Friday, March 22, 2013

Lisa Mann's Rally for Aly...

Lisa Mann is hosting a benefit for a young cancer patient at the Spare Room..
  • Little Alyssa Weiser-Lilly (aka "Aly") has battled cancer since she was 18 months old. She thought the fight was over, but sadly, now at 11 years of age, the cancer has returned. She is up for a spirited fight, but her family of 6 is in great need of financial support. RALLY FOR ALY! features some of the finest blues and roots artists the Northwest has to offer: Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes will start the show at 3pm, followed by Butterfly Breakdown, Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band, and finally the NW ...Womens Rhythm and Blues Revue! Only $10 at the door! Raffle and silent auction as well.

    You can read Aly's story here:
    http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/alyssaweiserlilly/mystory

    If you can't attend, or wish to give a little more, you can donate here: www.sparrowclubs.org/donate/
    Under "Gift information," click "Designated to Sparrow." Then, under "Additional information," write Alyssa Weiser-Lilly.
    100% of funds go directly to the family.

    PLEASE SHARE THIS EVENT AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Springing into the weekend

Spring officially began yesterday.  However, beyond a catchy blog post title it has nothing to do with this post.

Three solid touring acts hit the Aladdin, Alberta Rose, and Crystal Ballroom tonight.  At the Aladdin, it's venerable British blues rock from Wishbone Ash, performing their classic recording Argus. Rock on! ... 8 pm, $35

At the Crystal, it's Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band. Having earned a ton of respect for his songwriting over the past decade, Ritter is currently touring to support his critically acclaimed new recording, The Beast In Its Tracks. Lake Street Dive opens ...8 pm, $30



And at the Alberta Rose, it's one of my favorite songwriters, Tom Russell. An artist, storyteller, and consummate performer, Russell is entertaining and thought provoking with beautifully crafted songs that explore character, story, and inner and outer experience.  Simply one of the best. And he is accompanied by the fine Portland-based guitarist, Thad Beckman! ... 8 pm, $28


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Music for Pi (3.14 ....)

Marychriss beat me to a few things to mention (see previous posts) - particularly about the two shows tonight and Friday at the Laurelthirst for Pete Krebs. But there's a couple more things to note for tonight.

It's a very bluesy evening in SE Portland, with a couple of California-based blues artists. At the Aladdin, it's Tommy Castro & the Painkillers. This Bay Area songwriter/guitarist/bandleader has been playing some kick-ass and soulful blues and R&B since I before I left San Francisco over 23 years ago. Gem of a guy too ... 8 pm, $25

A couple of minutes north at Duff's it's Doug Macleod doing a NW CD release show. Doug is a fine singer, songwriter, guitarist and storyteller ... And, Lauren Sheehan is going to open, making it a most excellent double-bill ... 9 pm, $15


One for the weekend you might want to note is the MusicBridge Acoustic Festival at Vie de Boheme Winery. Two days with sets by acoustic roots and blues musicians to promote and recognize some fine organizations that provide key support for the local music community - the Jeremy Wilson Foundation, United By Music, the Cascade Blues Association, and Music Millennium. Check out one day or both ... here's the schedule and where to get tickets.  Music begins at 5 each day and is $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

One more thing..

Two more nights of music to benefit Pete Krebs at the Laurelthirst..Tonight and tomorrow night.  He has has surgery, but the odds are that he will never be cancer free and those bills keep mounting....

It's official..

Booker T and Charlie Hunter at Dante's on April 14th!!
..and for more soul, Martha Reeves tonight at Jimmie Mak's - two shows, 7:30 and !0:00, The Etta James tribute "Tell Mama" CD release party tomorrow at Alberta Rose and Irish Soul at Alberta Rose on Saturday with Kevin Burke (who was once impressed that I was an American girl who knew about hot-knifing...I will say no more..) and Cal Scott.
Lost Lander at the Wonder on Mar. 29!  One of my fave local bands!  Non-musically, but still amusing Dimitri Martin at the The Aladdin on the 28th...I've seen him live at least 3 times and I highly recommend his show!
..now I musts go mull why Peter Murphy and Black Flag will be playing at the Hawthorne Theatre...not together...that would be even crazier than the fact they got booked into the Hawthorne.


.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Picks for Friday night ...

Some weekends there's just a whole lot of great music to choose from ... this is one of those ... so here's what jumps out for tonight ...

Friday
Joe McMurrian continues his week at Al's Den with some special guests from 7-10 pm ... no cover

The Aladdin has a great run of shows in March that continues tonight with Ladysmith Black Mombazo. (btw, that run continues on Sunday with the fabulous James Hunter Six) This is the premier South African township vocal group that has been making compelling music for well over 40 years, though they didn't come to the attention of most Americans until Paul Simon's Graceland album and tour in the late 80s. Since that time they have been globetrotting musical ambassadors for the people of a country wrenching itself from apartheid to racial equality. Their acapella delivery of both secular and spiritual music of black South Africa has a timeless quality that should be experienced live ... and there's probably still a few tickets left ... 8 pm, $35

Ironic that on the same day, the Lion of Zimbabwe, Thomas Mapfumo, and his band, the Blacks Unlimited, are playing in town at the Mount Tabor Theater. His music (Chimurenga) ushered in much of what's now called "Afro-pop." Mapfumo is now based in Eugene, but mostly tours internationally. With him is Portland's Luveness Wesa (Bantus Band) - they'll be laying down some extremely danceable grooves ... 7 pm, $20

There's another musician benefit this weekend - this time at Jimmy Mak's for former Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte (raising money for his leukemia treatments). It features Soul Vaccination and a host of guests in shows on Friday and Saturday ... 8 pm, $20

Home with a short pause from the road with Tom Russell (who will be at the Alberta Rose in two weeks),  Thad Beckman checks into O'Connor's with Kurtis Piltz (harmonica) and Joe Cahoon (bass) ... catch him while you can ... 8 pm, $7

The Secret Society will rock with roots and rockabilly tonight with the High Flyer Trio (happy hour @ 6 pm, no cover), and then Jon Koonce and The Twangshifters for the late show ... 9 pm, $8

The Shanghai Woolies do a swingin' tribute to Louis Armstrong at Tony Starlight's ... 8 pm, $15

.... and Billy D & the Hoodoos will keep the dance floor occupied at the Trail's End ... 9 pm, $??

 ... ok, maybe another post for Saturday and Sunday coming, but the way I've been sporadically writing lately, who knows ... so in case I don't get to it, keep these in mind:

Saturday: The James Low Western Front happy hour at the Laurelthirst, Lloyd Jones at Halibuts, Freak Mt Ramblers and Garcia Birthday Band at the Goodfoot, the Midnight Serenaders at Tony Starlight's, and one of my all-time favorite Texas talents, Joe Ely (with Joe Pug opening) at Mississippi Studios.

Sunday:  Three great touring acts in town with the aforementioned James Hunter Six at the Aladdin, Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings at the Alberta Rose, and the Blind Boys of Alabama at Mississippi Studios!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Monday music

Looked at the listings for today and saw some pretty good choices if you want to head out tonight -

Joe McMurian has begun a week residency at Al's Den, with special guests each night ... 7pm, no cover

It's Blue Monday with Lloyd Jones at the Muddy Rudder - always an easy hang with Mr. Jones and whatever friends drop by this cozy Sellwood tavern ... 7:30 pm, no cover

At O'Connor's in Multnomah Village, check out Gary Ogan in concert with Dave Captein, and Panhandler's Union, 7pm, $15

The excellent double-bill of Rhett Miller and Erin McKeown are at Mississippi Studios ... 8 pm, $15

.... and, the March Fourth Marching Band's Tenth Anniversary show continues tonight at the Crystal Ballroom ... always a blast! ... 9 pm, $25

Picking one of these is a pretty fine way to start your week ... and a good reason not to hate Mondays!

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Update from Pete Krebs..and info on more fundraisers

  1. An Update From Pete Krebs --
    Hello, everybody. It's been a little while since I had the time to check in with all y'all and get you up to date with what's going on with me.
    I had surgery 2 weeks ago, and am still in recovery from that. I ...won't go into the gory details (unless you really want me to), but let's just say it was humbling. I am regaining more and more movement daily (and am feeling better each day as well).
    The great news is that the biopsy results are in, and the surgery was successful in removing the tumor! According to my oncologist, the margins of the biopsy are clear of melanoma. This is the best possible news we could have received, and both Birdie and I were stunned to hear it. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts that most certainly helped us receive this result.
    As this is a chronic illness however, the future is still uncertain for me. I won't be able to say 'I'm cured!" or 'I'm in remission!", ever. I am, however, proud to join the ranks of those who fight their cancer with scrappy fortitude and the greatest of optimism. I am grateful for the many opportunities this illness is providing me to deepen my awareness and compassion.
    There are two upcoming benefit shows for me here in Portland, on March 14th and 15th, at the Laurelthirst Public House (http://www.facebook.com/events/436245026453460/). Both nights have a great lineup of music, and I hope you can attend. We are also still fundraising through the Jeremy Wilson Foundation (http://thejwf.org/category/musician-grant-funds/). I would also ask you to consider a direct donation to the Foundation itself, to help with future support for members of Portland's musical community.
    There will also be an article in Sunday's (tomorrow's) Oregonian, with interviews with both Jeremy and I, focusing on the JWF.
    February was a tough one. Thank you ALL for the love and support you've shown my family and I. It is the greatest of gifts, and we are so humbly grateful.
    I'll be back in touch when I can, with hopefully some more good news. Please feel free to pass this along.
    PK

Friday, March 1, 2013

Shhhh...

....you did NOT hear this here...but there's a fairly solid rumor that Booker T will be playing a relatively small venue in town in late April....details to follow...best part of the rumor - with the MGS...
..off to see Ramona Falls tonight and hopefully great local band Divers on Monday, both at the Doug Fir.  And also there on the 8th a great Americana type band, The Maldives from Olympia way...saw them open for Ken Stringfellow and they were awesome.  Tonight at Secret Society, a KZME fund raiser featuring Matt Brown, starts at 9 PM.
...and did not my Scorp brother, Dave Alvin kick ass on Wednesday?