FLORENCE CENTER STAGE

Get ready for the Superhero for Kids Gala

The Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane Coun ty would like to invite the community to attend the Superhero for Kids Gala taking place on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. Doors open at 5p.m.

The annual gala is the club’s largest and most im pactful event of the year. Proceeds from this event will help to fund Boys & Girls Club’s After School Programs, Computer Cen ter and Special Programs.

If you would like to pur chase a table for the event, make a single ticket pur chase or become a spon sor, call 541-902-0304 or

stop by the club at 1501 Airport Rd. The club looks forward to seeing you for a memorable evening of fine

County, staff is changing lives, one child at a time. Together with the com munity, they will change America’s future.

Join the club in creating great futures.

The mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, re sponsible citizens.

FLORENCE CENTER

STAGE

This monthly guide — published by the Siuslaw News, Florence Events Center and area partners — contains information on the arts, entertainment and events on the Central Oregon Coast. To submit, email editor@thesiuslawnews.com.

dining, live music, enter tainment and live auction. So why this theme? Well, being Superheroes for Kids is everything the club is about!

Every day in the Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane

So why is it important? This is why — our club kids. Come join us for an amazing event and a great time, all while doing some thing that is genuinely so important and impactful to the kids in our community. We hope to see you there!

Florence Farmers Market continues through Oct. 11

The Florence Farmers Market is open Tuesdays through Oct. 11, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Historic Old Town Florence, at the cor ner of Kingwood and Bay Streets.

For five seasons, the Flor

ence Farmers Market has supported regional farm and food businesses in an effort to promote overall com munity health. The market expanded this concept this year by encouraging local gardeners to participate in a

new booth called The Com munity Table. Only locally grown fresh fruits, vegeta bles, ODA approved pro cessed products and flowers will be sold at this booth.

Learn more at Florence FarmersMarket.org

This 2021 batch of Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane County members was prepared to show their superhero best. “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superheroes for Kids!”

How to keep kids safe on Halloween — Monday, Oct. 31

When Halloween ar rives each October, most people are interested in the entertaining aspects of the holiday in addi tion to the abundance of sweet foods that are there for the taking.

Even though fun may be foremost on the brain, it is important for every one keep safety in mind as well.

According to the Florida Law Group, Halloween is a time of heightened injuries and fatalities, and is actually the deadliest day of the year for children.

A State Farm insur ance study that analyzed four million fatalities between 1990 and 2010 discovered children are twice as likely to die on Halloween as they are on any other day of the year. Data published in the Wall Street Journal indicated children be tween the ages of four and eight are 10 times more likely to be fatal

Halloween in the Florence area

ly injured by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year.

While no one wants to put a damper on Hal loween festivities, it’s important that everyone celebrate safely. Keep weekdays in mind Halloween falls on a Monday in 2022 and that could be more dan gerous than if it fell on a weekend.

According to Auto insurance.com, which conducted a study that analyzed 24 years’ worth of data provided by the National High way Traffic Safety Ad ministration (NHTSA), injuries to children and pedestrians in general were higher on week night than weekend hol idays, with most acci dents occurring between

6 and 7 p.m. — prime commuter time. Exercise extreme caution walk ing around this year.

Opt for face paints over masks Medical masks may still be worn by some families as precautions against COVID-19. However, when it comes to Halloween costumes, face paints are prefera ble to masks and other

Florence-area organizatinos put together many au tumn events each year. While additional events and details will be included in the Siuslaw News, plan to attend these two fun events:

Oct. 31 — Halloween

Trick or Treat in Historic Old Town

3 to 5 p.m., families wel come to walk around Bay Street and sur rounding blocks to get treats from businesses and service groups

Drive-Thru Trick or Treat Hosted by Florence Kiwanis Club and featur ing local groups 3 to 5 p.m., families in cars welcome to drive through the path at the FEC to get treats

face coverings. Masks tend to limit visibility, which can lead to kids tripping and falling, or even not being able to see cars or other pedes trians. Follow safety instructions when using face paints around the eyes and mouth.

Improve visibility all around In late October, the sun sets at 5:50 on aver

age (for New York City according to 2021 data). Sunset will occur earli er the more north one is located lat itudinally. With darkness descend ing during peak trick-or-treating times, it’s impera tive that children carry flashlights or glow sticks or uti lize reflective tape on their costumes so others can see them.

Traverse familiar areas

Children trick-ortreating with adults may be able to venture a bit further in pursuit of treats, but it is general ly safer to stay close to home where surround ings are familiar. This reduces the propensity for getting lost or wan dering into sketchy sit uations. Older kids al lowed to venture out on

their own would be wise to stay close to home as well. Neighbors can as sist if something goes awry and there’s less chance of getting turned around. What homeowners can do Even though safety is largely on the shoul ders of trick-or-treaters, homeowners and rent ers can do their part to ensure the safety of those enjoying Hallow een hijinks. Make sure walkways to doors are clear. Have additional lights on pathways or overhead to improve visibility. Contain pets indoors, as they may become skittish on Halloween with ex tra crowds and noises.

Don’t run the risk of kids getting scratched or bitten.

Embracing various safety strategies can help make Halloween even more enjoyable.

These kids dressed up for Halloween 2021 in Florence.

Florence Events Center prepares for Holiday Bazaar

The Florence Events Center wants to invite the community to its first-ever Holiday Bazaar, Nov. 19 and 20.

The FEC is looking for artisan and craft ven dors to sell their items throughout the duration of the event. Items must be original/handcraft ed work by the vendor. No commercial, politi cal, or resale items.

All work will go through a jury process upon receipt of application. Jury acceptance is based on the quality and uniqueness of one’s work. The producers will also factor in quality and uniqueness of one’s work, as well as competing medium and similarity among price points.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3. Spaces cost $85, with the option of a double space for $170. Once ap proved, payment will be due by Oct. 10.

For more information and to apply, visit event center.org/general/webform/2022-fec-holi day-bazaar-vendor-application.

Coastal Plein Air Art & Wine Festival

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) invited artists to participate in the first annual Coastal Plein Air Art & Wine Festival at the Florence Events Center.

The event began with the art ists painting scenes along our beautiful coast from the north ern city of Newport, Ore., down to the southern city of Coos Bay, Ore. The artists could paint be tween Sept. 16 and 29 — at which point they could contrib ute up to three paintings into the juried art show at the FRAA Art & Wine Festival, held at the Florence Events Center on Oct. 1 and 2.

Event coordinator and FRAA spokesperson Kristin Anderson said, “The idea was sparked four or five years ago and we are so happy to be able to

bring a plein air event to the coast. There are so many tal ented plein air painters across the state and we can’t wait to see their artistic interpretation of the many wonder ful sights and hidden places of Oregon’s’ Coastal Playground.”

The public is invit ed to come enjoy the paintings, which will be for sale (estimated price range $100 to $500), enjoy wine tasting (com memorative event glasses to purchase for $6 and tasting tick ets, four for $5) and food avail able to purchase on site from The Hangry Habanero and Peterson’s Pretzels food carts.

Event sponsors include: Jer ry’s Place, 1285 Restobar, Ar tefacts, Bodega Wine Parlor,

Edward D. Jones Investments, Michael Streets’ Farmers Insur ance Agency and Glenda and Phillip Morris.

Artist vendors and art ist prize do nors include: BeauxArts Fine Art Ma terials and Gallery, The Merri Artist, Legio., Gueril la Painter, M. Graham, PanelPak and Winsor & Newton.

Wineries include: Bluebird Hill Cellars, Bradley Winery, McKenzie Crest Wines, Sarver Winery and Summerfield Vine yards.

For more information, visit www.fraaoregon.org/coastalplein-air.html.

‘Odd’ stuff is happening at the FEC

The Florence Events Center (FEC) Gallery Committee invites artists to submit art work, including 3-D and photography, for an October and No vember exhibit that is both seasonal and un usual — “Everything Odd-Umn.”

fall lends itself to great artistic oppor tunities, including beautiful autumn col

ors, the fall harvest and wildlife preparing for winter. It is also a time for interesting scarecrows, ghosts, hobgoblins and everything spooky to get ready for Halloween. Hence the name of the Show — “odd” + “au tumn.”

Awards will be presented at the Show Reception at the Flor ence Events Center

Galleries on Nov. 4 between 5 and 7 p.m. Presentations of awards will be at 6 p.m.

Art is for sale during the duration of the show, includ ing at the reception.

We know artists will have fun with this “Odd-Umn” theme.

Applications are available by visiting the Florence Event

Center’s website, EventCenter.org, or picking up at the FEC office during normal business hours.

The fee is $15 per piece 2D or 3D art

for display in the glass case.

The art and applica tion deadline is Tues day, Oct. 4. Art is due to the FEC that day between 9 and 10:30 a.m. The Everything Odd-Umn Show Re ception is Nov. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. with pre sentation with awards at 6p.m.

Circles in the Sand comes to Heceta Beach

Labyrinth artist Denny Dyke is bringing his pop ular natural and medi tative art installation to Heceta Beach on Oct. 8 from 3 to 9 p.m.

Circles in the Sand was first created as a walking meditation and way to connect with the ocean and ever-changing sand.

The first “Dreamfield” was created in 2014 and has been a favored at

traction among coastal visitors whenever one is made. Dreamfields have grown to be giant pat terns, a garden of sand with several spirals and meandering paths that always return home.

The “draw-out” starts at 3 p.m. with Denny teaching everyone how to create this amazing art form on the “canvas” of Heceta Beach. At 4:30

p.m., volunteers are wel come to help groom the labyrinth before the path walk begins at 5 p.m. Watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean while contemplating the won der of the sea!

This event is hosted by Driftwood Shores, Sea Lion Caves, Mo’s Seafood, Florence Area Chamber of Commerce and Sand Master Park.

Your time and talent matter to us!

Come make a difference as a vitally important vounteer at the Florence Events Center!

If quality entertainment, enriching cultural events, or the arts in general are important to you, come show your love and support to help keep the fabulous Florence Events Center fabulous.

The FEC and the nonprofit Florence Arts, Culture & Entertainment (FACE) are looking for volunteer leaders, doers, organizers, supporters, and cheerleaders to help at the FEC and support those who use it. If you are trustworthy, dependable, dedicated, vibrant, fun, and enthusias�c, you will make a difference at the Florence Events Center!

We have opportuni�es for volunteers of every aspect of our work—from �ckettakers, room setup, and fundraising to event booking/produc�on to sound, ligh�ng, and stage management. We’ll even provide training for the technical aspects of staging events! Please contact the volunteer coordinator at the Florence Events Center to learn more about the impact you can make!

Last Resort Players will present “Sweet Charity” at the Florence Events Center mainstage on Nov. 11 to 13 and 17 to 20. The show will be directed by Laura Merz and choreographed by Angela Palmer.

Merz and Palmer are both native Florencians.

“We grew up together. Our families were quite close,” said Merz.

“Sweet Charity” fol lows the romantic trials and tribulations of Char ity Hope Valentine.

Charity is a taxi danc er, a dance partner-forhire at a seedy dance hall, “The Fandango Ballroom,” in New York City during the early 1960s. Though the job may be decidedly unde sirable, Charity’s hopeful romanticism and unfail ing optimism lift her out of her circumstances and help her reach for a life beyond. Joanie Schmidt returns to the Florence stage in the title role.

“Sweet Charity” was directed and choreo graphed for Broadway by the legendary Bob Fosse with a laugh-a-minute

script by the incompa rable Neil Simon. With music composed by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, “Sweet Charity” includes song hits such as “Hey, Big Spender,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and “Rhythm of Life.”

Merz remembers, “An gela and I both fell in love with ‘Sweet Charity,’ the movie with Shirley Ma cLaine, when we were young. I used to watch it with my mother and sing along with the songs. Now I have the privilege of teaching these songs to

strong leads, a great cho rus and an experienced orchestra.”

Palmer says, “It’s such an honor to work with this talented cast. Joan ie [Schmidt, the leading lady] is singing, dancing, and learning her lines; she’s very dedicated

and awe-inspiring. And the Fandango Girls are amazing!”

Merz and Palmer each bring a great deal of ex perience to their lead ership positions. Merz has been the director or musical director for such shows as “Into The Woods,” “Cabaret” and “Les Miserables.” Palm er has choreographed shows including “The Music Man,” ”Fiddler On The Roof” and “Chi cago.”

With a large and tal ented cast, full orchestra, grand staging, costumes, and surprises, LRP once again will bring great entertainment to the big stage. For further “Sweet Charity” details, visit Last Resort Players at www.LastResortPlayers. com.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at Florence Events Center, 541-997-1994, or on line at the FEC website, www.eventcenter.org.

“Sweet Charity” is proudly sponsored by City Lights Cinemas, www.citylightscinemas. com. ChArity’ to

Last Resort Players present “Sweet Charity,” directed by Laura Merz (top left), with chore ography by Angela Palmer (top right), and starring Joanie Schmidt (bottom right), this November at the Florence Events Center.

Debbie Boyle & Carol Lorraine featured at Backstreet

In October, Back street Gallery will feature “Bedazzling Jewelry & Enraptur ing Silks” with jewelry designer Debbie Boyle and silk artist Carol Lorraine. Their tal ents create wearable art that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. See their work at a recep tion from 3 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 8, during the second Saturday Art Walk. Meet these art ists and enjoy live mu sic by singer-songwriter David Daniel of Highwa ter Sound.

With both vintage and contemporary styles in mind, Boyle selects unique gemstones, such as lapis, amethyst, rose quartz, opals, pearls, nat ural stones, Swarovski crystals and antique glass. She then combines them with sterling silver, brass and gold-filled metals to produce her lustrous, oneof-a kind creations — ear rings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants. Boyle also collects antique Venetian

beads, baubles and trea sures that she includes in her vintage and rosa ry-style pieces.

Boyle is president of the Backstreet Co-operative Gallery and is a member of the Florence Region al Arts Alliance (FRAA), where her work is also displayed. When not cre ating, she enjoys walks on the beach, music/blues festivals, concerts and gardening.

Breathing spirit into each piece, Lorraine’s art works are one-of-a-kind scarves, wraps and paint

ings on silk that she hopes will offer the viewer an extraordinary sense of aliveness.

Flowing, rhythmic and spontaneous, her colors burst onto the silk with large dramatic brush strokes, expressing excit ing moods and impres sions. Layering builds depth. Every color ema nates an energy.

Lorraine’s inspiration comes from Indigenous artists’ colorful weavings of patterns and textures along with the beauty of nature. Artists Emil Nol

de, Georgia O’Keefe, the Expressionists and Im pressionists inspire her use of color.

Lorraine has exhibited her art on the West Coast and in Hawaii for the past 22 years. People can see more of her beautiful, ex pressive art at www.Car olLorraine.com.

Enjoy these fine artists’ work, as well as the work of other artists of Back street Gallery, 1421 Bay St. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and online at www.backstreetgallery. org.

FEC Ticket Counter

LRP presents “Sweet Charity”

Nov. 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 & 20

Tickets on sale now at aftontickets. com/sweetcharity

Champaign Gala Opening Night on Nov. 11

2022 FEC Holiday Bazaar

Nov. 19 & 20

Soliciting Vendors currently www.eventcenter.org/general/ page/2022-fec-holiday-bazaar-0

FRAA Holiday Arts Festival

Dec. 3 & 4

Applications open at www.fraa oregon.org/fraa-home.html

Holly Jolly Follies

Dec. 2, 3 & 4

Tickets on sale now: At FEC: aftontickets.com/2022HJF Live stream: aftontickets.com/fec

Fine silks by Carol Lorraine (left) and bead work by Debbie Boyle will be on display at the Backstreet Gallery in Historic Old Town Florence all of October.

Holly Jolly Follies

CROW welcomes Follies participation

If you would like to par ticipate onstage in the En semble of the 2022 Holly Jolly Follies, the All Cast mandato ry meeting and readthrough will be held Oct. 24 at 6:45 p.m. at the CROW Cen ter for Performing Arts, 3120 Highway 101 in Florence.

There is no audition, and adults and youth are wel come to come and participate in the group numbers and some small scenes. (Kids un der the age of seven will need an adult present to partici pate.)

CROW is also seeking busi ness and individual sponsors

and advertisers for the Holly Jolly Follies.

For more informa tion, visit crowkids.com, email CROWtheatrekids@ yahoo.com or find CROW on Facebook.

Ever wanted to put on some ballet flats and twinkle those toes?

CROW is ready for some new fathers and grandfa thers to join the Tutu Dads.

“The only requirement is that they are a fun-loving dad who is willing to learn dance cho reography and enjoys making people laugh,” said CROW Ar rtistic Director Melanie Heard. “There will be limited rehearsals through out October and most of November. And they will get to perform in the Holly Jolly Follies in a purrrrfect new number that bares their claws!”

People can go to the Tutu dad‘s page on CROW’s web site for more information or join the Tutu Dads Fan Club on Facebook.

Florence Food Share call to artists

Florence Food share is searching for artists to partic ipate in its annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. The 26th annual event will be held the first weekend in Decem ber at the Florence Events Center.

“If you’re not a potter making ceramic bowls, there is no need to worry; we accept artwork from artists who work in all mediums,” said Empty Bowls Com mittee member Desiree Clifton. “Food Share can also help with supplies and ceramic firing for artists, thanks to the generosity of community sponsors.”

Every year, Empty Bowls presents hand-made bowls, various art pieces, and extensive silent auction items to the public for purchase. All proceeds contribute to Florence Food Share’s mission to help alleviate hunger in Western Lane County. Local artists, volunteers, and the business community all work together to make this family friendly event successful.

The Empty Bowls planning committee is making a call to community members who would like to par ticipate by creating bowls, or by donating artwork or silent auction items.

To participate, contact Kathy Shamey at 541-9972663. For more info, visit florencefoodshare.org.

Available at: The Shippin’ Shack 625 Highway 101 Mon – Fri 8:00-5:00; Sat 9:00-3:00 – Fri, Noon – 5pm; Sat, Noon – 4pm