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From the Editor
Notes on
a Napkin
The saying that change is the only constant
in life is unfortunate in certain cases. It's the end of an era at The
Flamingo lounge (at the Travel Lodge), where one of the nearly extinct
piano bars in town is no longer featuring the popular music of days
gone by. I was surprised to hear that Martin "Marty" Tocci
was performing for the last night when I stopped in recently, as I often
did on my way home. New management at the restaurant/lounge has decided
to feature a DJ, so Marty got all his regulars' phone numbers to let
us know where he'll be next.
Fans and singers like Mary Beaver, Bonnie
Jean, Sydney, our own Dorothy Garrison, John, Johnny, Chuck, Shirley
and many more will certainly miss Marty's dry wit and his superb mastery
of the piano, especially on the vintage tunes of yesteryear. I'm hoping
Marty will find another spot to bestow his talent on those of us who
appreciate good live music!
At the other end of the spectrum, Boogie
Woogies, our cover feature this month, could be called the mother
of all piano bars! Dubbed "dueling pianos," this Las Vegas-style
entertainment is the latest rage in town. If you feel like partying,
it's definitely the place!
PE writer Dorothy G. invited me to a very
unique gathering recently at the home of vocalist, trumpet player, pianist
Ron Stark. "Ron's Red Hot Revue" was the title on programs
especially printed for the event. "This party was conceived for
the purpose of reviving the tradition of family and friends gathering
together and informally playing and singing as part of the fun,"
the sheet explains.
Dorothy on vocals and pianist Sylvia Killman
joined Ron for a wonderful concert that included many classic hits such
as Love is Here to Stay, Bewitched, Til There Was You, a medley
from My Fair Lady, Try to Remember, The Shadow of Your Smile,
songs from West Side Story, People and a final audence sing-a-long
Moon River. Let's hope this is the start of a new trend.
Blues/jazz vocalist Lily Wilde (one of
my favorites) made her debut last month with Oregon Symphony Bank of
America Pops Concert, sharing the bill with the popular Shirley Nanette
and Shira.
The 18-piece big band, led by resident
conductor Norman Leydon, featured the swing music of Benny Goodman,
Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey in a program entitled Sing, Sing, Sing.
Lily's rich, bluesy rendition of Stormy Weather shows shat she
does best. Shirley Nannette is a fabulous songbird, who is a gem in
our midst. And of course, there's Shira, who has graced the stage with
the symphony since the early '90s, as well as fine clubs here and around
the country.
Coming soon is he Fourth Annual Catholic
Celebration, slated for March 31; it features a cocktail reception with
Francis Cardinal George (Archdiocese of Chicago) and Archbishop John
G. Vlazny (Portland); dinner; guest speaker (Francis Cardinal George
O.M.I.); dancing; and dessert.
The event this year will take place at
the Double Tree Hotel Jantzen Beach, 909 N. Hayden Island Dr. The featured
music is provided by the Keith Werner Swing Revue Big Band, "...highly
accomplished 18-piece orchestra and their wonderfully entertaining arrangements
of timeless classics."
Tickets are $125 per person, tables of
10 available for $1250. Proceeds go to Catholic Charities, annually
serving 132,000 people without regard to faith, race, ethnicity, age,
gender or condition in life. Programs include aids ministry, Asian social
services, Caritas housing initiatives, Hispanic programs, Elizbeth House,
immigration legal services, ministry to the elderly, pregnancy support,
adoption services, Project Rachel, refugee resettlement and Rose Haven.
Call 503-231-4866 for reservations or sponsorship opportunities.
I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate
Shandeen of Biddy McGraw's on her recent nuptials; and local musicians
Kellie Mack and Tim Travis on the birth of their baby boy Travis Michael
on Feb. 10.
Don't miss Music Millennium's 32nd Anniversary
celebration this month (See article this issue).
I'd also like to welcome them as a web link on Locality.com.
Check out all the St. Patrick's Day parties
this issue and don't forget the "wearin' of the green!"
..............Bonnie Carter, ed.
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