Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2019)
6A | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS Gingerbread Houses! Don’t miss your opportunity to decorate a gingerbread house this Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library’s Bromley Room. Free and fun! A very popular program, fami- lies are invited to bring kids of all ages for this gingerbread house decorating extravaganza. Supplies will be provided. Children under Library Tidings News about up- coming Siuslaw Public Library programs by Kevin Mittge NYAH from page 1A Her parents, Scott and Marijo, and her siblings, Luke, Jonah and Simone, are all along for the ride as she sees just where her ambition and talent can take her. Two have even embarked on per- forming careers of their own. “To do a job, any job, you have to be at it for 3 to 5 years before you feel really comfort- able,” Marijo said. “Everyone has to start somewhere — which is really nice, because Nyah has started as a teenag- er. … Even if she decides she wants to be an accountant when she’s 25—” “No, thank you,” Nyah in- terjected. “— She’ll have been in the business for 12 years, and that’s a lot longer than a lot of people stick to their first ca- reer. Then, she can go to col- lege again for something else,” Marijo said. Nyah has spent the last year refining her writing, singing and playing skills. From “Empty Spaces,” which she wrote when she was 13 and released in February, to “Flowers on my Grave,” re- leased in August, and “Mid- night,” released in September, audiences will be able to hear a variety of sounds. Most re- cently, she debuted “Maybe It’s A Christmas Song” on Thanksgiving Day. “I wrote them all at differ- ent times,” Nyah said. “None of these songs were written around the same time. It was all done one at a time. None of them are related, and yet they’re all me.” For her mother, “It’s about being part of an experience and having the ability to come back to a Nyah original every season.” Like other creatives, Nyah carries a notebook with her most of the time. She writes songs with pen and paper, but uses her tablet for longer-form prose. She also draws. Add in her blossoming talent for guitar and ukulele, and she is working hard to be not only a well-rounded performer, but a well-rounded person. “Writing, painting, making music — that is the joy part of humanity,” Marijo said. “If you ask people what brings them joy, someone will say a song, or musical or something that’s related to the arts. Nyah is doing all of those. From one art type, she is learning more.” Besides her own songs, Nyah sings karaoke at The Firehouse Restaurant in His- toric Old Town Florence and performs covers of popular tunes. “When Nyah covers a song, she has two options,” her mother said. “To make it ex- actly like how it is—” “Or completely different,” Nyah added. Marijo finished, “Because people have an expectation.” “If I like the song, I’ll sing it,” Nyah said firmly. “If I’m going to play it on the ukulele, it’s if I can play the chords.” Her musical influences cover multiple genres, some- thing she keeps in mind with both her covers and her own songs. In the playlists she listens to, “I’ll have an AC/DC song right next to a Frank Sinatra song.” This versatility opened the doors for Nyah at InRage En- tertainment, where she blew them away after an open call for a singer to be part of a K-Pop-style band. Marijo said, “Part of the question they asked Nyah was, ‘If we decide we’re all go- ing to do this as a team, what kind of artist do you want to be?’ And she had no idea, since her musical genres cov- er so much. If you look at her tablet, she has showtunes next to emo music. Her musical taste is so diverse — jazz, rock and roll.” the age of 8 must be accompanied lected by members of the public, by an adult. was a tie, with the award going to “Simba #2” by Carol Carpen- Hang-It All Winners ter and “Untitled Ocean View” by The library is pleased to con- Roberta Brenner. gratulate this year’s Hang-It All All three works of art will be on Art Show winners. display inside the library through The Bob Kutsch Award, select- the end of the month. A big thank ed by the library’s Art Committee, you to all the fantastic artists and goes to “Lily” by Jerry Schneider. craftspeople who took part in this The People’s Choice Award, se- year’s celebration of art. Each song on Nyah’s up- coming EP will be thematical- ly different, reflecting distinct emotions with each song. Now, the team at InRage will ask if Nyah has any songs, and she can pull one out. InRage Vice President Ebo- ny Rae Vanderveer said, “This is a period of exploration mu- sically for her right now. She can do anything, so the ques- tion is where is she going to land? We’re getting closer to that.” Nyah also continues to perform, recently with Ma- ree Beers and Hip Pocket at a venue in Eugene. “I really love performing with Maree,” Nyah said. “She’s one of the best vocalists in town and I love her. But I’m like, ‘Oh my god, you were my mentor. I can’t believe I’m on the same stage doing the same thing as you.’” The Vollmars listed off some of the local musicians who have gone from support- ing Nyah as mentors to fellow performers: Marty Adams, Paul Biondi, Denise Dee, Hip Pocket, Nate Kaplan, Judi Kel- ly and Jason Wood. “It’s just weird that I’m performing with them now,” Nyah added. “I remember be- ing 7 and looking up to them, and now I’m doing the same stuff. And they give me solid advice. There are some lovely people in this town.” Marijo said, “It’s really neat that there is this community of people who have been do- ing this their whole lives and taking a really genuine inter- est in her.” The next step for the family is to get Nyah out there “be- yond the county fairs,” Marijo said. Part of that is the release of her EP with InRage in 2020, interviews with region- al radio stations and more performances with longer set lists. Two of these will be this weekend — Friday, Dec. 13, at Mindpower Gallery’s holiday reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at 417 Fir Ave. in Reedsport, and Saturday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Victorian Christ- mas Open House at Heceta Lightkeeper’s House. She will perform with guitarist Marco Peña. People can expect to hear her own songs, mixed with Christmas favorites. And maybe one new one, too, with “Maybe It’s A Christmas Song.” Let me Showcase your property. Aileen Sapp Broker 541 999-5396 Vinca Alley #2101 – Beautiful Siuslaw River views from this in-town lot with city services at the property line. The corners are marked, come take a look for yourself and imagine sip- ping coffee on the deck of your dream home! $69,500. #2927-19542617 Holiday Cards The Friends of the Library have filled their greeting card rack with a wonderful assortment of holiday cards. Pick up these creative, one- of-a-kind cards to send to family and friends and support the li- brary. Cards, priced $2-$3, will be available for sale through Decem- ber. For Nyah, who loves Christmas, she acknowledges it’s not her usual type of song. “It’s soft. It is a love song, something I don’t write often, or when I do, I don’t show to people. Because love is strife. But it is a love song. Will you stay with me? It’s cold, can I have the warmth of company with another person?” “Or a puppy,” her mother added. Nyah agreed. “Puppies are better than humans.” As for InRage, Vanderveer said Nyah’s mix of genres continues to be a strength. “InRage is proud of Nyah and Oregon Coast Humane Society Christmas Store Open all Season 11/01-12/24 Mon-Sat 10am-4pm Sun. 12pm-4pm 1193 Bay Street, Old Town Florence 541-997-5705. the work she has done, as well as the community that backs her. We’re working to contin- ue to put her on the map as she represents Florence. … We’re just excited to be in this stage of life with her as she becomes more self-aware as an artist.” The download of “May- be It’s A Christmas Song” is available through 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve at www. nyahtheunicorn.com. At that time, they will also be entered into a drawing for a pair of Apple AirPods Pro. The song will be available for purchase after Jan. 1. Foursquare Church Annual Christmas Bazaar Sat. 12/14 9am-3pm Right beside A&W Homemade Christmas crafts & goodies. 2-Raffl es: 1-free basket full of goodies & Christmas quilt. Coffee & Cider You’re Invited 5 1 r e b m e c e D Sunday Kids, Teens & Adults Present 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 11:00 AM KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS First Baptist Church Florence 1935 25th Street Sponsored by St. Mary Our Lady of the Dunes Knights of Columbus Florence, Oregon In 2019 we will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of our business in Florence. It is time to express the appreciation and gratitude we feel, and have always felt, for the friendship, trust and loyalty of those who live in this community. It is your confi dence in us and your continued patronage that has made these 80 years such a pleasurable experience. Th ank you. Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 Come join us as we celebrate Jesus! 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Local Eats Where good friends & great food come together! Your guide to great locally owned restaurants. Mo’s Restaurant and for dessert... PEANUT BUTTER OR SNICKERS PIE $5.95 Mo’s Old Town, Florence • Daily 11 am - 8 pm Serving Bowls of comfort for Over 50 Years 8 201 We appreciate you! Fall is a great time for locals to enjoy Surfside Restaurant and the magnifi cent ocean view! To say thank you for being or becoming a customer we’d like to reward you with our Loyalty Card. Come pick up yours today! Drift wood Shores Resort 88416 1st Avenue, Florence VOTED OPEN EVERY DAY 11am Reservations • Take Out 1285 Bay Street Old Town Florence (541) 902-8338 F BEST O E PANKO BREADED COD FISH AND CHIPS $13.95 F LO E N C R Pizza Pasta Seafood www.1285Restobar.com