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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015
FRAA offers introductory art demo classes Tuesday
www.shoppelocal.biz
An example of John
Leasure’s flower paintings.
Whether it’s about trying a
new art form or refreshing a
skill you knew in the past, the
Florence
Regional
Arts
Alliance (FRAA) is offering
complimentary demo classes at
its art center.
Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 6,
from 2 to 4 p.m., nationally
acclaimed artist F. Michael
Wood will be doing a demo on
how to paint clouds and sky-
scapes.
Also in January, talented and
well-known local artist John
Leasure will be giving a free
demo class on painting flow-
ers.
This class will take place
Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m.
to noon.
Then, on Jan. 12, Bettie
Egerton will be offering a free
introduction to sewing fashion
and accessories for fun and
profit.
For more information about
any or all of these free classes,
call 541-999-0859 to reserve a
space.
The FRAA Art Center is at
4969 Highway 101, Munsel
Lake Plaza #4.
For more information on the
many other classes going on at
the FRAA Art Center, visit
www.fraaoregon.org.
CROW to hold play
auditions next week
You may think you know
the story of “The Princess and
the Pea,” but did you know
that Princess Winnifred actual-
ly swam the moat to reach
Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or
that it may not have been the
pea at all that caused the
princess a sleepless night?
Carried on a wave of beguiling
songs hilarious and raucous,
romantic and melodic, this rol-
licking spin on the familiar
classic of royal courtship and
comeuppance provides for
some side-splitting shenani-
gans.
Chances are, you’ll never
look at fairy tales quite the
same way again.
CROW
(Children’s
Repertory
of
Oregon
Workshops) will hold open
auditions Jan. 12 and 13 for
“Once Upon A Mattress,” the
musical comedy with music by
Mary Rodgers, lyrics by
Marshall Barer and book by
Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller,
and Marshall Barer.
This marks CROW’s fourth
mainstage production.
The show will be performed
April 10-12, at the Florence
Events Center, and for invited
school audiences on April 9.
Local audiences may recall
that last spring, CROW pro-
duced a main stage production
of Disney’s “The Little
Mermaid Jr.” which dazzled
and delighted local audiences.
CROW is a Florence-based
nonprofit organization dedi-
cated to giving back to the
community by providing qual-
ity performing arts experi-
ences to local youth. Artistic
Director, Melanie Heard, is a
credentialed teacher and
founder of the program.
“We are not your ‘typical’
children’s theatre organiza-
tion,” said Heard. “The
CROW team has done away
with the concept of charging
families a fee for the experi-
ence of performing in one of
our main stage shows. We
strive to give kids and young
adults an experience that they
will remember for the rest of
their lives.
“It’s much more than just
theatre. It’s an opportunity to
hone crucial life skills such as
teamwork, motivation, dedica-
tion and follow through.”
Heard has done plenty of
research on “Mattress” and
planning has already begun to
create a spectacular show that
will rival a Broadway youth
production. In addition to pro-
viding a professional work
environment for the cast mem-
bers, CROW utilizes the high-
est caliber costumes, sets,
lighting design, choreography,
music, sound, stage makeup
and much more.
“Just wait till you see this
year’s costumes and set,” said
Heard.
There are great roles for
ages 6-22 and older, and all
young people are encouraged
to try out regardless of previ-
ous stage experience.
Mature 5-year-olds may be
considered for “telegram-
mers.”
Auditions will be held at the
Siuslaw Middle School cafete-
ria on Jan. 12 and 13 at 6:30
p.m. Invited callbacks will be
held Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
There are approximately 40-
45 onstage roles, and several
behind the scenes jobs for kids
interested in technical theatre.
To audition, kids will need
to bring 16-32 bars from a
song that they would like to
sing (sheet music is preferred,
but a CD track with no back-
ground voices is also accept-
able).
Prospective cast members
will also be taught a dance
combination, and those asked
to come to callbacks will read
sides from the script.
“No experience is required,
so don’t be afraid to come and
give it a try,” said CROW
assistant director and musical
director Jason Wood. “You
should definitely check out the
CROW website for all of the
information you need to pre-
pare for the audition.”
Rehearsals will begin Jan.
26 and are held Monday
through Thursday evenings,
from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. A
schedule will be available for
perusal at the audition.
Heard stresses that perform-
ing in these productions is a
big commitment.
“Performing in one of our
shows is very hard work and
requires dedication, but when
the curtain opens in April, we
know you will agree that it
was worth it,” said Heard.
For a casting breakdown
and detailed audition informa-
tion, visit www.crowkids.
com, or contact Heard at 541-
999-8641 or by email at
crowtheatrekids@yahoo.com.
Fruit tree pruning class
to begin Thursday
The OSU Extension Service
of Lane County will conduct
its annual Florence class on
pruning tree fruits Thursday,
Jan. 8, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
The demonstration of prop-
er pruning techniques is open
to the public. The class will be
led by Ross Penhallegon, OSU
Extension Service in Lane
County Horticulture Agent.
Interested participants can
meet at the Florence Events
Center, 715 Quince Street, at 9
a.m. The group will then car-
pool to the pruning site in the
Florence area.
Call 541-344-5859 to pre
register so there will be
enough pruning publications
available.
For more information, call
Penhallegon at 541-344-1709.
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Do your part and
volunteer today
to help support
these local
non-proft
organizations in
our community!
Volunteer•Get involved•Donate
Working in Partnership with the Community
building, repairing and refurbishing homes
(541-902-9227)
Assisting those in need in our Community.
Free Hot Meals Mon-Wed-Fri
11 AM - 2 PM
HELPING HANDS COALITION
PO Box 1296 • 1339 Rhododendron Dr.
Florence, OR 97439
Call 541-833-8550 to Volunteer
Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers.
You will find an area of interest
in a caring organization.
Peace Harbor
Volunteers
400 9th Street, Florence, OR 97439
541-902-2547
Meals on Wheels are available to people over the
age of 60 who cannot get out much due to illness
or advanced age and who are not eating properly,
regardless of income. Cafe 60 is available for those
who prefer to make new friends in a dining room
setting.
1570 Kingwood • PO Box 2313, Florence
541-997-5673
laneseniormeals.org
Operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Saving men one
PSA test at a time.
541-997-6626
maribob@oregonfast.net
Someone to talk to...
who understands!
To include
your organization
in this directory,
please call us
@ 541-997-3441