Page 4, Portland Observer, December 23, 1987
THE
ENTERTAINMENT SEEN
A Christmas Story
by Kendel Bryan Covington
Being a sneaky and smart aleck kid (I prefer sensitive and observant),
whenever my parent had parties, it was my designated job to keep my ear to
my bedroom door and listen to every word of the sacred grown-up talk
(adult B.S.).
Around my seventh Christmas, my parents had a party and one of the
activities was for everyone to tell their favorite Christmas story. I listened to
all of the stories, and when it came time for Morn's turn, she told one that is
still my favorite 'til this day. This being the appropriate time of year, it's my
pleasure to share it with you, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy tell
ing it.
Christm as Glow
The cold night wind whistled through the trees and, below, stirred up
what was left of mother nature's fall carpet of yellow, red and brown.
Dusk was settling on the small town of Winston-Salem, North Carolina,
and soon the street lamps cast a soft yellow glow on the simple frame houses
that were typical on the north side of town.
It was the winter of 1944 Overseas, World War II raged on, but here, in
American, it was almost Christmas.
In the Thompson household there was a glow of a different kind.
Activity was centered in the living room on this particular evening. The child
ren (all 8 of them) were putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.
Mama was seated on the couch, watching her brood scurry to and from,
unpacking and hanging ornaments, stopping only to discuss (argue) why
this one should or shouldn't hang here or there.
"Edith!! You keep on putting too many blue bulbs in the same place.
Find some other colors!" "Say, Edward, stop eating all the popcorn, man!"
"Mama, tell Melvina to stop pushing me." "Margaret, could you hand me
that one with the sparkles on it?"
This continued until the magic moment had finally arrived. The tree was
decked in all its glory and splendor, and not it was time to plug in the
This occasion was special for more than one reason. In 1944, times
were rough everywhere, and the Thompson household was no exception.
Somehow things always seemed to work out even though Mr. Thompson
often found himself miles away from his wife and children. On his last visit
home, he'd surprised his family with the contents of two packages at dinner
one evening. To everyone's delight, they were bright, shiny electric lights
for the Christmas tree in all the holiday colors. Now it was time to bring
them to life.
Andrew, Jr., the oldest, took the honors. When everyone took their
places near Mama on the couch, Junior eased the bright copper plug into
the socket. Nine pairs of eyes stared in silent wonder as the tree took on a
life of its own, filling the tiny house with Christmas wonder.
The evening was getting late and it was nearing time for Mama to go to
work across town. "Melvina and Junior, I want this living room clean just
like you found it. Get the kids together and get it done. I've got to go to
work. I'm trusting you two to make sure that after you finish, everyone gets
a bath and gets to bed. And, yes, before I forget, unplug those lights. I read
where those things have caught some houses on fire, and we certainly don't
need to have that happening here." "A w w w w w , Mama!
You heard me,
Jump to it!"
Soon Mama was gone, and, though the living room was spotless, no
one wanted to leave the room. "Please, Junior, plug them in just for a
couple of minutes!" chimed Edward and Elliot, the twins. "Yea, please.
Junior!" said Mary Louise and Margaret. Slyly, Junior looked at Melvina
(they'd already planned to do it when the rest were in bed). Y all promise
not to tell?" "N o, we w on't te ll!" yelled everyone. Once again the tree
sprang to life. Little Edith Ann was the first to speak. "It's almost as pretty
as the one in the Sears window downtown." "W hat do you mean, almost?
challenged Melvina. "That one blinks off and on," said Edith. Edward (The
Adventurous) disappeared into the kitchen and soon returned with a knife in
Marianne Mayfield Takes
over Parchman Farm
Jazz Line-Up
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This is a co n tin u a tio n of last w eek's article "N ath an ie l P hillips/
The Rocky Road o f Success".
"Good and bad things come out of any given experience in life," says
Nate, "and our (Pleasure's) experiences were good for contacts and learn
ing, and negative in realizing how artists can be exploited and ripped-off by
not only companies, but individuals, as well. I learned to really pay attention
to the business of music."
After the demise of Pleasure, Nathaniel remained in California and
enjoyed a measured amount of success, but there was nothing like jammin
with the boys (his childhood pals). So homeward ol Thunderlicks headed
and formed C ool' R.
As we all know, Cool R has been packing downtown nightclubs for
the last four years and continually get better as they go along
When I first saw Cool R, I
thought the music was tight but
lacked the visual hook that groups
of the eighties use as a too l.
Once again, perseverance paid
off, and now Cool 'R is a force to
be reckoned with.
I noticed a distinct change after
Doug Lewis left and returned.
Nathaniel appeared to be more mo
tivated than usual, and it seemed to
carry on throughout the group.
"I've always had confidence in
everyone in the organization," says
Nathaniel, "And what you are see
ing is a result of us becoming fami
liar with each other's style of music
as well as personality. Our vocalist,
Andy Stokes, is one of the best in
the city and has come a long
way. As far as Doug is concerned, he is one of the best guitar players in
R&B music today, and is finally getting the recognition he finally deserves.
Jeff Alviante was playing with some friends at a jamm session, and when I
realized that Jeff was not playing with a regular band, I knew I had to have
him. Our new drummer, Jeffry Minneweather, is solid as a rock and used to
substitute for Bruce when he was on the road. So he is familiar with not
only our music but also the band’s material
"There are other up-and-coming artists in this city that we feel deserve
a break. That is the reason that we are now featuring them as opening acts
for our local shows. My advice to anyone entering the field of music is to be
dedicated and never, and I mean NEVER, forget where you came from and
who you are."
The Portland Observer wishes Nathaniel continued success in his return
to the spotlight.
Zoo Schedules
Children's
Free Day
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Children's Holiday Free Day at
Metro's Washington Park Zoo is on
Wednesday, Dec. 30. Smilin Ely
and Bingo will be on hand to greet
youngsters as they arrive and spe
cial activities are scheduled between
11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the zoo's
warm, enclosed areas.
Kids can spin the roulette wheel
to win a prize, compare their foot
print to a lifesized elephant foot
print, forage in straw for tidbits at
the primate house and test their skill
at snaring vittles like a snake.
For the first time in twenty five
years the zoo has a chance to top a
million in attendance and zoo offi
cials are hopeful that attendance on
the free day will close the gap
This is the twelfth year the zoo
has sponsored Children's Free Day
Some 3,500 children are expected
to attend the event
It's A Birthday
Celebration
PORTLAND, OR — The Parchman Farm changes into 1988 with a brand
new jazz lineup featuring the Marianne Mayfield Trio on weekends and the
John Jensen/John Hardy Quartet on Thursdays at the popular eastside jazz
lounge.
The Marianne Mayfield Trio with Special Guest Leroy Vinnegar, plays
weekends in January, opening Saturday, Jan. 2 after a closed New Year s
Day.
Mayfield is featured vocalist and Vinnegar handles bass duties in his
renowned "walking" manner of laying down the beat. Mayfield, a jazz/blues
singer on the Portland scene for a number of years, has been featured
singer/bassist at the Parchman Farm the past two years. Vinnegar has been
a nationally acclaimed bassist for some three decades, appearing on dozens
of jazz recordings both as leader and sideman.
Harlem's Arthur Mitchell's
Dance Theatre Featured
on NBC
his hand "W atch thisl" he announced, and inserted the tip into the light
socket, freeing one of the bulbs. At this, all the lights went out, and when
he pushed on the light, all of them would spring back to life. The children
shouted their approval. On, off, on, off, o n .........
Adell Thompson had just finished doing a little Christmas shopping and
boarded the bus that went from downtown to the south side of town. No
sooner had she taken a seat, when her neighbor, Mrs. Smith, spoke up.
"W ell Adell, I see you have electric lights on your tree this year. The other
ladies gasped their approval and looked at her in admiration. Mrs. Smith
continued, "The kind that blink on and off, to o !" The ladies turned to hear
the reply. "Oh, I'm sorry, you must be talking about someone else s lights.
Ours don't blink, but we still feel blessed." "No, Adell," frowned Mrs.
Smith "I'm sure when I walked down to catch the bus not 20 minutes ago,
it was your house with those blinking lights. I even saw your pretty little kids
dancing around."
The rest fell on deaf ears. Adell Thompson was at the front of the bus
ready to get off at the nearest stop, homeward bound.
Eight children sang Christmas carols that evening like they'd never been
sung before. They danced. They played. They laughed. It was more fun
than a three-ring circus. Halfway through "D o You Hear What I Hear the
door flew open and there stood Mama, tired, angry and breathing f.re^
"Melvina and Junior, you're first, and nobody else move! Each and
every one of you are going to have your little bottoms peppered this evening!
Go get you daddy's razor strap!" "W e just wanted to see the lights glow,
Mama!" said Melvina. "You're going to learn to obey me, girl. Now git
Later on that night as eight children slep on their stomachs, the tree
stood dark and silent, but the glow could be fe lt by all in the tiny house on
the little street in the small town of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A glow
of a different kind!
Merry Christmas and may God bless you and yours this holiday seaso^m
P.S. I love you, Mom. Thanks.
ABOUT TOWN
Brasserie M ontm arte.............................................626 S.W. Park, 224-5652
Fri.-Sat., Dennis Springer Quintet
..........................................................................239 S.W. Broadway, 241-4151
Sun., Mayther Bros.
Dandelion P u b ...............................................31 N.W. 23rd Place. 223-0099
Sat., Mayther Bros.
Hobbit.............................................................S.E. 39th & Holgate, 771-0742
Sun., Jazz Jam
J.B.'s Paradise...............................................3530 N. Vancouver, 288 1196
Fri.-Sun., Benny Wilson & Friends
Key Largo...................................................................... .. N.W, 1 « . 223 9919
Fri.-Sat., Cool 'R; Sun, Crazy 8's
Mary's Place.........................................................5700 N.E. Union, 281-1176
Fri.-Sun., The Staple Bros.
O'Callahan's...................................................11650 S.W. Canyon, 626-2223
Mon, Cool 'R
Royal Esquire.....................................................1708 N.E. Alberta. 287-5145
Fri.-Sat., Dr. Rock (Recorded Music Sequencing)
Schnitzer.......................................................................... . . . . . Downtown
Tues. & Wed., Kenny G
Shanghai Lounge................................. 0309 S.W. Montgomery. 220-1865
Sun, Cool R
Local Jazz Authority to
Teach History Class
YORK — AT&T will sponsor the December 27 NBC special Creole
Giselle," a 90-minute ballet spotlighting Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theatre of
NEW
Harlem and hosted by Bill Cosby.
The performance will be telecast on NBC Sunday, December 27
2-3:30 p.m. NYT; in stereo; please consult your local station for times in your
location.)
"Creole Giselle" is a critically acclaimed production which translates the
classic ballet "Giselle" from its traditional setting in 19th Century Austria to
Louisiana's free Black society in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. A
____________tragic love story, "Creole Giselle" has been hailed
—
as the "Romeo and Juliet" of dance- and retains
the ballet's original choreography, music and
. storyline.
Founded by Arthur Mitchell in 1968, the award-winning Dance Theatre
of Harlem will tour the Soviet Union next year, where they will visit Moscow,
Tbilisi and Leningrad.
The Dec. 27 NBC special will showcase Virginia Johnson as Giselle,
Eddie J. Shellman as her lover, Albert, and Lorraine Graves as Myrtha,
Queen of the Wilis.
A Christmas Play
A course dealing with the history
of jazz music, from its origins to
its contemporary form, will begin
through Mt. Hood Community Col
lege's Performing Arts Division win
ter term. Introduction to Jazz His
tory will meet Tuesday evenings
from 7 to 10 p.m. in Room 2138 on
the main MHCC campus.
Noted local jazz authority Bob
Dietsche will teach the course. The
M USIC
host of KKUL radio station's "Ele
vation," Dietsche is currently w rit
ing a book on the history of jazz
music in Portland. He has written
for both the Oregonian and Willa
"The Night the Animals Talked," a Christmas play based on the theme
of the traditional carol - "The Friendly Beasts," will be performed by the
youth group of Augustana Lutheran Church on December 24th at 7:00 p.m.
The play is an attempt to provide a new dimension in the telling of the familiar
Christmas story. It tells the tale of how the animals are given the gift of
speech on the anniversary of Christ's birth. The narrators of the story are
three puppets — cow, donkey, and sheep. "The Night the Animals Talked"
was written by Bonnie Bartel. Ms. Bartel has been youth coordinator for
a Lutheran Church in Lilburn, Georgia, and a coordinator of the Citizens
Advocacy for the Mentally Retarded. All ages will enjoy this play. Augu
stana Lutheran Church is located at 2710 14th Avenue in Northeast Portland.
mette Week and has taught jazz
history at Portland State University,
as well as at Clark and Mt. Hood
Community Colleges. Dietsche also
is the owner and president of Djan
go Records in Portland.
The winter term class will focus
on the inception of jazz and the his
tory of the unique American music
style through the 1940s. A second
class, scheduled for spring term,
will pick up where the winter class
leaves off and follow the history of
jazz through contemporary times.
The course is listed in MHCC's
winter term class schedule as MUS
205. For more information or details
on registration, call the Performing
Arts Division at 667-7155.
Color of the Week: Poinsettia Red
Word of the Week: Osmosis: To absorb
(Louisiana Style)
for
State Representative
Margaret Carter
jazzy
FM eç.
Sunday
December 27
31 NW FIRST
NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT
Weekend, Dec. 25th 26th
COOL'R
Sunday, Dec. 27th
5:30 pm - 12:00 midnight
CRAZY 8'S
ANNOUNCEMENT
7:30
Monday. Dec 28th
CAYUSE
Tuesday, Dec 29th
L
REX & THE ROCKETS
Jule ps
135 N.W. Fifth
Hot hors d’oeuvres - Live Jazz
Donation $20.00
S ft3 -W I9
Wednesday, Dec 30th
NERO'S ROME
MT H U O O CO M M UNITY COLLEGE
Free Parking Available
Diamond Parking Lot Next Door
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