Read my two-lips — it’s spring

Yachats kicks off spring with an equinox celebration

By Barbara B. Covell

For the TODAY

Yes, it’s just around the corner: Spring, the season of rebirth, new growth and the advent of longer days and warmer temperatures.

Here on the Oregon Coast, Spring brings along the promise of drier weather, record-breaking sunsets and the beauty of tulips, daffodils and crocuses. Colors spring forth from the bulbs, seedlings and sprouts; reaffirming the arrival of springtide.

After this past year of isolation, the Yachats community is ready to safely celebrate the Spring Equinox on Saturday, March 20, with a day of music, socialization and some sharing of plants to help spread the colors of spring.

Sponsored by Polly Plumb Productions, this equinox celebration will feature four different venues for live music and a one spot to share flower bulbs and plant starts.

“We are really looking forward to this day of music,” board member Robert Rubin said. “We had to cancel so many events in the past year that we agonized about what we could sponsor and be socially responsible. This stroll about Yachats with live music makes sense for us. We just want people to have a good time.”

A power lineup featuring some of Lincoln County’s favorite musicians will take to the stage at four locations.

“The plan is for musicians to be inside at each location, shielded from any inclement weather, but visible to the audience,” Rubin said. “While we expect good weather, bring rain gear and umbrellas, because the show will go on!”

The event officially starts at 11:15 am at Yachats State Park, with a special performance by Darroll Morehouse, the Piper at the Point. Morehouse is a Newport resident, having retired from the San Jose Fire Department where he took up bagpiping. He is a member of the Northwest Firefighters Pipes and Drums and has played at the National Firefighters Memorial in Colorado Springs. Morehouse will play shorter sets at his discretion during the course of this celebration.

The music will continue with performers playing in 45-minute sets from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Dave Cowden and Ian Smith will each perform at the old Yachats fire station. Cowden is a classic and soft rock singer-songwriter who is popular in Yachats as part of the duo “Dave and Creight.” He was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in 2008, has played the halftime show for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs, has twice achieved Billboard Magazine’s Top 100 and has opened for several major recording groups.

“I never really thought I’d be playing music at this point in my life.” he said. “I’ll be 75 in April and am enjoying the opportunity to play around Yachats.”

Ian Smith is also a popular singer-songwriter whose guitar licks and vocals range from blues to African, Americana, folk, rock, jazz and classical music. He plans to play a few cover tunes in addition to his original portfolio. Smith draws on inspiration from Frank Zappa, who said, “Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best.”

The crowd-pleasing Sons of the Beaches will be performing two sets at the Drift Inn’s Rainspout Gallery. Guitarist Paul Bogaard and bass player Aaron Gibson will perform much of their original music, in addition to popular folk, jazz and blues. Bogaard’s guitar licks, mandolin melodies and rich deep vocals are backed by the rich rhythms of Gibson’s bass.

“I am excited about playing for a music loving crowd again,” Bogaard said.

The power trio Weird Science Boyz will be bringing their high energy ’80s sounds to the open-air pavilion behind the Yachats Commons. Be ready for a trip down memory lane with Ronnie Jay Pirrello on vocals and bass, Kevin Strever on vocals and guitar and Richard Robitaille on drums.

“This is a great opportunity to see some talented people and hear different kinds of great music,” Rubin said, adding that while there will not be street food vendors available, the city “is encouraging people to experience our great restaurants in Yachats.” Most offer takeout food or are serving people inside at 50-percent capacity.

The flower, bulb and plant giveaway/exchange table will be by the Drift Inn lobby area. People are encouraged to bring things from their home gardens that others can enjoy, preferably in paper bags and labeled.

For more information about Polly Plumb events, go to www.pollyplumb.org.