LINCOLN CITY — Sometimes, to make a dream come true, you must signal your in-tent. That’s exactly what the planners of the future Lincoln City Cultural Plaza are doing in the month of July. They are installing a large tent, on the site of the Plaza improvement project, and filling it with live music, children’s theatre, great food and plenty of community celebration. It’s called The Plaza Party Tent, and it will open with a concert by jazz-pop songstress Halie Loren on July 1. Tickets are on sale now at lincolncity-culturalcenter.org.

“We’ve been planning the Lincoln City Cultural Plaza improvements for the last three years, and this project has seen its share of challenges. But now, with the pandemic receding and our fundraising renewed, the Plaza is moving forward quickly,” said Dorcas Holzapfel, president of the Lincoln City Cultural Center board of directors. “We’re in the last lap, Lincoln City, and we’re planning to break ground in early 2022. You’re invited to help us celebrate our success throughout the month of July, in the Plaza Party Tent.” 

This Plaza in-tent-sive is sponsored by the US Bank Foundation, the Oregon Community Foundation and the City of Lincoln City, with musician support provided by The William Gregory Music Fund and lodging by Sweet Haven Olivia Beach. The Lincoln County School District is donating the use of the stage and chairs, while Bear Valley Nursery and Phantom Star Kites will provide the decoration that will set the festive scene. The media sponsor is the Oregon Coast TODAY. 

The Plaza Party Tent, which will be erected in the east parking lot of the Lincoln City Cultural Center, is about twice the size of the LCCC’s auditorium. It will feature 13-foot walls and a raised stage surrounded by ground level seating. Along with the entertainment, patrons can see the latest plans for the Lincoln City Cultural Plaza, talk to an LCCC Board Member about the capital campaign, and purchase a commemorative brick, conifer or bench.  

The LCCC staff and volunteers will be applying all current Lincoln County health guidelines at the time of the concert. All event patrons should be prepared to wear a face covering, or show their proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

There will be five marquee concerts in the Plaza Party Tent. Each one will feature a different hot food vendor, as well as sales of beer, wine, sodas, water and other concessions. Seating is general admission. Doors will open at 6 pm each evening. Tickets are $20 youth, $32 for seniors and students, and $35 general. LCCC Membership discounts, complimentary tickets and 2 for 1 coupons will apply. To purchase using a discount coupon call the LCCC office, 541-994-9994. 

Thursday, July 1 — The Halie Loren Quartet. A multi-genre, multi-lingual, multi-era celebration of summertime and the return of live music. Featured food vendor: Stoopid Veganz. 

Thursday, July 8 — Son de Cuba. A quintet of musicians from Chile, Mexico, Cuba and the USA, playing classic and modern tunes with energy and happiness. Featured food vendor: TBD. 

Thursday, July 15 — “Songs of Wonder” with The Dmitri Matheny Group featuring Holly Pyle. Jazz artists Matheny and Pyle join forces for one night only, with an all-star celebration of Stevie Wonder. Featured food vendor: Phill’s Smokin’ Grill. 

Monday, July 26 — The Gothard Sisters. Three sisters, many instruments and a singular style of Northwest Celtic music. Back by popular demand! Featured food vendor: Calle (tacos, tortes, etc.)

Thursday, July 29 — Men of Worth. The folk music duo of James Keigher (Ireland) and Donnie Macdonald (Scotland) will infuse this tent adventure with some serious fun. Featured food vendor: Olde Line Lanes’ Wood Fired Pizza. 

ALSO IN JULY AT THE LCCC

All month — Small Expressions, an exhibit of works by the American Tapestry Alliance, on display in the Fiber Arts Studio Gallery. Open 10 am to 4 pm Thursday-Sunday.

Saturdays, July 3, 10, 17 and 31 — Drive In Summer Movie Series, 9-9:30 pm. Enjoy an old-fashioned outdoor movie experience courtesy of The Bijou Theatre and the LCCC. Tickets are $25 per carload and include a large Bijou Popcorn. Titles scheduled are “Beetlejuice” (July 3), “A League of Their Own” (July 10), “Grease” (July 17) and “E.T.” (July 31). Tickets on sale at The Bijou, and sales are limited to the first 25 cars.  

Sundays, July 4, 11, 18 and 25 — Lincoln City Farmers Market, 9 am to 2 pm. 

Friday, July 8 — Opening Reception for the LCCC Annual Members Show, 5-7 pm. The exhibit will remain in the Chessman Gallery through Aug. 8. Open 10 am to 4 pm Thursday-Sunday. 

Saturday, July 10 — Delake School Reunion, 4-6:30 pm. Join old friends, staff and administrators at the Delake All-Class/Staff Reunion on July 10. Bring class photos, trophies, t-shirts and other memorabilia to share. Cake and beverages will be provided. Free to the public inside the Plaza Party Tent. To learn more, call 541-994-9994. 

Wednesday, July 21-Saturday July 24 — “For the Seventh Generation” Outdoor Art Exhibit, Hours 11-7 pm Weds-Friday, 11-6 pm Saturday. Brought to Lincoln City by The Elisabeth Jones Art Center, the “For the Seventh Generation” Outdoor Art Exhibit is a pano-mural, 2 feet tall and ⅓ mile long, made up of hundreds of paintings of the entire western coastline of the United States. You can start your walk in Tijuana, passing by the Huntington Beach Pier, San Francisco Bay, Cascade Head, Haystack Rock, Astoria Bridge, and Puget Sound before ending your trek with a view of the Peace Arch on the Canadian border. Other works will be on display and for sale inside the center. Along with the mural, the Elisabeth Jones Art Center will screen our very first For the Seventh Generation Film Festival , featuring submissions from artists all along the coast. Accompanying the films will be a spoken word performance. For information, call the center at 541-994-9994.

July 26-31 — Missoula Children’s Theatre presents our local stars in “Johnny Appleseed.” Local and visiting students entering grades 1-12 can participate in this performing arts workshop, which will conclude with two live performances in the Plaza Party Tent. This year, pre-registration is required. Enrollment forms will be available June 15. 

ABOUT THE CULTURAL PLAZA PROJECT

The Lincoln City Cultural Plaza project will transform the outdoor space around the historic Delake School into a pedestrian-friendly attraction for residents and visitors to enjoy. Dedicated installments of public art, gathering spaces with seating and spaces for outdoor education will be connected by a meandering, accessible pathway. The redesigned traffic flow will include new parking areas with islands, adequate lighting for evening safety, and other upgrades required by city code. 

The LCCC Board of Directors has been working on the Plaza design since 2017, in cooperation with the Portland landscape architecture firm Shapiro Didway and Newport-based Civil West Engineering Services. The board has used a community based process to gather feedback and design comments from stakeholders, members, major partners and the general public.

This project was unfortunately delayed by the economic pressures of COVID-19, but the Cultural Center was not forced to use any Plaza funds for operations in 2020. The project is now scheduled for construction in 2022, with an estimated budget of $2.5 million.

The Invest in Inspiration capital campaign met its original goal, $250,000 in individual contributions in June 2020. The committee is still offering commemorative bricks, along with legacy benches, conifers and other opportunities. You can give online at http://lincolncity-culturalcenter.org/plaza , using Visa, MasterCard or PayPal. You may also mail a check to the following address: Cultural Plaza c/o The LCCC, PO Box 752, Lincoln City, OR 97367. Or, call 541-994-9994 and donate over the phone through a staff member. All donations will be tax deductible.