Wilfs will be closed from July 3rd to the 6th, and will re-open for lunch on July 7 at 11:30am. We wish you and yours a happy and safe Independence Day Holiday!
Wilfs presents an evening of Brazilian Jazz with Nancy Curtin, Weber Iago and Dave Captein on Saturday, June 5th at 8:00PM.
At their last performance in December there was a standing room only crowd, so arrive early or make your reservations now!
Weber Iago’s latest CD was nominated for a Latin grammy and Portlanders are lucky that he now lives in the area.
“It was a fortunate set of circumstances that led Nancy Curtin to take on the challenge of learning the Brazilian musical idiom. The Rose City jazz scene is richer for it. She has two great CD’s out with a dynamite band behind her. Nancy’s beautiful voice is not to be missed. Check her out live at your earliest opportunity.” – Nick Gefroh, jazz radio host
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Please join us on May 8, 2010 from 10 AM to 4 PM for the third annual National Train Day! It’s a coast-to-coast celebration of the Rails, and your entire family’s invited to Portland’s Union Station to join in the fun! Come down and check out the displays, exhibits and information, including:
- Tours of the SP 4449 Steam Locomotive and Vintage Railroad Cars
- Rose Festival Clown Corps
- Scale Model Trains
- Food and beverages rail-side from Wilfs Restaurant
- Host, Roger Hart of Sunny 1150 AM spinning “oldies” music
- Tons of exhibitors and groups (click flyer for complete list)
Union Station is easy to find — look for the big “Go By Train” clock tower, or take the MAX Yellow line or Green line to the NW 5th & Glisan or NW 6th & Hoyt stops. If you drive, parking is only $3 at nearby Station Place Garage. Click here for a map.
On Thursday, April 29th don’t miss the first installment of Jazz Railways: Last Thursdays at Wilf’s, featuring Black & Blue with Devin Phillips.
Please join us at Wilfs on Friday, April 30th at 8PM for the jazz artistry of the Tony Pacini Trio
Born in Tokyo, Japan pianist Tony Pacini came to Portland, Oregon as an infant. A piano student since age 5, Tony led his first trio as a teenager, holding down weekends at a popular jazz spot. The piano made higher education possible for Tony, including study at Boston’s Berklee College Of Music, courtesy of a Leonard Feather scholarship. Once back in Portland, Tony immersed himself in the jazz scene performing with, most notably: Leroy Vinnegar, Bud Shank, Harry Allen, Ritchie Cole, Chuck Israels, Dan Faehnle, Mary Stallings, Hadley Calliman, Mel Brown, Ron Steen, Nancy King and Rebecca Kilgore. Tony’s playing won him the piano chair in guitarist Dan Faehnle’s Quartet, joining bassist Ed Bennett and drummer Mel Brown. After several years of working together, Tony and Ed enlisted drummer Tim Rap, and their shared musical vision was realized with the creation of the Tony Pacini Trio.
Tim Rap credits Billy Higgins’ philosophy – to play what the music calls for, no more no less, with shaping his thoughtful approach to the role of the drums in jazz. Tim’s exceptional talent caught the ear of guitarist John Stowell, leading to performances with world class vocalists Nancy King, Shirley Nanette and jazz guitar icon Herb Ellis.
Long considered one of the West coast’s first rate string bass players, Ed Bennet stepped onto the world stage in the 1970’s, touring with jazz great Carmen McRae. Three recordings were produced during Ed’s work with Carmen most notably the Grammy nominated “Live At The Great American Music Hall” on Blue Note Records, which also featured Joey Baron, Marshall Otwell and jazz giant Dizzy Gillespie.
Learn more at: www.tonypacini.com
This is no joke! Please join us on Thursday, April 1st for April Fools – A Cabaret Featuring vocalists Susannah Mars and Rebecca Kilgore.
Two of Portland’s favorite musical artists team up to address themes of love and friendship and April Fools fun in a flurry of dynamite duets. Stage actor, vocalist, comedienne Susannah Mars and jazz vocalist Rebecca Kilgore will be accompanied by Bill Wells on piano.
Vocal duets will include some more familiar pieces, like “Two Lost Souls” from Damn Yankees, and some more obscure ones like “Love Is When” by Alec Wilder. Both singers will also do short feature sets. Don’t miss these Northwest favorites together for the second time.
Learn more at RebeccaKilgore.com and SusannahMars.com
$15 Cover | Call now for reservations: 503.223.0070
Wilfs is proud to be a an official Restaurant Partner of KOOZA, the newest spectacular production from Cirque Du Soleil along with other fine dining establishments in the Pearl District. And, we’re pleased to offer you a special 15% on all seats for the show–just follow the links here to purchase your discount tickets. Make it a grand night out and have dinner at Wilfs before or after the show!
Cirque du Soleil returns to Portland with its latest touring production KOOZA, set to open in Portland on Thursday, April 9, for a limited engagement. KOOZA will perform under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) at SW Moody Avenue (South of the Marquam bridge).
The name KOOZA is inspired by the Sanskrit word “koza,” which means “box,” “chest” or “treasure,” and was chosen because one of the underlying concepts of the production is the idea of a “circus in a box.” KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.
CLICK HERE to order your special discount tickets to KOOZA
For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com
Learn more about the Pearl District at ExplorethePearl.com
A recent visitor to Wilfs enjoyed his experience so much, that he wrote and published a nicely-detailed review and posted to his site. We get a lot of feedback from our customers, but we thought this one was worth sharing with you! Click on the thumbnail for this review written (and designed) by local writer, Mark Waters.
The Godfather of the local jazz scene, Ron Steen and the Earshot Jazz 2009 “Northwest Vocalist if the Year”, Greta Matassa will be performing for two nights at Wilfs Restaurant & Bar as part of this year’s Portland Jazz Festival … tonight (2/23) and Wednesday the 24th — both shows start at 7:30PM.
Seattle native Greta Matassa is one of the country’s most talented and popular jazz singers. With hints of Ella, Sarah, Billie and Carmen, Greta is increasingly recognized as a unique voice in jazz. With her recent tours of Russia, Singapore and Hawaii and Japan, Greta’s sound is now reaching new audiences. Greta has released seven CD’s on the respected jazz label Origin Records and a DVD live concert with Mimi Fox.
“Matassa’s performance was a marvel of virtuosity.” —Los Angeles Times
“Boppish, Snappy and conversational”– Downbeat
“Greta Matassa is one of America’s finest singers, and stands firmly among the best in today’s jazz.” —Jazz Review
Portland jazz legend Ron Steen has been playing percussion with everyone in the local jazz scene since he just a kid when he played the Cotton Club in North Portland at the age of 15. He now performs regular gigs as bandleader of his own trio at Wilfs and other clubs, plays on numerous recording sessions, and hosts his famous weekly jam sessions with veterans and newcomers alike, where he has mentored more than a few of today’s best local artists.
Visit our Entertainment Calendar or the Portland Jazz Festival website to learn more.
Valentines Day falls on Sunday this year, but you can start the weekend off with delicious first courses of romantic music. On Thursday, February 12th at 8PM John Gillmore sings the love songs of Sinatra, and the Ron Steen Trio featuring Marilyn Keller performs on Saturday, February 13th at 8PM.
Our dinner menu will change just a bit, not quite as many choices, but still a great selection, table side preparations will be limited both evenings. No “set menu” for this weekend.
Call for reservations! Ask about the “special rate” for the Benson Hotel, we have partnered with them so you can have an incredible weekend downtown. Need flowers? Order through Flowers In Flight at 503.274.7088 and for the chocolate, Van Duyn at 503.227.1927 is the only choice.
Not in the mood for Valentine’s Day this year? Try Stumptown Stages “Un-Valentine’s Night Out” on Wednesday, February 11th at 7PM.
