A collection of Oregon writers will present Off the Page, an evening celebration of poetry and prose on Saturday, April 24 at 7pm in Yachats, on the central Oregon Coast. The event takes place at the Green Salmon Coffeehouse, located at Highway 101 and Second Street. Doors open and music starts at 6:30pm. The reading performance begins at 7pm. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Now in its fourth year, Off the Page is an encouraging celebration of creative expression.
Oregon writers — hailing from Yachats to Portland — will share their work. Featured writers include: Fred Strauss, Rick Schultze, Drew Myron, Khloella Brateng and Dave Baldwin. In addition, Yachats singer/songwriter Richard Sharpless will perform.
About the Writers
Fred Strauss, of Tidewater, is a longtime volunteer for Seashore Family Literacy, where he serves as a founding member and mentor to teens in the Writers Group, and as co-leader of The Writing Club for middle school students. He also tutors adult readers. In addition, he is a member of Tuesday, a central Oregon coast writing group that meets weekly. His short stories and poems appear in many editions of their annual anthology.
Drew Myron, of Yachats, is a poet, publicist, and the creator of Off the Page. Five years ago, she initiated a monthly writing group that drew together an assortment of individuals with various writing skills and experience. Buoyed by the belief that writing needs to crawl out of the journal and soar into the community, Off the Page became an annual event to showcase local writers and celebrate the power of creative expression. Drew operates a marketing communications company, and is an instructor and volunteer with Seashore Family Literacy. See www.drewmyron.com.
Khlo Brateng, of South Beach, is an actress, singer, musician and writer. She plays harp, sings with the Central Coast Chorale and works as a graphic designer. Her poetry, short stories and flash fiction appear in her chapbook Words Out Loud. See www.khloella.com.
Dave Baldwin, of Yachats, is a retired baseball player, geneticist, engineer, and artist. His articles on the science of baseball have appeared in American Scientist and American Journal of Physics. His baseball memoir, Snake Jazz was published in 2007. Under the pen name DGB Featherkile, he has published poetry in numerous literary journals and in an e-book, Limbic Hurly-Burly: Poems of Humor and Paradox. See www.snakejazz.com.
In addition, young writers from Seashore Family Literacy's writing programs will take the stage to give voice to their words.
The Gentle Dragon Massage & Healing Hideaway will mark their opening with a two-day celebration of music, speakers, demonstrations, prizes — and poetry. I'm happy to be included in the festivities, and eager to get poetry out of the books and into the world. What fun! Please join me.
Drew
