In 2002 I picked up a copy of the film Haiku Tunnel. It was described to me as "Office Space" if Woody Allen had directed it rather than Mike Judge (a pretty spot on description). It was hilarious. Since then I've followed the career of Josh Kornbluth (the star of the film), as he's established himself as one of the nation's most sought after monologists.
Over the years, through Josh's email list, I'd hear about his many shows in Berkley, California and wonder what it would take to get him to perform in Portland? When Portland Center Stage announced that Josh was bringing his show Ben Franklin: Unplugged to Portland for a seven week run, I couldn't contain my excitement.
Josh Kornbluth's monologues are a unique mix of history, biographiy and observations. His disarming style sucks you into his world and leads you along on a fantastic trip.
Josh Korbluth's Ben Franklin: Unplugged runs at Portland Center Stage September 29 to November 22, 2009. It's a rare opportunity to see one of the nation's best monologists in one of his most acclaimed works.
Watch On Portland's Interview with Josh Kornbluth:
It takes a lot of guts to be a professional bull rider. Over a season with 30+ stops a bull rider takes a tremendous amount of physical damage (including broken bones, dislocated shoulders and a ton of bashes and bruises). Somehow these bull riders pick themselves up and hop back on those bulls for another ride.
On Portland had the opportunity to speak with Ross Coleman, a 12 year vet of the sport, from Molalla Oregon who is set to ride this weekend as Professional Bull Riding comes to Portland in the Professional Bull Riders Godaddy.com Invitational (Friday Oct. 2nd & Saturday Oct 3rd).
Ross gives some insight into what it's like being a bull rider and what it takes to tame some of those monstrous beasts.
Watch our interview:
If you needed other enticement, Go Daddy Girl, Erin Kalin will be singing the National Anthem at the event. Tickets start as low as $10.
For more info on Professional Bull Riding in Oregon:
Mike Daisey is a breath of fresh air. In an era where there is so much derivative work appearing on stage (look no further than Shrek The Musical, Legally Blonde or Xanadu),Daisey reminds us why we go to live theater in the first place – to see something happen, in the moment.
Unlike many other notable monologists, Mike Daisey does all his performance extemporaneously. His monologues are never rehearsed and the only guide he uses is a set of notes which he amends at the end of every performance.
I've had the opportunity to see Mike Daisey perform on three occasions: 21 Dog Years (doing time at Amazon.com) in 2005, Monopoly! and If You See Something, Say Something which Daisey performed at the 2009 TBA festival. It's been an amazing experience to see Daisey grow as a performer, and so I was extremely excited to discover that PICA was bringing him back to Portland to workshop his latest work The Last Cargo Cult (which he performs on August 1st at 8pm in the Wieden + Kennedy Atrium 224 NW 13th Ave)
Here's our interview with Mike Daisey where he talks about the process of creating his monologues, The Last Cargo Cult, and why Portland has such a deep connection with his work:
The 8th installment of American Idol Live makes its first stop at The Rose Garden on July 5th. On Portland had the opportunity to sit down and talk to the top 10 American Idol performers (in batches of two).
Reporters were given just 5 mins to ask questions and with two idols to cover it was tough to try to fit a lot in. Meeting the Idols in person I was struck by how closely they mirrored their 'personas' on the screen. What you saw on TV is pretty much what you see when you talk to them in person. Of the group I enjoyed Allison Iraheta's rambunctious humor, Adam Lambert's ultimate humility and Anoop Desai who seemed to have the best take on the event.
The biggest surprise was Megan Joy who talked about the challenges she faced during the show. She was a much more grounded and down to earth person than I had expected and her playfullness with Matt Giraud was fun to watch.
The thing that stuck me the most was how exhausted the Idols seemed. It was clear that they've been working extremely hard to prepare the tour and I'll be interested to see the results of all that effort.
Honor Society (an heir appearant to the Jonas Brothers) stopped in Portland on one of the first legs of the Jonas Brother's Tour. On Portland interviewed the band in two parts. The first part was conducted by Hannah Kleinman (aged 10), On Portland's youngest contributor. Hannah talks with the band about their breakout song See You in The Dark, how they got their start, where they first played and what songs they like to perform the most:
Watch Hannah's Interview with Honor Society:
Our second part of the interview comes from On Portland editor Geoff Kleinman who talks to the Honor Society about the challenges of running two concurrent tours, who they'd most like to play with on stage and what the future holds for this up and coming pop phenom.
Recently there's been a lot of talk about restaurants closing due to a dramatic drop in business (including the sad news that one of my favorite Portland restaurants Kalga Kafe closed).
This week we received news of an entirely different sort:
Initial response has been overwhelming negative to word of the buy out with some pretty harsh comments posted over the news the popular brewpub may be transformed into a Rogue Taproom.
The Green Dragon has made its name for the ever changing wide variety of brews on tap, regular 'meet the brewer' events and as the destination of choice for many Portland tech events.
To commemorate the slaying of the Green Dragon Beer & Blog will be holding a final sendoff for the beloved brewpub on Friday (reportedly the last day for the dragon).
The sale of The Green Dragon in such a challenging economic environment lends great weight to the view that the area surround The Green Dragon, Grand Central Bowl and Holocene is destined to be Portland's next big hot spot
The Green Dragon will be missed. We hope other beer bars like The Horse Brass, Belmont Station, Bye and Bye will step up to fill the gap created by the sale of the Green Dragon.
spring rain. this is the weather i was expecting in march. 4 days ago
I urge you @mayorsamadams to get involved with the PPS High School redesign. Carol Smith's plan could undermine the long term Portland Plan. 4 days ago
At a charity auction and Daria from 105 is MCing. She looks like a drag queen and is screaming into the mic. 1 week ago
Things are really hoppin at the Missippi Cart cluster. Really great to see it doing so well. 1 week ago
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