Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2002)
« march 1.2002 « Jm at s o t . 2 5 songs of the era with compositions created just for the show hy Campbell. Adding to the mix ture will be dance numbers of the era choreo graphed hy Scardina as well as moving video footage put together hy Robertson. How the show was pulled together is a story in itself. Merisel first hatched the idea, and in meetings with others a more specific out line came to life. The hardest part, at least in the beginning, was convincing seniors to let their stories be told. “There were a lot o f people who were referred to us,” Mensel says. “But there were very few who said OK. Many people felt they just didn’t want to have their lives become so public.” That is not to say anyone is disappointed Irv Ewen or years, Irv Ewen has been a quiet force behind the scenes, not only for the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus but also local opera productions. He is one of those people you never will see onstage, but his work has graced the performances of endless shows in the area. Ewen lived a mostly closeted life. He was raised in Portland and spent his profes sional career working for Multnomah County. The longtime planner says he kept his personal life quiet until he faced his biggest tragedy in 1980. That was the year his longtime partner, John Swarmer, was killed in an accident. The grief overwhelmed Ewen, and he found relief by finally breaking the hinds and coming out. “I think people knew,” he says, “hut before that 1 wasn’t open." Ewen is moved to tears as he describes Vintage Voices, not because he was selected f , to be a part hut because of what it means to W""> - the older population. “This is so impor tant...you need to honor the senior mem hers of the community," he says. Of" course, Ewen is thrilled about the recogni tion he is receiving by having his story told. Because he is actively involved with the chorus, he is the only participant who has heard his spe cial song, and the tears flow again as he talks about his initial reaction. “It meant so much to me," he says. It took Ewen a long time to heal after the death of Swarmer, but he found love again and has been with Mario Dean since 19% . He definitely keeps active in his retirement, and being a backstage member of Portland performances suits him perfectly. “1 like to be a part of it,” he F Irv Ewen spent most of his life in the closet but now is thrilled to be recognized by the Portland G ay M en’s Chorus says simply. Among the issues and eras addressed during the perform a n c e are are womens w o m e n ’s suffrage, suffrape. the th e ance Depression, World W ar II, civil rights, the dance craze and more. They are told through the stings and dances gleaned from those times but also through the memories o f the people being honored. Part of the rea son for keeping the show’s tries - Videographer Brian Robertson consults with composer sage “upbeat and ^ ate Campbell fun” is because during the eras and we haven’t even started to tap into it.” Robertson says he noticed a connection represented, those feelings were shared by each of those profiled. “We have representative of the culture. focused on only six people and there are millions “The 70s, ’30s and ’40s were very vibrant times,” of stories, but one common thread that connects all of the elders is fear...fear of losing their job, Stroh says. “The culture at the fear of family rejection and fear of violence in time— the dances, the fash their communities,” he says. “I do ion, the music— it the six we have chosen reflect a was all so exciting. 'The older feel diversity within our community.” Even the common Robertson, who is also a mem folks’ art forms were gay people ber of the chorus and will be per high-energy. It was a survived a lot. forming, has the difficult task of fun time.” taking the hour-long interviews Still, to be gay or They went and editing them down to a short lesbian in that era was through a clip, something he says has not not an easy task. Sev been easy. eral of those being great deal. Campbell was commissioned by honored took the “tra the chorus to compose the original ditional” lifestyle We need to music for Vintage Voices, and her path— getting mar remember task was equally daunting. She says ried, starting families and dealing with a she has been a “closeted song great amount of shame and fear before that." writer" for years and has written a finally coming out. — Irv Ewen number of pieces, but nothing Those messages became clear to quite as big as this show, Robertson, who videotaped interviews To compose the songs, she acquired the with the honorees. He has worked in the broad videotaped interviews from Robertson and says cast journalism field for more than two decades she simply sat back and watched them as a casu and has been at KGW-TV for the past 17 years. al observer. Then she watched them again, only The cameraman has traveled the world and this time she took notes. Her creative process seen a great deal but admits he was touched by was under way. this project. “They are such an incredible resource to our community,” Robertson says. Continued on Page 2 6 “There are so many things they have to offer, pain sPRincs Serving your real estate needs fo r... CONDOS EVERY BOOK OF GAY EROTICA ALWAYS l\l STOCK! © M ountain Men. “Physique" photos from the 50s, sexier than anything done today! $35. ( new ) Hazing. True stories of frathouse initia tion rites, rousing as only the truth can be. $13. < @ ) Adam 2002 Gay Video Directory. Your annual guide to all the best filth. $12.95. DOWNTOWN @ 927 SW OAK 226-8141 C rec C ray la aad Out at tbe Garden UNUSUAL GARDEN ART (760) 833*5434 Urns • Pots • Arbors Trellises • Bird Baths & Lots More (503) 603-0411 11935 SW Greenburg Rd Tigard (I Blk O ff 99W on C.reenhurg) * <>p»n 7 Day« P e t'o re e t- ---------- P e rm e t — /to rtn w û e *. PioCoprctpiy ---- 603.892.267/ »rarbeJIü ■R EALTO R » 2 1 1 E. Paim Canyon Palm Sprinfa. C* 92264 V acation H omes H otel P roperties A partment B logs .
