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
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