Royal court takes center stage for Rhody Showcase May 11
The annual Rhododendron Festival is
Florence’s premiere event, bringing more
than 10,000 people to this small, coastal town
for four days of celebration. But before the
vendors, bikers and parades fi ll the streets,
the Rhody Court take to the stage for the
Rhododendron Court Scholarship Showcase
to determine this year’s royalty.
Once known as the Rhododendron
Pageant and now held in advance of the
annual Rhododendron Festival, the event
features local high school juniors and
seniors who will compete for scholarships
and title of Queen Rhododendra during
Rhododendron Days.
The showcase will be Wednesday,
May 11, at 6:30 p.m., at the Florence Events
Center, along with video presentations,
displays of talent, dance numbers and live
interviews of the princesses.
In addition, a junior court of fi ve
princesses and fi ve princes will represent
grades 1 through 5.
For the past several weeks, members
of the Senior Rhody Court and Junior
Princesses have been serving as ambassadors
for the festival by visiting senior residences,
volunteering in the community and, most
recently, rehearsing their talents
for the fun-fi lled Rhody Showcase.
Court members will be judged
individually on participation,
mentorship, public speaking and
platform presentation, pin sales
and talent.
Queen Rhododendra will
be crowned at the end of the
showcase, and both courts will
make appearances in the the Kids
Parade and Grand Floral Parade
during the 109th Rhododendron
Festival, May 19 through 22.
Advance tickets are on sale
now for $13 and are available
through the Florence Events
Center box offi ce by calling 541-
997-1994.
Spoken Word poets have a chance to shine with rhyme
Get your rhyme on May 7, during the
Big Wave Spoken Word Poetry Slam and
Contest taking place at 6 p.m. at the Florence
Events Center. Florence Regional Arts
Alliance (FRAA) is the organizer of this
statewide event, which is offering the largest
cash prizes in Oregon.
The fi rst place winner will receive $500,
along with $250 for second place and $100
for third.
Poetry slams were invented in the late
80’s in Chicago as a way of breathing new life
into open-mic poetry events. The audience is
involved, not only because the fi ve judges are
chosen randomly from the audience, but also
because audience members are encouraged
to verbalize or otherwise indicate their
appreciate or dissatisfaction with the judges
scoring.
Finger snapping indicates the poet
has said something that resonates with the
audience. Booing of scores that are deemed
too low, and wild clapping and whistling for
those brave poets who bare their souls, are
common.
Poetry slams attract a wide range
of poets and diverse subject matter,
including heartfelt love poetry, searing
social commentary, comedic routines, and
bittersweet personal stories.
Poets are free to perform any style.
“If you have never been to a Spoken
Word Poetry contest,” says chairwoman
Bettie Egerton, “this is the one to attend. We
will have the best of the best, from all around
Oregon. You will laugh, cry, snap your
fi ngers in appreciation and be emotionally
transformed by the poetry you hear.”
Admission to the event is $10, which
supports FRAA Poetry Events and the Youth
Poetry Program.
A special youth poetry contest will be
held at 2 p.m., with the winner receiving
$100, $50 for second place and $25 for third
place.
For more information, visit the FRAA
website at fraaoregon.org.
An evening of
Wine and Wallflowers returns
Come create your own wall art with artist John Leasure while enjoying a
glass of wine Saturday, May 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m. All the paints, canvas
and art instruction are provided to create your own sunfl ower masterpiece.
Tickets are $40 per person and include a free beverage (one glass of wine or
non-alcoholic choice) and a multitude of delicious snacks while participants
are given professional, step-by-step painting instruction.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot by visiting www.eventcenter.org,
stop by the FEC box offi ce at 715 Quince Street, or call at 541-997-1994.
This fun event is sponsored by the Friends of the Florence Events Center.
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The Florence Events Center website: www.eventcenter.org