August 27. 2003 (Elje flortktnh (Dbseruer Page B3 Focus Neville ’s 'Nature Boy,’ a Tribute to Nat Cole Acclaimed vocalist reinvents ‘Great American Songbook’ Recording great Aaron Neville released his latest album ‘Nature Boy' on Verve Records Tuesday. The album, described as classy and classic, is a deeply satisfying suite of standards sung with remarkable sensitiv­ ity. “Jazz,” says Neville, “was as much a part of my musical education as blues or funk. Dad loved Nat Cole’s brand of ; jazz. Nat was his favorite singer and ‘Nature Boy’ his favorite song. 1 sing it in tribute to him, a man who inspired his children.” The album was produced by Rob Mounsey and fea­ tures an all-star lineup of musicians, including Roy Hargrove, Grady Tate, Ron Carter, Michael Brecker, Ry Cooder, Anthony Wilson and Linda Ronstadt. Aaron Neville Piece o f My Heart, a true drama about nurses during the Vietnam War, runs through Oct. 2 a t the Portland Actors Conservatory. Shattered Expectations, Desperate Encounters forever during a tour o f duty in the Vietnam War. Shattered expectations, desper­ ate encounters and the anguish o f the war zone are uncomfortably recounted in this highly acclaimed stage production. The play runs Fridays and Satur­ The Portland Actors Conserva­ days, Sept. 12 through Sept. 27 and tory is bringing back the season’s Thursdays through Saturdays, Oct. most acclaimed production: A Piece 2 through Oct. 18 at the Firehouse o f My Heart by Shirley Laura. Theatreat 1436S.W. Montgomery. The play is a true drama o f six A preview is scheduled for Sept. women — four nurses, a Red Cross 11, with specially priced tickets for volunteer and a country western $20. For more information, call 503- sin g er-w h o se lives were changed 274-1717. Drama Tells Story of Women Who Served in Vietnam U-_k THE U NIQUE GUIDEBOOK T O PORTLAND'S HIDDEN C SITES. SOUNDS, tr TASTES ANN CARRO! I. Hl ROI s Tour of Portland for Insiders “Secret Portland“ features northeast Portland's historic Kennedy School on its cover. The book by Ann Carroll Burgess with photos by Linda Rutenberg, takes readers on a trip through Portland's underground, exposing little-known leg­ ends, ethnic eateries, favored nightspots and chic but cheap hotels. “Secret Portland" helps newcomers and longtime residents navigate the hidden gems o f the city. G I A N T STORE WIDE L S E . ! ! BUY ANY 2 NEW OR USED CLOSE-OUT CD’S, GET ONE FOR FREE!! USED VHS TAPES 3 FOR $15!! USED DVDS 2 FOR $20!! FREE JAZZ PEAK PERFORMANCES CD (off the Hook) rs WORTH 5924 se 47th & Woodstock 5 0 3 -7 7 7 -3 9 0 0 M N M H H H M M N M M H M H B M M M M IR N M M M M I Essence Shines Light on Brightest Stars G ram m y A w ard -n o m in ee and 12 at 8 p.m. from New O rlean s’ N A A CP Image A w ard-w inner Steve Louisiana Superdom e. H arvey will host the upcom ing Es­ C eleb rity g u ests include Flex sence M usic Festival. A lexander (One on One), Tracee Ellis The R& B and hip-hop musical Ross (“Girlfriends) and Tom Joyner. extravaganza will air on the UPN A shanti, LL Cool J, M o’Nique, television netw ork on Friday, Sept. T am ia and U sher take the stage with special p erfo rm an ces by E rykah Badu, Faith Evans, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Tam ia and Stevie W onder. This y ea r’s festival also includes an all-star tribute to Luther Vandross, who was scheduled to appear before suffering a stroke earlier this year. Steve Harvey Idol Winner Scandalized (AP) — Owners o f hip-hop cloth­ ing m aker 2 0 5 ‘ Flava Inc. say they secretly paid Ruben Studdard ' (shown inset) to wear the company's bright je r­ seys on “American Idol," despite a ban by the program on such deals. According to clothing m a k e r's la w s u it, S tu d d a rd asked for $ 1 ,0 0 0 a week to wear the merchandise. Wheelchair Battle lost by Theatres ; (AP) — Front-row seating for wheelchair-bound viewers at six Portland movie theaters violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Ninth C ircuit Court o f Appeals ruled recently, reversing a lower court dismissal o f the case. The movie theaters, run by Ten­ nessee-based Regal Cinemas and Eastgate Theatre Inc., had stadium- style seats on steps rather than on a sloped floor. The wheelchair-ac­ cessible seating was located on the first few rows, forcing wheelchair users to look up at greater — and more painful — angles than other moviegoers. We find it simply inconceivable that this arrangement should con­ stitute ‘full and equal enjoyment’ o f movie theater services,” Judge Betty Fletcher wrote in the majority opinion. Kathy Stewson, a plaintiff who has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, told the court, “Sitting ' in the front row, so close to the screen, the screen was so huge that ; I couldn’t focus on it.” 1 ANNIE M A E’S UNIQUE GIFTS & APPAREL 2624 NE Alberta Street Portland, Oregon 97211 (503) 528-2933 Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. B eco m e a com m unity "M rad io hero! Donate some o f your valuable time The level o f commitment is up to you. Volunteers are needed to answer phones O ctober 23—28 G et involved.. Shop at Annie M ae’s Unique Gifts & Apparel A friendly, and affordable store to purchase: Women Apparel • Lady's hats • Shoes • Unique Jewelry • Men Cultural Attire Call 5O3-V92-76O7 Greeting Cards • Porcelain Dolls • Limited Edition o f Figurines O H E STOP M U S IC , IN C . T O P T E N L IS T Busta Rhymes - "It Aint Safe No More" Bone Crusher - "Attenchun" Whitney Houston - "Just Whitney" W C-"Ghetto Heisman" I iekets x<> on sale July 14. 200 1 Available