|
Creative
Collaborations
Combining efforts
for great art.
By Brett
Campbell
 |
|
Obo Addy performs at Beall Hall
Friday...
. |
|
As we noted at the beginning of the arts season, this has been the
year of creative collaborations among Eugene performing artists, and it reaches a
climax with two of the most exciting concerts of the year. On Saturday, April 27,
at the Hult Center, the Eugene Concert Choir and Vocal Arts Ensemble join
the expanded Oregon Mozart Players, five timpanists, four brass choirs, a
Portland ensemble and just about every choral singer in town (180 voices) to present
Hector Berlioz's massive Requiem. Berlioz, the prototypical Romantic composer,
was one of classical music's master orchestrators; this show should demonstrate why.
The other big collaboration finds two of this city's most accomplished
and innovative arts institutions -- the Oregon Festival of American Music's American
Symphonia and the Eugene Ballet -- joining forces to present that electrifying
masterpiece of 20th century music: Igor Stravinsky's riveting The Rite of Spring,
with original choreography by Toni Pimble. Perhaps more than any other single work,
this famous evocation of a pagan sacrificial ritual revolutionized music; it sparked
a riot at its Paris premiere in 1913 and today retains its visceral, rhythmic power,
as pulse-pounding as the rawest rock and roll. It's sure to blow away anyone who
thinks of classical music as wispy, boring, or easy listening. This may be the most
exciting local performing arts event of the year -- don't miss it. Performances are
May 4 and 5.
OFAM's other production brings ÁCubanismo! to the
EMU Ballroom on Sunday, April 28. Just before The Buena Vista Social Club
made Cuban music cool in the US again, this horn-heavy big band added doses of reggae,
New Orleans rhythms, blues and other world music to the traditional Cuban son
, producing an immensely danceable mixture.
Another dance-happy world music show happens Friday, April 26 when
the UO's World Music Series brings Ghanaian master percussionist (and now Portland
resident) Obo Addy and his group Okropong in a powerful program of music and
dance of Ghana at the UO's Beall Hall. Along with his command of a slew of percussion
instruments, Addy is also a fine composer who's received awards from all over the
world. Okropong performs the music and dance of a number of Ghana's ethnic groups,
weaving rhythmic lines of astonishing complexity. This is surely one of the best
world music concerts in Eugene this year.
What really facilitates such satisfying music and dance combinations
is a suitable venue. As acoustically appealing as Beall is, the old concert hall
was never intended to host the kind of multimedia performances that today's artists
are producing. That's why the UO music school has planned a new performance wing
that will permit many interdisciplinary collaborations among artists at the school
and in the Eugene community. On Sunday, May 5, you can contribute to this important
effort, and hear some good music, at a benefit concert featuring UO faculty members
Alyssa Park (the visiting violinist who's impressed a lot of listeners in
performances around town this year) and pianist Dean Kramer performing music
by Ravel, Bach, Brahms and Beethoven.
Combos are cool, but sometimes singles can rule -- even on the
bass. On April 27, bassist Michael Manring demonstrates the breadth of musical
exploration available on his unlikely instrument in a solo show at Café Paradiso.
A student of the legendary Jaco Pastorius, Manring has played with New Age types
such as Michael Hedges, folkies like John Gorka, even punk/metalists, and has drawn
hosannas from bass-heads and other musicians everywhere. His varied textures (making
the instrument sound like a guitar or cello) and improvisational virtuosity make
you forget he's playing a single instrument.
What an amazing influx of great jazz we've had recently, and now
the magnificent Bill Frisell comes to the WOW Hall on Thursday, May 2. Although
he's among the most brilliant guitarists in jazz, Frisell has recently transcended
that genre, exploring country, rock, blues, and unclassifiable territories, eschewing
flashy virtuosity for evocative atmosphere and simple, lyrical original melodies,
often drawn from Americana folk traditions. He's one of the most compelling and distinctive
voices in American music, playing with everyone from Bono to Allison Krauss's band
to Elvis Costello. Frisell will be accompanied by multi-instrumentalist/slide guitarist
Greg Leisz (who's worked with such luminaries as Joni Mitchell, K.D. Lang,
and Beck), in a show whose only predictable element will be its superb musicianship.
Back to Top
Invincible
Sounds
Jazz bluegrass,
rock, Brits and spooky surf this week.
By Vanessa
Salvia
 |
|
The Beta Band plays WOW Hall
Wednesday...
. |
|
Jazz improvisers Medeski, Martin and Wood kick it Thursday night at
McDonald Theatre. For a trio consisting of keyboards, drums and bass, the group has
turned jazz experimentation on its ear, gathering fans from all across the spectrum.
Hip-hoppers like them, hard-boppin' jazz aficionados like them, heck, even my kid
brother who plays in a metal band likes them. Ten years of togetherness and nine
albums have made them an unstoppable force worldwide, and as their soon-to-be released
album titled Invincible stands witness, they're not going away any time soon.
Casey Neill appears Thursday at Sam Bond's, this time with
his full band. Hometown Portland, Neil's band, is a who's who of great bands. Fiddler
Marilee Hord played with Golden Delicious, the group that brought bluegrass to the
hipsters. Lewi Longmire on guitars, piano and vocals also got funky with Caleb Clauder.
Drummer Derek Brown comes from the Baseboard Heaters and bassist Adam is from Adam
and Kris. An upcoming CD is promised, and there will be an E.P. at the show, which
will feature some new material.
With a new label, a new CD and lots of local press, things are
starting out rosy for Eugene's The Visible Men. With new label Leisure King
behind them, The Visible Men are taking a giant step forward for a relatively new
local band and headlining a CD release bash at the McDonald Friday night. Flush from
the release of their debut CD, In Socks Mode, the two main Men Dan Schmid
and Dustin Lanker have lots to celebrate. Schmid is a fab bassist and member of two
of my favorite local bands, Mood Area 52 and The Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Lanker's
piano skills are known far and wide, especially for his work with The Burning Members.
Akin to the humorous ditties of Jonathan Richman but turned down a few notches, the
duo don't shy away from life's less pretty side. They just add a twist of irony,
subtle piano arrangements, a smooth bass line and keep on going. The supporting acts
for this show will be Dan Jones and Tom Heinl, both of whom are also
Leisure King artists.
Wednesday night, UK's The Beta Band light up the WOW Hall.
Standing up to rave reviews since the foursome got together in London a couple of
years ago, The Beta Band have filled a huge gap in today's music no one even knew
was there before. Playing live with decks, samples, and tape loops, they have added
a whole new cinematic vibe to playing live. Strangely surreal lyrically, their musical
influences are equally all over the map. Downbeats wedded to electronic loops, rock
interludes, hip-hop and general peculiarity prevail at a Beta Band show. That is
to say, they offer the unexpected and pull off the improbable.
Cracker's in the limelight with a new CD. Frontman David
Lowry, formerly of Camper Van Beethoven, has tightened up his rock and polished his
poison pen for a new batch of anthemic fight songs called Forever. It's a
timeless name for tunes that harken back to the college rock radio airwaves of years
past. On this, Cracker's fifth album, Lowry has not lost his cynicism that made us
love him so much when he sang "Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)."
Forever attempts to match those lofty heights of days gone by, and frequently
does. Catch them Wednesday at the Wild Duck.
Nobody does spooky surf better than Deadbolt, and they're
bringing it back to Eugene Wednesday at the Downtown Lounge. A most entertaining
live band, "The Scariest Band In The World" will shock and delight you.
Their rockabilly and surf tunes are often hilariously deadpan songs about shrunken
heads, homicidal truckers, anti-hippie rants and other terrifying tales. One clever
reviewer dubbed Deadbolt "The Blues Brothers covering The Cramps with Power
Tools." They'll perform with The Grabbies, from Italy, the rockabilly
of The Sawyer Family, Los Mysteriosos (a new incarnation of Los Mex
Pistols) and masked wrestler Mr. California.
Back to Top
Adam's Place
30 E. Broadway * 344-6948
Ambrosia
174 E. Broadway. * 342-4141
Bacari Restaurant
1210 Willamette * 343-8404
Beanery
152 W. 5th * 342-3378
Beanery
2465 Hilyard * 344-0221
Black Forest
50 E. 11th * 344-0816
Bliss Steak Ranch
2891 W. 11th * 484-6657
Borders
5 Oakway Center * 345-6072
The Brickhouse
4136 4th St. Spfd. * 988-1612
Buzz Coffeehouse
EMU, UO * 346-3725
Cafe Paradiso AA NS
115 W. Broadway * 484-9933
Chantrelle's
5th & Pearl * 484-4065
Cheerful Tortoise
730 E. Broadway * 517-9291
Chez Ray
44 W. 10th * 344-1530
Cornucopia
295 W. 17th *485-2300
Cozmic Pizza
1432 Willamette * 338-9333
Crossroads
737 Main St. * 741-3366
Cypress Restaurant
99 W. Broadway * 683-3800
Diablo's
959 Pearl * 683-3855
Doc's Pad
165 W. 11th * 683-8101
Don Juans #2
33100 Van Duyn Rd. -- 684-8695
Double Tree Hotel
I-5 & Beltline * 726-8181
Downtown Lounge
959 Pearl * 683-3855
Duck Inn
1795 W. 6th * 342-5729
Embers Supper Club
1811 Hwy. 99 N. * 688-6564
Eugene Wine Cellars
255 Madison * 342-2600
Fathoms
790 East 14th * 344-4471
Feinstein's Museum
537 Willamette * 683-7817
Fifth St. Public Mkt.
5th & High * no phone
Fool's Paradise
460 Willamette * 338-9733
Foolscap
780 Blair Blvd. * 681-9212
Foxfire
4740 Main, Spfd * 747-7900
Game Day Sports Bar
1156 Hwy 99N *688-8901
Gilligan's
990 Oak St. * 342-2659
Good Times
375 E. 7th * 484-7181
Hagen's
50 E. 11th * 343-8108
Hilton Ballroom
66 E. 6th * 342-2000
Hollywood Taxi
535 Main, Spfd. * 747-0307
Hop House
2750 Roosevelt * 461-2081
Hungry Duck
30 Country Club Rd * 484-6963
Jakes Restaurant
605 W. 19th * 431-0513
Jim's Landing
303 Main St. Spfd * 726-7570
Jimmy Mac's
770 S. Bertelsen * 342-5028
Jo Federigo's
259 E 5th * 343-8488
Jogger's Bar and Grill
710 Willamette * 343-0224
John Henry's
136 E. 11th * 342-3358
Juanita's Hideaway
645 River Road * 463-8375
Kokomo's
44 E. 7th * 683-5160
The Keg Tavern
4711 W. 11th * 345-5563
Lavelle Wine Bar
5th St. Mkt * 338-9875
Lone Star Bar & Grill
33140 Van Duyn Rd. * 686-8686
Lord Leebrick Theatre
5th and Chanelton * 334-4435
The Love Cafe
145 Pioneer Pkwy Spfd * 763-5710
Luckey's Pub
933 Olive * 687-4643
Luna
28 E. Broadway * 344-1266
Max's Tavern
550 E. 13th * 349-8986
McDonald Theatre
1010 Willamette
Meridian Building
18th & Willamette * no phone
Moretti's
730 E. Broadway * 344-6673
Mulligan's Pub
2841 Willamette * no phone
Neighbors
1417 Villard * 338-0334
Nite Owl (Ramada Inn)
225 Coburg * 342-5181
The Old Pad
3355 E. Amazon * 686-5022
Olympus
23 W 6th * 683-2746
Oregon Electric Station
27 E. 5th * 485-4444
Our Place Tavern
796 Hwy 99 N.
Out of the Fog
450 Willamette * 687-0709
Overtime Tavern
770 S. Bertelsen * 342-5028
Piccolo
999 Willamette * 484-4011
Quacker's
2105 W. 7th * 345-2617
Ramada Inn
225 Coburg Rd. * 342-5181
The New Rascals
211 Washington * 345-2617
Red Lion Inn
205 Coburg Rd * 342-5201
Rick's Pub
20 Hwy 99 N. * 344-3074
River Rd. Grill & Bar
645 River Rd. * 463-8375
Roadhouse
3018 Gateway St. *746-6000
Rock 'n' Rodeo
44 E. 7th * 683-5160
Rumba Room
100 E. Broadway * 484-1747
Safari Room
3280 Gateway * 726-8181
Sakura
844 E. 13th * 343-6817
Sam Bond's Garage
407 Blair Blvd * 343-2635
Sam's Place
825 Wilson * 484-4455
Samurai Duck
990 Oak St. * 345-6577
Senor Frog's
444 E. 3rd * 484-2927
Shakers
1195 Main, Spfd. * 736-5177
Spirits
1714 Main St. Spfd * 726-0113
Starbuck's
205 E.18th * 465-9813
Stepina's
1475 Mohawk, Spfd * 744-0811
Sweetwaters
Valley River Inn * 687-0123
Taco Loco
900 W. 7th
Tap-N-Keg
1704 E. Main, Cottage Grove
Taylor's
894 E. 13th * 344-6174
Tino's Restaurant
15th and Willamette * 342-8111
Tiny Tavern
894 E. 13th * 344-6174
TJ'S Lounge
365 E. Oregon * 895-3109
Toshi's Ramen
1520 Pearl * 683-7833
Tsunami Books
2585 Willamette * 345-8986
Tuscany's
950 Kruse Way * 726-1726
23:6
23 West 6th * 484-9669
Valley River Inn
1000 Valley R. Way * 687-0123
Waterfront Bar & Grill
2210 Centennial * 465-4506
Wetlands
922 Garfield * 345-3606
Wild Duck Hall NS
169 W. 6th * 485-3825
The Woodsman
117 S. 14th * 741-0150
WOW Hall AA NS
291 W. 8th * 687-2646
Yukon Jack's Saloon
4th & Broadway, Veneta
Corvallis Clubs
AJ's
137 SW. Second * 758-4582
The Beanery
500 SW Second * 753-7442
Bombs Away Cafe
2527 NW Monroe
Borders Corvallis
777 NW 9th St. * 738-0580
Creekside Coffee
5210 SW. Philomath * 752-8098
Fox & Firken
202 SW. First * 753-8533
Gill Coliseum
Oregon State Univ. * 737-1000
Headline Cafe
300 SW Jefferson *758-1642
La Sells Stewart Center
OSU * 752-5435
Majestic Theatre
115 SW. Second * 766-6977
New Morning Bakery
219 SW. Second * 754-0181
Odd Fellows Hall
223 SW. Second * 752-3023
Old World Deli
341 SW. Second * 752-8549
Peacock Tavern
125 SW. 2nd * 754-8522
Squirrels Tavern
100 SW Second * 753-8057
Sweets Barbecue
225 SW. Fourth * 754-3663
Back to Top
Table
of Contents
| News | Views | Arts & Entertainment
Classifieds | Personals
| EW
Archive
|