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American Idol 2010 Interviews
American Idol 2010 Tour Interviews
The American Idol Tour in 2009 made Portland the first stop on the trip. The buzz and excitement of Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta hitting the stage for the first time was palpable. This time around the American Idol Tour hits Portland as it is winding down. Rather than have all ten of the 2010 American Idol Finalists come out and talk to journalists, they picked five to represent the American Idol Tour experience.
The five interviews include Didi Benami, Crystal Bowersox, Casey James, Aaron Kelly and Tim Urban. Interestingly, the topic of a country album came up with many of the Idols (with Aaron Kelly on the road to making a country album and Casey James signed to Sony Country). Acting was also on the minds of a few of the American Idols, with Didi Benami and Tim Urban both considering careers in film and television. Read more…
Interview with Josh Kornbluth – Ben Franklin Unplugged
Josh Korbluth in Portland
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:
Josh Kornbluth on Ben Franklin Unplugged from On Portland on Vimeo.
For more information on Josh Kornbluth:
Mike Daisey Interview – The Last Cargo Cult
Mike Daisey
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:
Here's Part 2 of the Mike Daisey Interview:
For more information on Mike Daisey:
Burgerville's new food cart – Nomad
Burgerville's Nomad Foodcart
If you had any questions about the huge impact that food carts have had on food services in Portland, look no further than Burgerville's new food cart "Nomad".
A rough economy combined with an explosive growth in food carts in Portland has motivated one of the Northwest's biggest chains to jump in the mix in a 'if you can't beat them, then join them' move. It's not only a significant endorsement to Portland's food cart scene, but a recognition that both the physics and the economics of running a restaurant have changed.
The importance of Burgerville's move is important beyond the fact that they are trying to keep up with the changing landscape. Burgerville CEO Jeff Harvey seems to understand the potential for using the food cart to expand his business in a way that wasn't fiscally viable before. Harvey plans to use Nomad to test out new markets, serve markets where a full restaurant isn't economically viable and extend their brand into places they haven't been able to reach before.
The real question to be answered though: is the boom in food carts a function of the bad economy or do they represent a real and fundamental change in the way people get food? It'll be interesting to see how Nomad fairs and if it becomes central to Burgerville's long terms strategy or just a tool they use to weather the storm of the great recession.
Here's our interview with Jeff Harvey CEO of Burgerville:
For more information on Nomad and Portland's food cart scene:
Randy Couture Interview – UFC 102
Randy Couture is considered by many to be on of the greatest fighters in the UFC and is often credited with bringing the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) into the mainstream.
Randy Couture is a huge force behind bringing the Ultimate Fighting Champion to Portland as he fights Antonio Nogueira at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden on Saturday, August 29th.
We interviewed Randy Coutre while he was in Portland for a pre-fight autograph session at the Rose Quarter. Coutre talks about bringing the UFC to Portland, his previous fight against Brock Lesnar, if Fedor Emelianenko might finally fight with the UFC and what his strategy is against Antonio Nogueira.
Here is Part 1 of our Interview with Randy Couture:
Here is Part 2 of our Interview with Rand Couture:
UFC 102 Headliner Randy Couture will be signing autographs and taking pictures with his fans at the Rose Quarter Tuesday, July 14 at 7:00pm. This event is free and is open to the public.
For more information on UFC 102:
- UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira – UFC Official Site
- Rose Quareter UFC Event Page
- Randy Couture's Official Site
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