541-997-1994 | www.EventCenter.org | Florence Events Center | Center Stage |
Page 3
Poetry
‘Big Wave’ of poetry returning to Florence
The second annual Big
Wave Poetry Festival, spon-
sored by Florence Regional
Arts Center (FRAA), takes
place May 12 and 13 at the
Florence Events Center (FEC).
Friday evening, starting at 6
p.m., is the Spoken Word
Poetry Contest, when 30 poets
from around the state will per-
form their 3-minute original
poems while competing for the
largest cash prizes in the state
for poetry.
First prize is $500 and sec-
ond place receives $250. In
addition, there are four cate-
gory prizes of $100 each for
“best humor,” “nature,” “per-
sonal reflections” and “social
commentary.”
Judging for the contest is
done by five random audience
members, scoring each partic-
ipant from 0 to 10. The top
and bottom scores are thrown
out and the three middle
scores are added together for
the poet’s final score.
Audience members are
encouraged to snap their fin-
gers during parts of the poems
they like, and to voice opin-
ions about the judges scores
by booing or cheering.
As FRAA committee co-
chair Karen Brown explained,
“This ain’t your grandma’s
poetry. Even people who pro-
fess not to like poetry will love
this competition with 3 minute
performances that will move
you to tears one moment and
laughter the next.”
The event starts at 6 p.m.,
but from 5 to 6 p.m. is “meet
and greet” with the poets.
Admission is $10 and tickets
can be purchased at the door.
On Saturday, May 13, at 2
p.m., is the Youth Poetry
Performance when kids, ages
6 to 14, will recite a poem
which does not have to be
original.
There is a 3-minute time
limit and every child will
receive a prize.
Admission is free.
At 3 p.m. is the Teen Spoken
Word Poetry Contest for mid-
dle and high school students.
Poems must be original and
limited to 3 minutes.
Cash prizes of $100, $50,
and $25 will be given to first,
second and third place win-
ners.
Admission is free.
Teens who wish to partici-
pate can sign up at www.
fraaoregon.org under “Poetry
Fest,” or go to the FRAA Art
Center, 120 Maple St., and
sign up in person.
Saturday evening starting at
6:30 p.m. will be the premier
showing of a documentary
called “From Prison to
Purpose,” the story of Noah
Schultz, former resident of
Camp Florence.
This is the story of Schultz’s
life, from drug dealer and gang
member, to college grad,
social activist, TedX speaker,
and award-winning poet. The
story shows how and why
Schultz got involved in the life
of crime, starting at age 12,
what happened to cause him
to be sentenced to 90 months
of incarceration, and how he
transformed his life while in
prison.
Schultz will be at the screen-
ing, along with Stephen
Fowler, last year’s Big Wave
Poetry Contest winner and
another graduate of Camp
Florence who transformed his
life while incarcerated.
“These two young men are
so inspiring,” says Big Wave
Poetry Fest co-chair, Judy
Plumery. “They each spent
from ages 17 to 24 in juvenile
detention facilities, but were
able to use that time to change
who they were and now they
help other young people who
are going down the wrong
path.”
Admission is $10.
For more information about
the Big Wave Poetry Fest
events, visit www.fraaoregon
.org and click on “Poetry
Fest.”
Art Night
Wallflowers and Wine social art night returns May 13
Join the Galleries at the
Florence Events Center and
Artist John Leasure as he
once again brings his artistic
talent and wit to the stage at
the FEC for this ever popular
social art class Saturday, May
13, at 6:30 p.m.
This time we will be painting
the “Heron at Heaven’s Gate”
Leasure will guide attendees
who have never painted
before to attend — you will
amaze yourself at just what
you can create at Wallflowers
and Wine.
Purchase tickets now by call-
wine, beer and other bev- ing the ticket office or pur-
erages.
chase online.
No art or painting expe-
This event sells out quickly!
rience is needed. In fact,
Leasure encourages those
through the process of creat-
ing their own masterpieces. All
supplies (paint, brushes, can-
vas) are provided.
The Friends of the Events
Center Gallery Committee
will provide snacks and one
complimentary beverage
from the bar to enjoy.
Pavilion Catering will also
join the fun with its selection of
“Heron at Heavan’s Gate” will
be the subject of the next
Wallflowers and Wine painting
event hosted by local award-
winning artist John Leasure.
Piano Cameleons
From page 1
most respected and talked
about names in the Piano Jazz
scene. He has played with an
Playing opposite Herskovitz, impressive list of well-known
Roney has become one of the artists such as Alain Caron,
Bernard Primeau, Ginette
Reno, Remi Bolduc, Michel
Donato and Effendi Records
Jazzlab, to name only a few.
Roney’s versatility as a per-
former, composer and even as
an arrangement artist granted
him access to the best places
in the world of music.
Tickets are $32 for adults or
$10 for ages 18 and under.
To buy tickets, stop by the
FEC box office, call 541-997-
1994 or visit www.eventcen-
ter.org
Green Fair
From page 1
The award-winning documentary
“Just Eat It,” a 74-minute look at food
waste and rescue, will be screened at
the event.
Other vendors on hand will include
Florence Master Recyclers, Johnston
Motors and more.
Several speakers will present local
products, environmentally friendly
practices and healthy living ideas.
Admission is free with a canned food
donation for Mapleton Food Share or a
clean plastic planter, or $3.
The Green Fair is sponsored by
County Transfer and Recycling and is
presented by Coast Radio and Siuslaw
News.
The Florence Green Fair is open to all ages and interests when it comes to being more Earth friendly.
Come Join the Friends!
Volunteer – Event Planning – Fundraising
715 Quince Street | www.eventcenter.org
541-997-1994 | 888-968-4086