’s Raining, It’s Pouring! Salem. Splish-n-splash through stories, songs, and crafts while learning about water and weather. Ages 3–5. $14 members, $27 nonmembers. A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Info:  503-371-3631 | info@acgilbert.org | www.acgilbert.org.

MARCH

7 – "Focus on Salem" Photography Exhibit – Salem. Photo essays will be on display on the windows of the buildings along  Liberty Street, that formerly housed the now-closed Coffee House Cafe and  Cherry Redd. Salem Photo League photographers will be live on Liberty Street to show and discuss their work. Free. Contact: Phil Decker,Phone: 503-580-0970 email: phildecker6@gmail.com

8 – Emanuel Ax Plays Brahms – Eugene. Two hundred and twenty years after its inception, Mozart’s final masterpiece, Requiem, will shine on the two hundred musicians who bring this powerful piece to life. The Symphony is joined by seven-time Grammy winner Emanuel Ax. 541.682.5000. eugenesymphony.org.

– The 33rd Annual Lane County Home & Garden Show – Eugene. Featuring over 300 exhibits with products and services for your home and yard. Hourly home and garden seminars, prize drawings and local grower plant sales. 541.484.9247. eugenehomeshow.com.

– The McMinnville Wine & Food Classic (Sip!) – McMinnville. This weekend event features over 100 booths showcasing the state’s wine industry, gourmet foods, art and music. Enjoy superb cuisine, fine art and crafts, guest chef demonstrations, live music, and wine tasting from some of the best wineries and vineyards in Oregon.

17 – A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with Kevin Burke, Cal Scott and Friends – Salem. The historic Elsinore Theatre presents an unforgettable evening of Irish and Celtic music featuring Burke, one of the world’s leading Irish Fiddlers, and Scott, known for his work with Trail Band. 503.375.3574. elsinoretheatre.com/events.

27-29 – The 7th Annual Oregon Truffle Festival – Eugene. Created to celebrate the magnificent Oregon truffles as they reach the peak of ripeness in their native soil, it is the first festival of its kind in North America dedicated to sharing the experience of the chefs, foragers and fans of Oregon’s wild truffles. oregontrufflefestival.com.

31-April 1 – North Willamette Wine Trail Weekend – Various Wineries in the North Willamette Valley. Spend a weekend exploring wine country. Journey to 24 neighboring wineries and experience a weekend full of wine, culinary samples, education and fun. northwillamettevintners.org.

APRIL

April 14 – Farm Fest & Draft Horse Plowing Competition – McMinnville sponsored by the Yamhill County Historical Society and Oregon Draft Horse Breeders Association, to be held at the Yamhill Valley Heritage Center, 11275 SW Durham Ln., McMinnville.  Experience old-time farming as 16-20 teams of draft horses and mules get the ground ready for planting and compete in a plowing competition.  Also enjoy blacksmith, sawmill & steam engine demonstrations, music, food, kids’ activities, agricultural and historical displays, and more.  $3 per person.  FMI 503-434-0490 orpwatts@onlinemac.com.