March First Thursday with Jessica Manalo and Jermaine
Join us as we celebrate March First Thursday with live music, gallery openings and an artist reception. Performances will feature Portland-based singer/songwriter Jessica Manalo and live-looping multi-instrumentalist Jermaine.
There will also be complimentary beer provided by our partners at Deschutes Brewery and new art exhibits in our PGE Gallery level and Ellyn Bye Studio level. On the PGE Gallery level, in support of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, we will feature art by artists on the Autism spectrum, curated by Jenna Barganski. In the Ellyn Bye Studio gallery, we will be featuring the chunky knits of Alyssarhaye Graciano of BlackSheepMade. She will be on-site for First Thursday to let guests squish the tapestries, observe an instructional arm-knitting demonstration, and she'll be available to sign copies of her recently published knitting book or sell some of her ready-made handknit beanies.
We're also happy to announce that a Refutees pop-up shop will be featured in the Main Lobby for First Thursday and other select days throughout the run of our production of 9 Parts of Desire. Funds raised from this partnership will benefit local Portland-based Refugee and Immigrant community organizations like IRCO and Catholic Charities.
Jessica Manalo is a Las Vegas based soul singer, now in Portland, OR .P erforming her strong original material both acoustically and with her backing band. She has headlined venues such as the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, and SLS Sayers Club. Manalo has opened for recognized, waving artists such as Bruno Major, Allen Stone, JMSN, Lawrence Taylor, Black Milk and performed with opening act for Emily King's "Switch Tour". The songwriter has gained attention from local press and media such as FOX 5, KTNV, The Las Vegas Review Journal, Desert Companion, Smash Magazine, and Las Vegas Weekly, winning "Best New Voice" of 2016 and has been featured on the international music show, BalconyTV.
Manalo released her self-titled EP in 2015 and completed her "Silence Tour" June of 2016. The soul artist released "Acoustic Sessions EP" in February 2018 and is back in the studio recording another 5 song EP to be released at the end of 2018.
Hailing from gospel choirs in the midwest, Jermaine Malone co-founded The Kinky Brothers when he landed in Oregon in 2008. As a professional singer and full-time entertainer for the majority of his life, Jermaine’s charismatic energy and passion for music is reflected in all of his solo and group efforts.
Every Refutee has a story to tell and is a reminder to help keep a positive attitude. The story of each ties to the holistic message, we’re all from somewhere. Raising positive awareness through our merch, storytelling and collaborations. We give back by donating clothing and goods to the local Refugee and Immigrant community, though our partners at IRCO and Catholic Charities.
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