Portland Perks

After spending a whole day at the Portland Antique Show, we drove into the city to stay two days at the Benson. The Benson is right in the heart of the city and is historic and an experience in itself. Free coffee and papers in the morning and happy hour and jazz at night. Service is with a smile! We were given a Perks book of coupons and enjoyed 2 for 1 entry into the Chinese Gardens, and the Mansion and could have gone into the Japanese Garden and the Art Museum if we had had more time. We highly recommend the Chinese Gardens for their design as well as for the serenity and peace you feel as you go through each outdoor room. The teahouse windows look out onto the green, green, and more green and the brightly coloured carp in the pools.
We also found coupons for 20-50% off meals, which made them all the more enjoyable. The Farmers' Market is blocks long and has everything from food to crafts and activities. Right at the waterfront, you can walk along the seawall as you shop. For take home gifts, we bought soap truffles, in all the flavors and beautifully decorated. Gift wrapped, in tiny cartons, our luggage smelled glorious.
For our next trip, we plan to revisit the Antique show again as it is one of the largest ones anywhere and if you take your own lunch, the entertainment is practically free. Antique books are great and well priced, too. We'll use Priceline again, to get a good deal on hotels. It's a bit daunting as you don't know which one you'll snag, but you often get upgraded and it beats paying full price. Just note that most places charge for parking but you can find better rates in the garages close to your hotel. We do want to get to the Japanese Gardens and Art Museum next time, for sure. Maybe we'll take more than 3 days next time, too!

Guest Writer for clotheslinefinds.blogspot.com

When I travel, or see shows I especially love, I blog here. When I cover fashion in Vancouver, I usually blog as a guest for my daughter, Anthea at clotheslinefinds.blogspot.com Currently am trying to make a video about Canadian Women in Science, Technology and Engineering and have completed the interviews but need help with editing and formatting. Am working with students from the Independent Indigenous Film Program at CAPILANO University and others. A lot of time and technical skills I lack but never mind, it's the idea that counts. May blog about the experience once the video is done. If you'd like to help out, please reply to the blog or email me at ctsoukalas80@gmail.com

Eyes Wide Open - Israel - Haim Tabakman

This was an eye opener into the world of love and relationships in an ultra-orthadox Jewish community. The love between husband and wife and family is sacred and the love of God and prayer is ritualized and ongoing. Anything else is forbidden; homosexuality results in the loss of everything - status, work, friendships, and in this film, ultimately the loss of life. As film viewers, we are privy to everything private about this community just as everything is public to its members. People know what is going on in everyone's lives and judge accordingly. Intense and dramatic, joyful and tragic.

Porgy and Me: In the World of Porgy and Bess

This is a stunning film and I hope it comes back to theatres and goes to video! It is Susanna Boehm's second film and is about her interviews with the opera singers of the New York Harlem Theatre Company. Terry Lee Cook, her husband, has been singing Porgy for ten years but wants to sing Wagnerian roles. Told when he was a child that he was retarded, he has bigger dreams for himself and for his son. All of the singers have stories and for many, the debate is whether Porgy and Bess is the only vehicle open to them or whether it could be a springboard to other opportunities. The music is fabulous and inspiring, especially Summer Time and It Ain't Necessarily So. Loved that the Director was available for questions after the movie. She is also a set designer and will make more movies. She is a great talent and I look forward to her next production!

A Prophet - Jacques Audiard

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize, Cannes 2009, this is an intense, very violent film with excellent acting. It is much like The Godfather, in that one knows the cycle of crime and death will continue. A young French-Arab reform school graduate is sentenced to six years in prison. Scarred and well used to being hyper alert, he manages to survive by joining the Corsicans and by proving his worth by murdering a fellow Muslim. The whole system is corrupt and there is no way to win except by becoming part of it. The education he gets only helps him learn to read and write, it does not bring him opportunities to escape. Even as he leaves the prison, he is followed by three cars. Is he the new master of the Paris underworld or is he being tracked down.

Tetro-Francis Ford Coppola

Saturday, Oct. 18th - This film reminds me of The Godfather, The Long Hot Summer or of early Brando movies. It is about family and disfunction. It is also about rivalry, passion, genius and what drives one person to succeed and prevents others from going anywhere. It is a black and white film but is rich in location, (Buenos Aires) costume, music and the artistic process. The relationships are deep and complex: brother vrs. brother, fathers and sons, lovers, friends, as Zorba said, "the whole catastrophe.." Additional drama is provided through tragedy - opera, masks, broken dolls and car accidents. Will the play ever be finished? Who will write the ending? There is possibility through love and connection.

The Jazz Baroness - Hannah Rothschild-Director

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - Van City Theatre

Narrated by Helen Mirren, this is Hannah Rothschild's story of her great aunt's (Pannonica Rothschild) relationship with Jazz and Thelonious Monk. Meeting in Paris in 1954, their 'meeting of like minds' continued for 28 years until his death. From a very wealthy family, and married to a Diplomat, Pannonica left her life-style and family to support the musical genius, Monk. She provided a home and funding for other famous musicians, including Charlie Parker. She was truly an independent woman who pursued her passion. She was also a fighter for civil rights and for vulnerable artists whose talents were well worth nurturing. The story of Pannonica and Thelonious is further described by Thelonious Monk Jr., Quincy Jones and Clint Eastwood. Pannonica's letters detail the relationship, the times and her continuous connection with her children. This film packs a lot in 83 minutes! PS. The music is fabulous!