Portland and Seattle
Free Subscription to Breaking News
Free Subscription to Breaking News
Don’t Shoot Portland, University of Oregon Team Up for Black Narratives, Memory
The yearly Memory Work for Black Lives Plenary shows the power of preservation.
Grants Pass Anti-Camping Laws Head to Supreme Court
Grants Pass in southern Oregon has become the unlikely face of the nation’s homelessness crisis as its case over anti-camping laws goes to the U.S. Supreme Court scheduled for April 22. The case has broad implications for cities, including whether they can fine or jail people for camping in public. Since 2020, court orders have barred Grants Pass from enforcing its anti-camping laws. Now, the city is asking the justices to review lower court rulings it says has prevented it from addressing the city's homelessness crisis. Rights groups say people shouldn’t be punished for lacking housing.
Four Ballot Measures for Portland Voters to Consider
Proposals from the city, PPS, Metro and Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District.
Washington Gun Store Sold Hundreds of High-Capacity Ammunition Magazines in 90 Minutes Without Ban
KGW-TV reports Wally Wentz, owner of Gator’s Custom Guns in Kelso, described Monday as “magazine day” at his store. Wentz is behind the court challenge to Washington’s high-capacity magazine ban, with the help of the Silent Majority Foundation in eastern Washington.
Governor Kotek Announces Investment in New CHIPS Child Care Fund
5 Million dollars from Oregon CHIPS Act to be allocated to new Child Care Fund ...
The nation’s largest Black-owned bank will choose ten winners and award each a $1,000 savings account ...
Literary Arts Transforms Historic Central Eastside Building Into New Headquarters
The new 14,000-square-foot literary center will serve as a community and cultural hub with a bookstore, café, classroom, and event...
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Announces New Partnership with the University of Oxford
Tony Bishop initiated the CBCF Alumni Scholarship to empower young Black scholars and dismantle financial barriers ...
Mt. Hood Jazz Festival Returns to Mt. Hood Community College with Acclaimed Artists
Performing at the festival are acclaimed artists Joshua Redman, Hailey Niswanger, Etienne Charles and Creole Soul, Camille Thurman,...
Op-Ed: Why MAGA Policies Are Detrimental to Black Communities
NNPA NEWSWIRE – MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. From restrictive voter ID laws to purging voter rolls to limiting early voting hours, these...
Loving and Embracing the Differences in Our Youngest Learners
Yet our responsibility to all parents and society at large means we must do more to share insights, especially with underserved and under-resourced communities. ...
Gallup Finds Black Generational Divide on Affirmative Action
Each spring, many aspiring students and their families begin receiving college acceptance letters and offers of financial aid packages. This year’s college decisions will add yet another consideration: the effects of a 2023 Supreme Court, 6-3 ruling that...
OP-ED: Embracing Black Men’s Voices: Rebuilding Trust and Unity in the Democratic Party
The decision of many Black men to disengage from the Democratic Party is rooted in a complex interplay of historical disenchantment, unmet promises, and a sense of disillusionment with the political establishment. ...
PHOTO: Kyle Taylor Parker is fourth from the right in this scene from Kinky Boots, and at center in photo below. Photographer: Mathew Murphy
Review Update: Kinky Boots opened in Portland to a packed Keller Auditorium. The show fully lives up to its promise, with incredible music, dancing and acting. For sheer uplift and enjoyment it doesn't get better than this. Kyle Taylor Parker is magnetic as drag queen Lola. And his performance is matched by Stephen Booth as Charlie, as well as the rest of this accomplished cast. Funny and fun, the story has a deeper, heartwarming message about fathers, family and acceptance. From the sets and the costumes to the music and singing, it's no surprise this production won six Tony awards. You might find yourself feeling an urge to buy some colorful kinky boots. Helen Silvis
Portland Sept. 29--Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots kicks off the Northwest leg of its national tour in Portland, Wednesday Oct 1. Harvey Fierstein provides the story and Cyndi Lauper the acclaimed music. See it at Portland’s Keller Auditorium from Oct 1-5 before it heads to Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, where it will run from Oct. 7 to Oct. 26.
According to the playbill, Kinky Boots follows the fortunes of Charlie Price, a man who has inherited a nearly bankrupt shoe factory. It’s based on a true story from England, which is why it features boots the colors of the British flag, among other stunning footwear. Charlie sets out to save the business and gets inspired when he discovers Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy --and sultry --stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, two very different characters discover some similarities.
Starring as Lola is Kyle Taylor Parker, who took on the role after playing the role of an Angel (named after the nightclub where the Angels perform, the Blue Angel) and also being understudy for Lola in the Broadway show. The Skanner talked to Parker about the role, and those Kinky Boots.
TS: How are you enjoying the show so far?
KTP: It’s a dream. It’s really a dream come true. We’ll be on the road for a year, 52 weeks, 400 performances, and I’m just really excited to go all over the nation.
Have you been to the Northwest before?
KTP: No I haven’t and I’m really excited I’ve heard beautiful things. I’ll definitely have to do some research when I get there. My trick for finding out the hottest spots in town is to ask the local crew members. So as soon as I get to Portland I’ll be asking the local crew what I should be getting into ...in my very little free time. I’ll definitely try to do great things while I’m in Portland.
TS: Would your mom be surprised to see you starring as Lola?
KTP: I don’t think so. I think I would be surprised, but I don’t think my mother would be!
Because from the time I was born, I always wanted to be in musical theater. I saw Annie when I was a kid on Broadway and I told my mother that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I put on little shows. I would make up plays. I would try to imitate commercials that came on. I was so obsessed and in love with the art that is acting and musical theater.
TS: Do you have a favorite costume?
KTP: I’m not sure I have a favorite costume because all of the costumes are just incredible.
And then there are the other stars of the show, the kinky boots. I can tell you that each pair of boots is custom-made to fit our feet. So the boots I wear fit me perfectly. And that makes it much easier to dance in stiletto heels eight times a week.
TS: What else would you want people to know?
KTP: People can follow the show as we tour our way around the country through my video blog at kinky nation. I’m making a video in every city we visit and I take you behind the scenes to meet the cast and crew.
Follow Kyle on twitter @KTPway Find more at http://www.kyletaylorparker.com/
Kinky Boots is playing at the Keller Auditorium 222 SW Clay St. in Portland from Oct. 1-Oct. 5 and at The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 5th Avenue in Seattle from Oct. 7-Oct. 26.
