Greg Ewer, founder and artist director of 45th Parallel, shares his love for the violin, chamber music, the Oregon Symphony and the opportunity to push musical boundaries in Portland. His replies to the following questions have been edited for brevity and clarity. Where did you get the name for the chamber music 45th Parallel? I…
My violin is 300 years old. Known as the Gibson ex Huberman, the revered instrument came into my life one fateful day during the summer of 2001. I was in London, getting ready to play a “Proms” concert at the Royal Albert Hall and decided to stop by the famous violin shop J&A Beare to…
A beautiful, courageous and savvy Jewish girl charms the king, outsmarts the bad guy and saves her people. What’s not to love about the Purim story? But now it’s been re-imagined as a daring ballet driven by the beat of live rock and gospel music resonant with power and spirit. It doesn’t get much better…
Artist Theresa Weil hopes her new exhibit featuring portraits of women leaders will inspire young people to follow their ideas – to think outside the box and become creative problem solvers. From her inspirational subjects to her inspiring quest to create a meaningful exhibit, the clear message is that people, or even just one person,…
Artist Ben Killen Rosenberg is slowly beautifying Portland, one block at a time. While our city might not yet boast the public art of Barcelona, it is increasingly adorned with the whimsical creations of the painter/sculptor. The outdoor walkway at Legacy Emanuel Chronic Wound and Outpatient Burn Clinic is embellished with Rosenberg’s colorful sculpted turtles,…
Sometimes growing up Jewish in a small town can be an isolating experience, but not for Gabe Young. The 18-year-old senior from Ashland, who begins his second year as a member of the prestigious National Youth Orchestra this summer, credits his small, vibrant Jewish community for giving him a strong, self- confident Jewish identity. “I…
A lifetime of skills and interests converged with circumstances last year to launch Sony Felberg’s ChickiBoom Cigar Box Guitar business. Sony sold his first cigar box guitar last summer. By year-end he had sold 100 of his handcrafted creations. Three models of his solid, arty, easy to play guitars now are available in five retail…
Holy Rascals, a nonprofit media company for spiritual education launched by two Portland women in 2004, now produces an on- line radio show and webinars, and this month launches a series of live events beginning with the first Holy Rascal Revival. Inspired by the pioneer-era tent revivals, the April 26 Holy Rascal Revival is envisioned…
I am the proud mother of a 7-year-old daughter who attends Hayhurst Elementary School in Southwest Portland. Hayhurst is a wonderful public school tucked away in a residential neighborhood on Iowa Street at 50th. In January Hayhurst welcomed the first group of what will be approximately 90 children moving into the Stephens Creek Crossing Housing…
Back by popular demand, Jewish music’s rising star Benny Friedman will take the stage along with Michael Allen Harrison, considered the “Grand Maestro” of Portland, at 2 pm, March 30, in Salem. The program is called “Songs of Freedom.” “There was such a tremendous emotional outpouring from people who attended last year’s concert we are…
