Notes On A Napkin
First & foremost, I want to offer condolences to the family & friends of longtime, popular DJ Tim Freed, who passed away in his sleep Aug. 18. I ended my column last month with a paragraph about my chat with Tim at my brother’s customer appreciation day that Tim DJ’ed. I am so grateful for those moments that are so special now that he is gone. Tim DJ’ed most recently at The Shack in Welches, a gig he had for years; he also worked at Top of the Hill in SE Portland; you can read the most recent PE article online in the archives (April edition) at www.positivelyentertainment.com. We will certainly miss Tim & I’m sure he’s looking down from heaven as I write this.
Tim Freed
(Photo by KT)
We celebrated friend/roomie/PE staffer KT’s August birthday at Lydia’s. We were expecting to see & hear Ron Ruedi, who plays there normally, but he was at another gig that night (If I would have checked Ron’s ad in PE, I would have seen that!). The Retro Rockits were a fine substitute though and rocked Lydia’s lounge with hot classic hits. All us party girls (KT, Lauree, Alice, Geraldine, Mary Ann & myself) filled the dance floor for a few tunes.
Another trip to the beach highlighted the month of August with KT this time. We celebrated Jake the Aligator Man’s Third Annual 75th birthday in downtown Long Beach with a piece of the giant b’day cake, then watched the pin-up girl contest to select “The Bride of Jake.” We heard the oldies rock band & checked out the car show & caught the tail end of the Southern Skies bluegrass concert at Waikiki Beach in Ilwaco. Then it was off to Saturday Market on the Ilwaco marina. The skies were overcast most of the time, but it was very pleasant. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset one evening.
Over 100 artists displayed their work on 3 floors at The Manor of Art at Milepost 5 on NE 82nd Ave recently, in a 10-day festival that included 20 bands as well. I went on opening night & again the following weekend with my friend Diana. It was the most unique & interesting gallery I have ever witnessed. Milepost 5 used to be the Baptist Manor Retirement Center; each room & even some bathrooms were decorated, painted & adorned with every item imaginable, from clothing and paper maché to sculpture of all sorts. For instance, imagine a miniature scene actually displayed inside a toilet bowl or a dark funhouse-type tunnel, leading to a fantasy Alice-in-Wonderland. The bands played in the center courtyard outdoors & could be heard from the various rooms. Some musicians & theater players set up on the 1st floor & great food was catered by Palm State Gumbo, 1803 NE Alberta; they served vegan as well as meat. The vegan beans were wonderful!
Another new & lovely 82nd Street venue is Aaron’s Wine Cellar & Piano Bar, located below All-Ways Warm Fireplace Showroom, 322 SE 82nd. The classy spot contains numerous grand fireplaces & woodstoves (that are also for sale!), a wrap-around bar & comfortable couches throughout. For music, Aaron’s features Doug Westberg on grand piano & Bruce Covalt on string bass every Thursday-Saturday, 5-midnight. Pool, shuffleboard & air hockey are also provided. Watch for a write-up on this new space next issue.
More spots are in business all over the area including Senga-Tera Ethiopian Restaurant on MLK & Night Club 720 on Hawthorne. Lauree, KT & I visited both these clubs recently. The Ethiopian cuisine at Senga-Tera is outstanding, just bring your fingers! The music is just as superb with veteran guitarist Lloyd Allen serving the best blues around; his original tunes are incredible. Watch next issue for more on both the restaurant & the music.
The 720 Nightclub, on 720 SE Hawthorne, is a spanking new posh lounge featuring Norman Sylvester & Ocean 503 on alternate Thursdays. Check out the plush couches & the even bigger upstairs lounge & stage, with bars on both floors. Hurray for the eastside! Let’s support ‘em!
Mama Maria’s on 52nd & Powell continues to bring you the best musicians around; including guitarist/vocalist Eddy Campy hosting a jam recently. Sandy Saunders showed up with her trusty guitar and pleased the crowd with her fine vocals. See this issue for more news on this diva! Of course, Danny Hay Davis still hosts the hot family jam there on Wednesdays.
Pray for Misty Mama Carol Harley, who underwent major surgery with complications recently. She’s on the mend, but their performances are on hold for a while. See article this issue on Vancouver’s Saturday Market, where they played recently..
‘Til next time, keep prayin’ for peace & prosperity.....................Bonnie Carter, ed.