Page 4 Portland Observer JUNE 22, 1989
ENTERTAINMENT
Lisa Collins
BEHIND THE
SCENES
ICICC a VIDW a ^
BOUND
fr itti
---------
JU N E IS BLACK M U S I^ M O N T H
Natalie Cole Sets Date For Lavish Wedding: I lie date is September 17,
and a computerized list is being used to track the 400 guests who w ill attend
D O N N A SUMMER
ANOTHER TIME AND PLACE
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
the nuptials, and hear Natalie Cole repeat her ‘ I Do’s” to record producer,
Andre Fischer, “ I ’m truly excited,” said Cole. “ There’s still so much le ll
to do. It sbeen somewhat o f a w hirlw ind seven-month relationship for the
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
FAST PORTLAND
NVY PORTLAND
couple who actually met some 15 years ago. They met again last October,
23rd & N.VV.
32nd & E. Burnside
when he contacted her o il ice to submit some material for her next album.
and start in the politically dangerous
By Garland Lee Thompson
Johnson
Fischer began his career as the drummer for Ruins, and most recently
“ mine field,” o f w riting for the per­
K ..W S
248-0163
produced Brenda Russello’s last project, “ Piano in the Dark,” as well as
THIS TIME I KNOW IT'S FOR REAL
231-8926
forming arts in South Africa and his
I DON T WANNA GET HURT
BLAC K
W O M A N ’S PLAY
LOVE S ABOUT TO CHANGE MY HEART
two ol the cuts o il Natalie’s latest LP. The two began dating after hitting it
eventual travel to the United States
OPENS A T IFC C
o ffa l die NAACP Awards in mid-December. On the 10th o f February, lie
The PassinArt: A Theatre Com­ on lour with a show that stranded him
proposed, this w ill be the second marriage for Cole, who has one son,
pany
is opening a news AUDELCO and his fellow actors in this country.
Robbie.
And lie stayed. W rite on Sclaelo,
Black
Theatre Recognition Award-
On The Home Front: By the tune you read this, newlyweds N'ia Peeples
C om pact Disc
winning play, “ Long Time Since the freedom fighter from South A f­
A lbum o r Cassette
and Howard Hewitt w ill have more than likely given birth to their
Yesterday,” by J.P. Gibson, Friday, rica, Irom whom we now learn that
Expires 6-28-89
firstborn. N'ia was two days away Irom her scheduled delivery when I saw
June 23rd, thru July 16th, 1989, 8:00 unless Black South Africa has free­
them at a star-studded recording session, hosted by Nancy Wilson. Wilson
PM , at the Interstate Firehouse Cul­ dom and is able to perform its art
wanted I leaven s Hands,” one ol the songs from her upcoming L p , to have
tural Center. A special preview is freely, none o f us are free in the total
a gospel choir sound, so she called on a few o f her friends for support. Those
scheduled for Thursday, June 22nd scheme o f things and conditions in
turning out for the session included Dcneicc W illiam s, Little Anthony,
at 7:30PM.Performanccs w ill play the world. W rite on, to the freedom-
Natalie Cole, Teena Marie,Sandra and Andre Crouch, Phillip Bailey,
Fridays, Saturdays at 8:00 PM and loving artists all over the planet.
Shaunicc Wilson, Siedah Garrett, and Freda Payne. Unfortunately, you’ ll
N W OPEN D IA L O G U E : C R E A T ­
3:00PM on Sundays.
have to wait until September when the album is released to hear how it all
IN G A N O R T H W E S T AG E N D A
WHOLESALE & RETAIL
The
exciting
new
play
was
first
turned out.
FOR M U L T I-C U L T U R A L ARTS
presented
by
Woodie
King
Jr.
’s
New
HUNDREDS OF WIGS
Big VVomen/Men Get The C all: The word is out. Producers ofa sure bet
The King County Arts Commis­
Federal Theatre at the Henry Street
FOR YOUR EVERCHANGING LIFESTYLES
for a new one-hour series, “ American Gladiators,” arc launching a nation­
Settlement Playhouse in October, sion, the Association o f American
wide search for men and women to play gladiators. I Iowcver, to qualify men
1985, where I first saw it with a Cultures with support from the Na­
NAOMI SIMS • BORNFREE
must be 6"1" - 6 ’5",
strong cast in New York City. “ Long tional Endowment for the Arts, The
• MICHAEL WEEKS ^ 4
190 to 250 pounds.while women should be between 5’ 7" and 5’ 10". If
1’
Time Since Yesterday,” is a power­ Seattle Arts Commission, The Be­
BETTY CABINE
you’re interested, send a photo and resume to American Gladiators, 11755
ANO OTHER NAME BRANDS
PROPRIETOR
ful new drama set in suburban Ewing fore Columbus Foundation, the Uni­
W ilshirc Boulevard, Suite 850, Los Angeles, CA 90028. The show, which
TUÍS-SAT
Township, N.J. at a reunion o f for­ versity o f Washington’s American
I t .5 0-6 OC
w ill debut in syndication on September 9, has already cleared over 70% o f
EVERYTHWG FROM CURRENT STYLES TO SPECIALTY WBS
mer college mates, now in their thir­ Ethnic Studies Depart., and a host o f
the country.
UMOUE HAB ORNAMENTS
ties, at the funeral o f another friend, other private foundations, w ill spon­
HAB BEADS & BEAUTY SUPPLIES
The D arker Side O f Sammy Davis ,Jr: What many o f us once thought
who has recently committed suicide. sor an important conference, “ NW
MRS CS EBONY ESSENCE COSMETICS
o f as horrible rumors were confirmed in a newly released book by Sammy
BEAUTICIAN
These women are not poor, but pros­ Open dialogue: Creating a North­
ZURICOSMETCS
Davis Jr., titled “ Why Me?’ The book, released earlier this month, details
& STUDENT
perous, professional, middle-class west Agenda for M ulti-Cultural Arts.
DISCOUNTS
Sammy’s one-time obsession with pornography and pom queen Linda
The conference starting Friday,
Blacks ( “ Buppies’ ’), who have gone
100% HUMAN HAB
Lovelace, and even a short stint with Satanism. The book, also tells of
10:00AM, June 23rd and Saturday,
FOR
BRAIOING A
through the turbulence o f the sixties
numerous marital affairs and his involvement with drugs. A ll this to show
WEAVWG
and come out on the top in the eight­ June 24th, is designed, according to
FREMONT (7 0 7 N.E. FREMONT)
how one entertainer handled his obsession to stay on top? The book,however,
ies. A t the wake for their deceased Josephine Ramirez, King County
draws no conclusions. Perhaps the real question should b c -w h y us?
friend, the suicide which has brought Commission Coordinator, to address
W h a t’ s become o f the Sisters Sledge? The group that topped the 70’s
concerns o f Asian American, A fr i­
with such hits as “ We Arc Fam ily” is indeed still intact, having iust them together again, we find a liter­
ate, humorous, and sensitive look at can American, Native American and
returned Irom touring Europe. The sisters who now, for the most part, make
the lives o f some dynamic and con­ Latino artists and arts organizations
their homes in Los Angeles,arc in die process o f recording a new LP. Short
5700 NE Union
based in the State o f Washington and
temporary
Black women.
Takes: Michael Jackson’ s latest project just may be a movie based on the
Directed by Connie Carley, this Oregon.Ramirez asked that we all
249-1893
life o f the great black Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin. Pushkin, who died
come to add our voices, share our
new
PassinArt
Theatre
production,
in 1837, is one o f Russia’s literary greats. O f course, Jackson would have the
work, ideas with other multi-cultural
title role, and word is he envisions the project to be a jo in t effort between the features: Brenda Phillips, Denise W il­
arts in the Pacific Northwest.
liams,
Jeannette
C.
Bhajan,
Jeanette
United States and Russia...Esther Rolle is back before the cameras in
The featured speaker w ill be Ish-
Atlanta, shooting a film called “ Driving Miss Daisy” which also suns Russell Brown, Chiffon Davis, Lctta
Now open Featuring M r C ’s B ar-B -Q ue
makcl Reed, noted novelist, essayist,
LeDuff,
Betty
Jean
Garner,
Aisha
Morgan Freeman and Jessica randy...Next week: Find out why super­
Irving and Carmen Warren. Wanda and reviewer, contributing writer to
hours 6:00am -2:00am
stardom has eluded A tlantic S t a r r
Walden designed the Costumes. Doug the New York Times, Los Angeles
Breakfast, Lunch & D inner By M arie
Strong is doing the set, Vickc Hudson, Times, Black Words, and Ramparts,
W ide Selection o f B everages in
the sound, and Rubin Hudson is de­ and editorial director o f Yardbird
Press. There w ill be showcase pres­
signing the lights.
O A O - the biggest m in o rity business secret? “ We arc probably one of
our com fortable lounge
For further information, groups entations o f selected Washington and
the largestminority-owned businesses in the country,’ ’ said General Emmett
rates and reservations, call 284-4108 Oregon artists representing different
Paige, president ol OAO Corporation. However, you won’t find this
or
IFCC at 243-7930, for this first disciplines that w ill share their works
company in Black Enterprise’s 1989 listing o f nation’s largest black
C om e get acquainted and enjoy
play by a Black woman to reach the and special multi-disciplinary col­
businesses. Why? “ Beats the hell out o f me” said Paige. “ A lot o f people
Portland area theatre in a “ Long laborative new work w ill also be
fail to realize that OAO is a minority-owned company.” But i f this company
Time Since Yesterday.” And i t ’ s a presented. This is the first gathering
is suffering from a image problem, it surely hasn’t spilled over into their
“ honey” o fa drama! Check it out, o f its kind in the Northwest that is
sales, which last year exceeded S68 m illion. The firm was founded in 1973
theatre fans. W rite on, PassinArt.
designed to network with one an­
by Cecile Barker, who presently serves as chairman o f the board. Barker
SOUTH
A F R IC A N
P L A Y ­ other, showcase the work o f our NW
(then 29) had been working with NASA as a mission director for the
Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, when he took the project’s initials as W R IG H T G U E S T A T THE multi-cultural artists,determine what
STATE OF OREGON
NORTHW EST
A F R IC A N our regional needs are and create
well as S10.000 in savings and formed OAO Corporation, which specializes
A M E R IC A N W R ITER S
Acting by and through its Department o f General Services is looking for
strategies for addressing the areas of
in systems engineering and integration. Today, 16 years,1400 employees,
W
O
R
KSH
O
P
a
site
to house its Albina Human Resources Center.
concern. Also they w ill prepare a
and 16 field offices later, his dream has paid off. The company’s fate was
I
received
a
call
from
Sclaelo
Northwest constituency to attend
perhaps signed, scaled and delivered two years ago when they received a
Marcdi, a well-known, exiled South “ Open dialogue IV ” in 1990,abien- Requirements for Building:
S300 m illion contract award from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Ironically,
African playwright, who is back in nial national conference which w ill
*41,150 gross square feel, approximately 35,775 net usable
Paige says their biggest obstacle has been financial support. “ Our dealings
Portland
working on a new play about be sponsored by the Association of
square feet.
with the bank are less than satisfactory. Most minority companies are treated
*135 o f street parking spaces.
as if they are going out o f business tomorrow. In our case, the yearly profit children, “ Our Parents Day.” I in­ American Cultures, an organization
on this account has been in excess o f $700,000, yet they act as i f they’d just vited this active international Black representing multi-cultural arts in the
♦Primary area o f interest is within a quarter mile radius of the
intersection o f Mason street and W illiams Avenue, bounded on
as soon not have our business. When the day comes around that we can get artist to join us at our bi-monthly United Suites. Write on. Kings County
t c north by Alberta Street on the west by Albina Avenue, on
a partnership with the bank, I think this company w ill really take o ff and workshop meeting this past Sunday, Commission.
For further information and regis­
grow.” ...As to the m atter o f the B.E. 100’s...” I don’t know why we June 18th, 1989.
t ie sout by Fremomt Street, and on the cast by 7th Avenue.
Marcdi, a performer as well as a tration ($29.00 to $35.00), call (206)
Secondary area o f interest is with n three quarter m ile radius of
would miss it,” said Black Enterprise business editor, Alfred Edmond. “ I
don’tever recall us missing a company that would rank in the top ten.” Yet, playwright, spoke freely with mem­ 296-8671, Kings County Arts Com­
intersection of Mason and Williams.bounded on the north by
fact is, many firms don’t want the exposure. Said one source, whose ’88 bers ol the Workshop (headed by mission, 1115 Smith Tower, 506 2nd
arrett /Jessup Streets, on the west by 1-5 on the south by 15th
Uscni Perkins), about his experiences Avenue, Seattle, W A 98104.
Avenue.
sales exceeded S20 m illion: “ when you get on the list, more than anything
else people hit you up for money. I f you hide in the weeds, nobody says
*Z.ycar tCmi }’cginn*n£ approximately July 1,1990,
PASSINART: A THEATRE COMPANY
anything and you can keep your money. Besides, if you’re doing work with
ferret!^ *
10
single story structure pre-
PRESENTS
the government, the exposure could hurt you.”
LONG TIME SINCE YESTERDAY
Form er Pittsburgh Steeler Franco H a rris Heads F irm : It was in 1984
Full service lease, must be lu ly handicapped accessible and
usable.
that all-pro Franco Harris retired from professional football. But he has been
PassinArt. A Theatre Company is pleased to present the Oregon premiere
all but inactive since. In fact, in 1986 he launched his own firm , and today,
required’ ° Wners^*P or
authority to represent properly
ol LONG T IM E SINCE YESTERDAY by P. J. Gibson. The play opens June
Franco’s A ll N atural handles, marketing, sales and distribution for at least
23 and runs through July 16,1989 at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center
hall a dozen national food products, from a natural soft drink line called Perq
(5340 N. Interstate in Portland) on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m and THE STATE W ILL:
to an all natural fresh fruit salad, fresh fruit sticks, and a super doughnut with
Sundays at 3:00 p.m.LONG T IM E SINCE YESTERDAY is a potent new
l^U n d X q 'u 'q ^ n 110" 11! f" eCting k)r '"^rested offerers on July
25% less sugar and 15 minerals and vitamins, (that has been approved for
drama set in suburban Ewing Township, N.J. at a reunion o f former college
school breakfast programs). “ Response has been fantastic” according to
7ft ìa m « »/ e 4 1 ' a tP°r,' and State Office Building, Room
mates, now in their thirties, at the funeral o f another friend, who has recently
Max Gonbcrg, a representative o f the firm . “ We believe that the food
uiièsiino c
i . 111 Avenuc fo* lhc purpose o f answering
killed herself. These women are prosperous, professional, middle-class
industry is striving in all phases to be a more healthful industry and we
quesung from offerers.
Black women who have gone through the turbulence o f the sixties and have b 7 8 ‘ 28M m 's'd -m "1" 1'
* in,orn,aUo'lal package,please, call
expect our business to grow enormously.” ...Harris is not the only athlete
come
out
on
top
in
the
eighties.
THESE
ARE
W
OMEN
W
HO
YOU
that sees the potential ol today s most lucrative lood and beverage indus­
’ its Z8t)4 in Salem on or before July 10, 1989
*
KNOW . A t the wake for their deceased friend, the suicide which has once
DEPT. OF GENERAL SERVICES
tries. A ll-pro Raider’s running back M arcus Allen has gotten into the act
again brought them together. This is a literate, humerus, and sensitive look
1225 F erry St. S.E.
with the launching of ProBall, a company that provides packaging for soft
at the lives o f contemporary Black women. The play was a success at the
drinks...Speaking o f athletes. Sport Magazine published their annual listing
SALEM, OREGON 97310
New York C ity ’ ;s Federal Theatre in October o f 1985.
State reserves the right to refuse any and all offers.
o f the top moneymakers in professional sports. Seven o f the top ten arc
PassinArt Theatre Company’s production o f LONG T IM E SINCE
back. They arc (1) Mike T yson-$22,133,333; (2) Michael S pinks-
YESTERDAY features Jeannette C. Bhajan, Jeannette Russell Brown. J r — —
$13,500,000; (3) Sugar Ray Leonard-$11,700,0(X);(5) Kareem Abdul-
Chiffon Davis, Lctta LeDuff, Betty Jean Gamer, Aisha Irving, Brenda
’. ’. ’- g ì
J a b b a r-^ ,000,000; (6) Larry Holmcs-$2,800,(XX); (8) Patrick E w in g -
Phillips,
Carmen
Warren,
and
Denise
W
illiam
s.
The
production
w
ill
be
$2,750,(XX); and (9) Earvin “ Magic” Johnson--$2,500,(XX). In Short: The
OPEN INVITATION
directed by Connie Carley who is the co-founder o f PassinArt Theatre
Amercian Association o f Retired Persons is warning workers to exercise
Company. Assistant Director, Michael Grant, set design is by Doug Strong,
caution with regards to early retirement. It seems some companies are
Alberta Street Festival
costumes by Wanda Walden,lighting by Rubin Hudson, and sound by Vicke
encouraging older workers to do so in violation o f Federal laws
and
Hudson.
AARP has designed two free publications to help older workers make
Celebration
of
Jeff’s Birthday
I ickct prices are $7.00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and $5,00 on Sundays.
right decisions. For a copy o f “ Look Before You Leap” (#D1339O)and “ A
Discount rates available to groups and seniors. For reservations or more
Gu.de To Understanding Your Pension Plan” (#DI3533). C ontaclAAR P
‘ Western Style”
information, please call 284-4108 or 243-7930.
Fulfillm ent, 1909 K Street NW.Washington, D.C. 20049.. Next week-
“ioain'fift?"'fr,,,n
Mona8,n8 Agent: Royal Esquire
SPECIAL PREVIEW NIGHT - TH U R SD AY, JUNE 22 A T 7;3O p.m.
P
U p 1»
investment in A frica pays o ff big for CEO o f the nation’ s biggest black-
Coininunily Service Dept.
rood
Art
Entertainment
A T THE INTERSTATE FIREHOUSE C U LT U R A L CENTER - A D M IS ­
287
* ’ 5145 288-8569
owned record company.
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