By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews
YACHATS — You don’t have to be in recovery to enjoy an alcohol-free dance party.
That point was made emphatically last winter when almost 100 people turned out for what was billed at the time as a “sober dance party” at the Yachats Commons.
“That was a real eye-opener,” said local businesswoman Cheri Capron. So much so that the band she promotes is planning four more such bashes this year. And, now the gathering is billed as the “Central Coast Community Dance Party.”
“We learned a lot from that event, most significantly that our audience was much larger than just the recovery community,” Capron said. The audience was attracted by a free and alcohol-free dance party coordinated by Lisha & The Outlaws, a popular local rock band.
More of the same is in store Saturday when the band once again rocks the Commons for the benefit of everyone in the community, including visitors and partiers of all ages. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the music starting at 7 p.m. More free dance parties are planned for July 20, Oct. 12 and Dec. 7, with Lisa & the Outlaws presenting other local bands in various musical genres.
“Our goals are to provide a free, open and comfortable place for all ages to socialize, build community, and to show off and enjoy our talented resource of local live music,” Capron said in a press release.
At the inaugural dance party last December “We didn’t get as many people in recovery as we expected, but we sure got more turnout than we thought we would,” she told YachatsNews. On Saturday night beverages will include coffee, hot chocolate, sodas, juice and water.
Free, room to dance, a place to sit
“Some folks just aren’t comfortable going to a bar,” Capron said. “There isn’t as much room to dance, and move around, as we have at the Commons. Plus it’s free, and more easy-going, you have a place to sit, and you can drop in or out whenever you want.”
Capron emphasized that the event “isn’t taking people away from the restaurants” — food will not be served at the party. “We’re hoping people will have dinner out, and then come dancing with us.”
The dance parties are organized by local volunteers, sponsored by local businesses, and supported by the city of Yachats to create “an open and safe place to be social with an upbeat flavor.”
Sponsors include Polly Plumb Productions, Yachats Chamber of Commerce, Luna Sea Fish House and the 3rd Street Shops of Antique Virgin, Mystic Antiques and the Healing Room.
Capron owns the building housing the 3rd Street Shops; her husband, Darryl D’Armond, plays guitar with Lisha & The Outlaws.
“A top goal was to keep the party free,” Capron said. “The sponsors are in place just to pay the musicians.”
- Cheryl Romano is a Yachats freelance reporter who contributes regularly to YachatsNews.com. She can be reached at Wordsell@gmail.com