10 A
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016
Pink Martini leaves audience shaken and stirred with excitement
Take a lexicon of languages,
a plethora of percussion instru-
ments, a vivacious vocalist, a
prodigious pianist and mix well
with an excited audience.
What do you get?
Pink Martini!
Pink Martini was presented
by SEAcoast Entertainment
Association on Nov. 18 and 19
at the Florence Events Center.
Thomas
Lauderdale,
Bandleader
and
pianist,
describes his little orchestra
this way, “Pink Martini is a rol-
licking around-the-world musi-
cal adventure... if the United
Nations had a house band in
1962, hopefully we’d be that
band.”
In 1994, in his hometown of
Portland, Ore., Lauderdale was
working in politics, thinking
he would run for mayor. Like
other eager politicians-in-train-
ing, he went to every political
fundraiser. He was dismayed to
find the music at these events
lackluster, loud and un-neigh-
borly.
Drawing inspiration from
music from all over the world
and crossing genres of classi-
cal, jazz and old-fashioned pop
while hoping to appeal to con-
The prodigious pianist was
more than that. Lauderdale
owned that piano.
He could tickle the ivories
lightly or bang out a bawdy
tune. He was in control of the
band and of the keyboard. It
was a love affair with both.
As for the “lexicon of lan-
guages,” songs were sung in
French, German, Armenian,
Arabic, Chinese and English.
The last song, “Pata Pata,”
was a particular favorite. It is a
South African folk song that
encourages dancing.
After a standing ovation, the
band played two more songs,
“Una Notte a Napoli” and
“Bitty Boppy Betty.”
Lauderdale encouraged an
energetic conga line to snake
through the hall for this tune.
Every member of the audience
left the FEC with a bounce in
their step and a smile on their
face.
Don’t miss SEA’s next con-
cert, the witty, charming and
tremendously entertaining Joe
Trio on Saturday, Jan. 21.
For tickets, call the FEC box
office at 541-997-1994 or order
online at www.eventcenter
.org.
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While talking to a couple of
dancers after the show, audi-
ence members emphatically
exclaimed they weren’t long
time fans of Pink Martini. Still
they couldn’t stay in their seats
during this tune that exuded
unparalleled energy.
The sound system was per-
fect for this show. Every
instrument could be heard
equally well.
Gavin Bondy was the trum-
peter par excellence. Every
note was strong and true. There
were two songs that were sung
back to back that provided dif-
ferent views of the same love
story: “And Then You Were
Gone” Forbes’ lament about
her errant boyfriend, and “But
Now I’m Back,” Timothy
Nishimoto’s explanation of
“boys will be boys.”
E
B Y V ICKIE K ENNEDY
Blake Morrow on the vibra-
phone Friday night and Nic
Wilkinson on trumpet Saturday
night were selected as best fit-
ting the Pink Martini sound.
The band was excited to
involve SHS’s best and bright-
est young instrumental musi-
cians on stage. The hope is that
this will encourage the students
to pursue music beyond high
school.
The students weren’t the
only people to be encouraged to
“live” the music.
The vivacious vocalist,
China Forbes, owned the stage
and invited the audience to par-
ticipate in the music through
clapping
and
dancing.
Spontaneous dancing on the
stage and in the aisles was
encouraged during “Song of the
Pine Squirrel.”
-
Pink Martini
Review
servatives and liberals alike, he
founded the “little orchestra”
Pink Martini.
Pink Martini provided more
beautiful and inclusive musical
soundtracks for causes such as
civil rights, affordable housing,
the environment, libraries, pub-
lic broadcasting, education and
parks.
On Nov. 18 and 19, Pink
Martini came to Florence not
only to make music but to
change lives by including com-
munity members in its produc-
tion. One gentleman, who had
a chance to talk to Lauderdale
prior to the concert, was invited
to join the band during
“Dosvedanya Mio Bambino,”
playing a mean triangle and
ending the piece with a cymbal
crash.
Pink Martini has achieved
worldwide acclaim, but the
musicians haven’t forgotten
their musical beginnings. The
band members are always eager
to help young musicians.
There was a coordinated stu-
dent outreach with Chris
Rowbotham, Siuslaw High
School’s Band director, to
choose two students to perform
“Hang On Little Tomato” with
Pink Martini.
All band students were
encouraged to learn the music
and create a video audition.
These videos were reviewed by
Lauderdale. The selection deci-
sion was not an easy one.
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Stop by for coffee & cookies and pick
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1780 Kingwood St.
541-997-8526
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2315 Hwy. 101 • Florence • 541-997-8460
Christmas
Gift List
Toys • Books
Clothing
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Furniture
Gift Certifi cates
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2315 Hwy 101 541-997-8460
Open Daily
Looking
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season?
Gift Certificates
for the
Florence Events
Center
To purchase – simply drop by the box office
Monday to Friday between
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
715 Quince St * Florence, OR * 541-997-1994
Gift Certificates are good for
redeption for any ticketed show at the
FEC for one year from purchase.
Always the
perfect gift!
