LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY!
Music Millennium, the place where people and music still matter, joins forces with PCS to present SOUNDS. LIKE. PORTLAND—an early evening showcase of the best in local music, every Saturday from 5-7 pm.

SOUNDS. LIKE. PORTLAND, Music Millennium & PCS’s new early evening music showcase continues this Saturday (and every week) from 5-7 pm in the Lobby of the Gerding Theater. Free—and all ages.

For October, in conjunction with our production of Ragtime, we feature blues/ragtime guitar master Mary Flower, jazz-blues-gospel pianist extraordinaire Janice Scroggins +  Nafisaria Scroggins Thomas, Spud Siegel, Alan Hager.

Did I mention it’s free? Come early–it’s the weekend, it’s 5′0′clock,  areety: have a drink and a delectable snack from the Armory Cafe.

“It is more important than ever to support Oregon’s arts and culture organizations across the state, particularly as the economy rebuilds,” noted Vigeland. “Whether large or small, new or established, rural or urban, these organizations are vital to Oregon’s economic and cultural health. The work of the Arts Commission is a key component in maintaining the health of our vast array of arts and culture nonprofits.”

Julie brings extensive volunteer experience with arts and cultural nonprofits to the commission. She is a member of the Giving in Oregon Council, Oregon’s thank tank on philanthropy and giving. Since 1995, she has served on the board of Portland Center Stage, serving as chair for five years and chairing the Capital Campaign for the Gerding Theater at the Armory. Vigeland is one of three trustees of the Jackson Foundation as well as a trustee of the Wessinger Foundation. Her board service in the Portland area also includes the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Oregon Symphony Foundation, Friends of the Portland Center for Performing Arts and Oregon College of Art & Craft. She is a past president of Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington. She has received numerous honors for her work, including the Women of Distinction Award for the Arts presented by Marylhurst University.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (Oregon Business Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Current Arts Commission board
Ron Paul, Portland, chair
Jean B. Bower Cowling, Medford, vice chair
Cynthia Addams, Keizer
Bart Eberwein, Portland
Boyd Harris, Condon
Royal Nebeker, Gearhart
Henry Sayre, Bend
Julie Vigeland, Portland

We’re delighted to once again host a taping of OPB’s Live Wire on Saturday, August 22nd on our Main Stage!

Our own Artistic Director Chris Coleman will be interviewing Dr. Brian Druker, the man who revolutionized cancer treatment through his research to develop Gleevac, the first cancer drug to target the genetic abnormality that causes a particular type of cancer cancer (CML) while leaving the healthy cells alone.

Other guests for the show include:

REGGIE WATTS, hilarious, always surprising comic/musician/performance artist just back from a whirlwind tour with Regina Spektor;

WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY, your favorite skanky-cop-with-a-heart-of-gold from seasons 1-6 of Reno 911! and Lovespring International;

DENNIS WILDE, Gerding Edlen’s designated “green guy,” Dennis has encouraged increased sustainability in development projects while building a strong business case for the economic and social benefits of environmental responsibility;

and musical guest THOMAS LAUDERDALE with members of Pink Martini and members of the 234th Army Band who will bring us a sneak preview of Oregon! Oregon!, a musical fable gifted to the state in 1959 and now updated for Oregon 150.

….plus more to come!

Tickets are $20- $30 and can be purchased online through Portland Center Stage.

Buy LiveWire Tickets Now.

Live Wire! is an independently produced radio variety show recorded in front of a theater audience in Portland and broadcast on Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). The show includes original sketch comedy, illuminating interviews and local and national musical guests. Show dates and podcasts are available at www.livewireradio.org.

Please join PCS and Multnomah County Library on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. for a special evening with Vailey Oehlke, the newly appointed Library Director for the Multnomah County Library system.

Vailey Oehlke (pronounced VAY-lee EL-key) is forward-looking and energetic and brings a deep understanding of the library’s operations, challenges and opportunities and its prospects as a key animator of civic renewal. A strong participant in national and international library leadership, Vailey is known as a consensus builder and strategic thinker with experience in three library systems as well as a fantastic 12-year tenure  with the Multnomah County Library.

Following a brief reception, Vailey will talk about her vision for the Library and the vibrant role that libraries play, alongside arts, cultural and civic institutions, in convening and engaging vital conversation, catalyzing change, and harnessing a community’s creative and civic energies. Since its founding in 1864, Multnomah County Library has played a dynamic role in the evolution of the Portland metropolitan area.  Vailey will explore how today, amidst a turbulent economy, evolving technology and increased pressures on our educational system, the public library can become an evermore essential and integral part of the city’s community-building fabric.

Moderated by Tim DuRoche, Community Programs Manager at Portland Center Stage.

A Place for Books, A Space for People:
A conversation about libraries with Vailey Oehlke
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Gerding Theatre at the Armory, Mezzanine
6 p.m.  no host bar, light hors d’oeuvres
7 p.m.  program