February 10, 1988, Portland Observer, Page 7 ENTERTAINMENT Natalie Cole "W hether it's a ballad or an up­ tempo song, I want quality and thought put into it," Natalie Cole says emphatically. "A record should capture a real human ener­ gy — that's what's important to m e." "Everlasting," Natalie Cole's June 1987 debut album for Man­ hattan Records, is a reaffirmation of the high artistic standards by which she's always been guided. She's long been considered among the most versatile and passionate R&B/ pop singers around — with this album, she's found the material and the producers to match her talents. Cole was excited by the- project, and her enthusiasm makes for one of her most satisfying re­ leases to date. "The songs this time are some of the best I've ever had," she says. "W hat was missing on some of my last few albums were strong ballads — and we have several of them on "Everlasting," which certainly makes me happy. At the same time, the uptempo material isn't predicatable, musically or lyrically. Often, the energy you put into a re­ cording is covered up by over­ arrangement and over-singing, until something's lost. We didn't do that this tim e." Handling such a broad range of material was a challenge, but Cole enjoyed it. ' Pink Cadillac, for in­ stance, was something of an artistic stretch for her: "That song was a real difficult direction for me, but at the same time I felt real comfor­ table with it and had fun. Dennis Lambert made it sound contempo­ rary as well as giving it a street feel. It made the song something special." There's a lot to like on "Ever­ lasting": solid songwriting, expert production and, most of all, a dyna­ mic vocalist fully involved in her music. The LP serves notice that, after a several-year recording hia­ tus, Cole and her career are very much on the move. Aside from her music. Cole has devoted time to raising her son Rob­ bie (her husband, songwriter/pro­ ducer, Marvin Yancy passed away several years ago). Charity work has also been important to her — in 1980, she served as chairperson for the American Cancer Society's fundraising campaigns, including the "Great American Smoke-Out.” She has also performed in behalf of N.O.W. (Neighbors of Watts, an entertainment business charity that raises funds for children's centers in the Los Angeles ghetto) and headlined the "Because We Care" benefit for the Cambodian people. "Everything is flowing w ell," Cole says of her career at present. I can't wait to get out on the road again!” Rejuvenated personally and artistically, Natalie Cole is making outstanding music once again. SEA TOWN PRESENTS VALENTINES CONCERT WITH NATALIE COLE JXT THE CIVIC AUDITORIUM FEB. 14th Special Guests: CHI-LITES* Spike Lee Talks 'School Daze' "W oza A lbert!" Rises and Moves to Winningstad Theatre by Garland Lee Thompson to try it in the first place! They truly show their "behind", letting it all hang out using just a few hand- props and very few costumes (to none, at one point). The Armstrong and Jones "d u o ", do African doo wop" and acappella at the top of the piece with dynamite "Hand jive"! Through song and dance with fast chaning scenes, our dyna­ mic duo weave a strange "what-if tale of the return of Christ (they call Him "M orena") to, of all places. South Africa! "Woza me!" "W oza’ means "rise up" and "A lbert" is Albert Luthuli, the Zulu Chief and one of the founders of the African National Congress. With cartoon noses, lots of actor's mime (not pure mime) Yes, "Woza Albert!" is on the and making their own outrageous move! I first saw the original cast sound effects, we are lifted up from production in New York, at the just another "agit-prop politico­ Roger Furman New Heritage Thea­ series of vignettes, to a simply tre in Harlem in 1985, presenting powerful, satirical statement of the one of the most powerful perfor­ lunacy of one of the world s gross­ mances of the season. The return est abominations: apartheid! to New York of the Obie Award- This is "monster theatre" at its Winning South African play had just best! A bare stage, two bodies, completed a special two-week run at something to sit on, a prop hanger the City College of New York's and "away we go"; laying "brick- Davis hall in January, and now it by-brick for the white boss machin­ opens here in the new Portland Per­ ery," doing "tim e for being Black," forming Arts Center. up in helicopters trying to "nuke The Storefront Theatre has pick­ the Jesus out of the Christ, while ed up Rick Jones and Anthony P. the "N az" is taking "a walk on the Armstrong's production of "Woza waters!" I loved the chopper scene, Albert!" that first appeared at the as the South African airforce's "A - Key Largo Nightclub last month, bomb run at J.C ." backfires and and has just opened it in the W in­ their Afrikaner-cans are blown away ningstad Theatre, the smaller of the into "the drink!" Jeff Forbes light­ two newest theatre stages in the ing on that scene is super good! Pacific Northwest, and perhaps on John Zagone and Rick Jones are the entire West Coast. both wearing directors' hats, so my This also marks the first time that hat is off to them: Tony Armstrong; "Woza Albert!" is being performed Gary O'Brien, producer; and "the by Africans of American decent. Storefront gang". And, especially Does it “ hold up"? Yes. What a for getting "the real Black South stretch it is for Jones and Arm­ African playwright/actor, Selaelo strong, who create and "paint a pic­ Maredi, to consult on the music. ture" clearly of a whole range of Just keep working of "the dialects South African characters — Black, with Colin Jones, dialect consul­ white and Afrikaner — slowly build­ tant, and you'll be alright. Okay? ing tempo and a steady pace. It's Woza, y'all. You "got down and not easy for American Black actors it for up and on" and made me for­ to grasp th energy and rhythm of get the hunger aches and why we Black South Africans, with Zulu so poor in our "P.M ., or post Mar­ background, and perform the shift­ tin " (Morena) period! So, "W oza" ing, pounding pace with convincing on down to the PCPA. It's just power and credibility. "cross de river'. It is very brave for these Brothers Film m aker Spike Lee talks w ith host Deborah Crable. "She's Gotta Have It" filmmaker Spike Lee targets skin color conflicts and the need for unity among Blacks in his latest film, "School Daze". Lee plays a pledge in a fraternity whose motto is "dog or die'' in the musical which centers around a Black college's homecoming. "Everything in the film is the tru th ," states Lee, and he explains why he was banned from shooting the movie at three Black colleges in Atlanta. Lee also discusses the return of his "She's Gotta Have It" character for a commercial he s directing that features basketball star Michael Jordan and tells why he knew his award winning film, "She's Gotta Have It", would be a big hit, and addresses the "universal" quality of Black films in the Ebony/Jet Showcase the weekend of February 12-14th. Consult your local listing for date and time. A Celebration of Black Artists Hosted by U.S. Bank U.S. Bank announced that it is hosting an art exhibit that includes the work of eight Ideal Black artists, February 1st through the 29th, in the U.S. Bank Plaza Lobby. The exhibit is set to honor Black History Month in Oregon. Works of Charolette Lewis, Ho­ ward Pernell, Samuel Bryant, Sher- rian Haggar, Kathy Pennington, Tom Unthank, Mark Little, and Mario Jackson will be shown. This exhibit offers a diverse use of me­ diums including watercolor, embos­ sing, lithograph, pen and ink, photography, oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas, ceramic, and ink with prismacolor. U.S. Bank is proud to salute these fine artists. They not only represent Oregon's Black Artists but the depth of artistry in the Pacific Northwest. U.S. Bank invites the public to come view "A Celebration of Black Artists" during the month of February. The U.S. Bank Plaza building is located on the corner of 5th and Oak. Storefront Theatre presents T IC K F T S THE 1 9 8 8 NATIONAL BLACK TALENT DIRECTORY at pcpa box office , galleria jean m a c h in e , m e c h o u s e OF SOUND. ONE STOP RECORDS REGISTER NOW! Wbongen: Noema Percy Mtwa Barney Simon 31 NW FIRST If you perform in-front-of-the-camera or make it happen behind-the-scenes, Feb 5 - Feb 28 Winningstad Theatre For Tickets Dhone 224-4001 !!?J322 NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT VISA Mastercard Actors/Actresses Comedians Models M /F Singers/Groups Children • New Faoes category • etc_ __ Tuesday, Feb. 16th „V, Feb. 11th CALVIN WALKER Directors Cinematographers Writers Mixers Composers Make-up Artists etc— Wednesday, Feb. 17th S nd. Feb. 12th & 13th URTIS SALGADO brothersof the balaoi Complete form and submit: ,v , Feb. 14th • (1) 8x10 B&W glossy headshot • $45 to appear in one category FOR ONE FULL YEAR A DA lay, Feb. 15th iNAPPERHEADS Endortod by: NAACP, National NAACP. 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