Reel Music Festival, a loss in the music community, and weekend picks

Kind of a three part post ...

First, sad news.

Last week we lost one of the finest voices and beloved member of the Portland music community - Teisha Helgerson.  The distinctive voice of Amelia, she was an immensely talented, smart, warm, and giving presence.  Teisha succumbed to lengthy battle with leukemia.  She will be greatly missed.  Here's more from the Willamette Week, Oregon Music News, the Oregonian, and OPB Music. There will be a memorial service at Peace Lutheran Church (2201 N. Rosa Parks Way). 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.


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It's not January, but, yes, it's time for the now re-scheduled NW Film Center's Reel Music Festival. Moved to October, we get to enjoy a few weeks of some of the most intriguing documentary films about music in the fall.  This is truly a music junkie's delight.  So check out the schedule - it opens tonight with Martin Scorsese’s “George Harrison: Living in the Material World” ... a three and a half hour bio-pic about the quiet Beatle. More about the festival and Oregon Music News' picks for must-see films here ...
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Now on to some music picks for Friday and Saturday ...

Friday
Kickstart the evening with the monthly first Friday happy hour from the James Low Western Front ... you also should check out James' Kickstarter campaign (with a great video!) to help with the release of his latest and long-awaited CD, Whiskey Farmer (which is outstanding!)  ... 6 pm, no cover

Richmond Fontaine debut their 10th studio recording, The High Country, tonight at the Star Theater (13 NW 6th).  This looks like a fascinating new work (a story in song and prose) from Oregon Book Award winner and RF songwriter Willy Vlautin. Excellent article about the project from Ryan White at the Oregonian ... this should be a very cool show ... 8 pm, $10

Lloyd Jones will have it fun, funky, and bluesy at Duff's ... horns and all ... dancing shoes required! ... 9 pm, $10

Curtis Salgado and band are at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $20

Kevin Selfe & the Tornadoes are at the Trail's End Saloon ... 9 pm, $??

Rich Layton & the Troublemakers turn the amps down a bit (not to cause any trouble) at Vino Vixens - call it harmonica fueled and swampified, but slightly unplugged ... 8 pm, $5

Loch Lomond will be warmly welcomed at Mississippi Studios tonight ... it's an excellent triple bill with Lost Lander (new Matt Sheehy project) and Lewi Longmire ... now that's a bargain for $10 ... 9 pm.

The Midnight Serenaders are at the Alberta Street Public House ... 9:30 pm, $8

Saturday
Kick off the 10th year of Miz Kitty's Parlour - the modern monthly vaudeville show that regularly sells out the Mission Theater.  Should be a fun night ... and you can read more about it here ... 7 pm, $12

Wendy and the Lost Boys can be found at the White Eagle ... 9:30 pm, $6

The Devin Phillips Band is at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $10

Big Monti and the Precious Darlings are at Duff's  ... 9:30 pm, $??

OK ... get yourself outta da house and to some live music!