News Release

Northwest Film Center invites blues fans
to view “Reel Blues”

PORTLAND, Ore. – Northwest Film Center invites blues fans to two special outdoor screenings on the Oregonian A&E Front Porch Stage at the 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland.

“Make It Funky!”
Saturday, July 2, 10 p.m.
Director: Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy’s film is the story of New Orleans music and the legendary musicians whose compositions, recordings and performances profoundly influenced the evolution of rhythm & blues and rock & roll. Anchored by an all-star concert, the film features the pantheon of the city’s legends along with film clips and a wealth of interviews. “Make It Funky” provides a musical dictionary of the famous and unsung who have fashioned one of the world’s great musical heritages. Featured artists include Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, Little Richard, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Lloyd Price, The Neville Brothers, Funky Meters, Walter Washington, Earl Palmer and dozens of others. U.S. , 2005. (95 minutes) Michael Murphy will introduce the film.

“Nina Simone: Love Sorceress”
Sunday, July 3, 10 p.m.
Director: Rene Letzgu

The High Priestess of Soul. Legend. Nina Simone (1933-2003) was “beyond category.” Singer, pianist, arranger and composer, her music – delivered via her deep, powerful and emotional voice – flowed effortlessly through soul, blues, folk, jazz and pop. Letzgus’ film documents her concert in Paris in 1976 – more performance art piece than just a music event – hailed by many as her best performance of all time. Collapsing musical boundaries, Simone casts a furious spell over her audience with a hypnotic frankness and a regal, riveting mix of music, storytelling and social protest. Sorceress? Definitely. France , 1998. (75 mins.)

All-day admission to the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, including Reel Blues, is a donation of $5 and two cans of food per person per day. All donations benefit Oregon Food Bank.

For more information, visit www.nwfilm.org.

Generous sponsors make the festival possible. The 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is presented by First Tech Credit Union with major sponsorship by CO-OP Network, HSBC, KINK fm102, The Oregonian A&E, JetBlue Airways, Good Neighbor Pharmacy and Chipotle.

Supporting Sponsorship is provided by iQ Credit Union, Miller Genuine Draft, Pepsi, Snapple, Beringer Wine, Frito Lay Snacks, Dreyer's Ice Cream, Yoshida Sauce, Brown Cow Yogurt, Portland Oregon Visitors Association, Riverplace Hotel, Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront, KBOO, KOIN TV6, OregonLive.com, Green Mountain Energy, NW Natural, Music Millennium, Guitar Center, Pearl Pharmacy, Beard’s Framing, Sprint PCS, Ethos, Inc., Cascade Zydeco Association, Cascade Blues Association, Oregon Potters Association, Northwest Film Center, Edge Design, Gary Houston Design and Pacific Northwest College of Art.

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