THIS JUST IN: I'm starting to get reports that a trio of movie actors—Billy Zane, Frank Whaley and Peter Greene—are all (or about to be) in Portland to make a movie.
What I can't find out is exactly what the name of said movie is. Supposedly it's something like "Kill Hole." But to me that sounds either like something that should be shot in the Gulf of Mexico right now or the name of a really bad gay porn. Anybody else have sightings of these guys....Zane's bald nogging is pretty hard to miss.
The Whiffies Pie guy, Gregg Abbott with Kevin Sandri, who owns Garden State, in the Wonder Ballroom parking lot for WW's Best of Portland Party
BEST BET: The evening was billed as as an "extravaganza" asWillamette Weekheld a "Best of Portland" party last night, complete with a late night variety show hosted by none other than my good buddies, "Cort & Fatboy."
Not only was the variety show a fresh idea, there were a lot of things that separated this year's soiree from previous ones. For example, instead of holding it in their own parking lot, the party was held in the parking spaces of the Wonder Ballroom. It was also held a week a and a day after the publication of their annual BOP edition. And there were llamas, really friggin' cute llamas as well as Steve Novick and David Bragdon (also very cute). As always the party was packed with Portland's best and brightest who noshed on Whiffie Pies and drank various types of liquor infused with high power teas and H2O drinks.
And, oh yeah, thanks to Hank for posting this pic of me, Juan and Chelsea Clinton today over at wweek.com. Ah, the memories!
RED HOT: It was quite the night at the finale of Red Cap's Portland Idol as nine contestants sang their little hearts out at the SW Stark Street club. There was an energy in the air that was hard to describe, perhaps it had something to do with FOX-12 filming it for the late news, or maybe it was just because, after 12 weeks, this group of "kids" went from being karaoke bar belters to full-blown singers. I mean, really, these guys and gals are good.
But, as the cliche goes, there can only be one winner. And for Portland Idol, Season One, it is Tamra Scanlan. A front-runner from the get-go Scanlan proved, once again, last night why she deserved to win: she was AWESOME.
As were the other contestants who really let loose on the second half of the show (hats off to David Brown for coming out with Boy-lesque in a corset and glittery lips to perform Scissors Sisters "Filthy/Gorgeous"). It all end with a group sing-along with Ali Thayer on Eva Cassidy's version of "Over The Rainbow." Although I am sad to see the season over, I can't wait to see what happens to each and every one of these incredible performers.
FLASHY MOB: Bluehourwas the site for "QMob" last night. The swanky Pearl District hotspot was literally consumed by a group of Human Rights Campaign supporters including Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, and his lovely wife Katrina—who looked simply smashing in a super short Missoni skirt.
Speaking of Katrina, she's super excited about HRC's big "brunch" taking place on Aug. 22, which will include an appearance by none other than Ross Matthews from NBC's "Tonight Show" fame and John Berry, Director US Office of Personnel Management (who from what I hear is a hot hoot). Click here for details .
Kevin Cook, guest judge Bill Wadhams (from Animotion) and Lisa Corbett
IDOL TALK: Tonight I wrap up my judging duties for Red Cap's Portland Idol competition. It has been a very interesting 12 weeks watching the contestants strut their stuff across the SW Stark Street stage. Adam West and Kevin Cook, aka Poison Waters, always knew the right thing to say (even when I didn't). I will miss hearing these kids sing and hope them all well in their future endeavors. And, yes, I wish they could all win...well, most of them. It was also a blast to hang out with the likes of Justin Buckles (he roped me into this) and my fellow judges, the always entertaining Lisa Schroeder and Katie Werremeyer.
