what's happening

Dueling Pianos - May 13, North Bend

Concert-goers can expect an interactive and memorable experience at the Dueling Pianos Show, featuring Van Walraven and Lark Knowles, at the Mill Casino on May 13. The show has been a fixture on the Las Vegas entertainment scene, featuring two highly skilled pianists and entertainers.

Attendees can sing along, with crowd-pleasing songs that listeners will remember from Billy Joel, Elton John, and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” There will be two shows, at 6 and 8 p.m., and each show is unique because the audience helps decide what song they will perform next.

Tickets are on sale in the Ko-Kwel Gift shop and are $15 for general admission and $12 for Mill Club members. (541-756-8800; www.themillcasino.com)

Gary Allan’s Country - May 5–6, Lincoln City

It’s a once-on-a-lifetime chance to see Gary Allan, who performs live for two concerts at Chinook Winds Casino Resort, on May 5–6. Allan is known for his wide range in emotional subjects, from honky-tonk bravado to honest self-examination, tackling the joys of parenting, the heartache of personal loss, the testosterone of disagreement, and the unpredictability of love.

During his 17 year recording career, he has registered four number one country singles—“Man To Man,” “Tough Little Boys,” “Nothing On But The Radio” and “Watching Airplanes”—in addition to trademark hits such as the lonely “Best I Ever Had” and the swaggering “Right Where I Need To Be.”

Tickets are $50 to $65 and can be reserved by phone, at the Chinook Winds box office, or online. (888-624-6228; www.chinookwindscasino.com)

Tina Turner Tribute - April 29, North Bend

Tina Turner knew had to put on a dazzling show, and that same charisma is re-created at the Mill Casino Hotel on April 29 for the Real McCoy production of the Tina Turner Live Tribute. Listeners will be dazzled by the upbeat “Tina” (played by Cookie Watkins) and her cadre of dynamite dancers, who take the stage in the Salmon Room for two shows—at 6 and 8 p.m.

“The Queen of Rock ‘n Roll” wore the crown well, with mega-hit tunes like “Simply the Best,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It” “Higher,” “Proud Mary,” and more. Concert-goers will be treated to the same energy and enthusiasm that were Turner’s iconic trademarks.

Tickets are on sale in the Ko-Kwel Gift shop and are $25 for premium seating or $20 for standard seating. Must be 21 or older to attend. (541-756-8800; www.themillcasino.com)

SEA Seminars - April 15 & 29, Coos Bay & Bandon

Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA), a Bandon area nonprofit whose mission is to educate the public about shoreline habitats and the wildlife that lives there, hosts a series of lectures and events that cover an interesting variety of marine-related topics.

On April 15, Dr. Jan Hodder, professor at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, will present a talk on pinnipeds (seals, sea lions etc.) at the Coos Museum in Coos Bay starting at 9 a.m.

Bird-lovers won’t want to miss the Puffin Party, scheduled for April 29 at Face Rock in Bandon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact SEA for information on seminars and other events. (541-260-7770; www.sea-edu.org)

Historic Rhody Garden Tours - April 15, 29 & May 13, Reedsport

The historic O.H. Hinsdale Rhododendron Garden will be open to the public three Saturdays this spring so visitors can enjoy hundreds of blooming rhododendrons and azaleas, some more than 100 years old. 

Volunteers and BLM staff will be on hand to answer questions and give tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 15, April 29, and May 13. The BLM, along with the American Rhododendron Society and the Friends of Hinsdale Garden, have worked to restore the garden over the past several years.

Visitors can check-in at the interpretive kiosk at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area on Highway 38 about 3 miles east of Reedsport. Due to limited parking, visitors will be shuttled to the garden from the Dean Creek parking area. (541-756-0100; www.Hinsdale.Reedsport.us)

Something to tweet about - April 21–23, Pacific City

The Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival is a dream event for birders, offering excursions, live birds of prey presentations, and speakers on bird-related topics.

On Friday, April 21, a free community open house includes children’s art activities at 3:30 p.m., a live presentation on birds of prey at 4:30 p.m., and a lecture on the albatross colony on Midway Island at 6:30 p.m. Also on Friday is an all-day birding excursion along the Three Capes Scenic Drive.

On Saturday and Sunday, experts will lead field trips to Clay Myers State Natural Area, Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and Neskowin Marsh. Photographer Paul Bannick will present a lecture called “OWL: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls” on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. On Saturday night, rock out with high-energy blues from the Joanne Broh Band. (503-965-6247; www.birdingandblues.org)

Crab Feed + Wooden Boats - April 22−23, Depoe Bay

The 22nd annual Depoe Bay Crab Feed, Wooden Boat Show & Ducky Derby will display dozens of handcrafted vessels at the Depoe Bay harbor, fun activities for the whole family, and delicious Dungeness crab. Thousands of pounds of locally caught Dungeness crab will be available at the Crab Feed, on both Saturday and Sunday at the Depoe Bay Community Hall on 220 SE Bay Street.

On Sunday, hundreds of colorful bathtub ducks will be released into the harbor at the Ducky Derby. Anyone can buy a ticket for a chance to win prizes provided by Depoe Bay merchants. Admission to the wooden boat show is free; price for the crab feed is determined by current market prices. (541-765-2889; www.DepoeBaychamber.org)

Rainspout Music - April 28−30, Yachats

The Rainspout Music Festival returns to Yachats with a full slate of concerts, jam sessions, workshops, dancing, plus a children’s show and an all ages sing-a-long on April 28−30. The lineup for the festival includes an eclectic mix of ballads, bluegrass, blues, and ragtime tunes with The New Folksters; fiddling and picking music for the whole family with the Fiddlin’ Big Sue Band; longtime singer-songwriter Barbara Lee; one-man band Terry Trenholm, who sings and plays tenor guitar, harmonicas, keyboard, drum, and tambourine; and many more performers! The lineup and a schedule of concerts and workshops is available on the Rainspout website. (www.rainspout.org)

Ahh Shucks! - April 29, Charleston

Seafood lovers are invited to celebrate tempting, tasty, fresh Coos Bay oysters at the “Ahh Shucks!” Oyster Feed on Saturday, April 29 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Dining Hall (63466 Boat Basin Road) in Charleston.

Meals feature succulent oysters provided by local growers that are fried, sautéed, or steamed and served with dipping sauces, baked beans, coleslaw, garlic bread, and a choice of beverages. Cost ranges from $11 for three oysters, $13 for six, and $15 for nine. Shrimp cocktails will be available for $2.

There will be a gourmet hot dog meal for non-oyster fans, costing $8 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. The event includes live music, River's Edge wines, desserts, and a fund-raising drawing featuring gift certificates and prizes. (541-269-0215; www.oregonsadventurecoast.com)

Past Events

Don't Miss Out!

Oregon Coast Magazine will keep you current with the best photos, features, current developments, upcoming festivals and others happenings through out the region delivered right to your doorstep six times a year. Oregon Coast Magazine is an indispensable resource to bring this exhilarating area to your home. Plus it looks great on a coffee table.

Subscribe Now: Oregon Coast Magazine