WHEN:  Saturday, February 14th 2015 (Doors at 7:00 pm)
WHERE:  Wonder Ballroom, 128 Northeast Russell Street, Portland, OR 97212
WHY: The only authentic Louisiana Mardi Gras experience within 2000 miles!
HOW MUCH: Tickets: $25 – $35 (available through Wonder Ballroom box office or Ticketfly – http://www.ticketfly.com/venue/975)

Contact:  Steve Kerin (503-442-6602)
Email: portlandmardigras@gmail.com
Web:www.portlandmardigras.com

Pomp, Circumstance & Soul!

In sharp contrast to those who view Mardi Gras as an excuse to get wasted, Portland’s Mysti Krewe of Nimbus makes Mardi Gras an event to be savored. The group’s 5th annual Portland Mardi Gras Ball takes place on Saturday, February 14th at the fabled Wonder Ballroom This year’s theme Voodoo Valentine is a mashup that invites attendees to explore the intersection of love and Love Potion #9.

VOODOO OUTLINE REV 4 FINALThe annual ball is the highlight night for Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, a membership organization styled in the tradition of a New Orleans’ “social and pleasure club.” The group’s 100+ members range from native Oregonians to Gulf Coast transplants, bonded by their love and appreciation of the culture, food, and music of the region. The Krewe’s dedicated mission is celebrating that rich cultural heritage …and, having a kick-ass time when they do.

For the first time, this year’s ball will be graced with the presence of New Orleans musical royalty, as R&B powerhouse Charmaine Neville joins the entertainment lineup. Charmaine, daughter of saxophonist Charles Neville, represents the 3rd generation of a dynasty that has kept faith with the musical traditions of Mardi Gras and New Orleans for more than seven decades. An established artist in her own right, Charmaine performs around the world, electrifying crowds with a powerful, soul-drenched voice and non-stop energy. She brings with her a soul-deep connection to the spirit of Mardi Gras and les bons temps rouler.KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

It will be a veritable New Orleans musical summit when Charmaine takes the stage with native son and saxophonist Reggie Houston and Crescent City Connection. Also on hand is Portland’s own Too Loose Zydeco Band doing its part to keep the dance floor rocking. The evening kicks off with a second line parade, followed by the Northside Skull & Bones Gang. They take the crowd all the way to the streets of New Orleans’ 9th ward for an authentic Mardi Gras Indian experience.

And, yes, there will be beads. Lots of beads.    (See more next page)

Lagniappe (a little something extra)

  • 21 and over only
  • Full cash bar
  • Light taste of Louisiana cuisine included
  • Fresh Louisiana-style, you-peel shrimp available for an additional fee ($11)
  • Plenty of traditional Louisiana King Cake
  • Costume contest & prizes (costumes encouraged, but not required)
  • See the crowning of the new 2015 King and Queen of the Mardi Gras Ball

About the Krewe

The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus brings Louisiana Mardi Gras culture and traditions to the Pacific Northwest via:

  • The Annual Mardi Gras Ball
  • Mardi Gras Day Parade on Mississippi Ave (on February 17th 2015)
  • Second Line Parades at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Fest and Bite of Oregon
  • An award-winning Rose Festival Starlight Parade float.​

The inspiration for the Krewe began with Louisiana natives Steve and Jane-Clair Kerin. Transplanted to Portland, they had hoped to see the kind of Fat Tuesday celebrations they were used to at home, but all they found were drink specials in local bars. So, they gathered other Louisiana transplants and their friends, and launched the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus with the goal of bringing some Louisiana-style Carnival mojo to the Rose City.

A little Mardi Gras history:

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season in the Catholic calendar. The idea of Carnival, which culminates with Mardi Gras, is to have as much fun as possible in the weeks preceding Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and reflection before Easter. This festival has its roots in various pagan celebrations of spring, some dating back 5,000 years. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII made it a Christian holiday (guess “Pope G” liked to party, too). People in New Orleans and Louisiana have been celebrating Mardi Gras since the 1700s.

Portland, it’s time to join the fun!

The 4th annual Coyote Kings Invitational Walla Walla Guitar Festival is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 13th and Saturday, March 14th. Fifteen bands will take part in this year’s event in three venues in Downtown Walla Walla for the weekend. Acts to include sets from The Coyote Kings, Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes, The Strange Tones, Rafael Tranquilino Band, Rae Gordon Band, Junkyard Jane, Randy Oxford Band, Monti Amundson and much more.

Tickets including festival admission and lodging are now available at early bird prices through www.ticketbud.com with prices ranging from $40.00 – $269.00.

Don’t forget that every Thursday night at Sapolil Cellars is the Coyote Kings weekly jam which is just one more reason to head up to Walla Walla and spend an extra day before the festival.

 

Spend your Valentine’s Evening at The Dance For Romance at the Bossanova Ballroom. Award-winning live blues musicians and out-of-town fusion DJs with a dance floor, lounge, bar, and stage. There will be special guest performances of belly dancing, dance lifts and burlesque. Early arrivals can get a dance lesson for newb’s or advanced dance dips lesson, and watch some of Portland’s finest prize-fighting poets compete in a poetry slam.

WHO: Kevin Selfe, Karen Lovely, Karen Maria Capo
WHAT: Valentine’s Day: The Dance For Romance
WHEN: 9pm-1am Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14th, 2015
WHERE: Bossanova Ballroom, 722 East Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214
WEBSITE: www.ValentinesBlues.com
COSTS: Prices Vary (see website)

Tommy Castro - photo by Greg JohnsonTwo-time Blues Music Awards BB King Entertainer of the Year winner Tommy Castro returns to Portland with his band the Painkillers for what will definitely be another dynamic night of high energy blues on Wednesday, February 25th 8:00pm at the Alberta Rose Theatre. After a number of highly successful years playing as a horn-fueled band, Castro decided to strip down the band to its raw, basic form in the original style of hard rockin’ blues that he had begun his career with. The Painkillers consist of Castro on guitar and vocals, joined by only drums, bass and keys. This format has proven to be a crowd pleasing approach as his latest release The Devil You Know has garnered much acclaim and awards, including the Cascade Blues Association’s Muddy Award for National Recording of the Year in 2014.

The Alberta Rose Theatre is located at 3000 NE Alberta Street and Tommy Castro & The Painkillers is an all ages event with minors okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are $20.00 advance and $25.00 day of show and are available at www.AlbertaRoseTheatre.com.

Head Over Heels
Self Produced

Sister Mercy CD coverIs there something in the moist Portland atmosphere that brings out the best in female vocalists? The city is filled with sensational singers that easily rival any other scene in the nation. Well now you can add to the mix the voice of April Brown. Originally from the Los Angeles area where she worked the music and comedy clubs, she relocated to the Portland area and put together an exciting band made up of well-seasoned local veterans of the community under the name of Sister Mercy. Their self-produced debut release Head Over Heels is packed full of vocal pleasure and should become a favorite within Portland’s blues and R&B in no time.

Musically, this is a band that delivers. With brilliant guitar playing from Steve Savoie tearing into songs like Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” “Sister Mercy,” “Heavy Load” and “I’m Done” accented with nicely executed piano from Debby Espinor, the album consistently captures attention deeper with each listen. Former Rose City Kings drummer Roger Espinor, who also produced and wrote many of the songs for this disc, paces the rhythm with Gary Giacci on bass (the band is now filling the bass position with another former Rose City King member Ron Camacho). Add to this Kelsey Brown as vocal partner alongside Brown and it comes across with depth and passion.

Head Over Heels is an exceptional debut that will garner a lot of attention for a band brimming with talent. Sister Mercy is destined for success and this is the right step in that direction. Well done!

Total Time: 44:58

My Mind’s Made Up / Upside Down Inside Out / Syrup & Honey / Nobody’s Fault But Mine / The Way / Holding On to Love / Come To Me / Sister Mercy / Heavy Load / I’m Done

Second Season Productions (SSP) is proud to announce the launch of their concert series on Sunday, February 1, 2015 featuring a trio of Portland’s favorite acts to get the project started. The brain child of Ellen Whyte and her partner in this series Craig Howard, she states, “it takes an audience to raise a musician.”  The goal of SSP is to connect accomplished musicians with new audiences in a family friendly environment.

The Second Season Concert Series will take place at The Alberta Rose Theater, 3000 NE Alberta Street. The opening showcase will feature sets from world-renowned fingerstyle and lap guitar master Mary Flower; three-time entry level Grammy nominee Ellen Whyte with her trio including pianist Jean-Pierre Garau and bassist Gene Houck; and Oregon Music Hall of Fame member and Cascade Blues Association Lifetime Achievement recipient the Norman Sylvester Band.

Tickets are available on line at www.albertarosetheatre.com, with discounts for AARP and Cascade Blues Association members (use the code when asked online, “Members”. These shows will all take place on Sunday afternoons with three acts from 4:00 til 7:00 pm, so they will be time friendly for all. Admission is only $15.00, or $12.00 in advance, $10.00 for children (with parent or guardian).

As Craig Howard adds:  “We have some of the finest musicians in the land, right here in Oregon.  And you can’t beat this lineup, the location, the time of day, and the price.  Come out and join the celebration!”

For further information contact Ellen Whyte: 503-657-9801

WBF poster 2015The 4th annual Winter Blues Festival will be returning on Saturday, March 14th for a one-day event taking place at the Elk’s Lodge, 13121 SE McLoughlin Blvd, in Milwaukie. This year’s entertainment will include Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, Ben Rice & Lucy Hammond, JR Sims & Texas Blues Special, Junkyard Jane, Bottleneck Blues Band, Jason Johnson featuring Mary Bond, a special encore performance from the United By Music Band with special guests and more to be announced. Please check the event’s website at www.winterbluesfest.net for upcoming information regarding advance tickets and more.

The Get Ahead - promo photoThe Get Ahead is a Portland-based band with an old soul. Drawing from the roots of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, and rock n’ roll, The Get Ahead can send you to the dance floor before your feet even tell you where you are headed, transporting you to a whole new kind of juke joint where you can jump, moan, laugh, and grab hold of some sweet company. You are bound to get your groove on with The Get Ahead, so bring your dancing shoes, unbutton that top few, and come get loose!

On Tuesday, February 10th, The Get Ahead will be releasing their first full-length album titled Volcano with a CD release show at Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Avenue. It’s an 8:00 pm show, 21 & over only. Admission is $10.00 and available in advance through www.ticketfly.com. Volcano features Juliet Howard’s Alison Moyet meets Etta James vocals start dueling with funky guitarist Nathan Earle’s passionate tenor, Steve Johnson’s punchy Memphis-influenced sax and the inventive rhythms of Sean Farrell’s bass and Phil Medina’s drums. This band lights up the stage and that power carries over to every track on Volcano.

With 18 Blues Music Awards and 30 nominations, 5 Grammy Awards and 15 nominations, millions of record sales worldwide, and thousands of sold out performances, rock blues icon Robert Cray is considered “one of the greatest guitarists of his generation.” robert-cray[1]Rolling Stone Magazine credits Cray with reinventing the blues with his “distinct razor sharp guitar playing” that “introduced a new generation of mainstream rock fans to the language and form of the blues” with the release of his Strong Persuader album in 1986.

Since then, Cray has gone on to record fifteen Billboard charting studio albums and has written or performed with everyone from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan, from Bonnie Raitt to John Lee Hooker. Recently inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at the age of 57, he is one of the youngest living legends to receive the prestigious honor. And while he can look back over an astonishing three-decade career punctuated by his trademark sound and distinct playing style, Robert Cray is too busy moving forward on an amazing journey that has him releasing his sixteenth studio album and embarking on yet another world tour.

The Robert Cray Band will return to Portland for a night at The Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., on Friday, February 20th for an 8:00 pm show in support of their latest album, In My Soul. The band will feature long-time bassist Richard Cousins, drummer Les Falconer and Portland’s own Dover Weinberg on keys. The show is open to all ages, minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are $42.50 advance, $45.00 day of show.

Tim Too Slim Langford - photo by Dean DavisFor the past thirty years, Tim “Too Slim” Langford has been electrifying audiences at venues and festivals around the country with his ferocious slide guitar and well-crafted songwriting with his band, Too Slim & The Taildraggers. The ultimate power trio when it comes to rock-fueled blues, Langford is not just a one-trick pony. His music encompasses everything that may be described as Americana or roots nowadays, be it swampy, Delta-infused, rock or jazz, Langford dips his pen into whatever form of music appeals to him at any given minute. And there is certainly no questioning whether his fans appreciate his taste, Langford is a member of three blues society’s Hall of Fames in the Northwest, has won a plethora of awards from those societies and has even received nominations from The Blues Foundation for their elite Blues Music Awards.

Recently, as we reported in last month’s BluesNotes, Langford underwent cancer surgery in Nashville in early December. Hopefully the cancer has been removed, along with his lymph nodes, but as a musician, he can use our help in making ends meet with medical expenses and to be a little prepared should more surgery prove necessary.

To help make things a bit easier on Too Slim, three concerts have been scheduled, all happening on the same night, Sunday, February 15th. Friends and fans will gather in Spokane, Seattle and Portland as many of the finest artists in the Northwest will  pay tribute to Langford by giving their performances to help raise funds.

Portland’s show will happen at the Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, starting at 5:00 pm, doors open at 4:00 pm. This is a 21 & over only show with tickets available now through www.etix.com, $15.00 advance / $18.00 day of show.

The friends of Tim “Too Slim” Langford coming out to perform at the Portland show is mighty impressive, including:

Curtis Salgado All Star Jam
Big Monti & Robbie Laws Guitar Summit
DK Stewart Trio + One
Lloyd Jones Struggle
Pin & The Hornits Reunion Show
Women In Blues featuring Sonny Hess, Vicki Stevens, Rae Gordon, Lady Kat & Lisa Mann
Norman Sylvester Band with Tevis Hodge Jr.
An Acoustic Set with Mary Flower, Joe McMurrian & Terry Robb
Ty Curtis & Kevin Selfe with Steve Kerin

With a sensational line-up such as this, how could you possibly think of being anywhere else? And knowing that it’s all to help out one of the Northwest’s all time favorite musicians just makes it all that much better. But if you’re unable to attend the Too Slim Cancer Benefit, you can still help out by making donations at www.giveforward.com and enter Tim “Too Slim” Langford’s Cancer Fund.