I've finally I've been able to visit the Shedd. Well, that's a little incorrect; they were around…read morewhen I was in middle and high school, but as a summer program or resident company at the Hult Center known as OFAM, the Oregon Festival of American Music. Until this past weekend, I hadn't been to a program at their own year-round space that's been here for 25 years or so now. (But I don't feel too bad about that since my sister, who's lived here all her life, has only been once.)
Anyway, I brought my toddler to their Magical Moombah show, which is designed specifically for children. We had a lot of fun! It was held in the Jacqua concert hall. The show was kind of variety/vaudeville in style; this one was called Come Sail Away, and it had a loose story made up that was connected by pre-existing songs that matched the theme. There were several time when they invited the kids up to participate--a dance party on stage, a couple of joke breaks, a contest or two, and more. It was a great way to let the kids be involved, and even the littlest kids had an opportunity to join in (my two year old was insistent on making her stage debut, though I think she was a bit shy when she was up there dancing with everyone). They hold this program each quarter and I'll definitely be looking for it next time we're home to visit.
They also host concerts, musicals, and other programming. There are a couple of performance spaces, the concert hall being the main one and then recital space. The Shedd is also home to a music school, which seems to take place in the newer wing, where students can take private or group lessons. I will say that their website is really frustrating--almost every link would take me to their calendar, even if I was clicking on Faculty or Welcome--so I'm not sure what that's about so I'd suggest just calling if you have questions. There's a fee if you purchase tickets online (and maybe if you purchase in person with a credit card); in person with cash there's no fee.
They have a good parking arrangement with the city that allows for free parking on evenings and weekends in the Lane County lot. There's also parking directly behind their north entrance (I'm not sure if that's the city lot or not, but I don't think so). The lot we parked in was kind of frustrating because almost every spot was marked as compact, and in the year 2026 even in Eugene most people have an SUV or minivan or something, and places just need to stop making most of their parking for compact cars.
Some fun facts: Ginevra Ralph, who co-founded the Shedd, is the great-granddaughter of John G. Shedd (namesake of Chicago's Shedd Aquarium in addition to this performing arts center). The Shedd is located in what was once the First Baptist Church in Eugene, one of the largest in the city if not the largest at the time. Also, Marin Alsop, a conductor of international renown, was the co-conducted the Eugene Symphony and the Oregon Festival of American Music early in her career. The Shedd really does have a storied history and lots of great things to come.
