NEWBERG, Ore. — On Wednesday, Aug. 6, local musicians will perform original songs for a live audience as the first-ever Curio Poets Singer-Songwriter Showcase debuts at Stoller Wine Bar – Newberg from 6 to 8 p.m.
Get These Stories First, Right in your Inbox
We send out a FREE weekly newsletter featuring the previous week’s biggest stories, upcoming events, and other local happenings. Our email newsletter is the first to know!
Newberg musician Victor Artis saw a gap in the local music scene and set out to fill it by creating a space where singer-songwriters could share their work and gain live playing experience.
“There are so many people out here who have never had a platform to share their music,” Artis said. “Just a chance to share their heart without strings attached or needing to pay money to play.”
Artis moved to Newberg in December 2024 after visiting his sister, local musician and Northside Community Church worship director Spirit Artis. Originally from a small surf town in Hawaii, he had spent several years in Los Angeles before deciding it was time for a change. He considered both Nashville and Newberg—where his siblings live—and ultimately chose Newberg.
“It was the community that sold it for me,” Artis said. “There is this small-town vibe here in the best way. When I visited, I just knew I wanted to be here.”
Artis had moved to Los Angeles in part to break into the music industry, but found the scene there more transactional and competitive than collaborative. In Newberg, he discovered the sense of artistic community he had been missing—though it took some time.
“I didn’t really get a sense of a music scene when I moved out here initially,” he said. “But when I started attending and performing shows, more and more people started showing up, and we started talking.”
He began performing at downtown venues and at local wineries. With each new gig, Artis met more musicians—many of whom played covers to secure bookings. But he started to hear original songs too, and believed there needed to be a space where artists could share them without fear of judgment.
Artis recalls a moment when a local performer, who goes by Soggy Llama, played an original song after hearing Artis perform his own.
“I was the only one in that room who knew he played an original,” Artis said. “Everyone else thought it was a cover and asked who sang the original. I had to assure them that it was his song. They were convinced they had heard it on the radio.”
Inspired by moments like that, Artis began developing a showcase focused exclusively on original music. The event will follow an open mic format, featuring local musicians performing one original song each, with one featured artist playing a longer set between acts.
Artis said he considered a few different venues, but had performed at Stoller Wine Bar – Newberg and knew Assistant Manager Sam Mortensen was eager to support local artists.
“We have this big stage in here, and our music nights have been some of our best nights at the bar,” Mortensen said. “Working with someone like Victor on this—it was a no-brainer. I couldn’t have said yes faster.”
Mortensen added that it’s important for local artists to have a place to test their material and gain real-time feedback. The Stoller crowd, he said, has been supportive and provides valuable experience for musicians beyond playing crowd-pleasing covers.
“The John Mayers, the Ed Sheerans, the Taylor Swifts—they all started somewhere,” Artis said. “You don’t know—that can be the guy or girl or someone you’ve been walking by and saying hi to every day.”
Tips from the evening will be shared among performers, all of whom will play one original song.
“I think that it means a lot to people to come out,” Artis said, “not only to support the community, but also to get a chance to experience something that’s unique and amazing.”
The Curio Poets Singer-Songwriter Showcase takes place Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stoller Wine Bar – Newberg. There is no cover charge, but attendees are encouraged to support the venue by purchasing food and drinks. Musicians can sign up to perform starting at 5:30 p.m. or by sending a direct message to Artis on Instagram.
Correction Aug. 5 at 8:33 p.m.: The original article stated Artis helped start Barley & Vine’s open mic night. Artis had performed at the open mic night, but did not help start the event. Newsberg regrets the error.
