Monday, January 28, 2013

Come to the Mardi Gras Ball!

Just a heads up about an amazing event being thrown on Saturday, Feb 9th that is near and dear to me. As a member of the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, I want to invite you all to the most authentic Carnival experience you can have right here in Portland. Mardi Gras is very special to folks who grew up or have lived in Louisiana, and the 3rd annual Mardi Gras Ball of the Mysti Krewe is about as real as it can get without buying a plane ticket and heading to New Orleans. There are deep traditions and customs that are part of the experience, but at the heart is a party with outstanding music, food, costumes, and celebration.

You really should come out and experience it -- and though costumes are encouraged, you don't really need to wear one.  You can get tickets here. Please feel free to spread the words to your friends via this  blog post or through Facebook. In fact, I'm encouraging it.   :-) 

Here are the details:


The Third Annual Portland Mardi Gras Ball
Saturday, February 9, 2013 @  7 p.m.
Bossanova Ballroom
722 East Burnside • Portland, OR 97214


Final preparations are underway for the most authentic, Louisiana-style, Carnival season celebration in Portland – the third annual Mardi Gras Ball presented by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus.  This themed costume ball, dreamed up by Louisiana expats who miss the celebration, will take place February 9th at the Bossanova Ballroom. Doors open at 7 p.m., and music begins at 8 p.m.
And, the Krewe has something very special planned to kick things off at 8 p.m. so don’t be late!
Tickets are $25 advance/ $30 day-of-show, available at the Bossanova website or through the Mardi Gras Ball site. The ball sold out last year, so don’t wait to get your tickets!
This year’s ball theme, Such a Night, takes its inspiration from one of New Orleans’ most recognized musicians and keepers of the flame, Dr. John. And such a night it will be at the Bossanova, which will be transformed into a Louisiana dance hall, festooned with fantastic decorations, beads, and baubles.
The ball features incredible music, tasty bites of Louisiana provided by Bernie’s Southern Bistro, a costume contest, a “second line” and shoebox float parade, and the presentation of the king and queen of the ball.
Entertainment will be provided by Atomic Gumbo featuring the dual pianos of Steve Kerin and special guest DK Stewart, who will go deep into classic New Orleans rhythm and blues; the Too Loose Cajun and Zydeco Band, laying down the irrepressible grooves of two of the most distinctive Louisiana musical traditions; the Transcendental Brass Band, bringing the classic raucous street and parade music of New Orleans; and the Skull and Bones Gang, providing a direct link to an almost 200-year-old New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Quickies...

...because we are soooo exhausted from watching the bridge move..
Ken Stringfellow of the Posies will be at Mississippi Studios on Wednesday the 23rd.  Also he will do an in-store at Millennium at 5 PM that day.
My pals - X - seminal punk rockers from LA play a one-off at Dante's for Dante's 13th birthday on Feb. 1 - also Exene's birthday, so bring birthday love...tickets going fast...prelude to an upcoming box set I hear...
Not really music but some musical interludes - doing costumes for a live performance of a friend's screenplay in progress, "Varsity Cheerleader Werewolves from Outer Space" at Jack London Bar on SW Alder, 8 PM, Jan. 24...it's totally goofy and has some terrific talent....and hey, you can drink...
Feb. 13 - OK - I'm excited about Marilyn Manson for pre-Valentine's, I confess...just want to see it for myself...and we can get serious about the music again on Feb. 26 for Patti Smith at the Crystal and Feb. 27th for Dave Alvin at the Aladdin with Marshall Crenshaw.  And then upcoming..Billy Bragg!!
Farther out, March 1, my pals in Ramona Falls are at the Doug Fir and and March 4 a great new band, Divers also at Doug Fir.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Fado, choro, and Mexican folk music tonight ...

Choro, fado, and Mexican folk music will grace your ears tonight at Carvlin Hall in a concert presented by the Portland FolkMusic Society.  Rio Con Brio and the fabulous Edna Vasquez share the bill ... 7:30 pm, $17

Here's a bit of Edna Vasquez from last summer's PDX Pop Now!

I Have A Dream ... tonight at the Alberta Rose


Tonight at the Alberta Rose Theatre at 8 pm ... A birthday party with a diverse selection of Portland's greatest musicians, as a benefit for the NAACP's youth advancement program: ACT-SO. Selections include Gospel, Jazz, Folk, Funk, Hip-Hop, Blues, R&B and Soul. Performers include:
Shirlee Nanette, LaRhonda Steele, Reggie Houston, Lloyd Jones, Ural Thomas, Joe McMurrian, Janice Scroggins, Kory Quinn, Carlton Jackson, Mic Crenshaw, Steve Kerin, The Tin Pan Alley Cats, Gary Harris, Warren Rand, and Arlo Leach - a jug-band hall of fame inductee. 
$20 Advance | $22 at the Door | $10 with Student ID or Oregon Trail Card (At the Door) | $50 VIP (Preferred Seating)

Friday, January 11, 2013

Low roots riff raff and Wainwright ... a few weekend picks

Just a quick post for the weekend with a couple of shows to highlight ...

You have two more chances to see a really fine indie folk band from New Orleans, Hurray For The Riff Raff, in their week-long residency at Al's Den in the Crystal Hotel (Fri and Sat!). The band has loved the attentive reception that Portland audiences have been providing all week. Really ... catch this band. Very compelling take on American roots music from a young and accomplish group - I loved both their original tunes and their well-chosen covers ... here's an interview with lead singer Alynda Lee Segarra and a review of a NY show from last summer ... 7 pm, no cover



At the Alberta Rose tonight its more harmony-rich roots music with Red Molly and Nels Andrews ... 8 pm, $15



The James Low Western Front will tear up the Laurelthirst at their weekly Saturday happy hour show tomorrow .... 6 pm, no cover

Here's a "postcard" from the band's tour of England and Ireland in November:


And on Sunday, two veteran singer/songwriters check into the Aladdin for a great double-bill ... Dar Williams and Loudon Wainwright III .... 8 pm, $30

Here's a bit of why we (who've been around the block a few times) love Loudon ...

Friday, January 4, 2013

The Jenny Scheinman Trio Featuring Bill Frisell and Brian Blade at the Mission Theater - Saturday, January 5th at 7:00 and 9:30PM

Excellent show from PDX Jazz tomorrow night at the Mission Theater.




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
PDX Jazz @ The Mission banner 

 

PDX Jazz @ The Mission Theater Presents

The Jenny Scheinman Trio

Featuring Bill Frisell and Brian Blade

Saturday, January 5th (One Night Only)

Two Ticketed Shows at 7:00 & 9:30PM

Photo Credit: John Rogers
Scheinman to Appear on KMHD Radio -
Friday, January 4 at 9:30AM

 "There is an emotional element to [Scheinman's] playing that makes her

music deeply satisfying." - Wall Street Journal

 

"[Scheinman is] simply one of the most versatile musicians working today;

someone who composes and arranges frequently, tours as a country singer-songwriter

and plays with Bill Frisell, Jason Moran and Norah Jones." - NPR.org

 

PDX Jazz, the presenting organization of the Portland Jazz Festival in partnership with The Mission Theater, along with The Crystal Hotel and our media sponsor KMHD Radio, announces the Jenny Scheinman Trio as part of the continuing PDX Jazz @ The Mission Theater series on Saturday, January 5 @ 7:00 & 9:30PM. Violinist Scheinman will be joined in by renowned guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Brian Blade.

 

Scheinman is reuniting with the trio following a successful residency at New York City's Village Vanguard in December 2011. The violinist has a long-standing relationship with Bill Frisell--who over the years has always encouraged her to take a bit of the spotlight, both on his acclaimed albums and during his live shows--and has said, "I've been playing with Bill since I was in my early twenties; mostly in his bands and recordings, but also in my own. He's a dear friend and major musical inspiration and influence." On her partnership with Frisell and Blade at the Vanguard, Scheinman noted, "When Lorraine Gordon asked me to do two weeks at the Vanguard, I decided to present two disparate groups, first my little rock band Mischief & Mayhem, and the other in a more intimate context with Bill, duo. It was like this for many months, just Bill and I. Then one morning I woke up with Brian Blade in my head. He's someone I've never played with, barely know, but admire immensely. He said YES! So we are a trio."

 

In addition to this masterful trio, Scheinman has found herself working alongside such lauded artists as Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Rodney Crowell, Jason Moran, Madeleine Peyroux, and Lou Reed. She concluded a 50-date North American tour with Bruce Cockburn, as the opening act and member of his trio. Her playing and singing continues to be featured on outstanding albums such as Bill Frisell's Sign of Life as well as his tribute to John Lennon (All We Can Say), Bruce Cockburn's Small Source Of Comfort, Madeleine Peyroux's Standing on the Rooftop (on which she co-wrote several songs), and she wrote and performed string arrangements on Lou Reed and Metallica's latest album, Lulu.

 

Jenny Scheinman and Bill Frisell Perform Live at the 2012 Newport Jazz Fest 
Jenny Scheinman and Bill Frisell Perform Live
at the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival
 
   

PDX Jazz @ The Mission Theater Presents

The Jenny Scheinman Trio

Featuring Bill Frisell and Brian Blade

Saturday, January 5th @ 7:00 & 9:30pm

All Seats $25

  

Jenny Scheinman - Violin

Bill Frisell - Guitar

Brian Blade - Drums
  
 

 

The Mission Theater

1624 N.W. Glisan, Portland, OR

(503) 223-4527

 

 

Ticketing Info:

Tickets for shows ticketed by Cascade Tickets may be purchased at the Crystal box office or other McMenamins outlets (Bagdad Theater, Edgefield, East 19th St. Café in Eugene). At these locations the convenience charge is only $1. You can order by phone at 1-800-514-ETIX, or by clicking the "Buy Tickets" link located at the event listing on the McMenamins schedules.

 

* Reserved seating is always available for PDX Jazz members

 

Trivia Question for $3 Discount at the Door (9:30PM Show Only): What is the name

of the northern California mountain range that Jenny grew up adjacent to?

 

  

Located within walking distance of the Mission Theater,

McMenamins Crystal Hotel & Ballroom is ideal for concert-goers

For more info about McMenamins Hotel & Ballroom, visit: www.McMenamins.com 

 

 

For more information, contact

Don Lucoff @ dlucoff@pdxjazz.com

  

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