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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 9, 2000)
^ _ «voo/»_ Sweethearts Forever Bouquet l The &y To ORDER EARLY, CUPID'S IN TOWN! ¥ beautiful Roses ¥ Specials: - "love &. Pisses" - "Sweet Valentine” - "E3ig Hug" 24-hour order service Eugene’s Flower Home “The University Florist” 610 East 13th Avenue (at Patterson) 485-3655 OR toll-free 1-800-478-3655 www.ftd.com/eugenesflowerhome £ ««>-><£> OVL. CLA6^>lfO>i>... Y<?LR CAMPUS MAE.I4LTPLACT. Valentine’s weekend starts with ‘putting out the love’ ■ Groove Juice Special headlines a funk concert that tries to capture a festival-like atmosphere By Lisa Toth for the Emerald To start off the Valentine’s weekend with a beat and maybe some dress-up fun as well, make plans to attend “Late Night Friday Funk” on Feb. 11 at John Henry’s. Silver People Presents and local band Groove Juice Special are combining efforts for a night of real emotion. “Our animation lets people feel the energy,” Groove Juice Spe cial’s lead vocalist Ben Thomas says. “We put out the love.” Opening the show is Freedom Funk Ensemble, with the celebra tion beginning at 9 p.m. John Hen ry’s is located at 136 E. 11th Ave. and event organizers say that cos tumes are encouraged to promote a festival-like atmosphere. Groove Juice Special always sets out with the intent to produce the most entertaining dance party possible, Thomas says, and he adds that this Friday night will be no exception. The band’s music fuses unadulterated funk and re lentlessly catchy melodies with elements of soul, blues, reggae, and salsa. Thomas, in addition to being lead vocalist, also composes lyrics and has experience on the conga drums. Guitarist Brandon Beebe admits to a passion for blues and likes to counter that sound with a jazzy finesse. Vincent Stoffer is a classically trained pianist, but he 008233 montage southern bistro 959 pearl street ~ 343.4361 dinner: every night! 5:00 pm - 3:00 am lunch: mon - fri 11:30 am - 2:00 pm open now! "I LOVE isn't LOVE 'til you GIVE IT AWAY/) wworie , FREE STICKER with Valentine's purchase of $15 w mote? AMAZIMG SELECTIOM OF... . w"aw°01 ^ Grateful Dead & Bob Marley goods ^ Kidcaes Glass by Jah Creations & 30 local artists ^ Memp clothing, body products & gifts ^ Jewelry WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Comer of 11th & Willamette. Mon-Sat 11-6 • Sun 12-5 I O'-::-.'..- :: ^ ^ ^ -:: ■ ' '■ :'■ - ■ " ■ ^ ? V ^ '_____I Courtesy Hollister Marketing Groove Juice Special is the headliner for ‘Late Night Friday Funk’ at John Henry’s. applies his skill to various key boards for the band. The rhythm section that gener ates the backbeat for Groove Juice Special’s hip-shaking arrange ments includes drummer John Foord and bassist Sean Potts. Mike Thompson on saxophone and John Polese on trumpet round out the ensemble. Except for Polese and Thomp son, who is a graduate student, the band members are all seniors at the University. Thomas, Beebe and Potts started out in the school’s gospel choir, before Beebe ap proached Thomas with the idea of forming an orchestrated band. The group’s meager beginnings in Potts’ basement set the foundation for the goal’s realization. “Music became our hobby, and we practiced all the time,” Potts says. “We just have fun affecting and moving people. Our goal is to inspire people to enjoy each other’s company and build a community.” The band’s stage show spread quickly by word of mouth. “Everyone goes to see the Groove Juice Special to have a good time,” fan Jessica Langer says. “They have a great reputation. ” The ingenious musical works of Stevie Wonder, James Brown and The Beatles have served as in spiration for Groove Juice Special, and the band has in turn devel oped its own distinctive and cre ative style. “We love the direct interaction between the band and the crowd,” Potts says. He adds that Friday’s environment will be set up to further the audience. Adding to the funky elixir of music, the promotion team of Sil ver People Presents will highlight the show with Valentine’s Day decorations, lights, face paint, ta pestry and the utilization of a new sound system. “We are a family that desires to give back to the community what we have received for so many in credible years of partaking in the live music experience,” says Stephen Vogt of SPP. The promot ers say they are expecting more than 300 people to be in atten dance for the show. Freedom Funk Ensemble de scribes their music as a combina tion of fusion, funk, jazz and Latin to create an instrumental, jungle gypsy groove. As the lyrics to one of Groove Juice Special’s songs, “Funky Par adise,” describe, sweethearts and singles alike will want to “join the party, feel the groove all over your body and let the music set your mind and spirit free.” Tickets for the show are $10 and available at The Record Exchange and the EMU Ticket Office. Free Clinic: How to protect and care for your Birfcenstocks Saturday, Feb. 12th Ham-noon or 2-3 pm 10% of total sales donated to Food for Lane County. Bring in food to donate, Feb. 5-13 FQQTWI5E THE BIRKENSTOCK STORE 181 E Broadway 342-6107 Mon-Sat: 10-6 Sun: 11-5
