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Where to Play/Hear Your Music
Where Do You Like to Play?Portland's most traveled hip-hop artist tells all about his fave venue.
Name: Cool Nutz Credits: Local hip-hop impresario, head of Jus Family Records. Pick: Berbati's Pan Reason: "I would have to say that my favorite venue at this point would have to be Berbati's Pan, because of the venue's up-close-and-personal feel, the layout of the club, as well as the quality of sound. The atmosphere and space is very versatile, making it a great place for performances as well as dance parties. "A couple of events that stand out to me are the recent KRS-One performance. The semi-danceclub layout provides a more personal experience with an artist like KRS-One that generates good energy during their performance. This was one of the best shows that I've seen, and the club played a major role in that. "The second event that stands out was Jus Family's Zach Randolph (former Portland Trail Blazer) Season kick-off party/The Bosko Next Files CD release party. The venue made the event very consumer-friendly, being that it was mainly a dance party that featured a couple of live performances. With three bars available, it's also easy to get a drink when the place is crowded." |
ALADDIN THEATER3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994 Capacity: 620 Age restriction: All ages Website: www.aladdin-theater.com Contacts: Mark Adler (Talent Buyer), crackadler@aol.com; Tom Sessa (manager), tom@aladdin-theater.com Description: The Aladdin Theater generally caters to a more adult crowd; the venue's calendar is dominated by folk and alt-country acts. It's not uncommon to catch an indie-rock show at the theater, but the seating makes it difficult to shake it without chafing it. ALBERTA STREET PUBLIC HOUSE1036 NE Alberta St., 284-7665 Capacity: Approx. 100 Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.albertastreetpub.com Contact: Mike Beglan (owner/booker), alberta_pub@hotmail.com Description: You won't find any rock here. The Alberta Street Public House provides refuge to bluegrass, Old Time, Irish and folk lovers. ASH STREET225 SW Ash St., 226-0430 Capacity: 300 Age restrictions: 21+ Website: www.ashstreetsaloon.com Contact: Anthony Sanchez (booker), runawayproduct@yahoo.com Description: Generally punk or metal is the sound of choice at this club, although lately it's been dabbling in hip-hop with regular Tuesday-night shows and monthly mud-rassling with Portland Organic Wrestling. BERBATI'S PAN231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579 Capacity: 600 Age restrictions: 21+ Website: www.berbati.com Contact: Chantelle Hylton (booker), berbatis@comcast.net Description: Berbati's caters to just about anything that falls under the vast umbrella of modern music. Rock, pop, hip-hop and electronica all take the stage regularly. Interested bands should contact Hylton three to four months in advance. THE BLUE MONK3341 SE Belmont St., 595-0575 Capacity: 99 Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.thebluemonk.com Contact: Tim Gallineau (booker), bookings@thebluemonk.com Description: The Blue Monk stands as one of Portland jazz's treasured venues. The Monk will sometimes book big bands and hip-hop, though it is by no means a destination for the latter. CONAN'S PUB3862 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 234-7474 Capacity: Approx. 400 Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.conans-pub.com Contact: Geoff Minor (booker), booking@conans-pub.com Description: Conan's is currently in a state of flux, switching over to a full rock menu of music. Bigger crowds and bigger bands will probably start filling the club in the coming months as it shifts into full-bar mode. CRYSTAL BALLROOM/LOLA'S ROOM1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047 Capacity: 1,500 (Crystal), 350 (Lola's) Age restriction: Usually all-ages, sometimes 21+ (Crystal); 21+ (Lola's) Website: www.mcmenamins.com/Crystal Contacts: Mike Walker (booker), mwalker@mcmenamins.com; Jimi Biron (booker), jimib@mcmenamins.com Description: Headliners at the Crystal are almost always big-time artists who roll up in a fancy-schmancy bus. Local artists are often considered for opener spots, as long as they already have a well-developed fan base, which the connected Lola's Room downstairs can help them build. Lola's has developed a personality and a danceable, DJ-driven (but not limited to DJs) lineup all its own. DANTE'S1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630 Capacity: 400 with tables, 600 without Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.danteslive.com Contact: Frank Faillace (owner/booker), dantesbooking@qwest.net Description: Stepping into Dante's is like stepping into a cabaret from hell. There is a warm red glow coming from nearly every surface, the stage's proscenium is draped with a velvet curtain, there are plenty of beautiful women and fire. This is a rock venue to the core. DISJECTA/MILLION116 NE Russell St., 335-6979 Capacity: 250 upstairs/175 downstairs Age restriction: All ages, usually Website: www.disjecta.org Contact: Bryan Suereth (creative director/booker), bryan@portlandart.org Description: Disjecta triples as a gallery, a music venue and a living space for artists. While Bryan Suereth is known for booking both the eclectic and the über-hip, most any artist of most any genre is welcome to play. FEZ BALLROOM316 SW 11th Ave., 221-7262 ext. 41 Capacity: Third floor, 300; first floor, 50 Age restriction: 21+ Contact: Blaine Peters (booking), fez@boxxes.com Description: The Fez gets some amazing acts ranging from indie-pop to jazz to folk and has a killer dance night (Fridays with DJ Gregarious). As the name hints, it has a Moroccan motif, making it one of Portland's most beautiful venues. GOODFOOT LOUNGE2845 SE Stark St., 239-9292 Capacity: 250 Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.thegoodfoot.com Contact: Neil Leeboug (booking), playmusic@thegoodfoot.com Description: People go to the Goodfoot to dance. Consequently, this sweaty, soul-drenched venue generally sticks with the funkier stuff. HOLOCENE1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639 Capacity: 300 Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.holocene.org Contact: Scott McLean (co-owner/booker), scott@holocene.org Description: Holocene boasts a certain artistic aesthetic--ranging from the beauty of its lived-in-warehouse interior design to its cutting-edge music calendar. It does have some space and noise limitations, meaning there's no punk or hardcore within these walls. Electronic music, hip-hop and sometimes folk are welcome. INTERNATIONAL CLUB MUMMY332 NE San Rafael St., 210-9243 Capacity: 350 Age restriction: 21+ Contact: Tiffany West (booker), internationalclubinfo@yahoo.com Description: An up-and-coming gritty rock venue in inner Northeast, International Club Mummy leans towards punk, but its stage will host just about anything--as long as it doesn't suck. JIMMY MAK'S300 NW 10th Ave., 295-6542 Capacity: 60-75 Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.jimmymaks.com Contacts: Jimmy Mak (owner/booker), 295-6542; J.B. Stubenberg (co-booker), jbstubenberg@prodigy.net Description: Jimmy Mak's prides itself on being rated one of the best jazz clubs in the country. The club draws revered national artists and gives its stage over to Portland jazz master Mel Brown for shows Tuesdays through Thursdays. KELLY'S OLYMPIAN426 SW Washington St., 228-3669 Capacity: Approx. 100 Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.kellysolympian.com Contact: Jason Hawkins (booker), 572-4440 Description: Kelly's Olympian can't help but be awkward, what with all those motorcycles hanging from the ceiling. When this small venue starts to rock, though--and rock is what dominates the calendar--there's nothing stopping it. LAURELTHIRST PUBLIC HOUSE2958 NE Glisan St., 232-1504 Capacity: Approx. 75 Age restriction: 21+ Contact: Bill Leeds (booker), 236-2455 Description: The LaurelThirst is generally a good bet for small-house Portland music greatness. While the stage is generally set aside for singer-songwriter fare, patrons of the space can see everything from country to the blues. MEOW MEOW320 SE 2nd Ave., 517-0824 Capacity: 600 Age restrictions: All ages Website: www.themeowmeow.com Contact: There's no one particular booker for the Meow Meow. Generally Jeff from King Banana (www.kingbanana.com) does the booking: kingbanana@aol.com. Description: Meow Meow is the place where all the kitties rock out--until curfew hits or Dad blows the horn outside. Nevertheless, this huge venue often has a kick-ass lineup and is open to any act that's worthy of its young, music-savvy crowds. MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS3939 N Mississippi Ave., 753-4473 Capacity: 85 Age restrictions: All ages Website: www.mississippistudios.com Contact: Jim Brunberg (booker), jim@mississippistudios.com Description: Fairly new to the jazz-blues-folk scene, this North Portland club leans toward the unplugged variety. The full recording studio downstairs keeps artists coming and going at a steady pace. NOCTURNAL1800 E Burnside St., 239-5900 Capacity: Approx. 310 Age restriction: All ages Website: www.nocturnalpdx.com Contact: Seann McKeel (booker), seann@nocturnalpdx.com Description: Nocturnal straddles the fence between being an activity center for the young and hip and being a music club for the, well, young and hip. This means that there isn't always a steady stream of shows. Concertgoers who come to see the hip-hop, indie-rock or art-punk shows can rock out with the kids upstairs or go down to the basement bar, where the beer flows. OHM31 NW 1st Ave., 796-0707 Capacity: 425 Age restrictions: 21+ Contact: Dan Reed (owner/booker), danreedohm@yahoo.com Description: At this nightclub tucked away among the shadows of Old Town, you can pretty much bet the musical lineup will be fairly decent and stylish. While the club claims to be open to all genres, it generally sticks to a fairly urban/electronic/indie-pop format. PORKY'S PUB835 N Lombard St., 283-9734 Capacity: 100 Age restrictions: 21+ Website: www.porkyspub.com Contact: Theresa Goble (booker), booking@porkyspub.com Description: This heavy drinker's neighborhood bar loves its rock 'n' roll. The space is a bit cramped, but the energy is usually high. The crowd has little choice but to be in on the action, whether that action is straight-up rock or rockabilly. RED SEA318 SW 3rd Ave., 241-5450 Capacity: Approx. 300 Age restrictions: 21+ Contact: Meron Alem (booker), 241-5450 Description: After a brief absence, the Red Sea is back, giving authentic reggae, dancehall and hip-hop (and sometimes house and techno, too) a place to thrive. ROSELAND THEATER8 NW 6th Ave., 224-2038 Capacity: 1,400 Age restrictions: All ages, usually Website: www.doubletee.com Contact: Lowell MacGregor (booker), 221-0288 Description: The Roseland Theater is where the somewhat huge-ass but still slightly under-the-radar famous folks play. Sound is definitely a bit of a challenge when this gymlike room is low on concert attendees, and when it's packed, the 21-plus balcony can be suffocating. SABALA'S ON MOUNT TABOR4811 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 238-1646 Capacity: 338 Age restrictions: 21+ Website: www.sabalasmttabor.com Contact: Jason Sabala (owner/booker), lucifer@sabalasmttabor.com Description: The latest addition to the Portland rock-club circuit, Sabala's is the reinvention of the old Mount Tabor. Eschewing the years of hippie-friendly programming, Jason Sabala is turning the joint punk. SLABTOWN1033 NW 16th Ave., 223-0099 Capacity: Approx. 100 Age restrictions: 21+ Contact: Matt Simons (owner/booker), emattress@hotmail.com Description: Slabtown enjoys a double life as a sports bar and a center for hipster hedonism. Sure, the game might be on Saturday afternoon, but Saturday usually night belongs to rock. TONIC LOUNGE3100 NE Sandy Blvd., 239-5154 Capacity: Approx. 280 Age restriction: 21+ Website: www.thetoniclounge.com Contacts: Cal Gates and Dave Scott (bookers), tonicloungebooking@hotmail.com Description: The back room at the Tonic is where the musical magic happens. With no windows, low lighting and a decent sound system, it's a perfect escape for the late-night music fan. Touring bands often come through, but local acts fill the bills more often than not, and the selection is wide from hip-hop to indie pop. TWILIGHT CAFE1420 SE Powell Blvd., 236-7668 Capacity: Approx. 200 Age restrictions: 21+ Website: www.twilightcafebar.com Contact: Dave Gaysunas (booker), music@twilightcafebar.com Description: The Twilight is the perfect punk venue. It's no-frills (beer served in cans), and there's almost always no cover. How do the bands get paid? In beer, inspiring some riotous shows from local punks and touring acts alike. WHITE EAGLE836 N Russell St., 282-6810 Capacity: Approx. 120 Age restrictions: 21+ after music starts Website: www.mcmenamins.com/eagle Contact: Jan Haedinger (booker), jhaedinger.aol.com, 288-6556 Description: The White Eagle is a charming and inviting neighborhood venue with shows that are often camp and cutesy. For the most part, this haunted house sticks with bluegrass, folk, alt-country and the occasional blues act. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS * a cut above | made the cut | voters * LOCAL PERSPECTIVE * city of sound | heal thyself * MUSIC GUIDE LISTS * venue list | record store list | gear store list | online resources