Overlookers, you may remember that last summer, Ethos Music Center was granted management of the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center/IFCC at 5340 N Interstate Avenue with a promise to maintain it as a multi-use, multi-disciplinary arts institution. Within a few days of getting keys to the new building, Ethos put together a sold out choir/musical theater camp. In the months that have followed, programs have been set up and IFCC is full of life, classes and performances for children and adults. Ethos will continue renting the theater, gallery and dance hall to other nonprofits at affordable rates. Ethos will also be implementing programming including classes for Musical Theater, African Dance, Breakdancing, Ballet and more.
Black History Month Events at Ethos/IFCC
In February, Ethos/IFCC will host an exciting month previewing three original productions which tell the stories of black artists and musicians – from jazz legend Billie Holiday to Portland’s jazz musicians and clubs in
the 1920s.
Ladies With the Blues
“Billie’s Blues – Tonight at Mama’s Jam” and “No More Pity Party Blues”
February 4 – 6 and 11 – 13
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm
Sherman, The Opera
February 18 – 20 and 25 – 27, all shows at 7pm
“What we play is LIFE” – Louis Armstrong
Featuring: JANICE SCROGGINS, REGGIE HOUSTON and LaRHONDA STEELE!
Musical score: THARA MEMORY Libretto: S. RENEE MITCHELL
Sponsored by a grant from The Regional Arts and Culture Council
This project is unique in itself because it establishes, for the historical record, the role Portland played in the popularity of jazz. As the city’s black population burgeoned during WWII to build war ships,they brought their East Coast music to Portland. And the railroad allowed many jazz legends, such as Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, to perform in the jazz clubs on Williams Avenue and other parts of the city. The Dude Ranch, considered a nuisance by whites, was the hottest supper club west of Chicago from 1920 to 1946. It featured a tap-dancing emcee, an elaborate dance floor and celebrity stars, such as Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday.
Click through to read more about Ethos/IFCC’s February programs.