6,2001 « b*Mt45
DIVERSIONS
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Basically bucolic
Networking floats the boat You'd be angry, too!
ircle July 28 on your calendar for the oh-so
chic Garden Party benefiting Basic Rights
Oregon. This annual event offers an oppor
tunity to mingle with fair-minded elected offi
cials, concerned activists and BRO supporters in
picturesque, lush gardens. Generously donating
“Bella Madrona” for the day, Drs. Geof Beasley
and Jim Sampson have created a breathtaking
scenic wonderland spread over six acres. This
summertime soiree is worth every penny, and
the proceeds benefit an important cause. The
fun happens from 2 until 5 p.m. in Sherwood.
Tickets are $35 and $50 from 503-222-6151.
op aboard the Portland Spirit on July 9 for
an enjoyable evening of food, entertainment
and networking with the Portland Area
Business Association on its annual Willamette
River Cruise. “It’s a great opportunity to find out
what’s new and interesting, a way to meet
potential new clients and friends,” board presi
dent Mark Miller says. "It just gets better every
year.” PABA’s purpose is to help its members
build business and create community through
networking events, including monthly lunch
eons, social gatherings and volunteer opportuni
ties. Boarding begins at 6:30 p.m., and tickets
are $30 at the dock or $25 in advance from
503-241-2222. Learn more at www.paba.com.
C
Blues on the green
he seventh annual Saturday in the Park Pride
celebration gets going July 14 at Esther Short
Park in Vancouver, Wash. The theme
“Stronger, Louder, Prouder” was chosen to high
light the new location, which should provide
more visibility. Expect beer and food, information
and retail booths, activities for kids plus live
entertainment from Jixly Crocker, Third Estate
and the Rose City Swing Band. Headliners
Swamp Mama Johnson will put out a smooth
groove of blues and R & B. Also Peacock in the
Park Productions will mount an hourlong drag
show. Show up between noon and 8 p.m. at Sixth
Avenue and Columbia Street. Your questions will
be answered at saturdayintheprk@aol.com.
To begin Gay Pride Week in southwest
Washington, First Congregational United
Church of Christ is holding an Interfaith Pride
Service at 4 p.m. July 8. Congregants will “cele
brate the joy in who we are, all God’s people of
all sexual orientations and genders.” A reception
presented by five other area churches will follow
the service. The host church is located at
1220 N.E. 68th St. in Hazel Dell. For informa
tion call 360-693-1476 or e-mail
vanucc@aol.com.
T
H
Songs in
the key of Q
he Eugene queer
1 community held its
I 10th annual Pride
celebration June 30 at
Wash i ngton -J efferson
Park. The warm, dry
weather brought out
about 600 people to
enjoy the various activ
ities. Performers includ
ed Rainbow Wranglers
square dancers, the
-zfila Chieko
Imperial Sovereign
Court of the Willamette Empire, the boisterous
sounds of Soul Funktion and Soromundi, the
lesbian chorus of Eugene. The showstopper was
13-year-old phenom Jordan Blumberg-Enge,
who wowed the crowd with her powerful
singing. She was a tough act to follow, but Leila
Chieko and Amy Picard held their own. The
day was topped off at Neighbors Bar and Bistro,
which was jammed and jamming with
a post-Pride party and barbecue.
ensory Perceptions (those cool folks
who toil long and hard to bring you a
queer film fest every year) throw
themselves a benefit July 18. They will
screen the highly anticipated film Hedwig
and the Angry Inch at 7 p.m. at the Clin
ton Street Theater, 2522 S.E. Clinton St.
Tickets are $7 at the box office the day of
show. Adapted from the critically
acclaimed off-Broadway rock theater hit,
Hedwig tells the story of an “internation
ally ignored” rock singer, Hedwig, and
her search for stardom and love. Bom a
boy named Hansel whose life’s dream is
to find his other half, Hedwig reluctantly
submits to a sex-change operation in
order to marry an American G.I. and get
over the Berlin Wall to freedom. The
operation is botched, leaving her with the
“angry inch.” For more, measure up at
sensoryperceptions.org/v2/events/hedwig .
S
It's been
a queer year
lub Z, Portland’s all-ages gay club,
will celebrate its first anniversary
with a party promising celebrity
guests and performer Danny Diess’ trib
ute to the Pet Shop Boys. Admission
costs $10. Doors open 10 p.m. July 7,
and the show starts 12:30 a.m. at
333 S.W. Park Ave. Call 503-241-1153 for
more information.
Hedwig
rages
about
her
short
comings
award-winning documentary Paragraph 175,
which reveals the previously untold story
behind the Nazi persecution of homosexuals.
Narrated by Rupert Everett, the film explores
the personal stories of people who experi
enced this firsthand.
Over on A&.E July 16 catch Investigative
Reports: AIDS in America, the Crisis Continues.
The program studies the complacency some
people are feeling toward the disease and the
illusions drug companies are fostering. Also
examined are the increasing infection rates in
urban areas.
Hollywood happenings
ccording to Advocate.com lesbian icon
Melissa Etheridge already has rebounded,
just nine months after the breakup of her
12-year union with Julie Cypher. The lucky (?)
gal is Tammy Lynn Michaels, who played the
nasty Nicole Julian on the WB series Popular.
Lions and tigers
Etheridge told People magazine her new girl
and queers, oh my!
friend made her “want to jump up and go
* his year’s Summer Concert Series at the Ore
‘Woo-woo.’ ” Newly 40, the rocker’s dip into
gon Zoo features plenty of “family” acts. First
the younger end of the dating pool isn’t all that
up is the newly out singer Janis lan, perform
surprising. It’s also great revenge for the singer
ing with folk legend Judy Collins on July 8. Then who definitely paints herself as a woman
on July 19 look for the Indigo Girls and their
wronged by Cypher’s wandering ways. The for
opening act, Rose Polenzani, who records for
mer couple, however, maintain a cordial rela
Amy Ray’s Daemon label. Finally, Thomas Laud
tionship over the back fence to co-parent their
erdale and Portland’s own eclectic virtuosos Pink
two children. jn
Martini entertain for a sure sellout Aug. 16. All
shows start at 7 p.m.; be smart and MAX it for
Complied by ORIANA GREEN
a no-hassle evening. Get your tickets
at the zoo or from Fastixx.
1
Hard looks
at tough subjects
The Rose City Swing Band
entertains last year at Saturday in the Park
able television continues to offer gay-
themed programming you won’t find any
where else. First up on HBO July 9 is the
C
Melissa’s
mad
about
Michaels
Out with the old,
in with the new
ortland nighttime institution Panorama is calling it quits. The club, which opened in October 1993,
quickly became a cool hangout, first for queers, then for hipsters of all persuasions. Famous for its high-
energy music mix and light show, Panorama has reached the end of its life span. At 9 a.m. July 15 the
doors will dose forever.
In the birth-and-death cycle of clubs, it won't be long before a new one opens. In fact, just five days.
Restaurant Services—the company that owns Panorama, Boxxes, Brig, the Red Cap Garage and the Fish
Grotto—is remodeling the space above Ozone Records to become a dance club. At 11:45 p.m. July 20 Fez
Nightclub, located at 316 S.W. 11th Ave., will open its doors.
On one floor you’ll find a lounge serving Moroccan food, and above that the former Fez Ballroom is being
transformed into the dance space. Bar manager Michael Ackerman says they’ll feature the same kind of music
spun at Panorama—“upbeat house, circuit, anthem and underground dance music.” He also expects the new
club to attract a mixed clientele, “probably 70/30 percent gay/straight,” he says, peering into his crystal ball.
Party on, Portland!
P