Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Four for Wednesday ...

A few shows on my radar for tonight ... here's two touring and two local you should check out.

First, it's Abagail Washburn at the Aladdin.  If you've never heard Washburn, you should correct that immediately.  A creative virtuoso on the banjo, her music can't be slotted into any particular genre ... 8 pm, $22

At the Alberta Rose Theatre it's An Evening En Francais With De Temps Antan and Padam Padam.   Sounds like a French treat of an evening with Quebec's De Temps Antan and locals Padam Padam.  Tres bon!  ... 7:30 pm, $15

The Rob Shepps 16 Piece Big Band will fill the Vie de Boheme Winery tonight ... 8 pm, $8

 .... And, Swing Papillion will hold down their Wednesday night spot at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Galactic and more for Saturday ...

The floor at the Crystal Ballroom will be bouncing big-time tonight with the New Orleans' groove and funk of Galactic.  Stanton Moore and company will be joined by Cyril Neville (who was also here last month with Voice of the Wetlands) and Corey Henry (of the Rebirth Brass Band) for a show that will definitely keep you shakin' and smilin'. Story here at Oregon Music News ... 9 pm, $25

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Dan Bern is in town tonight at the Alberta Rose Theatre.  He's one of those artists you either love or don't know .... you have a great chance tonight to become one of the former. Another solid singer-songwriter, Ari Hest, opens ... 8 pm, $18

It's Northwest Women of Blues and Folk at TaborSpace tonight with the talented team of Mary Flower, Alice Stuart, and Ann Weiss.  They'll swap songs, accompany and harmonize with each other ...and keep fans of acoustic blues, funky folk, and great finger-picking and vocals thoroughly entertained ... 7 pm, $15-25 sliding scale.

Ben Darwish's Commotion will create a stir at The Goodfoot tonight with mix of funk, jazz, latin, and afro-beat. Reva Devito and Jans Ingber open ... 9 pm, $8

David Ornette Cherry brings his Expressions of Energy combo to The Blue Monk ... 9 pm, $??

James Low and John Vecchiarelli will trade solo sets at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

The Secret Society Ballroom will be hopin' with Truckstop Darlin' and WhistlePunk ... 9 pm, $8

... and Bobby Bare, Jr. is in town tonight at Bunk Bar. Bare is a fierce talent and will be accompanied by (among others) Portland's multi-instrumentalist and go-to musician, Paul Brainard. Kelly Blair Bauman opens ... 10 pm, $12

Oh .... if you're looking for something to do today or tomorrow afternoon, up at the Expo Center all weekend is the Better Living Show, "the largest sustainable lifestyle event in the Northwest" (hmmm.... sustain my lifestyle? make my life more sustainable? sustain the event? ok, whatever) ... but within it is art and music as part of Support Women Artists Now Day (SWAN), an internationally celebrated event this weekend.  Story here at OMN .... free admission.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Friday, Friday ...

So, what's going on tonight?  As usual, great local (mostly) music in numerous locations ...

Happy hour music? (always a good way to get Friday evening started) - How about Ron Rogers & The Wailing Wind at the Hawthorne Theater Pub (6 pm, no cover), Alice Stuart at the Laurelthirst (same),  Rio Con Brio at the Secret Society Ballroom (same), or Joy & Her Sentimental Gentlemen at Duff's (6 pm, $2).

After a tiring work week, the Insomniacs will keep you awake (and dancing) at Duff's ... 9:30 pm, $??

The Lewi Longmire Band and Denver will hold down the late show at the Laurelthirst  ... 9:30 pm, $6

At the White Eagle, it's Bethaline & the Love Brigade and RedRay Frasier ... 9:30 pm, $6

Rob Stroup & The Blame, Paper Airport, and Listen Like Thieves are at the Ash Street Saloon ... 9:30 pm, $5

Billy D and The Hoodoos are out on the westside at the Rock Creek Tavern ... 9 pm, no cover

Further west at the Walters Cultural Art Center in Hillsboro it's bluegrass with John Reischman and the Jaybirds ... 7:30 pm, $22

More about Saturday soon .... Galactic at the Crystal, Dolorean at Mississippi Studios, Women in Blues at TaborSpace, Dan Bern at the Alberta Rose, and more ...

Monday, March 21, 2011

Benefit concerts for Japan - Tuesday at Portland State and Sunday at the Aladdin

A concert to benefit the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan will be held on Tuesday evening at Portland State University and feature Portland Taiko. It starts at 7 pm and will be held at Lincoln Hall on the campus of Portland State University. Admission is free, but donations will be collected for Mercy Corps.  Here's a link to the Mercy Corps donation page for contributing directly to the Oregon Japan Relief Fund.

There will also be a benefit concert for the relief fund on Sunday, March 27th at the Aladdin Theater that will feature Storm Large, Thomas Lauderdale, Holcomb Waller and a number of other musical guests. Story here at Oregon Music News ... 7 pm, $38/$100

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Big moon, vernal equinox, and Saturday music

Sunshine today, big full moon tonight, official Spring tomorrow ... and some fine music choices for your Saturday...

Jazz adventurers Blue Cranes begin a tour by train that kicks off with a show tonight at Tony Starlights as part of the PDX Jazz Spring series at the venue.  Story here at Oregon Music News ... 8 pm, $15

It's a CD release show for the Midnight Serenaders at the Secret Society Ballroom. Lace up those dancing shoes for some timeless swingin' music from their newest release, Hot Lovin' .... With them are special guests, Swing Papillion, one of the finest Django-inspired bands around. Hot sounds tonight ... 9 pm, $16

It's time for Miz Kitty's Parlour Vaudeville Novelty Show & Revusical at the Mission Theater ... 7 pm, $12

The Physical Hearts have a record release show at Mississippi Studios ... also on the bill are Celilo and the 1939 Ensemble ... 9 pm, $7

Franco & The Stingers are at Halibuts ... 8 pm, no cover

Rachel Taylor Brown, Michael the Blind, and Ali Wesley are at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Drunken Prayer is at Biddy McGraw's ... 9 pm, no cover

The DK Stewart Sextet will be at Duff's  ... 9:30 pm, $??

Gotta be something there for your evening .... enjoy the sunshine!

Friday, March 18, 2011

One more for Friday - Pat Donohue

My friend Mary Flower reminded me that her old friend, guitarist Pat Donohue is in town tonight for a Portland FolkMusic Society show at Carvlin Hall. It will probably sell out it and was a top pick this morning in the A&;E. Mary says, "You should get your own bad self over to THAT show, IF you can get a ticket. Pat is unbelievable." ... I believe it ... 7:30 pm, $20

Not quite March Madness ...

Ah, I know some of you will be glued to college hoops this weekend, but for those of us with more balanced lives (that's an ironic statement, considering how much music others of us get out to), here's some music picks for tonight - the only maddening thing is what to choose ...

Happy hour tonight?  Sasspirilla is at the Laurelthirst, Rio Con Brio is at the Secret Society, and Joy & Her Sentimental Gentlemen at Duffs ...

It's time again for Live Wire! Radio at the Alberta Rose Theatre ... believe it or not, it's the show's 7th anniversary! Lots of guests, including music from Tony Furtado ... 7:30 pm, $30 reserved/$20 general

Rock Siberian style at Dante's with Igor & the Red Elvises. Story here at Oregon Music News ...  9 pm, $??

The Mother Hips and the Parson Red Heads are at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $15

Lisa & Her Kin are at the Secret Society Ballroom ... 9 pm, $5

The Freak Mountain Ramblers are at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 pm, $6

More for Saturday in next post!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

..what Jim failed to reveal...

...FLOATER!!, acoustic at Dante's, if you do go out on amateur drinking night, and I will be selling CD's for Chris Thomas King at Alberta Rose Theater...and on Saturday selling merch at screening of "Cheap Trick at Budokan" (yes, it is 2011..you are not waking up from a bad dream..) at The Crystal...I left Chicago and still the boys from Rockford haunt me...

St Patrick's Day ... and I'm not paying that much attention

Looks like I have too much on my plate right now to spend any time on recommendations for tonight - but there's always the usual St. Pat's stuff going on around town - check the McMenamins' schedules for some reliable music and beer. There's also Kells, Paddys, Thirsty Lion, Muddy Rudder, and a host of other bars venues with stuff going on.

Otherwise I probably should have been telling you about The Residents at the Wonder Ballroom, Chris Thomas King at the Alberta Rose, the Knuckleheads at Duffs, Alan Jones at The Blue Monk, Bob Shoemaker at the White Eagle, or Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (happy hr).  But I didn't.

Sorry, no links, no time ... but I have faith you'll find your way to something musical and fun ...

More tomorrow!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Doug MacLeod at Duff's Garage and Joey DeFrancesco at Jimmy Maks

Two outstanding performers have shows in town tonight ...

 Last night I caught Doug MacLeod playing with Lloyd Jones and Jimi Bott at Jim Flynn's house party ... and was that big fun, or what?! But you're lucky -  it wasn't his only gig in town ... You can see a guy I consider one of the best acoustic blues guitarists, a fine singer, songwriter, and a thoroughly entertaining storyteller in a special CD release performance tonight at Duff's.  

MacLeod has been a beacon of unquestionably honest roots-music since the 1970s. Proof enough: 16 albums, a couple of DVDs, and thousands of gigs stateside and overseas. And in December, the announcement by the Blues Foundation of his nomination for the 2011 Blues Music Award as Acoustic Artist of the Year.

Come ready to be entertained. ... 9 PM, $8 ... and Doug will play a short free performance at Music Millennium at 6 pm. 

Tonight at Jimmy Mak's you can also catch a musician some folks call the greatest organ player on the planet. I know a few really fine Hammond B3 players, but I'm not gonna argue ... Joey DeFrancesco is simply a master.  If your a fan of jazz/blues organ, you'll want to get down to the club for Joey and his band.  the Dan Balmer Trio opens ... 7 pm, $22 reserved/$18 general.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Friday and Saturday music choices

Here's a few for the weekend:

Friday
Big show at Jimmy Mak's for Lloyd Jones - a dance floor (unusual at JM's), opening short acoustic set previewing his new CD, then the full band with the Atlas Horns ... few artists in town (or anywhere) match Lloyd for pure entertainment value. More at Oregon Music News ...8 pm, $12 reserved/$10 general

The Pete Krebs Trio will be at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

There's a double album release show at The Woods with Leonard Mynx and St. Even. Leonard is a seriously good songwriter you should check out ... 9 pm, $6

Speaking of songwriters, over at the Aladdin are a couple fine ones - Iris Dement and Rachel Harrington ... 8 pm, $28

Billy D & the Hoodoos, winner of a Muddy Award for Best New Act, will be at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $??

The Quadraphones bring their sax attact to The Blue Monk ... 9 pm, $5

LaRhonda Steele is at Clyde's Prime Rib ... 9 pm, no cover

Rob Stroup &; The Blame are at Biddy McGraw's ... 9:30 pm, no cover

The Scott Law & Ty North Duo will be at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 pm, $7

Saturday
If you've never heard Jill Sobule or heard of the Jill & Julia Show, you should head to the Alberta Rose Theatre.  Jill and Julia (Sweeney - who you might remember from SNL), do a show that combines song and stories into a smart, sweet, and funny package  ... here's a taste of them from a TED conference ... I had the chance to hear and meet Jill on Delbert's cruise and was knocked out by her lyric sensibility and delightful delivery ...  7:30 pm, $20

Matt Brown, Michael Jodell, and Mary Tebs are at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

It's the Portland Country Underground with Michael Hurley, Morgan Geer, Darin Craig, Lewi Longmire, and more at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 pm, $10

The Eastern European rock mashup sounds of Chervona can be heard tonight at the Secret Society in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day (really!) - this sounds like a pretty interesting party  ... 9 pm, $15 (discount if you wear a mask)

Sunday
It's the Country Side of Sunday at O'Connor's with Jon Koonce, Jeff Woodcock,Thad Beckman , Bob Love, and Kurtis Piltz ... always fun ... 7:30 pm, $5

There are going to be a few opportunities this week to hear Doug MacLeod - a very fine blues-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. The first opportunity might the the coolest, as he'll be "In the House" at Jim Flynn's and supported by Lloyd Jones and Jimi Bott ... contact Jim for details - 503-784-6824.  6 pm

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thursday live music picks

Busy day, so this is going to be fast ... but there's some great choices for tonight ...

Of course, if it's Thursday, you can dependably start your evening at the Laurelthirst happy hour with Lewi Longmire (6 pm, no cover) ... or, check out the Portland Playboys at Duff's (6 pm, $2), and Thad Beckman and Curtis Piltz will be at O'Connor's (7 pm, $5).

You can even start earlier, by heading to Music Millennium for an in-store performance by the Drive-By Truckers at 4 pm. Patterson Hood and company are in town to play the Wonder Ballroom tonight.  Thoughtful, vital, Southern rock at its best. The Heartless Bastards open  .... 9 pm, $24

Ace guitarist Kaki King will be at Mississippi Studios ... opening will be awarding-winning Australian artist Megan Washington ... 9 pm, $17

Blue Cranes will head up a jazz show over at The Goodfoot ... 9 pm, $7

The "country cabaret" music of Padam Padam will fill the tiny Corkscrew wine bar in Westmoreland ... 8 pm, no cover

Blind Pig recording artist Damon Fowler will be at Duff's in a CBA-sponsored show ... 9 pm, $8

And, tonight begins the second weekend run of The Ghosts of Celilo at the Newmark Theater ...

Gotta run ... see ya out and about!

Monday, March 7, 2011

All on a Mardi Gras Day ...

Yeah, it's carnival time ... but not only in New Orleans.  Assuming you're not there, here's three choices to immerse yourself in the music and celebration in Portland tomorrow ...

Kinda continuing the fabulous Mardi Gras ball that happened Saturday night (what, you didn't know? you did, but didn't come? quel dommage!) ... the Too Loose Cajun Band, joined by Bethaline & The Love Brigade and The New Iberians will fuel the Cajun-style Mardi Gras party at the Alberta Rose Theatre. And a "gumbo feast" is included for the price of admission .... 7:30 pm (doors at 6), $15

Over at the Mt Tabor Theatre, New Orleans drummer Russell Batiste will join the fabulous Reggie Houston and a host of fine local jazz/funk musicians for a very funky New Orleans-style celebration ... 9 pm, $12

So ya got country and city ... and then you've got Portland -- It will be The Twangshifters bringing their rockabilly burlesque show (with guests The Dolly Pops, Rock n' Roll Ruby, and Bayou Betty) to Vie de Boheme Winery ... 8 pm, $10

See ya out and about. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Friday, March 4, 2011

March may be drippy, but music is our sunshine

As we look forward to days without drizzle, there's plenty of music this weekend that will shine on our pale complexions ...

Friday
I know that I always look forward to first Fridays for two really dependable shows .... At happy hour, it's the James Low Western Front at the Laurelthirst (6 pm, no cover). It's been a busy week for James, coming off recording for a new CD, opening a show at the Alberta Rose on Wednesday and two shows tonight.  He and the band also are part of Matty MacDonald's CD release party at the Secret Society Ballroom (9 pm, $10)

The other first Friday show is  Rich Layton and the Troublemakers at Vino Vixens.  Comfortable room where the band plays with a lighter touch ... you might not be dancing, but definitely grooving to Rich's fine songwriting and the band's tasteful choices of covers ... 8 pm, $5

Viva Voce, Damien Jurado and the Brothers Young provide a strong triple bill at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $14

It's another edition of Live Wire! Radio at the Alberta Rose Theatre with guests Wesley Stace/John Wesley Harding (depends if he's there as author or musician - yes, Wes is a two-for-one deal kinda guest) ... Chervona and The Thermals will definitely play music .... 7:30 pm, $20

The award-winning musical, Ghosts of Celilo, begins a two weekend run at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts ... tickets are $25-55 ... matinee (2pm) and evening (7:30) performances.

It's March 4th, so that means the March Fourth Marching Band celebrates its eight anniversary at the Crystal Ballroom with two shows ... story here .... there's an early show at 6:45 that is all-ages and kid-friendly ($10/$13) and an 21 and over show at 10 pm ....($20)

LaRhonda Steele and Chuck Barber will be at Vie de Boheme Winery ... 8 pm, $??

and ...the Knuckleheads are threatening musical mayhem at Duff's Garage ... 9 pm, $??

Saturday
Being rather self-serving, I'll continue to recommend you come out to The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Mardi Gras Ball tonight at the Norse Hall.  Why?  Because it's going to be really fun and celebrates Louisiana culture and Mardi Gras as authentically as possible. (And because I'm a member of the Krewe and helped get this event organized.) Music (Steve Kerin's Atomic Gumbo with special guest DK Stewart, and the Too Loose Cajun/Zydeco Band with guest Reggie Houston), food (from the Swamp Shack), costumes, masks, commemorative medallions, beads, Cajun and Zydeco dance lessons, king cake, a King and Queen ... all for only $25.  Come on, you know you want to go.  Festivities begin at 7:30 pm Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez!


So maybe you don't really feel like a Mardi Gras party (OK, I can accept that) ... if not, here's a couple of shows you should consider:

At the Alberta Rose Theatre, Tony Furtado will be doing a CD release party for his outstanding new recording, Golden.  This, his 15th and first all-locally recorded CD, is rapidly rising in the charts.  Tony and his band will be joined by Scott Law and few other special guests.  If I wasn't at the Ball, this is where I'd be .... 8 pm, $15

And it the big touring show of the weekend, the North Mississippi Allstars will do a special free appearance at Music Millennium at 5 pm .... then at the Wonder Ballroom ...  8 pm, $18

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Quick picks for Wednesday night

Yep, I'm back in town ... lots of catching up, but wanted to let you know if you're looking for music tonight, check out the gypsy jazz of Swing Papillon at Vie de Boheme Winery (7:30 pm, $5), or Sarah King and the James Low Western Front in an excellent double-bill at the Alberta Rose Theatre (8:30 pm, $10) .... or the Coleen Raney Band at Biddy McGraw's (9 pm, no cover).

Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez! Mardi Gras Ball this Saturday!


So, have you ever been to a Mardi Gras Ball?  Outside of New Orleans and Louisiana, an authentic ball can be hard to find.  But this year, you're in luck.


The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus (yes, a real Portland Mardi Gras krewe) presents Portland's First Annual Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday, March 5th, from 7:30 to 11 pm at the Norse Hall (111 NE 11th Avenue in Portland).

Taking the Louisiana State Song, You Are My Sunshine as its theme, the 2011 Ball will feature the music of Steve Kerin and Atomic Gumbo with special guest DK Stewart, plus the Too Loose Cajun Band featuring New Orleans’ own Reggie Houston. There will be Zydeco and Cajun dance lessons preceding the live music that begins at 9 p.m. Authentic Louisiana fare from Swamp Shack, along with King Cake, and an exclusive souvenir medallion will be provided to all attendees. Costumes, masks, a parade, and the crowning of a Mardi Gras King and Queen will round out the festivities.


Tickets are available for $25 each and on sale at Tickets Oregon.

Details:
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Festivities begin at 7:30 pm (Socializing, second line parade, dance lessons, and presentation of the King and Queen)
Live music from 9 - 11 pm
Norse Hall 111 NE 11th Avenue in Portland, OR
Age 21 and over / cash bar

I am really pleased to be part of this krewe and involved in the planning of the ball. I really hope you can join us ... it will be a ton of fun.