Unique Quartet Show By Candlelight On Oregon Coast Gives Rock Some Twists

Published 05/03/26 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) – Something borrowed equals something new – and something that expands musical boundaries. The central Oregon coast's Newport Symphony Orchestra will tread some new territory and do so... in a new light. Literally. (Above: Alberta Barnes)

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts will bring a rare on-stage concert experience to the Newport Performing Arts Center on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m., inviting audiences into an evening of music performed entirely by candlelight. And it's a night of reimagined rock 'n roll twists.

The event, titled “Candlelight Sessions,” places listeners directly on stage with a four-member string ensemble, creating an intimate setting illuminated by hundreds of flickering candles. The program features string-quartet interpretations of iconic classic-rock hits, offering a new take on songs that have defined generations.

A. Walsh

The quartet — Casey Bozell (violin), Alberta Barnes (violin), Shauna Keyes (viola) and Adrienne Welsh (cello) — will guide the audience through the setlist with stories and commentary between pieces. The performance removes the traditional separation between musicians and audience, bringing listeners within arm’s reach of the instruments.

The anticipated playlist includes string arrangements of “White Rabbit” (Jefferson Airplane), “Paint It Black” (The Rolling Stones), “Life on Mars” (David Bowie), “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “More Than a Feeling” (Boston), “Brown Eyed Girl” (Van Morrison), “Born to Be Wild” (Steppenwolf), “Livin’ on a Prayer” (Bon Jovi), “Freebird” (Lynyrd Skynyrd), and a medley from The Who’s Tommy, among others

The concert takes place on stage in the Alice Silverman Theatre at the Newport Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $45 when purchased at the box office (777 W. Olive Street) or by phone at 541-265-ARTS. Online tickets are also available, with an additional fee. More information is available at coastarts.org/events/candlelight.

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