Seen at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, No. 8, July 3, 2014 - One of my favorite guys to see out and about around downtown Portland

Mr. Statue, since the first time I saw him years ago, remains my favorite Portland street performer. I like how this photo turned out.



Usually you can see two or three balls at the same time. He keeps them in a fanny pack when he's being still. I'm so glad that he got to set up in the shade of the Hawthorne Bridge!



I cannot imagine how much time that it takes for Mr. Statue to get ready for his performances. For me, he's a mesmerizing treat to witness.

Seen at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, No. 7, July 3, 2014 - I've heard this talented woman step up to the mic and belt out songs during Kevin Selfe's Sunday evening blues jam at the Blue Diamond, right in my neightborhood

The Rae Gordon Band--that woman can flat out sing, y'all! I heard Rae singing when I left the FedEx Crossroads Stage, so I walked around to the front of the First Tech Blues Stage. This particular photo is pretty good, but that microphone hides her expressive face.

Here's what I found at the blues festival's Web site:

"Add equal parts of Janis Joplin's pain, Aretha Franklin's soul and Grace Slick's power; mix them thoroughly, and add a big gob of gooey molasses and you have Rae Gordon's voice" - Positively Entertainment and Dining 

"Gordon had the audience in the palm of her hand" - Oregon Music News "When the band launches into the more rollicking numbers, hands start waving" - Willamette Week.

Rae Gordon, named Cascade Blues Association's Best Female Vocalist in 2011, started her singing career in the piano bars of Los Angeles and opening up for comedians. Her early experience singing in the comedy clubs on the infamous Sunset Strip gave her an approachability and sense of humor that she brings to audiences today.

The Rae Gordon Band brings together award winning and nominated musicians that have followed her to the big and little stages of northwest’s favorite festivals helping to mold their signature sound that spans from a danceable get up and groove to a haunting slide tone that will make you want to find a back porch and sit a spell. She enjoys playing intimate venues where she can connect one on one with people in the audience to large festivals where she can connect with a whole community.

Their much awaited recent CD release of original tunes, which was co-written with RGB guitar player Gaddis Cavenah called "Blue Lemonade" debuted to a sold out venue and rave reviews. It highlights Gordon’s extensive range and ability to move effortlessly from soul to blues infused gospel.

“They have struck pay dirt in bringing out the beauty of Rae’s vocal abilities”…“Listening to the disc leaves no question on why she is a perennial nominee for female vocalist in the Cascade Blues Association’s Muddy Awards” “Blue Lemonade is a deeply accomplished work with superb original songwriting that stands up to the best releases of recent years anywhere”… 

It is currently getting airplay in Portland Radio markets including KINK FM, KMHD, Eugene, Kansas City, back east and has recently crossed the pond to the radio listeners of England.

Rae Gordon Band performances are not only a show, but a celebration, as Gordon follows the policy that a stranger is just a friend you haven't met…yet. 



Here's a photo that captured one of the many expressions that played across Rae's face as she entertained the huge crowd in front of the stage at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

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

Y'all, I feel pretty good about this photo. In fact, it's one of my favorites that I've taken, period. You're seeing it straight out of the camera. However, it's not the first photo that I took of this man over at the Oregonian Front Porch Stage which is located a bit north of the FedEx Crossroads Stage, nigh to the Rose Building (actually the historical John Yeon Building), home of the Portland Rose Festival, situated in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, home of the blues festival and lots of other outstanding outdoor events in Portland.



It was his elbow that I first noticed from the chair where I sat on the aisle in front of the stage. My thought as I noticed the shape of his elbow which was right in my line of sight, "Whoa! That's guy's elbow looks like an eye." So, I took this photo--admittedly, he was more perpendicular to the ground upon first sighting, but the music of 2014 IBC winner Tim Williams got him moving. Then I noticed his hat, thank goodness.

March 21, 2014, 5:45 p.m., in the sunshine at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Back when the cherry trees bloomed on a sunny, after work Friday, I took quite a few photos that I really liked over at the park. This one would be so much better if it were in focus clearly, but, still and all, I like the action captured, the bocce ball stopped in midair inches from her hand. Right now as I'm preparing this post on May 24 at 8:38 p.m. Portland time, the sun still lights the sky. I do thoroughly enjoy the extra long days we get in Portland when our weather is at its best.

Back or front, I really love this sign.

The two sides of the Portland, Oregon, sign--in the sunshine. I took this photo through the bus window as we headed east on the Burnside Bridge--March 21, 2014.




See why I love it? I took this photo from the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, looking west, on March 21, 2014.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 10

I hope you're not too tired of seeing these photos of the blooming cherry trees bathed in sunlight. I can't quit looking at them myself, amazed at the impact those blossoms have on the views. We've not had much sunshine like this since that weekend about three weeks ago. However, we Portlanders know that it will return, the middle of next week in fact! I especially like how blossoms enhance the look of the trunks and branches on these two rows of trees.



Here's another photo of the same spot, taken looking a bit more to the east. I'm sharing it with you because I like the two photographers with their phones. One stands at the left side of the photo where the sun lights up her spring green jacket as she takes a photo. The other takes a giant step into the photo from the right. She wears a sweater with stripes the same green and a matching headband. While she's not taking a photo, the fact that she has phone in hand and is looking up makes me certain that she's on the search for the perfect place to take the next beautiful photo.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 9

Not everyone at Tom McCall Waterfront Park took photos while I was there. A few minutes after I took this photo, he stood up from what looked to have been a comfortable nap, picked up his bag and walked away. I took this photo at 6:36 p.m. on Friday, March 21, looking northeast towards the Steel Bridge. You can see part of it over the tops of the trees. Notice that gray roof with the shadow beneath it, above the blooming cherry trees, top right corner of the photo? That's the Moda Center where the Portland Trail Blazers play their home games. It is on the east side of the Willamette River. The other roofline is on a grain elevator along the east bank of the Willamette River. I have a season ticket to the Blazers' games and am looking forward to the rest of the season, then the playoffs. Go, Blazers!

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 8

Looking north, toward the Steel Bridge over the Willamette, in a photo that I took at 5:52 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014. The fly over across the river is involved with I-5. I haven't driven on it enough to remember for sure, but I think it is where you can exit I-5 and get onto I-84. Y'all correct me, Portlanders, please. I like the three checking a photograph, no doubt. And their shadows stretching to the river.



Looking south, toward the Burnside Bridge, in a photo that I took at 5:57 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014. The supports you see on the left are on the section of the bridge that crossed the Willamette. I like the little girl dancing in pink chiffon on the green grass, as well as the number of folks visible in this particular shot.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 7

Found another redhead in a gray hat enjoying the green grass and sunshine and cherry blossoms. The blurry white spots are petals in flight. Double serendipity, to get her and the falling petals in the same shot. I took this photo at 6:22 p.m. on Friday, March 21.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 6

Wait! There in the distance past the in-focus single Benson Bubbler I couldn't resist photographing because the plume of water resembled a giant cut diamond. Is that someone squatted beside the redhead in the gray hat?



Yep, he's checking out the screen on his phone. She's turned towards him. He photographed her at the same time I did, from a straight-on perspective, I imagine. He's wearing a darker gray hat and has a red fu manchu mustache and goatee. Serendipity!

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 5

Surely someone is taking her photo, other than me. Surely. In this perspective, sunshine and shadow treated her just right. I think her red hair peeking out from the brim of her gray hat and catching the sunlight next to her cheek make this photo special. What do you think? I'm very curious to know your opinion. I took this photo at 6:21 p.m. on Friday, March 21. Right above her head, cherry blossoms. But, I'm happy that I zoomed in and got this photo.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 4

When the cherry blossoms bloom and the sun comes out, it's icing-on-the-cake time around here. Get your camera, get your phone, get your significant other, get the kid(s), get the dog, get your bicycle, get your blanket to sit on, get your layers to wear for when the shade inevitably comes your way as the sun sets, and get out there. I took this photo at 5:51 p.m.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 3

I heard the lady in the maroon jacket say, as they approached the single bubbler while I leaned over and took the photograph, "What's she doing?" The man in the jacket with the green stripes answered, "She taking a photo of the water fountain."



Little did they know that I'd also taken a photo with them in focus. I stood up as they came abreast and asked, "Do you want to see the photo of the water fountain?" They stopped and looked and gave their approval. We agreed that it was a beautiful early evening to be out for a walk, enjoying the sunshine and the cherry blossoms. I chickened out and only showed them the top photo where the two of them are not in focus. One of these days, I'll be brave enough when I make eye contact with the subject of a photograph to say something along the lines of, "I've taken this great photo of you and plan to put it on my blog soon. Here's my card with the blog's address so that you can check it out, if you'd like." What do you other photo bloggers think about my plan? OK? Pitiful? Unnecessary? What would you do? What do you do?

By the way, how about that man with the purposeful stride, balancing his brimmed, cloth hat on his right fingertips? I caught him there in the center of the photo in mid-step, the entire sole of his left shoe visible. I love it! And I love that tiny bit of the sky visible between parts of the Steel Bridge, there in the distance. The tiny bit I'm talking about touches the top of the striding man's hat and looks as if it's a feather coming out of the hat, practically the exact color!

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 2

Here's the jumping girl from yesterday's post, with her dad, mom, and little sister. Sweet to see a family out making memories in the sunshine on the first weekend that the cherry trees bloomed. The way the weather changes around here, sometimes these flowers depart quickly, so it is imperative to get on out there and take advantage of the best conditions, as soon as they occur. That's why I went over between the Burnside and the Steel Bridges Friday, March, 21, after work. I had no idea if I could get back to Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Saturday or Sunday, so I put a reminder on my iPhone 5 and made it happen. The reminder's necessary because on Friday I tend to be on autopilot for home, unless the Blazers are playing.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 1

Friday after work at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, lots of people came out to enjoy the sunshine and the blooming cherry trees. I took this photo at 5:45 p.m. on March 21.