Make a note in your diary
Pick your style of music, preferred venue and even favorite seat: the Siletz Bay Music Festival is back, with tickets now on sale.
For nine days beginning on Saturday, Sept. 4, world-class performers will bring music to your ears at a variety of venues in and around Lincoln City.
Long-time artistic director Yaacov (Yaki) Bergman has created an exciting program with an extraordinary mix of music, including performances of classical chamber, jazz and orchestral music, a bit of Broadway, the popular “Musical Tapas” tastes and tunes event, plus a gala benefit dinner and concert.
“What's unique about the festival is that we have so many different styles,” Bergman said. “The menu is incredibly rich, and as artistic director I’m the chef and I always enjoy adding new things.”
When Bergman got the sense that this year the show might go on, he went to work.
“I started calling each musician individually and the response was amazing,” he said. “Everyone I spoke to said they miss the community, the people and the experience. We have almost all of our family coming back.”
Joining him will be some of the festival’s favorite musicians including Mei-ting Sun on piano and renowned clarinetist Ken Peplowski.
“We almost lost Ken but he cancelled a Paris gig to be able to come here,” Bergman said. “He's considered to be the current Benny Goodman, and that’s not an exaggeration. He has remarkable stage charisma.”
New talent coming to perform includes Oregon’s own Anthea Kreston and Jason Duckles, plus jazz singer Karla Harris of Atlanta.
“We have newcomers this season that I am very excited about, including an amazing new jazz vocalist named Karla Harris,” Bergman said. “When I first heard her, I found her style so incredible that I contacted her and she said she was anxious to come.”
Joining the list of venues this year is B’Nai Brith Camp, which will host two orchestral concerts on the shore of on Devils Lake in Lincoln City. And, despite this season’s COVID-shortened schedule, the festival will again feature three free concerts, one at Lincoln City’s Congregational Church and two at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, also the site for chamber and jazz, Musical Tapas and the benefit dinner concert events.
“We try to keep ticket prices low and put on free events every season,” said Production Manager Jain Sekuler. “We really want to make sure everyone, including families, feels like they can enjoy at least some parts of the festival.”
The free concerts will include the traditional Tuesday night chamber performance at the Congregational Church and a concert for children and their families and “Bagels with Beethoven,” which will feature a performance and musical chat moderated by Joan Behrens Bergman — and bagels.
Prices for tickets vary: chamber and jazz tickets are $25; orchestra are $40; Musical Tapas are $55, including tapas provided by Side Door Café. Tickets for the benefit dinner, also catered by Side Door, are $125.
To celebrate the new venue at B'nai Brith Camp on Sunday, Sept. 12, audience members will have a chance to purchase a picnic lunch from the camp kitchen to enjoy on the lawn prior to the concert. Bring a blanket or sit on the benches and enjoy the lake view. Cost for the picnic lunch is $15.
“Things could still change at the last minute,” Bergman said, “but even if it has to be different, we can still do something to still present a great program. The bottom line is we have a good time and the audience has a good time.”
To view the schedule and to purchase tickets, go to www.siletzbaymusic.org or call 541-264-5828.
Packages
Pick Three: Purchase tickets for any three concerts excluding Tapas and the Friday night benefit dinner and get five percent off the total ticket price.
Pick Six: Purchase tickets for any six concerts excluding the Friday Night benefit dinner and get 10 percent off the total ticket price.
Grand Slam: Purchase tickets for any eight performances and get 10 percent off the total ticket price, except for the Friday night benefit dinner. Includes admission to the venue 15 minutes prior to the standard admittance time to choose preferred seats.