Karaoke aficionados now have a new Westside haven to enjoy. Joel's "Fun Time Karaoke" sessions are running seven nights a week at the recently opened Song Yen Restaurant and Lounge. Located near the five-way hub of commerce in Raleigh Hills on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, these action-packed shows are drawing rave reviews.

Joel, one of the most enthusiastic Karaoke hosts around, is the main reason for the success of this lovely new venue. Decorated with a mix of traditional and modern stylings, the "singing room" in Song Yen is extremely user friendly, and Joel helps singers take advantage of every square inch. His many years' experience as an entertainer, and his more recent conversion to the joys of Karaoke, help him understand the needs of his patrons. "You don't need talent to do this - the idea is to have fun, " Joel says of Karaoke singing.

To enhance the singing experience, Joel has assembled a massive collection of backing tracks for over 7,000 songs - possibly the largest batch of discs this side of the Willamette! The choices are endless and Joel seems to know each one by heart. His knowledge of the music at hand is very helpful in mixing the Song Yen's impressive house sound system to help each singer sound their very best. Joel gets to know the "regular" singers, guiding them to songs they already know, or sug-gesting appropriate new material. Newcomers are always welcome to these sessions, where fun is the name of the game!

Song Yen serves fine Oriental food seven days a week, from 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. The amazingly vast menu lists over 150 selections, featuring combination meals and daily specials. Lunches are spectacular and the array of appetizers is staggering. A full service bar is also available for your favorite beverage.

With early starting times, 6:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 8:30 p.m. on the weekends, the Karaoke sets are getting very popular. A friendly, non-competitive atmosphere prevails, with a host that doesn't "over-sing." Bring the gang and check out this great new "house of song," Song Yen, 6750 S.W. Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.