storytelling

Lisa Lynne & Aryeh Frankfurter in Concert

Geneva Miller — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 02:00:00 +0000

The Bandon Public Library welcomes Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter to Bandon for an evening of Celtic harps, rare instruments and stories. The musical event is Friday, March 20, 7 p.m. at the Sprague Community Theater.

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.

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Bandon Fringe Festival offers 14 performances over three days

Geneva Miller — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:27:54 +0000

The Sprague Community Theater and Bandon Playhouse are pleased to announce the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival, June 27, 28 and 29. The festival schedule features 14 events, including drama, music, storytelling, mixed-media, dance and performance art by local and touring performers. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

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

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Tales from the Kitchen Table

Geneva Miller — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Hiding under the quilting frame while the grammas work. Being quiet, so you can listen to the moms talk. “Tales From the Kitchen Table” are the stories they didn’t let you hear, the ones they made you leave the room before they told. Laughter, sorrow, terror, lust – nine stories that will introduce you to nine females you may never forget.

“Tales from the Kitchen Table” is the final performance in the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. This one act play is performed and written by Corrie Gant, (with additional dialogue by Shakespeare and Molière), and directed by Annie McGregor.

Show time is 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.

This play includes mature themes, and / or strong language, and is recommended for teen and adult audience members.

Admission $10

This performance is part of the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

Tickets are available for individual performances, or purchase a Fringe Festival Pass for all shows. Advance tickets are available online at Tix.com. Tickets are also available at the box office during the festival.

The Bandon Fringe Festival is presented by the Sprague Community Theater and Bandon Playhouse. Supporters of the Bandon Playhouse 2025 season include 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.

More . . .

Corrie Gant is a well-known local performer, playwright and producer who received advanced training at Dell’Arte School of Mask, Mime and Comedy. She went on to perform physical comedy across Texas and Ontario. Since returning to Bandon, she has contributed her work to many local events and fundraisers. Most recently, Corrie has been seen in Bandon Playhouse productions of “Radium Girls,” “Coquille River Anthology,” and “Crimes of the Heart.” She is also a member of the Bandon Playhouse board of directors.

Dr. Annie McGregor earned her PhD in Theatre from the University of Oregon. While teaching at Purdue she developed a new Masters program in dramaturgy. Later, at Penn State, she was in charge of the nationally recognized THEA 100 experience, in addition to acting and directing in regional theatres. She is excited to be working with her old pal Corrie Gant on “Tales From the Kitchen Table.”

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A Language We All Understand

Geneva Miller — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 22:00:00 +0000

Malinka presents Eastern European Gypsy folk (Romani), Balkan, Slavic, Latin & original music, with groovy, funky beats, drum & bass breakdowns, guitar licks and hot violin, songs from many places in many languages, culminating in greater global awareness and the feeling that love is universal. Learn more at malinkamusic.com.

Show time is 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.

Admission $15

This performance is part of the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

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An Unauthorized Biography

Geneva Miller — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 21:00:00 +0000

A mystery from history to confuse and amuse, as characters explain what could not be, but is. Travel through time from opening curtain to the play’s culmination, exploring a conundrum taught by sages through the ages from a popular manuscript’s pages.

“An Unauthorized Biography” is a one act play written and directed by Donna Snyder-Smith.

This play includes mature themes, and / or strong language, and is recommended for teen and adult audience members.

Show time is 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.

Admission $10

This performance is part of the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

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A Pirate Named Shirley

Geneva Miller — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 19:30:00 +0000

“A Pirate Named Shirley” is a one act pirate comedy written and directed by Tyler Eickhoff.

The story follows the infamous Captain Blackwood as he tries to hide his most guarded secret: His real name is Shirley. In order to protect this secret, which would destroy his reputation, Captain Blackwood decides to try and kill his own mother, the only other person who knows his real name. Hijinks ensue as the rest of his crew get involved and eventually learn the truth . . . .

Show time is 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.

Admission $10

This performance is part of the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

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Squeezebox & Beats

Geneva Miller — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 03:00:00 +0000

Loopy accordion grooves with Dutch / French accents. Jet Black Pearl’s smartly wacky songs are a mad hatter’s European party with a funky attitude. With her loop station, she records grooves and layers of flute, vocal percussion and harmonies while squeezing one hot accordion. Learn more at JetBlackPearl.com.

In Reviews:

“A formidable force of music, and truly has to be seen to be believed.” Three Weeks, Edinburgh Fringe Festival

“[Jet] has traveled the world performing and leaving a trail of delight wherever she goes.” Oregon Music News

This presentation includes mature themes, and / or strong language, and is recommended for teen and adult audience members.

Show time is 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.

Admission $10

This performance is part of the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

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No Apologies, Cowboy

Geneva Miller — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 01:30:00 +0000

“No Apologies, Cowboy” is a short tragic queer piece following two deserters from war. Boys finding hope and life in a place determined to be devoid of it. It’s about finding divinity in what is smeared with grime and mold and shattered glass.

This one act play is written by Nemo Dieterich and performed by Lost and Found.

Show time is 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.

This play includes mature themes, and / or strong language, and is recommended for teen and adult audience members. The performance also includes gunfire sound effects.

Admission $10

This performance is part of the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

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Side of the Tide Morris Dancers

Geneva Miller — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 23:30:00 +0000

Delightfully exuberant and wildly entertaining, the Side of the Tide Morris Dancers have enthralled audiences throughout the South Coast for the last ten years. Celebrating nature and the change of the seasons, the joy of community, and the joy of dance, they provide an enchanting glimpse of life in the English countryside hundreds of years ago. Wearing tattered vests, our local Border Morris Dance troupe offers high energy dances with a bold knacking of staves and ringing of bells.

Show time is 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.

Admission $10

This performance is part of the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

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Bandon Open Stage

Geneva Miller — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 22:00:00 +0000

Open Stage presents a variety show of colorful area talent in song, poetry, spoken word and comedy.

Show time is 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.

Admission $10

This performance is part of the 2025 Bandon Fringe Festival. All performances are at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St. SW, in Bandon City Park.

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