Scoop: Ladd's Inn Out and Best New Band Balloting

Betting one shiny shilling on an Irish pope.

By WW Culture Staff
  1. SAD ABOUT LADD: Ladd’s Inn, the beloved 50-year-old dive on the northwest corner of the Addition from which it gets its name, will close Saturday, March 16. A bartender told Scoop the owners admitted to being several months behind on rent—surprising given the popularity of neighboring Lardo and High Dive. >> In other bad bar news, Someday Lounge, the 6-year-old Old Town music venue, is also closing this week. The building is in the process of being sold to a group of investors, according to operating manager Mike Grimes, though their plans for the space are undisclosed. Since opening in fall 2006, the club has been home to exciting regular events, including hip-hop showcase the Fix and Portland funkateer Tony Ozier’s Dookie Jam. “We wanted to do something creative down here,” Grimes says. As the neighborhood has changed, though—with businesses shifting toward what Grimes calls “mainstream entertainment”—the Someday went in a more dance-oriented direction. But the growing stigma attached to that part of town kept away the club’s target demographic, says former bar manager Shelley Bowers. “There’s an attitude in Portland that you have fun on the east side,” she says. Eventually, the owners “had to pick financial stability over what they’re passionate about,” she adds. The Someday’s going-away party, featuring Ozier, Alameda, Cool Nutz and more, is scheduled for Thursday, March 14.
  1. MORE BEER: The area is picking up another brewery soon. The folk at Lake Oswego’s Maher’s Irish Pub have applied for a license to start a brewery called Feckin’ Ales, at 415 S McLoughlin Blvd. in Oregon City. It will be next to Highland Stillhouse—forming a new, mega-boozy Celtic corner along the Oregon City riverfront. According to co-owner Mark Maher, the new brewery will focus on “authentic Irish reds with a Northwest twist.” That twist, in part, is a few more hops, but Maher said it will also dredge up some old recipes from Ireland.
  1. BEST NEW BALLOT: Calling Portland’s music insiders! Willamette Week wants you—or someone you know—to help choose this year’s Best New Band. For the next few days, we are opening our inbox to suggestions on whom to add to our list of BNB voters. The only requirement is being a voracious consumer of Portland music. If you know someone who fits that description—including yourself—please send a message to bestnewband@wweek.com. Include your nominee’s name and affiliation in the subject line and, in the body, a brief explanation for why they should receive a BNB ballot. Be sure to include the best email address at which to contact the nominee. All entries must be received by Monday, March 18.
  1. CORRECTION: Last week’s Scoop incorrectly stated the direction that Cinema 21 plans to expand, which is north.

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