Eugene Weekly: Music and Clubs Listings

VIVIANS KEEPER
Hawaiian prodigy Leila Chiekos back and totally getting tubed. Leila watches over Keeper, who, while having placed Viv on the drum throne as recently as the beginning of 2002, holds a couple albums dangling in their silk pockets. Sandwiching Chieko like both sides of the bun, are Adam Bentley and Joanna Agee, ripping out some classification-defying tunes that sound a lot like catchy-Suzanne-Vega-Cranberries-pop. Goes the weasel. Friday, Sam Bonds Garage.

SATIN LOVE ORCHESTRA
At last years Oregon Country Fair, Satin Love slowly wound their bumpy way down the dusty back roads in a black stretch limo. Upon reaching the main stage, this funky group poured out in shiny regalia, sporting fuzzy caps. They proceeded to boogie ¥till the beakdown, sending the sweaty crowd into an amorphic frenzy. Get morphed by this favorite disco posse one more time. Saturday, Wild Duck.

JOHNNY B. CONNOLLY
A very accomplished button accordionist, ¥tis said in some places that Johnnys button-pushing, box-squeezing skills are requested far and wide, from his childhood home in Dublin to someplace near the shores of Eugenes Mill Race. Johnny, amigo to frolicking fiddler Kevin Burke, put out a debut album, Bridgetown, just last year from his home base in Portland. Its a collection of traditional Irish and French tunes. Get your button pushed. Get your box sqeezed. Friday, Cafe Paradiso.

In July, most classical music programmers in town wisely defer to the Oregon Bach Festival, so the big shows are the Bachfest youve read about here earlier. They include Tan Duns Water Passion after St. Matthew on Friday, July 5; Crouching Tiger Concerto and Orchestral Theatre 1 and 2 on Sunday, July 7; Oregon Repertory Singers and Third Angle New Music Ensemble on Saturday, July 6; Ingeborg Danzs recital on Thur-sday, July 11; and Pendereckis Credo on Sunday, July 14.

Try the inexpensive and forward-looking Choral Visions concerts on Saturday the 6th at 11 am and 3 pm, featuring American music of Copland, Barber, Ives, Kyr, Murray Schafer, and up-and-coming young composers.

The other major music happening, of course, is the Oregon Country Fair. But despite the presence of these 800-pound gorillas in our community, you can still find a number of worthwhile shows at other venues around town. Two of them feature a recent graduate of the UO music school who went off to New Yorks celebrated Juilliard School, got his degree, soaked up the variegated fruits of the fertile NYC music scene, and has returned to Eugene for a brief visit to play classical trumpet at the Bach Festival, and to showcase some of the new directions hes taken since he left.

When Brian McWhorter was at the UO, he displayed the kind of creative motivation you wish all students possessed. He put together a sparkling music/dance performance of Stravinskys A Soldiers Tale (conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya), composed a striking original jazz/percussion score for Fritz Langs classic film Metropolis, and led his After Quartet in bold yet accessible explorations of the boundaries of avant-garde music.

Now teaching at Princeton and New Yorks Greenwich House Music School, McWhorter has worked with a number of groups, including the Meridian Arts Ensemble, trumpet and percussion duo Endy Emby, American Brass Quintet, American Sinfonietta, New Jersey Symphony, Sequitur, Absolute Ensemble, chamber/pop group The Sharp Things and the progressive Extension Ensemble, performing new music by himself and others. His New York sojourn has led to performances that embrace downtown minimalism, hip-hop, techno and electronica, even a smidgen of bossa nova.

Much of it is fascinating, and you can get a taste of it on Tuesday, July 9 when McWhorter brings a quartet featuring Chad Sullivan on sax, bassist Rob Kohler, and drummer Jordan Glenn to Luna. Saxist Peter Epstein joins them on Thursday, July 11 at Café Paradiso.

Both those venues feature some other great shows. Luna features more progressive jazz on Thursday, July 18 when Portlands Rob Scheps Core-tet returns after packing the house in March. Sitting in will be award-winning young German trumpeter Nils Ostendorf, whos studied with the likes of Kenny Wheeler, Dave Douglas, and Henry Threadgill and flirted with electronica and dance music.

Café Paradiso hosts the fleet-fingered Dublin/Portland Irish button accordionist Johnny Connolly and singer/songwriter Casey Neill on Friday, July 5. Connolly has recorded with Irish stars such as the Chieftains and Kevin Burke and recorded for the esteemed Green Linnet Records.

The next night, Paradiso brings the Vafambi Mbira Group, music of Zimbabwe. This show will feature mbira, the hand-held so-called øthumb pianoÓ that makes that entrancing, zingy sound. These Zimbabwean masters know how to weave traditional and original melodies that summon the spirits of their ancestors. Several mbira songs as well as music for marimba appear on the new CD, Musimboti, whose release was celebrated at a big concert at Sam Bonds last month, all under the ambit of Eugenes Kutsinhira center.

Sam Bonds big show this month -- celebrating the release of Cinemathique -- is the summer hootenanny featuring Tuatara, Wayward Shamans, The Minus 5 and CeDell Davis on Saturday, July 13. The overlapping groups include musicians from REM (Peter Buck), Screaming Trees, polkaholics Brave Combo, and the Young Fresh Fellows, whove found a rewarding alternative to their alternative rock groups.

Featuring sax, flute, guitars, all manner of percussion, even (on one glorious track) koto, Tuatara & Co. will appeal to lovers of jazz, world music, rock… anything. It sometimes sounds like a psychedelic score to a mysterious world traveler spy movie. Or something like that. This should be one of the summers coolest shows.

Imbibing Blues
Drinking in the sounds of Art and the Vineyard.
BY VANESSA SALVIA

Its summertime and the livings easy, especially when you can go to local festivals and experience wonderful food, fine wines and beautiful artwork. Theres something for everyone at the Art and the Vineyard festival, held this weekend at Eugenes Alton Baker Park.

The annual event is always eagerly anticipated, and its proceeds raise funds for Maude Kerns Art Center. The parks grounds will fill up with artists from Oregon and Washington who create fabulous ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, musical instruments, paintings and photographs. Of course, wine and food will be abundant. Theres even an area and stage for the wee children.

But what about the music, you say? Check the EW Calendar for the complete mainstage lineup, and read on for highlights.

Everything Ive read about Monte Montgomery describes him in superlative fashion. His fans are rabidly supportive and his music has been called ømind-blowing,Ó østunning,Ó and øimaginative.Ó As a little tyke in Birmingham, Ala., his mother, folk-singer and guitarist Maggie Montgomery, used to play guitar with him in her lap, letting him strum along. Montgomerys mother moved to Texas and opened a bar, The Hopf Inn, when he was 12. The bar was a popular øpicking parlorÓ and Montgomery absorbed much from the variety of musicians who would stop in. This environment provoked a deep love of music within the young Montgomery, who soon discovered he had an amazing talent with the guitar.

As the leader of his own band, he developed the style of playing electrified six string acoustic guitar. Montgomery manipulates an impressive array of equipment to evoke a full, rich sound from his beat-up old acoustic guitar that definitely looks as if it has seen better days.

As a relatively unknown artist, he was invited to tape a segment of øAustin City Limits.Ó That gig put Montgomery squarely in the public eye. His influences span all the greatest artists of both the electric rock and acoustic genres -- everyone from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Steve Vai, Lindsey Buckingham to Guy Clark. In his words, øI like it all.Ó With the recent release of his third CD, Wishing Well, hes the hottest draw in town. Montgomery performs Friday, July 5 from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Main Stage.

Performing Saturday at 1 pm is Eugenes Kawaida. This group melds a rich spirituality and joi de vivre in their music and performances. Combining all elements of danceable music, what emerges from the hip-hop, Latin rhythms, funk and jazz, reggae and a smattering of electronic sampling is a sublime good time. Kawaidas six singers usher forth an idea of awareness in their lyrics; awareness of environmental issues, social issues, and everything this life has to offer.

The group keeps things fresh by bringing in guests musicians, performing new material and tweaking old songs. Theres always a good vibe flowing at a Kawaida show, and never knowing quite what to expect just adds to the experience. The name Kawaida is symbolic of seven principles of humanity, and ørepresents the epitome of community, cooperation and appreciation for the Great Spirit.Ó

Washington, DC quartet Da Vincis Notebook will appear Sunday at 4:15 pm. The award-winning a capella group elicits thunderous applause for their finely honed humorous approach to songwriting. Their øhitÓ single, øEnormous Penis,Ó has gained them support from the nationally syndicated øBob and Tom Radio Show.Ó Theyve been described as øBobby McFerrin and Weird Al Yankovic colliding on stage.Ó

Greg øStormÓ DiCostanzo, Richard Hsu, Bernie Muller-Thym and Paul Sabourin were in a doo-wop group in 1993. They quickly realized they wanted a more adventurous approach than what that genre could offer, and together formed Da Vincis Notebook. In 1997, they won the Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes, a competition for a capella groups. A survey of their song titles will give you a good idea of their humour: øLiposuction, øInternet Porn,Ó øAnother Irish Drinking Song.Ó With this group, no topic is taboo.

BAGEL BAKERY AA
760 Blair Ave. * 342-4390
Su: Three Rivers Showcase--10; Acoustic

BLACK FOREST
50 E. 11th * 344-0816
Fri: Silck Watts--9:30; Alternative rock
Sat: Amblin & Morgan--9:30
Su: Open Mic--9:30
Mo: Emerald City Sessions--9:30
Tu: Jessica & Shadow--9:30
We: Darcy Lee Band--9:30; Blues

CAFE PARADISO AA
115 W. Broadway * 484-9933
Fri: Johnny B. Connolly, Casey Neill--9
Sat: Vafambi Mbira Group--8:30
Su: Womens Open Mic--8
Mo: Jim Hersheys Showcase w/Brent Smith--8
Tu: Open Mic--8
We: Justin King--8:30

CHANTERELLES
5th & Pearl * 484-4065
Thu: Skip Jones & Friends--9:30; Blues
Fri: Jazz Menagerie--9:30; Jazz
Sat: The Blues Association--9:30; Blues
Tu: Blues Jam w/Byron Case--9:30
We: Nicolette Helm/friends--9:30

COZMIC PIZZA
1432 Willamette * 338-9333
Thu: Celtic Jam-party w/Gary Brittain--6
Sat: Laura Kemp, Mare Wakefield--7; Folk
Su: Storytelling, Kids open mic--1
Subversive Pillow Theatre--9:30
We: Bin Daas, Melissa Crabtree, Blue Moon Sessions, more--7

DIABLOS
959 Pearl * 683-3855
Thu: L80s Night--9; Kokblok, DRok, DMoe, Entropy
Fri: Yommie Bootie Nite--9; Hip hop DJs DRock and Tremor
Sat: Big Pimpin--9; House, disco w/ Won, Howie, Steve, Anmar
Su: Kung Fu Porno--9; Hip hop
We: Revolver w/Steve, Howie & JT--9; Hip hop

DOCS PAD
165 W. 11th * 683-8101
Thu: Ladies ¥80s & Retro Night--9
Fri: DJ Alpyne--9; Hip hop
Mo: Roosters Blues Jam--8

DON JUANS #2
33100 Van Duyn Rd. * 684-8695
Thu: DJ Music--8; Country, rock
Fri: Karaoke--9Sat: DJ Music--9
Su: DJ Music--9; 50s to present
Mo: Karaoke--9
Tu: DJ Music--9; 50s to present
We: DJ Music--9; ¥70s-80s

DOUBLE TREE HOTEL
I-5 & Beltline * 726-8181
Thu: Dan Hensons Klassic Karaoke--9
Fri: Dan Hensons Klassic Karaoke--9
Sat: Dan Hensons Klassic Karaoke--9

DOWNTOWN LOUNGE
959 Pearl * 343-2346
Thu: L80s Night--10
Fri: DMO, Denari--7 Art opening for Mary Jungels--7
Sat: Jazzmine, Mike, Cosmos Raging Family--9
Su: Open Turntable Night-9
Mo: Blue Monday w/Entropy--10
Tu: Super 8 Film Night--10
We: Love Story Hero, Heavenly Oceans--9

EMBERS SUPPER CLUB
1811 Hwy. 99 N. * 688-6564
Thu: Billy MCCoy--9
Fri: Michael Anderson Trio--9; Variety, country
Sat: Michael Anderson Trio--9; Variety, country
Su: Michael Anderson Trio--9; Variety, country
We: Billy McCoy--9; Country

FOXFIRE
4740 Main, Spfd * 747-7900
Fri: Mixed Blood--9:15; Rock
Sat: Mixed Blood--9:15; Rock
Su: Karaoke--7:30
Mo: Karaoke--7:30
Tu: Jam with Anton--9:15
We: The Johnny Wild Band--9:15

HOLLYWOOD TAXI
535 Main, Spfd * 747-0307
Fri: Fiesta Latina--9
Su: Jamorama--9
Mo: Karaoke--9
We: Pummel--9

HUMBLE BAGEL AA
2435 Hilyard * 521-3389
Thu: Charlie Parker--6:30; Jazz
Fri: Thomas Mackay--6:30; Jazz
Sat: Charlie Parker--6:30; Jazz

JO FEDERIGOS
259 E. 5th * 343-8488
Thu: Jo Feds All-Star Jazz Jam--9:30
Fri: J.C. Rico--9:30; Jazz
Sat: Paul Paydos--9:30
Su: Mark Allan--9
Mo: Chestnut Open Mic--10
Tu: Barbara Dzuro--8:30; Jazz
We: Paul Paydos Trio--9:30; Latin

LAVELLE WINE BAR
5th St. Mkt * 338-9875
Fri: Gus Russell--5:30; Jazz
Sat: Gus Russell--5:30; Jazz

LONE STAR BAR & GRILL
33140 Van Duyn Rd. * 686-8686
Thu: John Michaels--9; Country DJ jam session
Fri: John Michaels--9; Country DJ jam session
We: Coyote Ugly Night w/John Michaels--9; Country

LUNA
30 E. Broadway * 434-5862
Fri: Tim Clarkes Soul-tet--9:30; Hammond organ groove jazz
Sat: Tim McLaughlins Millennium--9:30; Electronic hip hop jazz
Tu: Brian McWhorter Ensemble--8:30
We: Groove Carnival--8:30

PLANET GOLOKA
679 Lincoln St. * 683-7155
Su: DJ Viran, DJ Kalia--6; New sounds of India

RAMADA INN
225 Coburg Rd. * 342-5181
Fri: Steppin Out--9:15; Rock
Sat: Steppin Out--9:15; Rock

RUMBA ROOM
100 E. Broadway * 484-1747
Thu: Miami-style Salsa--8
Fri: Fiesta Latina--10
Sat: Salsa, Merengue--10

SAM BONDS GARAGE
407 Blair * 431-6603
Fri: Vivians Keeper, Carmizin--9:30; Rock
Sat: Zeugmatic All-Stars, Surrounded by Ninjas--9:30; Funk jam
Su: Jerry Joseph--9; Acoustic solo
Mo: Night of Serious Drinking--9; Ambient pop
Tu: Bluegrass Jam--9
We: Nellie Bly Duo w/ Frank Lemon--9

SAMURAI DUCK
980 Oak * 345-6577
Thu: 4th of July Freedom Party--9
Fri: Witch Mountain, YOB, Murdaholics--10
Sat: Earth Force, Vibe Nation--10
Mo: All star jam--10; funk, jazz, groove
Tu: Minus Mine, Pummell, Dislogik--10; Rock
We: Uteri, Otis, Reefer Punks--9

SENOR FROGS
444 E. 3rd * 484-2927
Thu: DJ Karaoke--6:30
Fri: DJ Mario--9; Cumbia, Banda, Merengue
Sat: DJ Jose Cruz--10; Salsa, Merengue

SWEETWATERS
Valley River Inn * 687-0123
Fri: Heydon-MacKay Trio--8
Sat: Victoria Corrigan and Donnie Osborn Trio--8
We: KUJZ Jazz Appreciation Night--6

TINOS RESTAURANT
15th and Willamette * 342-8111
Sat: Olem Alves, Mike Hanns--6; Jazz

TSUNAMI BOOKS
2585 Willamette * 345-8986
Sat: Russ Wilbanks and the Sock Monkeys--5; Tasty grooves

WETLANDS BREW PUB
922 Garfield * 345-3606
Sat: Bastard Saints, Capgun Suicide, The Results, Switchblade Hearts--10; Punk-a-billy, punk rock

WILD DUCK MUSIC HALL
169 W. 6th * 485-3825
Fri: Carolyn Wonderland--9:30; Bluesy rock
Sat: Satin Love Orchestra--9:30; Disco.
We: Umphreys McGee--9; Psychedelic rock

WOW HALL AA
291 W. 8th * 687-2746
Fri: Electric Frankenstein, Pass Out Kings, Filthy Animals--9:30; Punk

YUKON JACKS
4th & Broadway * 935-1921
Fri: Mr. Wizard--9
Sat: Karaoki--6
Mr. Wizard--9
Su: Karaoke

AJS
SW 2nd * 758-4582
Thu: Keith Cantrell, Tom LePage, Bill Veley, Mate Neely, Mark McCulloch--7; Variety showcase

THE BEANERY AA
500 SW 2nd * 812-8000
Thu: David King, Chris Olds & Friends, Keith Cantrell, Matt Neely, Doug Larime, Craig Farrell, Tom L. and Bill V., Charles Crawford--7; Variety showcase