February 2006 Archives

Portland's had some problems getting big basketball games to town. We've never once gotten to host the NBA All-Star Game. And because the Oregon lottery allowed betting on sports, the NCAA basketball tournament has shunned us, as well.

The NCAA may smile upon us in the next few years, according to the Oregonian. The Oregon Legislature abolished the lottery's sports bets, to take effect in the summer of 2007, and we could host as early as 2009. We probably wouldn't get the NCAA Finals, but indications are that we have a good shot at earlier rounds.

The NBA All-Star Game, on the other hand, probably won't make it here unless we build another huge hotel, and it had better be right in the neighborhood of the Rose Garden, says the Willamette Week. Typically, All-Star games move from city to city, but Portland has never gotten to host it. Thirty-six years is a long time to wait for the All-Star Game. Boston's the only team to wait longer -- they haven't had it since 1964, but at least they've had it!

"I get the impression there's quite a healthy scene for electronic experimenters on Portland." said Gutta, in a mini-interview on Gutterbreakz with local music aficionado (and UrbanHonking blogger) Matt Wright.

Matt adds, "I'd say there's been a bolstering of the electronic music community in the last couple years due to the opening of the club Holocene."

"If I had to pick a guiding aesthetic I'd say maybe a marriage of the cosmopolitan futurist vibe of the international techno community and the Northwest's DIY spirit. Some of the local electronic musicians identify strongly with as "Cascadians" - a reference to the geographical region comprising the Pacific Northwest. There's regional pride, and post-national inspiration.... maybe?...and yes, most of the people making electronic music here at least know each other, and many of them are friends. Makes for interesting cross-polinations and such."

He goes on to list "Strategy, Copy, Nudge, YACHT, The Blow, e*rock, the Snuggle Ups, Sensualists, Strength, uhhh...some other stuff. Non electronic: Nice Nice, The Planet The, Talkdemonic, Blitzen Trapper, Alan Singley, Menomena, Wet Confetti, The Kingdom, uhhh...some other stuff." as some of the great music of Portland, and in a PS Matt mentions States Rights Records and the Bro Zone compilation as "the future of NW music."