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XENON WEST
By Dan Golden
"I'm a Karaoke nut and wanted a great place to sing!" is
the motivation entrepreneurs Gene and Dianne Stiles applied to the
complete remodeling of their Tigard area nightspot Xenon West.
Originally opened as a teen club in June of last year, this clean and
spacious venue at the corner of Hall and Hwy 99, truly provides a singer’s
nirvana. With $30,000 dollars worth of newly installed sound and lighting
equipment, entertaining hosts and enthusiastic service, Xenon West
is already garnering kudos in the local Karaoke community.
Gene blames his wife Dianne, as well as a naturally "hammy" personality,
for his Karaoke obsession. "Years ago, she bought me a machine
and some discs to play with at home and now I'm hooked!" says
Gene. He has amassed a personal library of some 8000 songs, as well
as the style and charm of a professional host. With a background nightclub
management in the entertainment industry, Gene knows what it takes
to keep his customers coming back for more.
The 6000 square foot building is divided into two distinct rooms. The
main entertainment hall is where Karaoke sessions are featured Wednesday
through Sunday nights, starting at 8 p.m. sharp! With a 12,000 watt
sound system, incredible lighting, a stage big enough for a six-piece
band and even a huge dance floor, this place is ready to rock. Using
a monitor speaker set-up designed by the local audio wizards at Brownell
Sound, Gene has created an aural paradise. Singers and their audience
immediately hear and feel the difference.
Genial hosts are crucial to the success of any Karaoke session and
Gene employs two of the best. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights,
Ramsay "RC" Cowlishaw, of "A Song For You" Mobile
Entertainment Services, brings his wacky brand of Karaoke fun to Xenon
West. His velvety smooth voice, which is featured in local a cappella
groups Rainy Knights and Those Other Guys, paves the way for the good
times to come. His wild stage patter, reminiscent of local legendary
Karaoke hosts Lightnin' Jones and Thunder Johnson, keeps listeners
entertained between songs.
Friday and Saturday nights, the poetic Michael brings his show to the
masses. Every night is a new adventure, with theme nights, contests
and special events to keep things fresh.
The back room, known to some as the "quiet room," awaits
those looking for a break in the action or another place to sit and
talk. Video games, pool tables and a mellower ambiance are also on
tap. Adjoining the back room are a pair of the cleanest rest room facilities
to be found in public. That’s just one more customer service
detail attended to by proprietors that care for their patrons comfort.
With lots of secure parking, easy freeway access and a set-up catering
to any singer's fantasy, it's easy to see Xenon West's potential as
a successful Karaoke establishment. The Stiles’ have certainly
put their heart and soul into the place, doing almost all of the recent
renovating themselves. Discover this truly remarkable nightspot and
pander to your own Karaoke passion.
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