October First Thursday with Jujuba
Jujuba delivers a funky, danceable style of Nigerian Afrobeat and Juju music. The strength of the 10-piece revolves around its energetic cohesion between percussion, rhythm and horn sections. Renowned for their ability to engage a wide variety of audiences, the band draws a dance floor full of smiling faces at every performance.
Jujuba features Nojeem Lasisi from Igbo Ora, Oyo State, in Nigeria. He ranks among the world’s elite talking drum players. Nojeem was given his first drum at age four by his father, also a master drummer, who handed down to Nojeem its powerful language. As a member of Nigerian superstar King Sunny Ade's group, the African Beats, Nojeem toured the world and appears on numerous recordings with King Sunny, including "Seven Degrees North" and "Odu”.
Jujuba in the studio Marc Silverman (keys) and Ethan Flaherty (guitar) moved to Portland in 1999 with a driven focus to start a band built on a foundation of West African drumming. Their studies of Ghanaian drumming, and Marc's travels in Africa listening to and learning rhythms in Tanzania and Ghana, inspired an idea in Marc to apply these rhythms to bass, keyboard, and guitar parts in an electric rhythm section.
After playing with hundreds of musicians during their first few years in Portland, Marc and Ethan met percussionist Tobias Manthey, who brought them together with his teacher, Nojeem Lasisi, for the first rehearsal of what would become Jujuba. The band has been fortunate to include in its roster many inspiring musicians throughout the last two decades and continues to find its lifeblood and creative spark in the beating of the drum. Since 2002, positive feedback from audiences, concert promoters, festival organizers, and the press has reinforced Jujuba's reputation as a dependable source of joy in the Portland music scene. As Marty Hughley of The Oregonian put it, “the heat and flavor was all in the groove.”
Current & Upcoming
Miss Coco Peru Presents: FUCQ THIS SH!T!
A benefit performance featuring Miss Coco Peru's signature mix of storytelling and song, with proceeds supporting CAP Northwest's work in the community.
PCS Movie Night: Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Join us in the Ellen Bye Studio on September 22nd for a screening of Joe Wright's Pride & Prejudice. This screening is FREE, just RSVP! Oh..and the candy's free too :)
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Grand Gesture Books Presents: LJ Andrews & P.C. Cast
Grand Gesture Books is so excited to partner with Portland Center Stage to welcome USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author LJ Andrews for the next book in the continuation of the Ever Seas series, The Stolen Crown! She will be joined in conversation by New York Times bestselling author P.C. Cast.
COMMUNION by Matthew LaBanca
Fired by the Catholic Church for marrying his husband, Matthew LaBanca transforms his true story into a powerful evening of music, humor, and hope.
Encore! Emerald Anniversary
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating 20 years at The Armory.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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