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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2018)
February 21, 2018 Page 7 Music and Activism Intersect C ontinueD from f ront for the ordinance, under Saadat’s tutelage, when he heard her me- lodic singing fill the office; she had a habit of singing while she worked. “I loved her voice. I loved the way that she phrases every single word,” Lauderdale said. “It’s as telling and meaningful as any of her speeches that she gives at a rally.” Originally from St. Louis, Mo., Saadat graduated from Reed Col- lege in Portland in 1974 with a degree in psychology and made history as one of the organizers of Portland’s first gay rights march in 1976. Over the years she has sup- ported organizations such as the Freedom Socialist Party, Radi- cal Women, Lesbian Communi- ty Project, the African American Alliance, and African Americans Voting No on Nine—a 1992 bal- lot measure that would have per- manently made members of the LGBTQ community in Oregon second class citizens. “It’s always been, for me, a matter of helping people to learn that they have a voice and how to use it,” she said. “Helping people to understand that if we are not united in our efforts, we will fail.” Saadat has worked at all levels of government, including super- vising compliance with federal employment and training laws, directing Affirmative Action pro- grams in the state and city; as diversity director for the Cas- cade AIDS Project; and as chair of Portland’s Community Over- sight Advisory Board, the panel charged to help monitor reforms in Portland police practices. She has received lifetime achievement awards from the ano in the mid 2000s. They even rience and you’re putting out your performed together sporadically, emotions. It’s like you’re taking beginning 10 years ago for a Bill your clothes off in public.” and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholar- Saadat said she came from a ship fundraiser at the Old Church, family where everybody sang as downtown. a form of camaraderie at church, For the past six years, Saadat at home, and on road trips. She and Lauderdale have been record- picked up many songs from her ing album tracks in between Pink grandma, who sang pre-World Martini’s other records, original- War II songs, folk songs, and ly meant as a small project for hymns. The habit stuck ever since, Saadat to give to her friends and but she said performing in front of family. It’s since ballooned into an a packed house at a concert ven- ambitious project in its own right ue is still something she’s getting that the two hope will reach well used to. beyond Saadat’s personal circle. “I was nervous the first time Since they started recording the and I’m nervous this time...every album, their performances have time. But I’m looking forward to grown to more than just casual it. I expect people to have fun,” drop-ins or charity events, with she said. Saadat and Lauderdale perform- Saadat will be joined by Lau- ing for nationally syndicated Live derdale, Pink Martini members Wire Radio in 2012 and with Pink vocalist China Forbes, jazz gui- Martini for New Years Eve at the tarist Dan Fahnle, Jazz Society Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall of Oregon Hall of Famer upright this past year. They’ve been play- bassist Phil Baker, as well as Mo- ing back to back shows in Palm town alum drummer Mel Brown, Springs this month, in anticipation and Grammy nominated pianist Portland civil rights leader Kathleen Saadat is pictured with U.S. of the album. Randy Porter for the upcoming Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Portland (left) and Thomas Lauderdale, “I was amazed at how intim- ‘Love for Sale’ album release the founder of Pink Martini. idating a microphone can be. show on Thursday, March 1 at the Portland Human Rights Com- lighting, having to face angry con- That’s not my experience when I Aladdin Theater at 8 p.m. Doors mission, Portland PFLAG Black stituents everyday and not getting do public speaking,” Saadat said. open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $22. Chapter, Portland’s Equity Foun- any applause at the end of the day “It’s a much more emotional expe- dation, and from the World Arts (laughs),” Lauderdale said. Since its inception in 1994, Foundation, among many other AFFORDABLE accolades. Last year, she was a Pink Martini has remained com- commencement speaker at her mitted to its progressive roots, performing multi-lingual songs alma mater, Reed College. Lauderdale had been trained in across international stages, and music since he was a child. The for- continuing to perform at rallies mation of what became the multi- in support of various causes, in- award winning, genre-blending cluding a 2011 rally in downtown musical group Pink Martini, led Portland by supporters of the Oc- FULL LOCKSMITH - SERVICE to the group’s support for polit- cupy Movement against social ical causes like the environment, and economic inequality, in which RE-KEY AND INSTALL LOCKS affordable housing, civil rights, Saadat was a speaker. Saadat calls Lauderdale, “A libraries and public broadcasting. “At a certain point I realized warrior of diversity, for inclusion, that it was probably more fabu- for people knowing that they can lous to play music, tour around get along and that music is a heal- the world, make people happy, er for all of us.” raise funds for various funds that I Saadat began dropping by Pink 503-284-9582 believed in, that the band believed Martini’s headquarters for casual in, than working under fluorescent sessions around Lauderdale’s pi- Serving Portland/Metro area (N, NE, SE, SW & NW) JJ LOCK & KEY LOCKED OUT? WE MAKE KEYS FROM SCRATCH HOUSE, OFFICE OR CAR