Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Waterfront Blues Festival starts this Friday!

And it may be arriving with clear sunny skies (right on time!) ...

I'll keep this short, as there is great coverage of the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival at Oregon Music News with articles that include interviews, music, and schedules.  I'd definitely check out their coverage and even drop by their booth over by the Oregonian Front Porch Stage (that's the one on the north side of the Hawthorne Bridge). they even have a mobile app for it if you have a smartphone - find it at http://wbf.oregonmusicnews.com/

 Here's the full schedule from the festival site.

Of all the acts in town for the festival (too numerous to mention all), some of the acts I'm looking forward to include the Rebirth Brass BandMaceo ParkerLucinda Williams, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, the Honey Island Swamp Band, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp BandSteve Riley & the Mamou PlayboysChris Cain , Rosie Ledet, and Grady Champion.

There's a host of locals playing too including the Too Loose Cajun Band (with special guests Tony Furtado and Reggie Houston), Devin Phillips, Lloyd Jones, Rich Layton & The Troublemakers, Thad Beckman, Franco Paletta, Kevin Selfe, Curtis Salgado, Miriams Well, Hillstomp and lots, lots more ...

My favorite place to be is over by the Front Porch Stage where between Friday and Sunday (all day on Saturday) you can dance to some great Zydeco and Cajun bands. There's the Louisiana Pavilion hosted by Delta Music Experience (DME) where you can find all kinds of music, gifts, artwork, and information on places and organizations to feed your music soul (particularly if that soul feels connected to New Orleans and Louisiana).  I'll definitely spend a bit of time behind the table of the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus to help promote the Mardi Gras Ball we'll be throwing next February.

The FedEx Workshop Stage also has some great music in a intimate (and often shaded) spot that can give you a needed respite from the crowds near the main stages. Many of the main stage acts also play here - where the performances can be much more spontaneous and rewarding.

DME also is responsible for putting together six very popular Portland Spirit Blues Cruises (some already sold out!) - afternoon and evening trips on the Willamette with three levels of music  .... talk about a party boat!

Plus there are after-hours all-star jams on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - ticketed shows at the Marriott across the street, and free ones at the H50 Bistro at Hotel 50 ...

And remember, all of this goes to supporting the Oregon Food Bank. Admission each day is a donation of $10 and a couple cans of food.  You can also get passes in advance that are good for all days (with different levels of perks that can come in very handy) ...

The festival is something I look forward to all year.  Even with thousands of folks in Waterfront Park, it's actually a relaxing hang with friends and great music in a beautiful location for an outstanding cause. Hope to see ya there!

Show reminder for tonight - Tony Furtado @ The Secret Society


Tonight at the Secret Society Ballroom, Tony Furtado will be joined by Casey Neill (and maybe a few Norway Rats) and Stephanie Schneiderman ... and probably a host of others for the last of Tony's June Wednesday residency gigs ... come on out! Hope to see ya there ...

Monday, June 27, 2011

I wish I had a job...

This is a blatant appeal for money to help my friend, Matt Sheehy and his band Lost Lander get out their record. They have Face Book page, a Kickstarter campaign (www.PledgeLostLander.com) and need to raise about a $1000 by Thursday night. This is a great new band, produced by Brent Knopf, formerly of Menomena, and if I had that job, I would give them all I could!! This is one of those I knew them when moments...help make music history!!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Not gone yet!

I'm still around until after the blues festival, but I'm really glad MaryChris has already jumped in with a post - she's definitely on it with some great recommendations ... read on - her post and mine... looks like both of us will be at the Alberta Rose later ... there's two thumbs up for ya!

Sub Blogger....

Yes, I will try my best to fill in while Jim is off sunning himself in Florida...
I will be heading over to see Ms. Duffy at the Alberta Rose...right after (beware, non-music plug here) the show I am costuming, "Looking for Normal" opens at Theatre!Theatre! at 3430 SE Belmont. It runs until July 17; go to jane-a-theater-company.org for more info....a little brag since I am now officially an award winning costume designer (thank you PAMTA! - Portland Area Music Theater Awards)
I will be working the Music Millennium booth at the Blues Festival, so drop on by and say howdy. My personal highlights so far are Lucinda Williams, Maceo and Buddy Guy, but there are always surprises - like the year I discovered Willy Nelson's boy, Lukas!! I may not post in advance, but will reprise what I was able to hear hopefully when I get home. The schedule is in today's Oregonian and it's going right into my purse so I have it close by.
On July 8, J.Roddy Walston and The Business play Dante's - greasy, rockin' good time music!
And best of all - DROPKICK MURPHYS at the Roseland on June 28 - I love these shows - drunk, east of the Mississippi, Irish, working class boys and girls and not a hipster or hippy in sight!! It's loud, boisterous and not for the faint of heart - everything I want my rock n' roll to be..

A couple of shows and taking a little break

I am in an extremely busy period between work (yes, believe it or not, I do have other things to do than write this), the upcoming Waterfront Blues Festival, out of town guests, a trip to Florida for my aunt's 90th birthday ... so I'm going to take a bit of a hiatus from regular posting to the blog.  MaryChris will hopefully jump in with a couple of posts, and I won't totally go dark (will post about the Blues Fest and a few upcoming shows you shouldn't miss) - just giving myself permission not to feel compelled to post for a couple of weeks.  With the revamped design, you can always click the Calendars tab above and go to the most comprehensive listings in town.  I'll also share some upcoming music events on Facebook (it's easy and I don't have to write anything!).

So, here are a few to keep in mind for this weekend -

Tonight there's a great blues show at the Alberta RoseAn Evening With Duffy Bishop and Some of Her Badass Blues Buddies, featuring Lloyd Jones, Fiona Boyes, Ellen Whyte, Jim Wallace .... One of the finest blues singers in the NW, Duffy is back in town and this should be a great show .... 8 pm, $20

Also tonight is the Spare Room Solstice Party with Caleb Klauder, Pete Krebs and more ... music starts at 6 pm, $10

Tomorrow night at The Woods, Lewi Longmire and band do an album release party (yes, vinyl with a digital download) for his new Tales of the Left Coast Roasters ... Lewi is one of the most respected and in-demand players in Portland (and finds time to book the Laurelthirst).  His happy hours at the LT on Thursdays are packed celebrations of roots rock that leave dancers sweaty and listeners smiling .... 9 pm, $8

On Sunday, it's the annual pre-blues festival celebration of Reggie Houston's birthday at Jim Flynn's rockin' In the House house party .... it will be groovin' NOLA Mardi Gras style, so wear your beads!  ... Reggie will have guest vocalists LaRhonda Steele and Laura Ivancie, too ... BYOB and food item to share is always appreciated. And the Oregon Food Bank food barrel will be on the front porch for your continued generous donations of canned and/or non-perishable foods. Contact Jim (503-784-6824 or jimflynn@realtytrust.com) for address and any questions ... $10 donation, doors at 5, music at 6!

OK ... enjoy the weekend and get out to some music!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Annual All Knowing Summer Music Post!

Actually I don't know that much ... but I have collected a bit of info about live and outdoor music you can catch in and around Portland this summer - in the parks, plazas, and other outdoor venues. It's already started and will begin to pick up a full head of steam in the next week. As I've said in the past (in fact, using some of this exact wording as I am recycling much of last year's post!), when it comes to live music outdoors in summer, we truly have an embarrassment of riches .... and I hope nothing stops you from getting out to a bunch of these through the summer. 

There is free music and ticketed shows ... but let's begin with the free (most paid for by generous sponsorships of local businesses).

Portland Parks and Recreation's Summer Concerts in the Parks:  Thirteen city parks, including Washington Park, will have evening concerts throughout the summer.  These concerts kickoff on July 5th at Mt. Tabor Park and are one of those summertime treasures around town. Grab a picnic dinner (or patronize the food vendor/sponsors), bring a blanket or chairs, and enjoy.  Nothing better on a summer's eve. I've been a part of organizing the Sellwood Riverfront Park shows that will run four consecutive Mondays, beginning on July 11. That series kicks off with the Too Loose Cajun Band, and will be a dance party every week - salsa, soul/funk, and blues will follow. Hope to see you there! (note: The Sellwood series might need to move up to Sellwood Park this year due to flooding at the Riverfront Park - keep an eye on the Parks and Rec site for changes.)

For all of you who are downtown in Portland for your work week, there a couple of great opportunities - one at lunchtime, one at 5 pm:
Music on Main is a great Wednesday series that begins next week (6/29) on Main Street between the Schnitz and the Performing Arts Center. As usual, it has a fine lineups of bands this summer.

Pioneer Square has another year of Noon Tunes - every Tuesday and Thursday beginning on July 5th.

And not to leave out those on the east side - there's noon Lunchbox Concerts in the Oregon Square Courtyard (Lloyd District) every Wednesday until 8/24.

A new one is Sundown@Ecotrust Concerts (721 NW 9th) - on five consecutive Thursdays beginning June 30th at 5:30 pm.

Then there are street fairs - for instance, Mississippi Street Fair (July 9) and the Hawthorne Street Fair (Aug 28) - and other events that will have free live music...good list of area street fairs here.

But Portland isn't the only city in the area that has an abundance of free music ... check out these summer concert schedules:

Lake Oswego has four concert series at Millennium Plaza Park, Foothills Park, and Westlake Park.

Hillsboro has music every Tuesday night at the Hillsboro Marketplace starting at 5:30 pm.

Tualatin has two series - parks concerts and Tualatin Commons.

West Linn's has a Thursday night series at Tanner Creek Park.

Vancouver has an evening and a noon series downtown in Esther Short Park.

Ticketed shows:

Of course starting Friday, July 1st, its the 23rd Annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival - once more with an outstanding lineup of national headliners, regional acts, and locals tearing it up for four days in Waterfront Park. Stay tuned to a post devoted to the festival and a few acts not to be missed.

Head to Kruger's Farm Market on Sauvie Island for Farm Tunes - excellent bands every Thursday at 6:30 pm through September 1st. $10 per car and shows kick off this Thursday.

Check out the lineup at The Oregon Zoo. Nothing quite stands out for me like last year's Levon Helm show, but a pretty strong selection both on the Wednesday series and higher cost weekend shows. Kicks off this Thursday with a pretty fine one - Taj Mahal and Joan Osborne.

Then there's the McMenamin's Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn, including My Morning Jacket, Allison Krauss & Union Station, Fleet Foxes, Neko Case,Willie Nelson, John Prine, and The Decemberists. 

There's also the Maryhill Winery's summer shows that, though in a beautiful setting, are kinda underwhelming this year. 

The annual Bite of Oregon (Aug 12-14) in Waterfront Park has a very solid local music lineup that includes some of my favorite bands.

There's a couple of music festivals within minutes of the city ... complete with camping and a feel-good vibe that's hard to resist. First is the annual Northwest String Summit at Hornings Hideout (July 21-24). Then the first weekend of August (5th-7th) brings the annual Pickathon out at Pendarvis Farm ... combining an eclectic mix of touring and local artists - roots music, folk, bluegrass, and indie pop (and Mavis Staples!) in a beautiful setting just outside of Portland.

I'll bet someone could go to live music outdoors every day this summer! No, it isn't going to be me ... but I'll do my share ... and I'm sure you'll do yours!  See ya out and about ....

 .... and be sure to add other events you know about via the Comments or email them directly to me.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Big Man exits ...

For many of us, the signature sound of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band was the sax of Clarence Clemons. I was saddened to hear of his passing yesterday, a week after suffering a stroke.  To Springsteen and the band he was so much more ... going to miss the irreplaceable heart, soul, and spirit of The Big Man.

Found a great solo appearance and interview with David Letterman from a while back ...

Friday, June 17, 2011

Only a few for Saturday, but they're fine choices....

Catch the Portland Playboys at the Secret Society for happy hour (6 pm, no cover), and then stay for three excellent songwriters and instrumentalists - Mary Flower, Joe New, and Brian Oberlin - who will perform solo and together for a sublime evening of acoustic music ... 9 pm, $12

A few good touring shows in town. The Aladdin Theater hosts indie folk/pop standouts, The Mountain Goats ... 8 pm, $20

At the Roseland Theater it's reggae with Stephen Marley, who of the Marley clan probably follows closest in music style and attitude to father Bob ... 9 pm, $29

DownBeat Magazine "Rising Star" poll winner, New York based vocalist Sachal Vasandani makes his Portland debut at Tony Starlight's Supper Club.  Check him out here. Presented by PDX Jazz, and reservations recommended (503) 517-8584 ... 8 pm, $15

If your looking to dance, then head on over to Duff's for some jumpin' blues with the DK Stewart Sextet ... 9:30 pm, $10

Acoustic blues guitarist James Clem will be at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover

The Woods has a no-cover show with Hurtbird and the Brothers Young ... 9 pm

so ... get on out!

Music picks for Friday, June 17

There are some days that finding the energy and focus to put this together is a bit of work (hence, I've been quiet this week).  I guess today is still one of those ... but here's a few to consider for tonight ... a couple of touring, more homegrown.

Pick show tonight is Laura Gibson & Holcombe Waller at the Aladdin. Definitely two of Portland's best indie/folk/pop artists.  Tonight they'll combine talents for what should be a great evening of tunes new and old. Complete with mini-orchestra ... 8 pm, $15

But a close runner-up is another pair of excellent songwriters, Fernando and Nashville's Luther Russell at Dante's (as noted in a previous post by MaryChris) ... this is a CD release show for Luther ... 9 pm, $??

Another CD release show of note is at Mississippi Studios tonight with Prioity ... solid indie pop band with a fine new recording ... 9 pm, $10

If the laid-back Southern soul of Edwin McCain is your thing, get over to the Alberta Rose ... (interesting note, a couple of his songs get more play at weddings than the hokey-pokey) ... 8 pm, $25

British prog-rock with maniacal flute playing is the order of the evening at Edgefield with Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull performing the entire Aqualung record (not often heard at weddings) ... there's an interview with Ian at Oregon Music News ... 6:30 pm, $79 reserved/$40 general

One of the other young home-grown jazz musicians back for summer from prestigious music school (see Kate Davis) is saxophonist Hailey Niswanger.  You can catch her tonight at Jimmy Mak's ... Hailey is very talented (definitely noted in the jazz world) and playing with her East Coast band .... 8 pm, $10

What looks like a very adventurous film/music series (Filmusik) is at the Hollywood Theater, features Blue Cranes. They've composed music to accompany the film Planet of Dinosaurs ... add live voice actors and sound effects to replace the film's dialog and sounds, and you have a most entertaining evening!  ... 8 pm, $10 (also next Thursday and Friday)

A New Orleans-based band getting some buzz and worth checking out - Hooray For the Riff Raff is at the Tonic Lounge ... 9:30 pm, $10

Lloyd Jones is at Vino Vixens ... 8 pm, $5

The My Oh Mys and Kathryn Claire are at Biddy McGraws ... 9:30 pm, no cover

John Koonce is at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $??

The Mt. Tabor Theater has Soul Vaccination and Philly's Phunkestra ... 9 pm, $??

.... and a heads up for tomorrow afternoon at Music Millennium ... free performance at 3 pm by Jolie Holland.

I've probably missed a few things, but that what calendars are for!  Get out to some live music!

Friday's choice...

..so technically that would be tonight as I see it is 12:20 AM - Luther Russell will be visiting us from Nashville and joining his compadre, Fernando at Dante's tonight....great songwriters and should be kick ass fun.

Friday, June 10, 2011

A jumpin' June weekend of music

Want to get this post done fast, but there's a plethora of outstanding choices this weekend ...

Friday
My pick shows (or at least where I'll be tonight) are Steve Earle at the Crystal Ballroom and Davis Rogan at the Kenton Club... here's my post from Wednesday about both shows. 

At the Rose Festival it's an Oregon Music Hall of Fame evening with Keegan Smith, Dr. Theopolis, Crazy 8's and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies ... schedule here ... $5

The Lloyd Jones Struggle (and featuring Warren Rand on sax) will be at the Trails End Saloon.  And it's a dollar off the cover if you wear a Hawaiian shirt to help usher in summer weather ... 9 pm, $??

The Stolen Sweets will bring the sweet vocals and swing sounds to Tony Starlight's Supper Club ... a fabulous venue for the band ... 8 pm, $15 (reservations required! - 503-517-8584

Mary Flower will be at O'Connor's in Multnomah Village ... 8 pm, $5

At The Mt. Tabor Theater, it's Joey Porter's Tribute to Stevie Wonder ... lots of great musicians and classic Wonder tunes ... here's a review of a previous Wonder tribute from Porter ... 9 pm, $15

It's "world twang" with TapWater at the Mission Theater.  This is a CD release show for their disc Too Dark To Blink that was produced by Los Lobos sax player (and Portland resident) Steve Berlin.  Steve will also be playing with the band ... check them out in this clip from KATU ... 8 pm, $10

The always entertaining Strange Tones are at Duff's Garage. It's "crime-a-billy" time with Andy and Guitar Julie! ... 9 pm, $??

Celilo will be at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Vino Vixen's has guitarist Alan Hagar (also at the Muddy Rudder on Saturday)  ... 8 pm, $5

Saturday
Mike Coykendall and Alemeda will be outside on the Bar Bar patio at Mississippi Studios ... 4 pm, no cover

The big touring show tonight (from my perspective) is John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett at the Schnitz that I mentioned yesterday... but there's plenty of great local music on tap....

It's a CD release show at the Aladdin Theater with Redwood Son.  Josh Malm and band have produced two different discs, but releasing them in a single package.  Good story about Josh and the music at Oregon Music News.  At lot of the tunes came out of Josh dealing with the death of good friend and Redwood Son's drummer Kipp Crawford in a tragic accident a year and a half ago .... 8 pm, $18 (and you receive a copy of the double CD)

Siren Nation presents the 6th Annual Dolly Parton Hoot Night at the Mission Theater with a great lineup of Portland artists ... really, this tribute to one of country music's finest songwriter and performer is a hoot!  ... 9 pm, $12

The Brothers of the Baladi do a benefit dance at The Blue Monk for Oberon, a longtime leader of Portland's belly dancing community diagnosed with cancer ... 9 pm, $10

James Low will be dusting off a few seldom played country and honky-tonk tunes to play with the band up at the Ponderosa Lounge at Jubitz (10350 N. Vancouver Way) in a double-bill with songwriter Nick Peets ... 9 pm, $??

The Kate Davis Band is at Jimmy Maks ... the young bassist/vocalist is growing and stretching ... 8 pm, $10

Klezmocracy, playing some fine jazz with an Eastern European twist, will be doing a CD release at the Alberta Rose Theatre. Story about the band and show at Oregon Music News ... 8 pm, $12 or $18 w/CD

Wendy & the Lost Boys can be found at the Hawthorne Theater Pub ... 7:30 pm, no cover

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

Sunday
Good afternoon and evening of Portland indie bands at the Rose Festival  ... MaryChris noted these earlier in the week.

Bobby Bare, Jr will be at Lola's Room at the Crystal ... 7 pm, no cover

There's a benefit for local musician Stu Kinzel (recovering from heart attack) at Duff's Garage with a great lineup of Portland's blues players ... 7 pm, $10 suggested donation

It's the Dover Weinberg Quartet with guest Grant Richards at Jim Flynn's In The House blues house party ... 6 pm ... contact Jim for details - 503-784-6824 / jimflynn AT realtytrust.com

...and a quick note that Mike Meyer returns to Portland radio with a one-hour Americana show on OPB this Sunday at 3 pm called Trail Mix ... hmmm.... wonder where they're moving American Routes?

okay ... that was kind of a marathon post ... but for this weekend, I think my job is done.  See ya out and about!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Thursday (6/9) live music picks

Actually headed into a really busy music weekend ... will try to get a bunch of recommendations out for the next few days ... of note for tonight ...

The California Guitar Trio will be performing at the Alberta Rose Theatre. Danish singer/songwriter Agnes Obel opens ... 8 pm, $20

The Builders and The Butchers do the second of two nights at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $12

Lauren Sheehan is back from touring behind her new CD, Rose City Ramble, and in her comfy home gig at the Muddy Rudder ... but it will be last for a while ... 8 pm, no cover

Steve Kerin will be in his usual Thursday night chair taking your requests behind the organ at the Chapel Pub ... 8 pm, no cover

Fan of classic country music and honky-tonk? One of the best at it in town is James Sasser ... he'll be at the Landmark Saloon (SE 48th & Division) ... 8 pm, no cover

Across the river? The Lloyd Jones Trio is at Fat Tuesdays in downtown Vancouver ... 8 pm, no cover

Yesterday I gave a heads-up on two shows for Friday night - Steve Earle and Davis Rogan, MaryChris posted about a fine set of local bands at the Rose Festival for Sunday ... so here's one to keep in mind for Saturday - two of our absolutely finest songwriters (and personal favorites) - John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett will bring their song and story swapping show to the Schnitz - last time through these pros did a wonderfully entertaining show - two guys, two guitars, witty banter, killer songs ... 7:30 pm, $40 - $70

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wednesday picks

Got some shows tonight for ya ...

Second of five Wednesdays in June for Tony Furtado at the Secret Society. Guest tonight include Hanz Araki with Cary Novotny, and Ezra Hollbrook and his band - the My Oh Mys ... 8 pm, $8

New spot for jazz is Touche (good story about it in Oregon Music News) ... tonight the sublime vocals of Nancy King ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Another fine jazz show is at Tony Starlight's - the program is called Chet Baker and Jerry Mulligan Revisited and will present classic tunes recorded by the Baker/Mulligan quintet ... 7:30 pm, $7

Swing Papillon is at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Mike Midlo (Pancake Breakfast) is in the middle of a week residency at Al's Den (in the Crystal Hotel) with special guests each night ... music begins at 7 pm, no cover

The Piano Throwers do the heavy lifting at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 pm, no cover

and, The Builders and The Butchers begin two nights at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $12

Heads up for two shows on Friday - the Treme connection

There's a show on HBO that I've been completely captivated by ... Treme. I know some of you are fans of the show, others probably have no idea to what I refer. But if you have any love, connection, interest in New Orleans - its culture, history, music, and life there since Katrina - this show dives deeply and accurately into the soul of the Crescent City. I won't go on about it here (but I might soon), but there are two artists who have a very direct connection to the show that are in town for performances on Friday evening.

A long-time favorite of mine, Steve Earle will be at the Crystal Ballroom. Steve is a very busy guy these days - a very fine new CD, I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive, a well received first novel (of the same name), book and music tours, a weekly radio show on Sirius/EM, and a recurring role on Treme where he's a street singer/songwriter (Harley) that is a mentor to one of the main characters (Annie). Steve is a fantastic songwriter and performer, has a great backing band (the Dukes & Dutchesses) that includes wife Allison Moorer (fine singer/songwriter herself) .... 8 pm, $30 advance/$35 door

Another character on Treme, DJ Davis McAlery (played by Steve Zahn), is loosely based on New Orleans musician Davis Rogan (a number of the Treme characters have some connection to real people who reside there ... a few even play themselves).  Davis (the "real" Davis - also the name of his new CD) is in town and performing this weekend at the Kenton Club and at Reed College (where he's an alumnus).  Davis' tunes combine party music with some strong social commentary in a style that combines NOLA funk, jazz, second line, hip-hop (hey, similar to Davis McAlery).  In fact, Davis (real) writes a lot of the music for Davis (the character) in the show ... and he plays the keyboard player in Davis' band (was that confusing?). Rogan also helped write an episode in the first season. There was good piece this week on Davis by Ryan White over at Oregonian .... Show is at 9 pm, there's no cover ... and after Rogan, DJ Hwy 7 will spin some tasty tunes.

Here's Steve performing This City, a beautiful tune he wrote for Treme that ran with the final credits from the Season 1.

Quickies from XMass

Sunday is local band day at the RoZone at the Fun Center (or whatever they are calling it now...) My Richmond Fontaine pals (with Oregon Book Award winner, Willy Vlautin) at 3 PM, And And And (Willie Week's pick for best new local band...we'll see...) and Corin Tucker's new band for the Sleater-Kinney heads out there...
Also this weekend is Music Millennium's sidewalk sale - 10 AM to 6:30 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I find great treasures there..but then again, I'm working it so have lots of time to browse...

Saturday, June 4, 2011

First Weekend in June - Saturday music picks

If you can get down to Monmouth, my pick show of the weekend is the American Metropole Orchestra with Allen Toussaint ... info in yesterday's post.

But there's certainly a passel of choices in town tonight.

There's actually some good choices at the Rose Festival's "Rozone" ... check out the music schedules for this weekend and next here.  For instance, Bob Shoemaker and the New Iberians this evening, Atomic Gumbo tomorrow afternoon. It's free after the one-time $5 admission (good for entire festival).  Speaking of the Rose Festival, it's time for the Starlight Parade tonight ...

There's a great house concert series in West Linn that's hosting the wonderful singer/songwriter Claudia Schmidt tonight (7 pm, $15) ... for details contact terry@donnalynnmusic.com

The Portland Playboys do their Saturday happy hour at the Secret Society ... 6 pm, no cover

Mississippi Pizza has the latin-tinged sounds of Level 2 ... 6 pm, $5

If the beautiful weather gets you out to Edgefield, Laura Ivancie will be singing in the winery ... 7 pm, no cover

Point Juncture, WA does a free performance at Music Millennium at 6:30 ...

One of last year's critically acclaimed films, Winter's Bone, had an intriguing soundtrack of Missouri songwriters and players. The soundtrack spawned a tour with many of those musicians and they are at the Aladdin tonight .... 8 pm, $18

The CBA's Journey to Memphis competition continues at Blitz Ladd ... 8:30 pm, $10

Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside do their second CD release night at the Doug Fir ... opening tonight is Pancake Breakfast and Old Light ... 9 pm, $12

At Mississippi Studios it's a fine show with Alela Diane and The Parson Red Heads (becoming one of my fave local bands) ... 9 pm, $10

Pianist Andrew Oliver and one of his many band projects, The Ocular Concern, will be at The Blue Monk ... 9 pm, $5

Okay ... get out and enjoy the sunshine and then some great music tonight!

XMass's Summertime fun alerts..

...Presuming summer will last longer than today...There are two shows coming to town this summer high on my radar. The first is John Doe and Jill Sobule at The Alberta Rose Theatre on July 14 (you didn't have any big plans for Bastille Day, anyway... ) They are touring in support of their CD, "A Day at the Pass", recorded at The Pass recording studio before its demolition. John's an old friend and member of that seminal punk band X from LA and the Knitters, which brings us to the second show, Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones (including home boy, Chris Miller) at the Aladdin on Aug. 25. Dave's new album 11/11 is out soon and will be the constant reminder so we don't forget his birthday....verrry clever....

Friday, June 3, 2011

First Weekend in June - let's start with Friday

Lots going on ... way too many great choices!

Already sold out shows tonight ... though if you show up with some patience, a ticket might be found ... Bruce Cockburn at the Aladdin,  and LiveWire Radio! at the Alberta Rose.  Hmmm ... don't think the Moody Blues at the Keller Auditorium has sold out yet. And the sold out Adele/Wanda Jackson at the Crystal Ballroom has been postponed due to illness (well, I guess that's 1200 people needing somewhere to go).

One that will probably sell out before showtime is the first of two nights at the Doug Fir with Sallie Ford & the Sounds Outside.  Sallie and the band are celebrating the release of their first full-length CD, Dirty Radio, and embarking on some ambitious touring to support it.  They were the city's buzz band of 2010 and seem ready to take it to the next level.  Good story at Oregon Music News, where you can also preview the new CD in its entirety.  ... 9 pm, $12

First Friday of the month means it's happy hour at the Laurelthirst with the James Low Western Front ... 6 pm, no cover   .... Feeling more tropical? It's the Brazillionaires at the Secret Society ... 6 pm, no cover

Excellent lineup of some of Portland's best bands at the Wonder Ballroom celebrating the 4th Anniversary of local media/arts collective, record company (and "general purveyor of all things artistic"), Tender Loving Empire.  Jared Mees & the Grown Children, Y La Bamba, Typhoon, Radiation City, Loch Lomond, Boy Eats Drum Machine ...  8 pm, $12

First of two nights of the Cascade Blues Association's Journey to Memphis competition (leads to the local finals at the Blues Festival) will be tonight at Blitz Ladd (SE 11th & Sherman) ... some of the areas best blues bands competing to go to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge next year ... 8:30 pm, $10

Rich Layton & The Troublemakers do their semi-unplugged thang in the couch comfy back room at Vino Vixens ... 8 pm, $5

Miriams Well is at the St. Johns McMenamins Theater & Pub ... with a full horn section. Lee Garrett opens ... 8 pm, $5

It's Zydeco and blues with The New Iberians at O'Connor's ... 8 pm, $5

Jazz tonight? ... excellent bassist Ed Bennett and his quintet will be at Wilf's (8 pm, $??) ... or check out trumpeter Farrell Newton's CD release at Jimmy Mak's (8 pm, $12)   ... or head to Vie de Boheme Winery for the 3 Leg Torso side project, the Meester & Meester Trio ... 8 pm, $5

Enjoy the beautiful weather and get out to some live music!

Allen Toussaint and American Metropole Orchestra in Monmouth on Saturday night

 

This from WOU's site:
Western Oregon University's (WOU) Smith Fine Arts series welcomes Allen Toussaint with the American Metropole Orchestra for the last performance of the 2010-11 season, directed by Keller Coker. This is the first time Toussaint has had songs from his storied career arranged for an orchestra. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Rice Auditorium. This is the last event of Toussaint's before his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tickets are $29 in advance, $31 at the door, and $11 for students. To purchase tickets, contact the Smith Fine Arts Series at 503-838-8333 or fineart@wou.edu
Understand there are some tickets left for this ... Allen Toussaint in Oregon on Saturday! 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Three for tonight

Just a quick heads-up on three shows tonight ...

Tony Furtado will begin a five-week residency (every Wed in June) at the Secret Society. His residency gigs last year at The Woods and Secret Society were a blast - some of the best live music I heard in town.  There will be special guests each week - announced and unannounced.  Absolutely worth getting out to ... 8 pm, $8

The late show at the Laurelthirst will have a triple double bill of Audie Darling, Run On Sentence, and Michael Dean Damron ... 9 pm, no cover

...and the Old 97s are in town at the Doug Fir.  Sarah Jaffe opens ... 9 pm, $22