Retire In Style Blog Too

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

When I'm Away I'll Dream of Home

I am going out of town again. Drop on over to my other blog, Barbara's Travels to read the latest.

b

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Pink Martini's New Year Eve in Portland, Oregon

Pink Martini's
Hey Eugene

I am one lucky woman! For Christmas I received ticket to the Pink Martini Concert in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Oh my goodness was I ever in for a treat.

(The Schnitz as the locals call it is located in downtown Portland, Oregon on Broadway. It sits next to the Heathman Hotel and housed performing guest Jane Powell.)

Pink Martini is a Local group gone international. Led by the eclectic concert/jazz pianist and composer/art director Thomas M. Lauderdale, Pink Martini continues to surprise and entertain it's audiences with their blend of original compositions, international flavor and classical music made unique by their style.

Last night we heard the extraordinary clarinet of Norman Leyden, former directer of the Pops program for the Oregon Symphony. If the angels had been singing it could not have been any more beautiful. About Leyden:

A very successful Pops program was established with Norman Leyden in 1970; Leyden was appointed Associate Conductor in 1974. He was named Laureate Associate Conductor in 2003.

But that was not enough. Then we were treated to a guest appearance by none other than Portland's Jane Powell. Miss Powell, age 79 did a narrative of Peter and the Wolf accompanied by a Pink Martini and the Grant High School chorus, ended with the wolf living in the zoo and the duck being burped up by the wolf! It could not have gotten much more Oregon/politically correct than that.

They concluded the concert with Lauderdale playing Malagena concert style on that beautiful grand piano! It was a true show stopper.

For the very first time I visited the Salmon Street entrance/stage door of the Schnitzer Concert Hall. I ran into, literally, Mayor Tom Potter, spoke to Thomas' Lauderdale's piano teacher and left a message for Norman Leyden. It took a lot of courage on my part plus the company of my daughter to do this. But standing next to Thomas Lauderdale for just a moment and basking in the wonder of my Christmas gift was simply "glorious" (a term Jane Powell used when she made a few comments to the audience.)

Incidentally the note to Leyden said simply, "Thank you".

A special thanks to Higgins Restaurant for a wonderful meal and a waiter that kept saying we were "good" when he saw us walk in the room. I had the tuna with a Meyer lemon sauce. It was the best seared tuna I have ever eaten. You can never go wrong at Higgins

So there you have it...the perfect Christmas gift and a "glorious" New Year's Eve. Thomas Lauderdale with his many home town connections and unique style has done it again.

b

Friday, December 14, 2007

Westside Singers Perform...worth your time.

Out and about in Hillsboro, Oregon took on a special meaning last night for my husband and I. We are members of Rock Creek Country club out here on the west side of Portland, Oregon. Not only were we able to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances but we were also treated to the sounds of the Westside Singers.

This group has been singing in one or another form since 1945. Their take on the swing, jazz and traditional Christmas music was remarkable to say the least. Not only did their list of music include the traditional "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", it also featured some rarely heard Christmas jazz music. They were accompanied by a wonderful jazz guitar and a pianist just filling in for the night. We were very impressed and totally entertained.

As it happens a friend of mine, Gail Rasmussen, is the president of this group and she brings such class to the group. The Choir director from Beaverton High School serves in this role for the singers and the age mix is just perfect. When I went to their website and read about what these young people are doing, I was equally impressed. Bruce Brownell is a very talented man.

The Westside Singers are available for performances so check the website out and see if they might fit in for an occasion for you.

Merry Christmas to you all.

b