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Originally uploaded by druttan

Last Saturday, I caught the Lincoln Pops Orchestra entertaining Lincoln County’s ballroom dance crowd at The Ark at Newport, a cool little retro theater that’s now a performing arts venue.

You couldn’t have asked for a better setting for a 16-piece big band.

My boyfriend Jim sometimes substitutes for them on keyboard, and I finally got the chance to see them play here.

A dance floor is crowded by comfortable lounge chairs and a cluster of about 30 vintage movie-theater seats. Booths feature jigsaw puzzles at varying states of completion. Little details are everywhere, tucked into surprise corners – like antique pink flamingos on the stairs leading to the balcony, the bird cage and incense in the lobby.

Nonalcoholic beverages with creative names like “Island Breeze” in fancy cocktail glasses are served at the bar.

The renovated theater, a nonprofit organization, was originally a movie theater in 1936. It reopened in 1997 and its Web site calls the place a “designated Newport art deco landmark,” which has a ring of truth! The theater can be rented as a venue for private parties or special events, and features some upcoming events as well.

Ballroom dancing lessons with Bonnie are offered the second and fourth Fridays, with a $7 cover. My boyfriend will be playing there again Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27, with the John Bringetto Jazz Ensemble.

It was a pleasure to come across this vintage secret on the Oregon coast.

It’s located right on Highway 101, across the block from the Pig ‘N Pancake.

LEARN MORE
Check out the Web site or more photos from me.

MEDIA RELEASE
April 27, 2009

The heart of Africa on show at annual expo

Toronto, ON – The African Travel & Real Estate Expo will take place at the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto, Canada on September 1st to the 3rd, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Expo will feature exhibitors promoting travel, tourism and real estate products from Africa.

The three-day expo expects over 100 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors. Exhibitors will include members from travel and tourism, real estate, government and corporate sectors. “The purpose of the show is to promote tourism and real estate in Africa by bringing together African-based businesses and tourism officials with Canadian and American consumers. Africa, to a large extent, has bucked the global slowdown and has shown growth in travel, branding opportunities and investment” says Patience Chirisa, event organizer and president of African Travel and Real Estate Expo.
Sponsors for the show include South African Airways, Fedex and CTV and many others. The Expo will effectively market to consumers by offering complimentary seminars on African travel and real estate products. A cocktail evening is planned for exhibitors, media and government officials on the first night of the expo to promote networking opportunities. Admission to the expo is free and numerous prizes will be awarded including 2 round-trip tickets to South Africa.   Please visit our site: http://www.africantravelexpo.com

Africa Travel & Real Estate Expo specializes in promoting travel and real estate opportunities in Africa to the North American market. The founder, Patience Chirisa, a native of Zimbabwe, has a background in travel, event planning and public relations. She started the expo in 2008 and plans to market it across Canada and the US. For more information please visit www.africantravelexpo.com. Patience Chirisa is available for interviews.

For further information, please contact:
Paige Campbell at 1-905-912-5806 or
email at sales@africantravelexpo.com.

website:http://www.africantravelexpo.com