Tickets are available for individual performances, or purchase a fringe festival pass for all shows. Tickets are available online and available at the box office during the festival. Seating is assigned for all shows, so advance ticket purchase is encouraged. Visit BandonEvents.org/Bandon-Fringe-Festival for show details and ticketing information.

The festival had a robust start in 2025 with professional and emerging artists showcasing work in a variety of genres, and the 2026 festival follows suit.

An eclectic show list is a hallmark of Fringe festivals around the world. So, audiences can share a range of emotions, from heartfelt introspection, to laugh-out-loud humor, to edge-of-your-seat suspense.

The 2026 Bandon Fringe line-up features several original one-act plays, including “Hick to Hamlet,” written and performed by Ty Boice; “Self Possessed,” written and performed by Tyler Eickhoff; and “Murder at Two Mile: A True Bandon Mystery,” written by Neal Davis and performed by Gaels Readers Theater. Author and storyteller Naomi Ulsted will share “Glamour Shots” from her collection of creative nonfiction.

Henrik Bothe will entertain audiences with his physical comedy act “The Henrik Maneuver.” Live music sessions include singer-songwriter Janessa Gabrielle, the Tidal Troubadors, and Danitza Galvan and guests. Bandon Open Stage will present a variety show of music, poetry and art. And, members of Bandon Playhouse will get the festival started with two sets: a preview of upcoming productions playfully titled “Goodbye to 6-7 in Iambic Pentameter” and “What Did Shakespeare Say?,” a selection of Shakespeare scenes directed by Sandra Heinzmann.

Between performances, audiences can grab a bite or a beverage. In-house refreshments will be available Thursday and Friday with a complimentary ice cream social for ticket holders on Sunday. Local food and beverage trucks serving on Saturday and Sunday are Angelina’s Mexican, B&B Burgers and Thirst Trap.

Behind the Scenes, Bringing Local History to the Stage

Bandon, Oregon, residents were shocked in 1923 by the sudden death of a healthy, young wife and mother named Ebba Covell. As details of the event unfolded, the murder at Ebba’s Two Mile Lane residence captivated newspaper editors and readers throughout the country.

The Gaels Readers Theater will present a newly revised rendition of “Murder at Two Mile: A True Bandon Mystery” in the closing act of the 2026 Bandon Fringe Festival. The one-act play is written and directed by playwright and Gaels member Neal Davis.

The Gaels Readers Theater group was formed in 2017 by local writers and performers looking to explore original stage pieces in affordably priced productions that would appeal to a broad audience base, explained Davis. The group’s first production, written by Davis, was “Bandon Burns!,” adapted from a collection of survivor accounts of the catastrophic 1936 Bandon fire. The Gaels planned three performances in the Sprague Room of the Bandon Public Library, then added an encore performance when all shows were sold out and many would-be attendees were turned away.

The popularity of the show convinced the Gaels and Davis that local history is a fascinating topic for local and visiting audiences, so Davis went looking for more inspiration at the Bandon History Museum, where he found enthusiastic support from museum staff and volunteers.

“Murder at Two Mile” debuted in 2018. The primary source material for the script was historic news coverage from multiple publications.

“Using the different slants from various sources helped with the characterization of the people involved in this particular crime,” said Davis.

Anticipating the 2026 Fringe Festival, Gaels member Corrie Gant invited the readers theater group to consider applying to perform in the festival. After some discussion, Davis agreed to direct a revised rendition of “Murder at Two Mile.”

The script revisions reflect source material discovered since the play’s debut. With the new information, Davis says that the pivotal characters of the detective and the perpetrator are presented with more nuanced dimension than the first draft. And, he was able to highlight details beyond the facts of the crime to also share a story of individual and family resilience.

The cast for the 2026 Bandon Fringe Festival includes actors with a range of professional and community theater experience, including original Gaels members Corrie Gant, Amy Moss Strong, and Mike Dempsey, joined by Nameer El-Kadi and Grant Goodwin.

“We love what the Fringe Festival is trying to do,” said Davis. “To provide options to stage a show at little expense in a great venue, the Sprague Theater, and provide audiences with a buffet of performances to choose from.”

Support for Performing Arts

The Bandon Fringe Festival is co-presented by the Sprague Community Theater and Bandon Playhouse. Along with event coordination by Sprague Community Theater manager Stephanie Jones, Bandon Playhouse members are providing much-needed support for the festival through promotional work, backstage and front of house staffing.

Support for the 2026 Bandon Playhouse season comes from Bain Insurance Agency, Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation, Robert Miller Attorney at Law, and Sharon and Wade Troxell, with a grant from the Coos County Cultural Coalition and state revenue sharing funds from the City of Bandon. Learn how to get involved and support the Bandon Playhouse community theater organization at BandonPlayhouse.org.

The Sprague Community Theater is owned and managed by the City of Bandon with support from the Bandon Arts Council. All public spaces in the theater are ADA accessible and assistive listening devices are available at the box office. Find information about charitable support for the Sprague Community Theater at BandonEvents.org/Support.

Article and images courtesy of Bandon Playhouse and festival performers. “Murder at Two Mile” cast from left, Mike Dempsey, Corrie Gant, Nameer El-Kadi, Amy Moss Strong, Grant Goodwin.

All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater. Visit our Bandon Fringe Festival page for more information.

Admission

Concert admission is free, no tickets required. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. and is available on a first-come, first-served, basis. This event is sponsored by the Bandon Library and Bandon Library Friends and Foundation. For more information, call 541-347-3221.

About the Duo

Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter are a multi-instrumentalist duo with Celtic Harps, Swedish Nyckelharpa, Ukrainian Bandura, Bouzouki, Cittern and more. They hail from Oregon and tour extensively, both having successful recording and performing careers built from years of street performing and a background as rock musicians. They have performed with some of the biggest names in folk and acoustic music and have sold well over a million albums combined. Audiences are spellbound and enchanted with their unique show of breathtaking music both Traditional and original, with wondrous stories and humor entwined.

This free concert event comes to the Sprague Community Theater at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The program is presented with sponsor support from Bain Insurance.

For more information, please call Harbor Lights Middle School, 541-347-4415.

Performing arts fans are invited to join friends and community members in the Sprague Community Theater’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Bandon Showcase and the Bandon Arts Council are pleased to present this unforgettable dinner and concert gala, featuring new and returning Sprague Theater alumni performers, on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Celebrate with Lachlan Miller and friends in a lively concert of classic and contemporary music theater selections, with opera, art songs and chamber music. Classically trained vocalists and instrumentalists include Bandon native Lachlan Miller, baritone; Nicole Stover, soprano; Redfish Music Festival Ensemble members Fritz Gearhart on violin, Zachary Deak on piano, and Noah Seitz on cello; along with intergenerational Sprague Theater alumni in the Anniversary Community Chorus.

“Those who’ve had the experience of participating in Sprague Community Theater events, as performers or audience members, know what a treasure the venue is for Bandon and the South Coast region,” said Geneva Miller, event co-producer.

“The 25th anniversary is a terrific chance to invite our performing arts supporters to celebrate the space, to honor the many people who have contributed over the first two decades and envision the next two decades’ worth of opportunities at the theater,” Miller added. “Our performers and production team have had fun creating a lineup of repertoire that highlights the performers’ talents and the acoustic quality of the space.”

Before the show, enjoy a delicious dinner catered by Black Market Gourmet with beverage service courtesy of 2 Mile Bistro, featuring wines from Oregon’s Foris Vineyards. During intermission, indulge in delectable sweets from Coastal Mist Fine Chocolates and Desserts.

The celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. with dinner at the Bandon Community Center, followed by the concert at 7 p.m. next door at the Sprague Community Theater. Both venues are located on 11th St. SW in Bandon City Park.

Admission

Event details and tickets are available at BandonShowcase.org. Dinner and concert admission is $100 per person or register a group of eight for $750. Dinner and concert reservations have been extended through Thursday, Sept. 18. This anniversary event is proudly presented by Bandon Showcase and the Bandon Arts Council with support from George and Darcy Cardas, the City of Bandon, 2 Mile Bistro, Foris Vineyards, and Coastal Mist.

This program is presented by the Bandon Public Library in conjunction with the library’s youth summer reading program. Admission is free with first-come, first-served, general admission seating.

The presentation is designed for elementary age audiences, but families with youth age zero to 18 are welcome. For more information, contact library staff at 541-347-3221.

Tickets are available for individual performances, or purchase a fringe festival pass for all shows. Advance tickets are available online. Tickets will also be available at the box office during the festival. Visit our Bandon Fringe Festival page for show details and ticketing information.

Fringe festivals invite performing artists to showcase work in a range of genres. Bandon Playhouse president Rob Jones says diversity, in the programming and among the performers, is part of what makes Fringe Festivals unique.

“There’s room for everybody to participate,” said Jones, noting that emerging artists can try out new work in a supportive environment alongside more experienced performers.

In Bandon, the 2025 line-up offers 14 presentations by visiting and regional professional and amateur performers. Audience members can experience several original one act plays, such as “The Footbridge,” a dramatic piece written by award-winning playwright Jeanmarie Simpson for the Bandon festival; and the comedy “A Pirate Named Shirley,” written and directed by Bandon student Tyler Eickoff.

Enjoy local and touring musicians and dancers, such as singer-songwriter Lindsey Bellefeuille, and world music ensemble Malinka. Performance art presentations include a mixed-media staged reading from the new book by Susan Dimock; and a show with Bubble Man Louis Pearl, who has toured the globe making bubble magic on stage.

One Performer’s Story

Actor and writer Corrie Gant is one of those experienced performers who applied to the festival because she wanted an opportunity to present her one woman, one act play “Tales from the Kitchen Table.” Gant originally wrote and performed the play a handful of times in the late 1990s. Then, in 2024, she dusted off the script and tackled some significant revisions with the help of her friend, theater instructor Dr. Annie McGregor.

Gant recalls that, when she set out to write the play, she discovered she first needed time to reflect on what kind of story she wanted to tell. Then, in her meditation practice, the image of an older woman emerged.

“That part stuck,” said Gant, explaining that the old woman character, who promised to help Gant discover her true name, provided the genesis for her portrayal of nine archetypal female characters throughout history. The revised version of “Tales” got new opening and closing scenes. And, some of the original characters were replaced by characters leaning into dialogue from Moliere and William Shakespeare. Borrowing from classic monologues helped Gant step into female experiences that felt familiar but were not her own.

“The monologues added experiences from women in the world,” said Gant. “All the characters in the play really resonate with me now.”

Which is why she jumped at the opportunity to perform in the Bandon Fringe Festival. She performed the revised piece in four presentations in 2024, (produced by Dolphin Players and Bandon Playhouse), but felt like four performances wasn’t enough.

Small Town, Wonderful Theater

“From my perspective, I see the festival as an opportunity for local and visiting artists to perform and share their talents with the community within our wonderful theater,” said Christine Kingsbury, Community and Cultural Services Director for the City of Bandon.

Kingsbury noted that the festival also offers live theater entertainment to audience members with the option to attend one, or multiple events, allowing for varying ticket prices and scheduling. She added, “I am hopeful that the community will come and support the festival, and that it can be the first of an annual event.”

Rob Jones also hopes the festival will inspire ongoing enthusiasm for local performing arts and the Sprague Community Theater venue. Bandon Playhouse members are providing much-needed support for the festival through promotional work, back stage and front of house staffing.

The Bandon Fringe Festival is co-presented by the Sprague Community Theater and Bandon Playhouse. Support for the 2025 Bandon Playhouse season comes from Bain Insurance Agency, Robert Miller Attorney at Law, Rogue Credit Union and Umpqua Bank, with a grant from the Coos County Cultural Coalition and revenue sharing from the City of Bandon. Learn more about the Bandon Playhouse community theater organization at BandonPlayhouse.org.

Images from top: Amazing Bubble Man courtesy of Louis Pearl, Malinka in concert courtesy of Malinka Music Collective, seascape photo courtesy of Susan Dimock, Corrie Gant photo by Robert Miller courtesy of Bandon Playhouse

Don’t miss one of Oregon’s favorite ensembles! For over 34 years the Sugar Beets have been bringing people to their feet with their blend of traditional music and contemporary original songwriting. Moving effortlessly from bluegrass, or Celtic and old-time fiddle music, to Motown, country, swing and pop, the sound is fresh and inspiring. The Sugar Beets are an eight piece ensemble featuring moving female lead and harmony vocals, fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, stand up bass, drums and percussion.

Tickets

Admission is $25 or $20 for OCMA members. Purchase tickets in advance at the Oregon Coast Music Festival website.

Rock, blues and jazz guitarist Willy Porter is a singer and songwriter with a seering finger-picking guitar style, a 13-album portfolio, and 30-year music career. Along the way, he has performed alongside artists such as Tori Amos, Paul Simon, Jethro Tull, Sting, and Jeff Beck. His work with Guild & Fender guitars led to the manufacture of the “Willy Porter Signature” acoustic guitar.

Some folks are lucky to find what they love to do at an early age and quietly settle in for the long haul expanding and developing their work over the arc of a lifetime. Willy Porter is one of those artists. Porter released his most recent album, “The Ravine,” in 2023. And, in his home state of Wisconsin, The Wisconsin Area Music Industry inducted Porter into WAMI Hall of Fame.

Tickets

General admission to the concert is $35. Tickets are available in advance on Eventbrite and at the door the evening of the show. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m., and seating begins at 7 p.m. Find ticket links at BandonShowcase.org.

Admission

Concert admission is free, no tickets required. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. and is available on a first-come, first-served, basis. This event is sponsored by the Bandon Library and Bandon Library Friends and Foundation. For more information, call 541-347-3221.

About the Duo

Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter are a multi-instrumentalist duo with Celtic Harps, Swedish Nyckelharpa, Ukrainian Bandura, Bouzouki, Cittern and more. They hail from Oregon and tour extensively, both having successful recording and performing careers built from years of street performing and a background as rock musicians. They have performed with some of the biggest names in folk and acoustic music and have sold well over a million albums combined. Audiences are spellbound and enchanted with their unique show of breathtaking music both Traditional and original, with wondrous stories and humor entwined.