March 30, 2005
FOCUS
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in ^ o r t l a n h (O b s c rrie r
Queen of Soul
"" Higher Level
Franklin busy with new label, CD and special
The Queen still reigns. Soul icon
Aretha Franklin is thriving these days
and preparing for the June release of
her first album on Aretha Records,
her own label.
Franklin herself took the helm as
producer of the CD. She was particu­
larly proud of the many notable col­
laborations featured on the disc.
Country and pop star Faith Hill,
gospel sensation Smokie Norful and
composer Ollie Wilson all make guest
appearances on the album.
In a special tribute to late legend
Ray Charles, former Temptations lead
singer Dennis Edwards joins Franklin
for “Friends,” a song, that, before he
passed away, Charles had requested
that Franklin sing.
Franklin’s previous album, 2O()3’s
“So Damn Happy,” on Arista, re­
ceived a royal reception from fans
and critics, and her 2003 concert tour,
“The Queen is On,” sold out venues
from coast to coast.
In addition to the new label and
album, Franklin hosted a very special
tribute at the Kennedy C enter in
Washington, D.C. on March 18 to
American popular music of the 1940s.
Franklin’s luminous career has
spanned more than four decades.
She’s received countless awards and
honors for her contribution to Ameri­
can music, including a Kennedy Cen­
ter Honor, 16 Grammy awards, a
Grammy Legend award, a Grammy
Lifetime Achievement award, and five
American Music Awards.
In 1987, she was the first woman
inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame and in 1979, Franklin received
her star on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame.
D irect F lights
TO ¿3*# Aauyûfat'à
Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino
In Laughlin, Nevada
Jesus Christ Superstar’ Rises Locally
A vibrant operetta that's a fu­
sion o f styles, rock rhythm and
narrative, “Jesus Christ Superstar”
remains a powerful production.
Locally, the Gresham Little The­
ater and the Scarlett Ballroom of
northeast Portland will host perfor­
mances by Radiant Theatre o f this
touching musical.
With characters including Mary
Magdalene, Pontius Pilate, Herod
Antipas and Judas Iscariot, ancient,
sacred themes are fused with mod­
em political history. The journey
follows Jesus Christ in his last seven
days o flife -fro m breaking bread at
The Last Supper to leaving him at
the cross.
Radiant Theatre is a non-profit
community ensemble always look-
ing for board members to further
their mission of lighting up the world
with song.
Performances will take place on
April 15,16,17,22,23, and 24 at the
Gresham Little Theater, 30639 S.E.
Bluff Rd. in Gresham. For reserva­
tions, call 503-618-2640. Perfor­
mances at the Scarlett Ballroom, 700
N.E. Dekum. will be held April 29
and 30, and May 1,6 ,7 , and 8. For
reservations, call 503-502-8261.
For alI performances, times are 8
p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and
2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $ 15
adult, $8 under 18. There is a free
p ay -w hat-you-can preview on
Thursday, April 14 at the Gresham
Little Theatre.
Visit www.radianttheatre.org.
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