Gresham Elks Lodge presents
live music w/Manila Band
Page 10 October 2015 By George Dant
StormLarge
Tickets available at
TICKETFLY.COM
or at the
ALADDIN THEATER
Photo: John Rudoff
Berkley-North Pacific
Cincinnati Insurance, Liberty Mutual & Safeco
with
Kingsmen
JackEly
&Friends Tribute to
Delines
The
OCTOBER 10
th
S A T U R D A Y
7
pm
2015 INDUCTEES:
Brian Foxworth Marc Baker John Chassaign Heatmiser Jerry Joseph Neo Boys Bill Rhoades Ellen Whyte Dave Captein
The Manila Band started way back even before Positively Enter- tainment & Dining began. What is Manila music? You start with highly skilled lead guitarist Jimmy Sala- rzon, also the band leader. Then, you add bassist Steve Barce, key- boardist Carlos Rotier and drummer Philip Barce. Add in all four on vo- cals, a lot of practice and drop this band onto the stage at Gresham Elks Lodge; sit back and enjoy. The Gresham Elks Lodge, 3330 N.E. Division, was the perfect ven- ue for Manila. The Gresham lodge has a long history with the city. They feature a full lounge, several meeting rooms and weekly enter- tainment with a dance every Friday and Saturday, open to the public. Manila's first gig was at the New Copper Penny back in 1976. Gui- tarist Slarzon started as a child- hood prodigy, appearing on TV and radio at the age of seven on the Island of Guam. He went on to play in several bands touring USO Army and Air Force bases throughout the Pacific. He moved to Portland in the '70s. Bassist Steve Barce started his career in the Philippines back in the '60s, also playing on USO tours throughout the Pacific. In 1976, he moved to Portland, where he met Salarzon and the two recruited a drummer and keyboardist. Rotier began playing USO tours in 1965. He relocated to Portland and joined the band back in the '80s. He left the band several years later, continuing in various music projects throughout Port- land. In 2014, he rejoined Manila.
Drummer Philip Barce started in the Philippines in 1965 as well, doing numerous USO tours. He relocated to Portland in 1995, joined the band in 1999 and has played with them since.
The combined years of talent are astronomical. The skills of each member could best be described as having a mastery of their instru- ments. The vocal and harmony ability of each member is amazing. The band has now moved into their fifth decade of music. In doing so, they have played the '60's rock & roll, the classic rock of the '70s, the disco of the '80s. Other types of music include country, waltzes, rumbas, tangos, among others.
The band today is still very popular. They have settled down mostly in their own niche of dance music. They play such venues as the Elks and Eagles Lodges and numerous other venues through- out the Pacific Northwest. On Sept. 11-12, the band appeared for a back-to-back performance at the Gresham Elks Lodge.
To become a member of the Elks, simply pick up an applica- tion, go through a very simple screening and pay a member- ship fee of $150. Becoming a member allows you to participate in exquisite dining prepared by an excellent chef and kitchen crew. The membership fee helps to fund numerous charity drives throughout the year that benefit many different organizations. The Friday and Saturday dances are open to the public. See the upcoming band schedule in Music on Tap column, page 2 of positivelyentertainment.com.
This writer would personally like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Mike Durrell for their gracious hospital- ity, the Elks members and Manila Band for two memorable nights of food, fun and entertainment.
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