Live Concert: Affirmations of Hope

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, in collaboration with artist Milo Graamans, announces a special live concert event. “Milo Graamans: Affirmations of Hope” will take place on Saturday, February 4th at 7:00 pm on the Alice Silverman stage at the Newport Performing Arts Center.

The concert will feature songs from the cherished local musician’s 2022 singer-songwriter album, “A Reason to Change”, his 2020 piano solo album, “Solace”, and other selections. Graamans will be joined on stage by special guests Barbara Le Pine, Cameron Locklear, Nikki Paige, and Ian Smith.

“Affirmations of Hope will offer audiences a musical journey of growth,” explained Graamans, “from darkness and trauma to solace through change. And I'll be performing some of the material for the first time, so there will be something new – even for those who have seen me play live previously.”

Graamans began studying piano at the age of four, and later briefly studied at the University of Oregon School of Music. He performed at the prestigious Yachats Music Festival prior to their finale in 2017 and is currently choir director and organist at Yachats Community Presbyterian Church, accompanist for Central Coast Chorale, and a member of the Lincoln Pops Big Band. He is also active in community theatre, serving on the Board of Directors for Red Octopus Theatre Company, as well as playing in pit orchestras for various local productions. His original musical, “She Loves Me Not” has been performed twice at the Newport Performing Arts Center – first in readers theatre format, in 2014, and later as a fully staged production in August of 2019.

The concert is presented as a fundraiser for “Phase 7” of Newport Performing Arts Center’s ambitious Capital Campaign, which began in 2014. This seventh and final phase will include enhancements and updates to backstage areas; to eliminate sound bleed issues between theatres, add additional rehearsal space, and double the number of dressing rooms, allowing the PAC to host more performers and performances in the years ahead.

Tickets range from $16-$22 when purchased by phone or at the Newport Performing Arts Center Box Office (777 W. Olive Street, Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm). Tickets are also available online (additional fee applies). To learn more, visit www.coastarts.org/events/milo