Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2005)
Rock on, gold dust woman Chris Pureka joins the wealth of talented singer/songwriters gracing the stage of Mississippi Pizza Pub when she appears May 21. On tour in support of her much-anticipated sophomore release, Driving North, she is busy making a name for herself with her edgy guitar playing, uniquely haunting voice and lyrical honesty. Recorded with a full band, the 11 songs coalesce around themes of love, loss, tenderness and hope. Pureka is a skilled guitar player, offering complicated, percussive riffs that complement her ability to select and translate snapshots of experience into raw, heart-tugging music. According to Performing Songwriter magazine, “Chris Pureka quickly captivates with her skilled guitar and rapid-fire lyrics.... The entire album puts a novel’s worth of imagery into every song.” Bringing to mind the finely crafted story songs of Cheryl Wheeler, Driving North reveals the breadth of Pureka s songwriting and driving guitar work, earning comparisons to early Bruce Springsteen and Patty Griffin. The songs are steeped in images of a New England landscape and the poetry of brokenhearted loss and desire. Pureka’s gift for carving out images is made more powerful by a voice that is best described as raspy and haunting. Northampton’s Daily Hampshire Gazette writes, “Pureka’s singing voice is like homespun fabric that, when she lets emotion rise, becomes flocked with gold.” Pureka started writing songs at the age of 16 and, following in the footsteps of her indie predecessors, began cultivating her fan base at open mikes and coffeehouses. Four years ago she emerged solidly on the music scene in Northhampton, Mass., with the release of a seven-song self-titled EP. She went on to land opening slots with such acclaimed artists as Melissa Ferrick, Catie Curtis, Erin McKeown and Pamela Means. She has recorded and toured with slam poet Alix Olsen, who lauds Pureka’s musical abili ties, saying: “Chris Pureka’s gritty tunes are charged with charm, toe-tapping poetry and a sexy dose of wit. I am a huge fan of this girl and her guitar love affair.” Ashleigh Flynn opens 10:30 p.m. at 3552 N. Mississippi Ave. Cover is $7. —Jodi Darby Support boobie art Bring the girls out to play at the third annu al Boobie Auction, a fund-raiser for 2 Gyrlz Performance Arts’ Enteractive Language Festival. This nipplicious event has collected a group of regulars who enjoy the mammary-centric theme. “It’s not sleazy at all. It’s actually very fun and playful. Everyfxxly has boobies, so all gen ders are welcome,” says Lisa Newman, co director of 2 Gyrlz. Those new to the event can expect to see lots of bare breasts, along with nipple-related art for auction, a breast casting station and a nipple painting booth. “We just really want to make art affordable,” says Newman. Bids for most pieces start between $25 and $100. “We have donated gift certificates for raffle, and we’re selling 2 Gyrlz T-shirts, so there are lots of ways to come and support us and get something back.” The location makes this year’s Btxibie Auction distinct from years past. It is being held at the Secret Society Ballnxim, formerly Disjecta, “rather than a smoky bar,” according to Newman. Besides the eye candy, rev elers can dance to tunes spun by DJs Wet Dream, Fur Purse and Try My Cabbage of the PanZen Konspiracy Nett Wyrk. Coordinators hope to raise approximately $2,000, which helps cover vis iting artists’ air fare and fees. The Boobie Auction will raise more than just money, though; organiz ers hope to gen Plumb Bob frontman Bill Leeds erate excite at the Laurelthirst. ment for the Enteractive Literary Festival, which is in November. The auction is from 8 p.m. to midnight May 27 at 116 N.E. Russell St. Tickets are on a sliding scale from $5 to $50. —JRC EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL AFFORDABLE 503.493.9453 5416 N MARYLAND Near Dewiteem & the Pearl at the ULLMGSWOVTl MAX STOP CHUCK FLOYD HAIR CARE SERVICES for WOMEN and MEN WWW.CHUCKFLOYD.ORG (far right) will worship Stevie Nicks on May 21 Wide Release trophy for Kinsey, his timely biopic of the pioneering sexologist. The other nominees were the Colin Farrell bombs Alexander and A Home at the End of the World, the lesbian serial killer drama Monster and the religious satire Saved! “I’m amazed at how far we’ve come in the seven years since 1 was last here with Gods and GLAAD handing Monsters,” Condon said. “As a boy from out awards Queens who moved here not knowing anyone in the movie business, 1 was happy just to be in Gay icon Liza Minnelli and gay director Bill the game, writing scripts and directing movies. Condon were honored during the 16th annual But it was only when I started to f<x:us on Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation material that meant something to me as a gay Media Awards April 30 in Los Angeles. man that I found any real satisfaction and, to Minnelli accepted the Vanguard Award, my great surprise, some success.” which honors entertainers for promoting equal GLAAD also named HBO’s Six Feet Under rights. as Outstanding Drama Series, bearing out “I must say, I’ve been given some awards in my time, but this is very, very important to me,” Showtime’s The L Word and Queer as Folk, HBO’s The Wire and UPN’s Kevin Hill. said the Oscar/Tony/Emmy winner. “Love is the At another ceremony March 29 in New most cherished feeling we have; it’s unique to York, Billy Crystal received the Excellence in human beings, and if anyone thinks they can Media Award for portraying Jodie on ABC’s dismiss love through politics, they’re nuts.” Soap, which in 1977 became rhe first television Condon received the Outstanding Film— show to feature a gay lead character. Alan Cumming accepted the Vito Russo Award, which honors an openly queer member of the media communi ty for combating homophobia. “I am glad that I have been hon ored this year instead of last, because in light of what has happened in the past year, we know that there’s so much more need to stand up now and shout—not just for acceptance, because I don’t want to be just accept ed or tolerated. 1 want to be respected for who I am,” Cumming said. The New York ceremony also named Bad Education as Outstanding Film—Limited Release, beating out Bear Cub, Blue Gate Crossing, Brother to Brother and The Mudge Boy. Next up is the San Francisco cere mony June 11 at the Westin St. Francis, which will present the Outstanding Music Artist award to Melissa Etheridge for Lucky, George Michael for Patience, Le Tigre for This Island, Rufus Wainwright for Want Two or Scissor Sisters for their self titled debut disc. Keep your fingers crossed for the Sisters, featuring for mer Portlander Ana Matronic, who can be heard singing “Jetstream” on New Order’s latest, Waiting for the Liza Minnelli performs “What Makes a Man a Man” Sirens' Gall. April 30 during the GLAAD Media Awards at the Kodak —Jim Radosta jm Theatre in Los Angeles. landscape design containers outdoor furnishings 425 nw 11th avenue 503 223 4443 Coventry Cycle ¿/Works Professional Service Com fortable Bikes Reciunbents a Specialty/ (COME SEE WHY!) Open Tuesdav-Sundav 2< < 2 ) 2025 SF Hawthorne We test because we matter. Do you know tour status? Free Hl\ Testing (¿ay/ttl/'l rans Guys Thursdays 5 to 6:30 PM Drop in clinic Two testing options: Rapid (20 minute/same day results)
