Seen at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, No. 4, July 3, 2014 - It wasn't his hat that I noticed first, either--it was his tank top.

I moved from my previous spot so that I would look across the dance floor installed in front of the Oregonian Front Porch Stage. That's where I saw this man in the tank top dancing all by himself. I recognized him immediately because I've seen him three other times over the years, dancing either with a woman or alone, he doesn't let it hold him back if he has no partner and the music moves him. Twice I saw him at Music on Main, a free Wednesday event during the summer put on by the Portland'5 Center for the Arts, and also at last year's blues festival. He always wears a tank top in this style, plus a hat in that style. After I posted photos of him groovin' to the music at the first Music on Main, my older son Lamont informed me that the man lived in their neighborhood and was seen frequently walking from here to there. Then, after I told him that I'd seen him again last year, he said to me, "You know, I think he's moved or something because we don't see him any more." I think it's neat how much the man loves live music and dancing when it speaks to him. I took three photos, but this one worked best so that you have the context of the couple dancing there on the right which helps inform what the man in the tank top is doing. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

More serendipity. Really. I have a phenomenally lucky gift for serendipitous moments, of which I am not one-bit aware as they occur because I am not looking for them. The fact that eventually I become aware is in itself serendipitous.

Not long after I took loads of photos of Jujuba during Music on Main, my older son Lamont was at my apartment. I took the opportunity to show him the images in iPhoto, the ones I liked best of the band and of this man thoroughly enjoying dancing to the fine and funky beat. Well, imagine my shock when Lamont sort of guffawed and exclaimed, "That's my neighbor!" Shocked, I pointed at the man in the cap and asked, "This man?" Turn out this man whose exuberant fun fascinated me into taking photo after photo, lives in my two sons' neighborhood.

Merriam-Webster online defines serendipity as the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for. And this definition for English-language learners: luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for. M-W goes on to include this definition for kids: the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for.

Jujuba at Music on Main, Portland Center for the Performing Arts, August 29, 2012

What a fine and funky good time I had listening to and grooving with Jujuba at Music on Main!

From the PCPA Web site's information on Music on Main:

Jujuba delivers a funky, danceable style of Nigerian Afrobeat and Juju music. The strength of the eleven-piece revolves around its energetic cohesion between percussion, rhythm and horn sections. Renowned for their ability to engage a wide variety of audiences, the band draws a dance floor full of smiling faces at every event.

Jujuba features Nojeem Lasisi from Igbo Ora, Oyo State, in Nigeria. He ranks among the world’s elite talking drum players. Nojeem was given his first drum at age four by his father, also a master drummer, who handed down to Nojeem its powerful language. As a member of Nigerian superstar King Sunny Ade's group, the African Beats, Nojeem toured the world and appears on numerous recordings with King Sunny, including "Seven Degrees North" and "Odu."

Nojeem has settled in the Northwest and assembled Jujuba from local musicians who all share a true love for Nigerian music. Their diverse experiences in a wide range of styles propel the project into new directions based on Afrobeat, Juju and traditional Nigerian folk music. Nojeem Lasisi and Jujuba have created a unique blend of African and Western music they hope is enjoyable to all.

Since the fall of 2002, the band has elicited a strong flow of positive feedback from audiences, concert promoters, festival organizers and the press. As Marty Hughley of The Oregonian puts it, “the heat and flavor was all in the groove.” The joy Jujuba shares with its audiences encourages new material, a tighter connection and a growing energy from each show to the next.

About Music on Main Street Located in downtown Portland on Main Street, between Southwest Broadway & Park Ave., next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Wednesday evenings during July and August we take advantage of the lovely summer weather in Portland to present Music on Main Street, PCPA’s free outdoor concert series. The concerts boast popular local musicians with a diverse collection of music – from Afrobeat to Rockabilly – these bands will have you up on your feet and dancing on Main Street. The free concerts are open to the public and run from 5pm to 7pm – tickets are not required. The ArtBar & Bistro will be serving up seasonal fare and delicious libations starting at 4:30pm every week. Tables and chairs are available on a first come, first served basis, along with plenty of room to move around - dancing is highly encouraged.

Music on Main, Dancing to Dr. Theopolis, Aug. 18, 2010

I love these windows on the south wall of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Music on Main, Dr. Theopolis, Aug. 18, 2010, Part #1

I took off early, rode the bus home, called for a taxi so that Mama and I could meet our friends Danielle and her mother Pat for an evening outdoors, listening to live music, for free! Danielle and Pat were here on a week's vacation, up from California. We had a great time listening to a band called Dr. Theopolis, quite a talented group of eight men who also happened to be quite easy on the eyes. Here you see four of them. Would that you could hear them.


One more of Dr. Theopolis.


And one more. Two to go.


The last two.


All eight of Dr. Theopolis, plus a bit of the crowd.

Come back tomorrow for shots of the crowd livin' it up to the funky beat!

If you get a minute, take a look at my other blog, Mama & Me from PDX--we're still on vacation over there! It's all about lug nuts at Talladega Superspeedway!

M Week begins with Music on Main from Aug. 27, 2008

Reggie Houston, his smile and his saxophone.


Mary Flower and her guitar.


For Music on Main, one entire block is closed off, between Broadway and Park.


It makes for a natural shape for the crowd to enjoy a great view and sound from the stage.


Janice Scroggins on keyboard, Mary Flower on guitar and singing, Reggie Houston on saxophone and singing--all for our entertainment.


Happy dancers enjoyed themselves tremendously.

Europa on Park

Yesterday after work I rode the bus to the west side of the river, got off next to the
First and Main building site, and walked a few blocks west to the last Music on Main of this summer. Photos will be posted soon, I promise--I took so many that I need some time to look over them.

Anyway, after listening to some fine music outdoors, I walked a few more blocks to catch a bus home, looking here, looking there, like I always do. Of course, I must also own up to the fact that I look down a lot, making sure where my feet are going.

On SW Park, this vignette at the Europa caught my eye.




All of you photo bloggers out there will find this as much fun as I did, I think. Yesterday Jill at Salem Oregon Daily Photo commented, Do you really go to work or just wander around the streets? You have so many great street shots!!

Here’s my answering comment: Thanks, Jill, I do work a 40-hour week, but walking is so easy here, what with these super days of good weather that are so comfortable after work, with well-maintained sidewalks, the sun shining, a breeze blowing, and a TriMet ride home nearby. I can't help myself, I often take walks around downtown, camera at the ready. It's purely paradise.

Thursday, July 31, 2008 - Trio Tells a Tale

So, walking north on SW Broadway after one of the Music on Main Street concerts, I noticed a young couple step closer to a store window display at Mario's. I looked at what had them looking, then pulled the camera out of the rolling black bag because I know a photo opportunity when I see one. And this one wasn't going anywhere. I took my time, shooting the troop of monkeys, photographically, of course.

Here we have three somewhat traditional-looking sock monkeys. Look closely with your eyes wide open. They're telling you something, and I'll bet you've heard it before.

Here's another view.

Thursday, July 10, 2008 ... Music on Main, Fernando

That's Fernando in the black. I walked over after work and had a great time, listening, watching, taking photos.


Main closed between Broadway and Park--here you're looking west from Broadway.


Here you're looking east from Park. Just yesterday evening Mama and I drove west on this street, headed home in the Buick.


These guys got into it!


The crowd loved this one, too.



Portland Center for the Performing Arts presents Fernando. He leads off the Music on Main Street Summer Series. Wednesday, July 9. Free!

"Fernando writes compelling pop songs with captivating melodies and lush vocal harmonies. Bouncy and charming guitars juggle the bass and drums into rhythmic waves of clever ballads… (with) instrumentation which belies a roots rock intention smartly wrapped in bubble wrap of indie pop.” – Smother

Argentina-born Fernando Vicivonte came of age musically in L.A. fronting the hard rock band Monkey Paw. He moved to Portland in 1994 and released Season in Hell, a downbeat collection of country rock, in 1996. His sophomore effort, Windows, saw a harder-edged approach that at times recalled his Southern California days. The Spanish language album Pacoima (1998) represented an abrupt shift as Fernando explored his So Cal barrio roots, swinging from border rock to Tex-Mex to Mexican R&B. Sure enough, he changed gears ayet again for Old Man Motel (1999) indulging in a powerful collection of relatively straight-ahead rock. In 2001 Fernando released Dreams of the Sun and Sky, a startling gorgeous collection of gauzy, narcotic tracks with Latin and country-folk accents. Fernando’s latest record, Exit to Enter, isn’t your average pop-rock album. Sure it’s full of sweet, somber vocals and catchy hooks, but the album’s got something you don’t hear very often on melodic pop/rock releases – and that’s raw emotion.

www.myspace.com/fernandoportland