photo, Diane Tamassia	This Halloween was an exciting evening. Former KBOO Board President Orion Gray and KBOO radio theater producer John Severn were married that night in a costumes-required theatrical production involving actors, scripts, sets, music and lighting. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the contributions that Ms. Gray has
made to the station, including working as a producer for “Hole in the Bucket” (KBOO's advocacy show for the homeless), Program Committee Chair, Development Committee Chair, and music and theater production. Most recently she guided the board through an exceptionally difficult year with an eye towards creating an environment of civility and teamwork. Besides fostering and assisting “Hole in the Bucket,” her dedication to working with the homeless is also reflected in her career as a professional fundraiser at Sisters of the Road Café. Ms. Gray just left the board last month, and I must say thank you for your years of service and outstanding contributions.

Back to Halloween night: the wedding was followed by the Boo Bash, a contemporary take on the old Boo Ball, and a great event at Holocene. Music ranged from the sublime Evolutionary Jass Band (who Willamette Week cited as possessing a “salmonella-raw jazz knowledge, setting them apart from the cliché of an overly academic, sanded-corner jazz yawn”) to Fleshtone (a band that might be described as electro-clash and hip-hop meet late-night exercise infomercials).

Thanks to the producers: KBOO Outreach Coordinator Chihiro Wimbush, KBOO volunteer Ken Dyber, and Barrett Ryker. Click here for our Boo Bash photo album.

The Boo Bash concluded a busy season of KBOO parties starting with our open house and Doug Fir event for the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. That night, we saw our former Membership Coordinator, Jana Daisy Ensign open the show with her belly dance troupe Just Like Goddesses followed by Afro-beat band Jujuba, and KBOO’s own DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid with their “incredible” Bhangra mix. Next was Anjali broadcast live from the Fez (and if you don’t make it to the clubs, check her out on the 4^th Sunday of each month 7-9pm on KBOO).

Jujuba turned up again along with Albino and headliner dj Cheb I Sabah in another live broadcast. This time it was a benefit for City Repair Project at The Cathedral. When I asked our Trainer, Rabia Yeaman, for her impressions, her first response was, “Oh. Wow!” After speaking to the great music, art and space, she reflected that the event was unique in that it was “cool and hip” yet inclusive too (with people in their twenties and sixties sharing the dance floor)…and it was a benefit for a group that’s trying to change our corner of the world for the better.

The other big event was From The Ground Up! presented by KBOO Urban Music Director and Soundbox host Deena B at XV in downtown Portland featuring Mic Crenshaw, Sick Mediks, Easy Beats, DJ Void, DJ Kez, and Izm. Deena has made a splash more than a few times with her Hella Fresh Fests, and Wheels of Steel.

Many of these shows have been live broadcasts. We’ve been doing the Waterfront Blues Festival and MLK Day for years, and frankly jumping into club situations has been challenging because there are always surprises and clubs aren’t really set up for radio broadcasts. As a community station, we don’t have the means to hire a sound van and crew to run it, and yet we have seen volunteers and friends of KBOO step up to build a credible live-broadcast program. We’re still learning, but the live feeds have created a lot of buzz—and attendance—that makes for great parties and connection with our communities.

Arthur Davis

November 22, 2006