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What music means to LaRhonda Steele
LaRhonda Steele, the First Lady of Portland Blues, has been singing since she could talk. As a child, music was a bridge to acceptance. Now she helps others experience music as a bridge to fulfillment. “I want people to be able to express themselves . . . to find that joy, to find that purpose within themselves.”
What Music Means to Terry Currier
Terry Currier went to work in a record store when he was in high school. More than 50 years later, his love of music keeps him busy with his own iconic shop, Music Millennium, while tirelessly supporting Portland’s music community. His life has been driven by what he calls ‘the wonder of music.”
What does music mean to us?
Help the JWF Musician Health & Services Program kick off our 2024 end-of-year fundraising campaign by telling us what music means to you – and by learning how music motivates our staff, directors and volunteers to dedicate their energy to helping the music community!
Waltzing Into a New Weekend
Our favorite annual event – The Next Waltz -- is moving to Friday through Sunday, Nov. 22 – 24 this year – one week before Thanksgiving weekend.
Act Three: In which Lindsey and Jordan make music in Portland
The story of Lindsey and Jordan Plotner is the stuff of rom coms. In fact, while in Los Angeles, they even made an award-winning video about their personal and musical relationship.
Today, the story continues with happy trails that brought them to Portland. Here’s how the full-length movie might go.
Positive Vibes
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — This year’s Waterfront Blues Fest will benefit two non-profits that help a lot of people in the community — Meals on Wheels People and the Jeremy Wilson Foundation — splitting proceeds from a raffle.
Meals on Wheels People: Gateway to good nutrition and a feeling of belonging.
If there’s ever been a feel-good – and worthwhile – partnership, it’s the Meals On Wheels People, the JWF and the Waterfront Blues Festival combination. Writer Claire Levine features the important role Meals On Wheels People play supporting our beloved community in this weeks JWF BLOG.
Fifteen minutes that can save your life
Portland musician Pat McDougall wants you to know about the Coronary Calcium Scan. It’s a quick, inexpensive medical test that can help you manage your heart health and prevent serious heart disease. Pat wishes two of his friends had known about this simple test before severe cardiac problems took their lives.
Article by Claire Levine
Bringing Back the Light
The surgery Gliiterfox guitarist Andrea Walker received through the help of the JWF Musician Health & Services Program was life-changing. With restored vision, Andrea is thrilled to see everything more clearly and brightly – from guitar fretboards to dimly lit streets to the faces of friends at the back of an audience.
We all benefit from a strong music community
The truth is, we ALL benefit from the strength of our music community. Despite the hardships faced by Portland in recent years, music will be a huge contributor to our city's rebirth. Unlike our roses and amazing restaurants, our city's music can easily and instantly travel around the country and the globe, making it one of the greatest possible ambassadors of Portland's enduring contributions to the arts.