Singer/Songwriter Lauren Kinhan comes to Wilfs for two shows at 7:30PM and 9:30PM on Friday, July 30th! Accompanying Kinhan for this performance is Peter Eldridge on piano, and Portlanders Todd Strait on drums, Scott Steed on bass and Rob Davis on saxophone.

Lauren Kinhan has been creating genre-merging music for years as evidenced in her latest collection of songs. Avalon is another fine example of how she comfortably bridges the jazz and adult alternative worlds. The last 18 years of her career have taken her all over the world and allowed her to work with some of the industry’s great artists. Parenthood influenced the album’s thematic depth and provided a beautiful filter in which to experience this growing repertoire. Avalon speaks elegantly to solitude, love, life, loss and JOY!

With a cool New York vocal vibe … she keeps you interested and in the pocket because she has the chops and she remembers what it is to entertain. In case you ever wondered just where the line is that divides art and artsy, this set will show you how to plant a flag firmly on the art side. Well done. – Chris Spector, Midwest Record

Legendary Phil Ramone describes Lauren as a true songstress, “She is musical, lyrical, and really delivers vocally.” Phil produced Lauren’s debut release, Hardly Blinking, in 2000. Avalon is a good look at some of the mile markers since then. Her versatility in singing and contributing original music is evidenced in her years with New York Voices, and co-founding Moss and JaLaLa. Moss, made up of Luciana Souza, Kate McGarry, Theo Bleckmann, Peter Eldridge and Lauren, released their self titled CD in 2008 to rave reviews. In 2010, it was included in DownBeat’s Best CDs of the 2000s. JaLaLa is short for Janis Siegel, Laurel Massé and Lauren, and they released their tribute to Johnny Mercer, That Old Mercer Magic, in 2009. “Spring, Spring, Spring” was selected from their CD to be on the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood’s documentary of Mercer titled, The Dream’s on Me.

Learn more at Lauren Kinhan’s website.

“Feel the expression and emotion pouring out, as she delivers…” – RadioIndy.com

With over twenty years of playing with the finest jazz musicians in the U.S. & Canada, Cheryl Hodge has certainly made her mark. She’s has been the “featured artist of the month” (Nov. ‘09) on COAST To COAST AM with George Noory, with spotlight on the latest cut “That’s Why I’m Here”, from faculty album, “SOUVENIR”. Winner of the GRINDIE Award from RadioIndy.com; Cheryl continues to be a headliner and adjudicator at several jazz festivals, including the Envision Jazz Fest (the largest educational jazz festival in Canada), and the internationally acclaimed Kaslo Jazz Fest, in 2010.

She has been a top ten artist in jazz charts for ‘09 with songs: “Indigo” and “Guide to Recovery”, “Give In”, “Do You”, and “Adios” from ‘09 Indigo Album. Hodge is a gifted pianist and isn’t afraid to visit the outer stretches of “scatting” (vocal jazz improvisation); yet loves singing Blues and R&B (think Etta James).

Call 503-223-0070 for reservations, and visit cherylhodge.com to learn more and listen to samples of Hodge’s evocative music.

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!

Kate Davis will be performing two shows on Saturday, June 26 — at 7:30PM and 9:30PM. This will be the first time that she has ever played with legendary guitarist Dan Balmer, and over a year since she played with pianist Dan Gaynor. This classic trio configuration lends itself nicely to Kate’s new repertoire. Note that each show must be reserved at 503-223-0070 to ensure a seat.

UPDATE! Friday, July 2 will now feature just one show at 7:30PM at Wilfs with David Goldblatt on piano, and Gary Hobbs on drums. This will be another excellent combo, and once again reservations are required.

In June the Chefs who set the foodie world abuzz say thanks. Portland’s acclaimed restaurants, from downtown and beyond will strut their inventive stuff with select 3-course meals for a mere $25. The promotion runs the entire month of June, every evening that Wilfs is open.

Wilfs’ 3-Course offering for Dining Month:

• 1st Course: Savory trio of mushroom bread puddings
• 2nd Course: Seasonal fresh fish fillet or Mediterranean pasta
• 3rd Course: Mixed berry crisp

Wilfs Restaurant & Bar is located at Union Station, just minutes from downtown and the Pearl District. Our chef sources from our local and the Northwest regions to create incredible salads, the best sandwiches, burgers (beef and veggie), prime and tender cuts of beef and lamb. And, fresh halibut, Dungeness crab meat, and seasonal salmon for the seafood lover. Enjoy our specialty house-infused cocktails, local micro brews, and the best wine selection from Oregon and Washington. And the best local and national jazz artists perform Wednesday through Saturday.

Kate Davis was selected as one of 20 2009 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and this is her performance at the Kennedy Center in June of 2009. She is accompanied by NFAA Silver Winners Emmet Cohen (piano) and Mark Whitfield Jr. (drums). The single “Glad To Be Unhappy” is now available as an exclusive single on iTunes. Kate performs tonight (Friday, May 21st at 8PM) with David Goldbatt and Todd Strait

Founded in 1992 by Rob Justus, JOIN began as an educational organization offering experiential “immersions” into the experience of homelessness for youth. As the homeless people that they worked with began to share their wisdom and experiences, they shifted their organizational mission to direct housing services.

JOIN exists to support the efforts of homeless individuals and families to transition out of homelessness into permanent housing. Their efforts are directed at individuals sleeping outside or in their car in the Portland Metro area. Their service provision is not dependent on age, gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, specific diagnosis, or identifiable issue.

You can learn more about JOIN at their website: http://www.joinpdx.com/

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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.

Learn more about National Train Day

Please Join us on Saturday, May 1st for an Evening of Music with Susannah Mars and Friends, a special concert to benefit the Arthritis Foundation’s Camp JAM (Juvenile Arthritis Matters!)

Performing live with Susannah Mars is an incredible roster of vocalists from the Portland music scene, including Valerie Day, Rebecca Kilgore, Darrell Grant, the Portland Gay Men’s Choir, Gary Cash, Gavin Gregory, Laurie Campbell-Leslie, and Pam Mahon.

Advanced Reserve Seats are available for a $35.00 donation, with General Seating available for a $20.00 donation. For more information or to reserve your seats, please contact Janet Lamb at 503-245-5695 or 1-888-845-5695, or email at jlamb@arthritis.org

Camp JAM (Juvenile Arthritis Matters)

Camp JAM is a free weekend camp for children of all ages with juvenile arthritis and their families. Children with juvenile arthritis face the daily challenges of their disease where one day they feel good and then achy the next day. This can be an isolating experience for children at school when they have to sit out of physical activities because of their arthritis.

Learn more at the Arthritis Foundation website.