8th Annual Sweetheart Dance, Feb 11, 2012
The Cascade Blues Association’s Sweethearts Dance has become a Valentine’s weekend tradition since its inception eight years back. In that time we have presented some of the finest musicians the Northwest has to offer, such as Duffy Bishop, Mary Flower, Boogie Bone, Robbie Laws, Atomic Gumbo and Bill Rhoades among others. Heck, we even had Blues Music Award multi-winner Watermelon Slim take part that first year. And we feel we’ve put together another winning line-up for the event this year. So mark your calendars for Saturday, February 11th for this special night at Vie de Boheme (1530 SE 7th).
We have tried to open every year with an acoustic performance and this year we are thrilled to bring in Thad Beckman. One of Portland’s finest guitarists, it is long overdue for us to have Thad play for us. A world class musician, we’ll be catching Thad as he returns from a three-week tour of the United Kingdom. He has been performing for more than 30 years and was described by Jim Beal of the San Antonio Express-News as: “an engaging blend of folk, singer-songwriter and blues music. Not everyone can pull off such a combination, but Beckman has chops, writing talent, a big personality and a bag full of true stories which all dovetail for a cool show.” With credentials like that, you know this is going to be the right start for a fantastic night.
For the second set, get your dance shoes ready to groove with the classic soul sounds of Hip Deep Soul Revue. This band has been lighting up stages since 2010 playing the music of everybody from Sam and Dave, The Temptations, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and many more. The band delivers a big sound every time out and will feature a line-up of Danny O'Brien – bass/vocals, Ken Brewer – guitar/piano/organ/vocals, Dave Melyan – drums, Michael G. Kelly - tenor saxophone, Allan Kalik – trumpet and Melissa Buchanan – vocals. An impressive grouping for certain!
Closing the night out, making their second appearance at a Sweetheart Dance, will be one of the Cascade Blues Association’s favorite acts, The Strange Tones. Muddy Award Hall of Fame members for contemporary blues act, they deliver highly energetic performances and good times every time they hit the stage. All are top-notch performers, with Guitar Julie and Suburban Slim on guitars, Andy Strange on bass and Andy Gauthier on the drums. Strong original songs with clever lyrics and exceptional instrumentation and their ever-presence smiles make them the feel good band of the city. Recently nominated for best live performance by the Portland Music Awards, they will be coming to you straight from their secret Crime-a-Billy hide-out located under a volcano somewhere within the city.
Vie de Boheme is an urban winery with great food and plenty of room for dancing. Admission to the Sweetheart Dance is $10 per person or $15 for couples. Everything will start at 8:00 pm, so grab your sweetheart and come celebrate Valentine’s Day with us a little early this year. Always one of the most fun nights on the CBA calendar every year. Hope to see you there.
Bookmark with:
Roy Roberts
