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Page 2, Portland Observer, June 12.1986
Earl Robinson at 75
by Robert L o t bum
•
Robeson once performed “ Ballad
for Americans" at Hollywood Bowl.
But even though Robeson was “ the
only person that could fill the Holly­
wood Bowl with his voice," he wasn't
invited to a breakfast reception for
the artists the next morning, said
Robinson.
Lo» Angeless hotels wouldn't ac­
cept Blacks then, according to Rob­
inson, but Robeson's agent finally
tracked down a fancy downtown
hotel that would allow Robeson to
stay on the condition that he keep
a low profile.
But instead. Robeson sat in plain
sight in the lobby. “ This was to insure
that the next lime M arion Anderson
or Ron Hayes or other Black artists
came around, they would have a
place to stay. And it proved to be
true."
During their collaboration on
“ Ballad for Americans,’ ' Robinson
said Robeson “ was cooperative in
every direction but pitch. He insisted
on moving the range down four and
five steps."
Robinson said his early stridency
has given way to an interest in rein­
carnation and "the inner revolu­
tion." His social protest themes have
evolved into dance/music produc­
tions about dolphins and an upbeat
tribute to Christ called “ Thinking
About J .C ."
He describes his current work as an
addition to, rather than a rejection
of, the past.
The ink is black, the paper u while,
together we learn Io read and write,
lo read and write;
N o w a child can understand,
this a the law o j all the land,
o f all the land “
This popular tune, “ Black and
W h ile,” was first performed by Sam­
my Davis, Jr., in 1959. and became
famous in 1977 when recorded by the
rock group, “ Three Dog Night.
Earl Robinson co-wrote the song
with David Arkin in 1954 to celebrate
the Supreme Court school desegre-
gat ion decision.
Over 30 years later at age 75, Rob­
inson is still going strong. He will
treat Portland to a medley of his mu­
sical creations, which span five dec­
ades, Thursday, June 13th, 7:30 p.m.
at the P.S .U . Campus Ministry, 633
S.W Broadway.
Robinson is o f the generation of
Paul Robeson, Woody Guthrie and
Pete Seeger, whose music combines
social protest with a celebration of
America.
Several o f Robinson's songs, in­
cluding "Joe H ill," “ Ballad for
Americans" and “ The House I Live
In ," were popularized by well-
known singers.
The celebrated Black bass Paul
Robeson made “ Joe H ill" world fa­
mous in the late 1930s. The song cele­
brates a labor activist and songwriter
o f the early 1900s. It was also per­
formed by Joan Baez at Woodstock,
and immortalized in the movie of the
same name.
“ Ballad for Am ericans," a 12-
minute musical history o f America,
was performed by Robeson on the
CBS radio network. “ The House I
Live In ” was sung by Frank Sinatra in
the early 194th and later became the
theme for a movie o f the same name.
Robinson and Robeson worked
together professionally, both were
members o f the Communist Parly in
the 1930s, and both were black-listed
for their political views.
Robeson once told him that he felt
freer in Russia than in the United
States, said Robinson.
“ He loved the U .S ., but he was
black-listed because he talked here
as a good American against racism
and because he talked abroad about
how American Blacks wouldn't fight
against Russia."
Police problems
topic of forum
Connie Allen o f the Young Social­
ist Alliance and member of the Am al­
gamated Clothing and Textile W ork­
ers Local 128, and Jim Miller of the
Socialist Workers Parly will present
the socialist view o f the police bomb­
ing in Philadelphia, the choke-hold
killing o f Lloyd Stevenson in Port­
land, and the significance o f police
repression as a problem to be solved
by working people in the U.S.
The forum will take place Satur­
day, June 15, at 7:30 p.m ., at the
Militant Bcxikstore, 2732 NE Union,
Portland. A 52.00 donation is re­
quested, or $1.00 for unemployed.
»<
EMMA'S KITCHEN
SOUL FOOD
At
V
M W
'
V
r«
À
Tamales
Hot dogs
Bar-B-Que Ribs
Hamburger
Cheeseburger
Homemade Soup
French fries
Grilled Cheese
Sandwich
Eggs, Bacon
Sausage
Fried potatoes
Grits
Dinners
Cook's Choice
T u m . - Sat. 6 a.m . - 12a.m .. Sunday 1 p.m. - 12a.m .
C lo sed M o n d a y
_
n
_
_
•
The widest single window ever manufactured is lo­
cated in the Palace of Industry and Technology in Paris,
France. It has the extreme width of 715.2 feetl
The world’s widest hotel lobby is that of the Grand
Hotel Taipa in Taiwan. It measures 154 feet by 114 feet
and is 31 and a half feet high.
OiAONOsnc * P R ta c w p n v t » « T w jc n o N
M REAOMO ANO MATH FOR A U AÛES
JEANNE HARTZOQ
CHNER/DIRECTOR
(503)240-2866
Portland. OMQon t T i t j
Grand Opening
Smitty's Bar-B-Q
TAKEOUT
Aerobica class at Olympian Rtnaas Cantar.
(Photo: Sara Roaa)
Olympian Fitness Center
Grand opening Sat.
by Robert Lothian
The Olympian Fitness Center will
open its spic and span new facility to
the community for a grand opening
party Saturday from 6:30-10:00 p.m.
Staff will conduct tours of the cen­
ter’s recently remodeled building,
located at 1829 N .E . Alberta. Non­
alcoholic health cocktails and hors
d'oeuvres will be provided, and body
building coach Von Ray Johnson will
give a welcoming address.
Linda Johnson and Harold John­
son will add their thoughts about
economic development along the
Alberta Street business corridor.
Club members will demonstrate
body building, aerobics, martial arts
and other fitness activities, accom­
panied by music. Drawings and a
musical tribute to M arvin Gaye will
round out the evening.
Admission to the grand opening
party is by printed invitations, avail­
able free o f charge at the center,
which is open 9 a.m. lo 9 p.m ., M o n ­
day through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5
p.m ., Saturday, and at King's Ran­
som, 52 0 S.W . 5th.
Owner M artin Mentzer said it was
time that Northeast Portland had a
dub-type fitness center. " I t ’s been a
team effo rt,” he said. “ W e hope to
have a positive impact on the com­
m unity."
Junior Johnson, Olympian fitness
director, is a former Grant High foot-
ball star and P S.U All-American
wrestler He coaches children's wres­
tling. adult body building and men’s
and women’s weight control classes.
“ One o f our main goals is to turn
out world class athletes and world
class people,” Johnson sid.
Former Olympic boxer and now
human resources specialist at Port­
land Community College, A. Halim
Kahsaan, will teach boxing, and 1984
Tai Kwan Do national champion
Na'im Hasan will teach martial arts.
Kita (iaile coaches a Saturday aero­
bics class and Eyvonne Harris leads
about 30 women in freestyle exercises
Monday through Friday, 7-8 p.m.
"Everybody lives in this area and
sve’re putting in 100 percent,"' said
Johnson. “ The good Lord willing,
it's going to kick for us."
The center's building had long been
vacant, said Johnson. He pointed out
the bright and airy weight room and
women’s exerase room, the boxing
and martial arts room, Jacuzzis, steam
baths, saunas and wood-panelled
locker rooms.
A large multi-purpose room is
available for community events, and
space has been reserved for two satel­
lite businesses — a beauty salon and a
day care center
" I f we get the community support
we’ll be putting in racquet ball courts
and a swimming pool," Johnson
added.
The first memberships were sold in
February, and the club now has 100
members, said R. Scott Chase, Olym ­
pian executive director.
Memberships are 5 17 0 /year for
single adults, 5325/year for couples
and 5370/year for families, financ-
able in monthly installments, said
Chase.
Classes in special activities are avail­
able on a per class fee basis. C hil­
dren's activities include ballet, wres­
tling and martial arts. “ M y main goal
is to show a lot o f character and be a
role model for these kids,” said John­
son.
Johnson said he is especially proud
of his Saturday weight control ses­
sions for women who are 100 pounds
or more overweight. “ We don’t weigh
in, and we concentrate on losing
inches rather than pounds,” Johnson
said.
Some women have come down two
tx more dress sizes. " I love it," he
said.
You know poopitt die always saying that they have the best Bar B Que in
town, or that it's the tendereat Bar B Que you ever ate All I have to say is
You Don't Need 3 Sets
of Teeth to Eat M y Beef!
Smitty's Bar-B-
3940 N W illiam s Ave
• 282 9266
Roof Coating
is my Business
Ihc world premiere of Asitranbukaw!
a
The widest pyramid ever erected is the Quetzalcoatl
located 63 miles southeast of Mexico City. It is 177 feet
tall and its base covers an area of nearly 46 acres.
•
tfL^LeominQ
Learning <
Center
Asitranbulaw!
1329 N.E. Fremont •
Sy/wn
.
will be presented at the Portland
A n Museum's Swann Auditorium on
June 28, 1985 at 8 p.m.
Asitranbukaw, which means "sit
down, relax, and enjoy yourself,” is a
lively presentation o f the music, dance
and costume o f Ghana. The show was
written and produced by Obo Addy.
The first scene begins in the city of
Accra, Ghana, with the G a people.
The traditional ceremony which in­
cludes the pouring o f libation opens
the show. Scenes which feature the
music o f the G a, Ashanti, Ewe, and
Dagomba people will be included.
Ghanaian music is known for its
intricate hand drumming and lively
rhythms. All the instruments and
costumes are authentic. Obo Addy’s
musical group Kukrudu, will assist
with the music. Other cast members
include Benny Bell, Ruby Burns,
Michael Grant and the Passinar,
Theater Company, and many more
Asitranbukaw promises to be an
exciting, unusual, and dynamic eve­
ning o f entertainment. Seats are lim­
ited. Tickets are available through
Bass outlets, G .l. Joes, and Artichoke
Music for $7 in advance, 58 at the
door.
Let me make a new roof
out of your old roof.
As Low As
$2()oo 8 Sg.
40 YEARS EXPERIENCE
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Call 287-8474
Between 6 - 8 a.m.