Music and Rumors of Music

SONIC FORUM

The Goodfoot Lounge 2845 SE Stark

Hosted by local musicians, Scott Pemberton and Ji Tanzer, Sonic Forum has quickly become one of the more populated, exciting open-mic music nights in town. Occurring every Monday night in the basement of the Goodfoot Lounge, a wide variety of musical styles are represented (and encouraged) in the performers who take the stage. Solo acts often use their time slots to collaborate with one of the many musicians stalking about the bar, spawning the occasional auditory epiphany. Equipped with a great sound system, in-house drums, Hammond organ, and enough microphones to accommodate a small boys' choir, Sonic Forum offers a terrific atmosphere for jump-starting your latest musical project or rubbing elbows with other local performers. And if thatıs not enough: for five bucks, sound guru Colin Cargile will burn you a fresh live copy of those hot little numbers you performed earlier in the evening, when everyone was chanting your name and girls were throwing their panties over the fret board of your guitar. (ER) Sign up starts @8pm. Show up early for a good spot. Cover $1.

THE SUBTERRANEAN BEAT REVIVAL

The Rabbit Hole 203 SE Grand Ave.

Every Sunday night, a motley crew of poets, jazz musicians, vocalists and hipsters shuffle into a darkly-lit room where the cigarette smoke coils around their necks like dusty feather boas and someone onstage is tilting his fedora and growling into a microphone. That, of course, would be Michael Franklin (a.k.a. Michael Molotov), host of the Subterranean Beat Revival and local drunken poet extraordinaire. Collecting a wide variety of local jazz musicians and spoken word talent for the weekly show, The Subterranean Beat Revival is host to some of the best literary performers around town. Asked why he chose to begin the reading, Franklin mused, "It gives a chance for us poets to be rock stars and get laid." Regardless of whether that is actually the case, the Beat Revival has succeeded in reinvigorating local poetry as performance art, inspiring its participants to experiment and collaborate with impromptu wicked jazz. Always free to get in the door, poets are emphatically encouraged to tip the musicians as lavishly as possible, especially when they make your bad poetry sound a whole lot better. (ER) Show starts @ 9pm. Sign-up with host. Free.

PORTLAND ROCK COLLECTIVE

Before the Thursday show starts, go down to The White Eagle and ask for Nick Levine. He been spearheading the new Portland Rock Collective, and will easily guide you through the process of becoming a part of this expanding network of bands who are helping each other get and promote shows.

So far, the PRC has just been booking at the McMenamins tavern on Russell, but if the momentum continues, they'll be working their way into the local promotion network in no time. (DA) For a list of bands and shows, go to: www.welshrabbit.com/prc.html

CABARET AND DINNER SHOW

The Viscount Ballroom 722 E. Burnside

Sexy sight and sound swing sensations; this dinner cabaret has it all. Based on a theme of speakeasies and hot jazz dinner clubs of the 1920's and 30's, the weekly Viscount Cabaret and Dinner Show has touched upon something nostalgic and swingin'. Sassy dancers, with vintage moves and costumes, take the stage, and sometimes even your wine. Special guests will pop out of the audience and sit in with the band or transform into a belly dancer before your very eyes. Steaming hot swing band, Portland Swing, joins the beautiful and talented singer Belinda Underwood, to bring you an incredible night of music in the perfect acoustics and ambiance of the Viscount Ballroom. If you are looking for a fun night out, this is it. The price, $29.50, includes dinner, or pay $15.00 for the show only. 6:30 to 8:00pm, with Salsa Night following from 8:30 to 2:00 am. (PE) For reservations call 503-233-7855. Viscount Ballroom 722 E. Burnside.