Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About What's happening. (Eugene, OR) 1982-1993 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1984)
MUSIC— Peter Britt Festivals Some Background Peter Britt is one of southern Oregon's foremost pioneer gentle men. He has left a legacy of such value and lasting importance, few men or women of his era—or any other era for that matter—can match his contributions. Britt left his native Switzerland in 1845 at the age of 26 with his family and a few friends. The immigrants settled in Highland, Il linois where Britt continued his lifelong interest in painting. He soon began to study a new visual technique—photography. He learned the Daguerrean method of photography which was the most advanced method at that time. (Daguerre was a Frenchman who perfected the photographic pro cess in 1839.) In 1852 Britt and some friends set out for the small town of Port land, Oregon. When they arrived, Britt continued south alone with his share of their belongings: a yoke of oxen, a mule, a two wheeled cart, and five dollars. He arrived in Jacksonville, Oregon on November 9, 1852. He took out a Donation Land Claim just southwest of town, built a cabin, and spent the hard winter of 1853 establishing himself as a portrait painter and photo grapher. His studio was the first west of the Rockies. Eventually, Britt purchased the most modern photographic equipment available. He added a skylit studio to his home, gave up a profitable freight business, and resumed his studio work with enthusiasm. Peter Britt was a man of many trades, often crossing the fine line between vocation and avocation. A lover of plants of all kinds, he is known as one of the area's first horticulturists and is given credit for planting some of the first pear and apple trees in the Rogue Val ley, now one of the leading pear producing areas of the world. He added a solarium to his home where he raised rare plants and the fruit-bearing trees usually as sociated with more tropical cli mates. Almost all of his plantings are gone, but the stonework and terraced beds remain at the Peter Britt Gardens in Jacksonville. Stepahane Grappeli, the most famous jazz fiddler in the world, opens the Peter Britt Jazz Festival on Wednesday, June 27 in Historic Jacksonville, OR. Also featured during the 4-day event are Barney McClure and Bud Shank (also Weds.), the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Thurs.), Paul Winter and the Sun Singer Trio and pianist Richard Beirach (Fri.), and Gene Mayl's Dixieland Rhythm Kings and the Fabulous Sateens (Sat.). On one of his trips to Cali fornia, Britt obtained some cut tings of grape from various mis sion vineyards. Eventually his own vineyard spanned fifteen acres and produced 540 gallons of wine per acre per year. Britt manufactured claret, muscatel and zinfandel wines from Cali fornian and European vines. The wines were sold under the Valley View label. When Britt was in his early for ties, he received a letter from a childhood sweetheart who was re cently widowed. He invited her in 1861 to Jacksonville and soon after she arrived with her small son, they were married. They had 3 children, one who died in infan cy. His wife died in 1871 and he raised the three children himself. The stepson died in 1896. Peter retired in 1900 and died in 1906. The two other children never mar ried and were active in Jackson ville's social and political scene. They lived in the Britt home and looked after the elaborate gardens until they died in the 1950‘s. The old county courthouse houses the Jacksonville Museum. There are over 1800 photographs taken by Britt as well as items from the Britt estate displayed to recreate the old Britt home. The gardens are now home to the Peter Britt Music Festival and the outdoor pavillion stands where the old barn once stood. Each summer, thousands of peo ple spread their blankets on the hillside which overlooks the quaint town of Jacksonville to en joy outstanding performances all summer long. The Jazz Festival runs June 27-30; the Bluegrass and Country Music Festival is July 19-21; the Classical Festival is August 2-19; and a new Dance Festival has been added this year. It will run Aug. 22-25. Call 1-779-0847 for ticket and more information. 77E PEOPLE Qp. NICARAGUA 1 AEDYouRWELPE S5AKAEU/IME EsoRcs&crtESIRYAENey 7heha)26 201, Ceowens 2ye80aWP9 ANRYWETSS*0-%30. .LSPLOY6 _ EealAAUUNE24* Thursday/21 AJ’s BBQ- Seth McCloud—piano—11:45-1:30: Roh Roberts—piano—6:30-8:30 El Sombrero—A La Carte Duo—jazz, 6-8:30 Harry’s on the Canal—Richard Levin. balloon artist, illusionist—6-8 Hilton Piano Bar-Joe Borland-5-8 pm Jo Federigo's— Bill Rhoades & Blues Deluxe Oregon Electric Station (Jazz Depot)-Le Jazz Hot—9-1 am Quigley's—Steve Candee—vocal and guitar 8-1 Sweetwaters Lounge (Valley River Inn)—Dave Howard Plus—9-2 am Trawler-Bill Rhoades & Blues Deluxe Wayward Inn—Original artists playing country, country rock—9-2—no cover Zoo Zoo's—Women's night features women mu sicians—6-9 Friday/22 AJ’s BBQ—Seth McCloud—piano—11:45-1:30; Rob Roberts- piano-6:30-till Edison's Bar (The Factory)—Nu Shooz—rock & roll, $3-9:30-2 am Jo Federigo's—John Workman Trio Oregon Electric Station (Jazz Depot)—Caracas— 9-1 am Quigley’s—Steve Candee—vocal and guitar— 8-1 Sweetwaters Lounge (Valley River Inn)—Dave Howard Plus—9-2 am Taylor’s—The Milkmen—$2—9:30 Trawler—Bill Rhoades & Blues Deluxe Treehouse Restaurant Lounge—Barbara Mon teith plays piano—8:30-11:30 Union Oyster Bar—The Valley Boys-rock & roll for listening and dancing—8:30-12:30; from 6:30-8:30. Richard Levin, balloon artist, il lusionist Wayward Inn—Original artists playing country, country rock, 9-2 am—no cover WOW Hall—Mary McCaslin and Jim Ringer country, folk—$5 advance, $6 day of show— 8:30—all ages welcome-W/C accessible Zoo Zoo's—Peter Thomas—classical guitar—6-9 Saturday/23 AJ’s BBO—Rob Roberts—piano—6:30 till Edison's Bar (The Factory)—Nu Shooz—rock and roll—$3—9:30-2 am Fall Creek Bakery- Violetta & Alan Tarpinian— classical duets—12-2 pm Jo Federigo’s—John Workman Trio Oregon Electric Station (Jazz Depot)—Caracas— 9 am-1 am Quigley's—Steve Candee—vocal and guitar— 8-1 Sweetwaters Lounge (Valley River Inn)—Dave Howard Plus—9-2 am Trawler—Bill Rhoades & Blues Deluxe Treehouse Restaurant Lounge—Barbara Mon teith plays piano—8:30-11:30 Union Oyster Bar—The Valley Boys—rock & roll for listening and dancing—8:30-12:30; from 6:30-8:30. Richard Levin, balloon artist, il lusionist WOW Hall—Big Sue. Uncle T & Johnny play fiddle, acoustic guitar, and bassfiddle—$3— 9:30—all ages welcome—W/C accessible Wayward Inn—Original artists playing country, country rock—9-2 am—no cover Zoo Zoo's—Sharon & friend—10 am-1 pm: Mouse—6-9 Sunday/24 Jo Federigo’s— Barbara Monteith Trio—jam session O’Callahan’s— Comedy Night—Mike "Boats " Johnson. Colin Campbell—$3—8:30 Union Oyster Bar—Richard Levin, balloon ar tist. illusionist—6:30-8:30 Zoo Zoo's—Michael, Percy & Dave—10 am-1 pm; Liv & Ian, flute & guitar—6-9 Monday/25 AJ’s BBO—Seth McCloud—piano—11:45-1:30: Rob Roberts—piano—6:30-8:30 El Sombrero—Peter Thomas—classical guitar, 6-9 Hilton Piano Bar—Joe Borland—5-8 Jo Federigo’s—Barbara Monteith Trio—jam session Sweetwaters Lounge (Valley River Inn)—Dave Howard Plus—9-2 am Taylor’s—Blues Jam—Hot local musicians—no cover Zoo Zoo's—Michael D—6-9 Tuosday/26 AJ’s BBO—Seth McCloud—piano—11:45-1:30: Rob Roberts—piano—6:30-8:30 El Sombrero—Peter Thomas—classical guitar, 6-8 Hilton Piano Bar—Joe Borland—piano music 5-8 Jo Federigo’s—Joey & The Allnighters Sweetwaters Lounge (Valley River Inn)-Dave Howard Plus—9-2 am WodnBSday/27 AJ’s BBO—Seth McCloud—piano—11:45-1:30: Rob Roberts—piano—6:30-8:30 Casa Don Carlos—Juan Merida—Latin Guitar— 6-8 Hilton Plano Bar—Joe Borland-5-8 Jo Federigo’s—Joey & The Allnighters Oregon Electric Station-Mike Heffley Trio 9-1 am Zoo Zoo's—Leota Ray—6-9 Thursday/28 AJ’s BBO—Seth McCloud—piano—11:45-1:30: Rob Roberts—piano—6:30-8:30 < N Tild, •• .n_ — J Capuccino? 4 > Where else but Main St. in bakery k1>eU springfield Specializing In: Authentic Sourdough French Bread, Croissants, Cheesecakes, Uncommon Decorative Cakes, French and Danish Pastries, With 40 Years of Baking Experience. 741-2512 • 737Main • Springfield Hours: 7am-6pm Mon.-Fri. 7am-3pm Sat. SUNI o N ot 1976 _ SIERBP 870 Pearl EUGENE’S ORIGINAL SEAFOOD HOUSE 686-2873 Featuring Live Music The Valley Boys • June 28 & 29 Big Sue & Uncle Tom • June 30 Rich Levin Fri., Sat. & Sun. nights Illusionist Extraordinaire (6-8 pm) ... also oysters on the half shell—500 each Li /A ffeproces oF 0PMM? A? A //evJ f Look ADPL for Anpress, 4^ CoAE Axp Aesusk, trU4/ifz * dtvcvv*** ■ . „ i ... +.91,
