Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 10, 2006)
May I0. 2006 CI'r3Jl0rtlanil © h a m ie r C \KI I <S& D l l U. Special Edition P age B 3 Fats Domino Shares Stage, New Home Coming back from K atrina disaster (AP) — Fats Domino tipped his wife and daughter Adonica Domino, Noticeably thinner since being hat to thousands of cheering fans, one of his eight children - Domino evacuated from the house, Domino briefly appearing on stage during pointed out the few pieces of sal said the past few months haven't the final day of New Orleans Jazz vaged furniture among the new. been easy. H e's still trying to gel and Heritage Fest Sunday. But the headliner did not perform. Hall o f Fame performer Fats “He wasn’t feeling well, so we Domino poses for a photo took him to the doctor. He’s OK, graph at his new post-Katrina but he doesn’t feel up to perform home in Harvey, La. ing,” longtime friend Haydee Ellis said. Just a few days earlier, sitting at a keyboard in the bedroom of his post Katrina home in the New O r leans suburb of Harvey, La., a smil ing Domino joked, laughed and ten derly sang to a handful of close friends. "Never thought my heart could be so yearny ... Gotta take that sentimental journey, sentimental journey home,” he sang Thursday afternoon, swaying gently as long time friend Herbert Hardesty, who’s shared the stage with Domino for 50-plus years, chimed in. In his spacious new home in a gated community, Domino seemed most comfortable in his bedroom. Though large with high ceilings and filled mostly with new furni ture, the room had personal touches and a cozy feel. Friends plopped on his king-size, four-poster bed, the sheets and blankets unmade. “Herb’s making me a book,” Domino said, noting that Hardesty has photos of Domino with Nat “ King" Cole and other celebrities - treasures to a man who’s experi enced so much loss. The Mississippi River now di vides Domino’s newfound home from the one he was forced to flee when Katrina flooded 80 percent of the city. He lived fora time in a New Orleans hotel. Harvey isn’t home, including chairs that surrounded situated in his new home, still mov D om ino says, but “ it’s close an upstairs bar in the Ninth Ward ing furniture around. enough.” home he shared with his wife of In one room sits a black baby As he chatted with friends - almost 60 years, Rosemary. They’d grand donated by the Baldwin pi among them Hardesty, Hardesty’s lived in the house since I960. ano company. The walls are empty except for two framed gold records - one for "Rosemary," the other for "Blue Monday." The records were refurbished by the Louisiana State Museum. Another 23 gold albums and eight platinum albums are be ing reissued to replace the ones destroyed in the flood. Domino's classic New Orleans R&B sound and relaxed piano style led him to sell more records than any other black musician of the 1950s. His long list of national hits, mostly spanning from the mid ’50s to the early ’60s, includes “Ain't That a Shame,” "Blueberry Hill," “Whole Lotta Loving" and "Blue M onday." Grounded in his hometown, hits like “Walking to New Orleans" and "Jambalaya" resonate with New Orleans natives. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis has said he can’t think of a better way to close this year's festival than with a performance by Fats. Sitting at the new piano on a black leather bench, tapping the keys, Domino said it’s good to have a piano in the house again. Since being evacuated, he’d been play ing on a keyboard he bought while on hiatus in Texas. "1 always had a piano," he said. “All of them sound good to me.” Back in March, a recovery crew with the Louisiana State Museum pulled an electric Wurlitzer key board and what was left of his black Steinway baby grand and white Steinway grand from Domino’s flooded home. They’ll be refur bished and returned to the family, though they may not be playable. For now, Domino is loaning the baby grand to the museum for in clusion in its travelingexhibitabout hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Sipping fromabottle of Heineken between songs, Domino lulled take me where I belong, where friends w ith emotional verses of hearts have been broken w ith a kiss "Valley of Tears": "I want you to and a song...” 2006 in W ORTH I — 1 United Church of Christ 2 94 1 NE Ainsworth St. (503) 284-8767 Ainsworth Portland. OR 9 72 U A three-day celebration hosted by the congregation o f Ainsworth L nited Church o f Christ (AUCC), whose activities in clude social response and action in the greater Portland area, support fo r community issues, and promotion ofinlerfaith under standing. Proceeds will support the mission and ministry o f A UCC, as well as our community partner fo r 20116, Elders in Action. AUCC is also offering a special raffle fo r a three-night stay fo r two at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Friday, June 2 — Silent Auction, Hors O'Oeuvres and Dancing When the sun goes down in Stump Town, we will gather at McMenamin's Edgefield, 2126 S.W. Halsey in Troutdale. From 6:30 to 10:30 p.m„ we will enjoy a plethora of hors d'oeuvres, have great fun with our silent auction. Live music -featuring Janice Scrogginsl-dancing. There will be something for everyone's taste. Tickets are available now: $35 per person ($10.50 of which is tax-deductible donation). Call the church as soon as possible at (503) 284-8767. Saturday. June 3 — Family Festival Saturday marks the Fourth Annual Family Festival, featuring food, beverages, an inflatable "Bounce House," a clown, face painting, a Portland Fire Truck: and a jewelry, plant and book sale. Festivities run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. right next to the church on a closed N.E. 30'" Ave. Sunday, June 4 - Celebration Worship Service and Birthday Party When you are as welcoming as AUCC, the worship service offers inspiration, jubilation and the Word of God brought to you by people pf profound faith, witness and service. This morning, Ainsworth’s Pastor Lynne Smouse Lopez's sermon topic will be "Rejoicing in the Gift of God's Spirit." Rooted in AUCC's traditional Four Seasons Birthday Celebration, the after-church activity will honor and celebrate everybody's birthday with scrumptious food, cakes, punch and beverages. The drawing for the Las Vegas trip will be done at the Four Seasons Birthday Celebration. The winner of the drawing will receive a three night stay at the Bellagio Hotel for two adults airfare included.............. ........................ A M u lti-R acial, M ulti-Cultural, Open and A ffirm ing Ch urch Reaching for Stardom Radiant Theater presents the rock opera "Tommy" at 8 p.m. on Thurs days, Fridays and Saturdays begin Tiger Fifer is the ning Thursday, May 11 at Liberty gypsy in the rock Hall, 3 1 1 N. Ivy. The production is opera ‘Tommy’ scheduled through June 10, with coming to Liberty the exception of Friday, May 19. Hall, 311 N. Ivy. The W ho’s “Tom m y” opened on Broadway in 1993 and is a whirl wind story o f a young boy who reaches stardom from a place of pain and discovers that what he really wants is to be ju st like ev eryone else. Songs include Pin ball W izard, the vivacious Acid Q ueen, L istening to You, the A mazing Journey, the sexy Sen sation and o f course. "I'm free." land the powerhouse experience Radiant Theater is the local pro of “Hair,” the controversial "Jesus duction company that brought Port- Christ Superstar," the innovative “W aiting for G odot" and the Drammy-award winning masked comedy “Scapin.” CAJUN THEATER for Kids families that is affordable enough to attend regularly. The play is scheduled each Sat- Melanya Helene and Anet Ris- Kelman star in the Cajun folk tale Buzzard & Chicken Hawk." A multicultural play “Buzzard and Chicken Hawk,” is presented this month by Play After Play Inter active Theater for Kids at the Bnxrk- lyn Bay, 1825 S.E. Franklin, Bay K. The comical story isaCajun folk tale, filled with lively music and physical performances that will captivate children and adults alike. After the play, children are invited to interact with the actors one-on- one. C o m p an y a rtistic d ire c to r Melanya Helene has been perform ing and teaching theater to children for over IO years. She is dedicated to providing quality live theater for urday this month at 10a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. For reservations. call503-772-4005. "As far as I'm concerned, blues and jazz are the great American contributions to music" Edgar Winter 89.1 www.kmhd.fm When you pledge your financial support you show us that jazz and blues are important to you and to your community WED. MAY 17 ALADDIN THEATER SE MILWAUKIE @ POWELL • PHONE 5 0 3 -2 3 3 -1 9 9 4 www.oloddin-theater.com TICKETS AT THE ALAODIN BOX OFFICE & ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLETS OR CHARGE BY PHONE 503 224 4400 SPYRO CYRA W EDNESDAY JU N E 14