By:: Gina Piroli :: Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

Step One: Find a composer with a unique affinity to Oregon.

Photo from the Ernest Block Legacy

Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) was a Swiss-born American composer who, during his lifetime, was considered the fourth “B” after Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. After graduating from the Music Conservatory in Brussels, he traveled Europe to study composition in Frankfort (with Iwan Knorr), Paris, Munich and Geneva.  He arrived in the U.S. in 1920 and became the first Music Director at the newly established Cleveland Institute of Music.  In 1925, Maestro Bloch headed the San Francisco Conservatory of Music,  a post he held until 1930.

One summer, as he traveled the Oregon Coast on his way to visit his son in what is now called Lake Oswego, he discovered a property that over looked the Pacific Ocean in Agate Beach. He bought the house, the only one he would ever own, and it became his home until his death in 1959. The Ernest Bloch Foundation, of which his grandson Ernest Bloch II is president and the Ernest Bloch Legacy continue to promote his memory, both in Oregon and throughout the world.

Step Two: Find musicians who have the chops to play it.

Sergey Antonov

The Bloch sonata for cello and piano was written when the composer was seventeen years old.  It has never been published so cellist, Sergey Antonov and pianist, Cary Lewis will be playing this composition at the Paint The Old Church New Concerts at The Old Church on Thursday, June 14,  from a copy of the manuscript that is only found in the Library of Congress.  According to Dr. Lewis, who is the Chamber Music Director of the Astoria Music Festival, it is filled with, “… youthful passion and vitality” and “…is an interesting curiosity——a point in Bloch’s path to becoming a master composer.” One can expect to find no more artistic interpretation of this piece than that of the young Russian cellist Sergey Antonov, winner of the Tchaikowsky Competition, who is returning to Oregon for his fourth visit as guest artist for the Astoria Music Festival and pianist, Cary Lewis, who recently retired from the faculty of Georgia State University and appears in numerous festivals throughout the year.

Cary Lewis

Step Three: Find a music venue that is worthy of such a composer and composition.

The Historic Old Church, built in 1882, and is a wonderfully intimate space for chamber music. To celebrate our newly installed cooling system, to honor our donors and to launch our new interior painting campaign, we will present:  Paint The Old Church New – Concert and Fundraiser with two nights of spectacular music. 

The June 14 - Astoria Music Festival Portland Preview Concert  will feature the unpublished Bloch sonata, as well as a trio by Bedrich Smetana, which he wrote as a response to the death of his young daughter, and two more sonatas, one by Poulenc  and another by Ravel which features violin and cello. Joining Sergey and Cary will be Martin Chalifour, current concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and past Tchaikowsky Competition winner.

The June 15 – Bainbridge Quartet Concert  will showcase Timothy Schwarz and Denise Dillenbeck, violin, Charles Noble, viola, and Heather Blackburn, cello. They will be performing  selections from Dvořák  Cypresses B. 152 for string quartet, Beethoven Quartet in E flat major, Op. 127, and Shostakovich Quintet  in G minor for piano and strings, with special guest and The Historic Old Church Board Member, Susan DeWitt Smith, piano.

Both concerts begin at 8:00pm, 7:00pm doors. Tickets $40 for both nights or $25 per concert and available through The Old Church office:  (503) 222-2031 or Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/246217

Last month, I visited the Oregon Historical Society’s “Treasures of the Vault”, an exhibit that showcases items chosen from the 85,000 artifacts stored in their warehouse. The exhibit includes items of historical significance and also of mundane, day to day life. As I walked past the pinball machine, the Meier and Frank Santa Land Train and a console from the Trojan Nuclear Plant, two items caught my eye.

1880’s Wedding Dress - OHS Museum 6867

The first was a wedding dress worn by Nanny Moale Smith on her marriage to Col. Charles Erskine Scott Wood. Although Col. and Mrs. Wood were not married at The Old Church, (they were married November 26, 1878) it struck me that there were probably many brides who wore similar garments that did. Let us hope that these brides had a more auspicious marital life. After raising 5 children, Col. Wood ran off with a younger woman (a poet and suffragette) in 1910, scandalizing Portland Society.

Panorama of Portland circa 1904 - Accession 27050, OHS Research Library

The second item was a panorama of the Portland skyline which was photographed to bring tourist, businessman and more residents to the city for the Lewis and Clark Exposition of 1905. At that time, Portland was still growing and 150,000 people called it home. On the right side, I thought I saw a familiar looking bell tower and on closer inspection, I was correct. If this photo were taken today, The Old Church would have been obscured by the Rose Schnitzer Tower.

Closer view of the Panorama and The Old Church.

If you want to see the Treasures of the Vault at the Oregon Historical Society Museum, be sure to visit soon. The exhibit closes on April 1, 2012.

Posted by:: Gina Piroli, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

On Saturday, February 25 at 7:30pm - Keep The Old Church Cool Concert and Fundraiser with Michael Allen Harrison will be raffling six incredible items to help us reach the $25,000 goal to upgrade our heating and cooling system. Thanks to all our friends who donated these wonderful items.

Crowley Geherts Vineyard -2009 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ~ Crowley Wines: www.crowleywines.com

$75 Gift Certificate ~ Higgins Restaurant & Bar: www.higginsportland.com

Two Tickets to a Concert ~ Oregon Symphony: www.OrsSmphony.org

Angel Vine The Morgster - 2009 Pinot Noir ~ Oregon Wines on Broadway: www.oregonwinesonbroadway.com

Four Admission Passes ~ Pittock Mansion: www.pittockmansion.org

Two Tickets to Any Show ~ Portland Center Stage: www.pcs.org

Two Private Yoga Sessions ~ Yoga with Fawn: www.yogawithfawn.com

Tickets are still available: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/219980

Here it is, a beginning of a New Year and that can only mean one thing; The Portland Bridal Show, January 7 & 8 at the Oregon Convention Center.  For the first time in many years, The Old Church will be there showcasing our vintage chic to all. We have $1 off coupons for the show in the office, so please stop by.

In addition, there is a “Start Your Dreams Where Time Stands Still” Wedding Giveaway.  The Old Church will be giving away Ceremony and/or Reception space in our beautiful 1882 Victorian-era treasure, a $1,500 value.

To enter:

Stop by our booth (514A) at the Portland Bridal Show January 7 & 8 2012 Oregon Convention Center.http://portlandbridalshow.com/

Like us on Facebook and leave a comment on the event page. https://www.facebook.com/events/331180266911731/

Visit The Old Church for a grand tour.
Contact staff@oldchurch.org or call 503-222-2031.

Entries must be received by January 31, 2011.

*Restrictions apply. Cannot be exchange for cash.

Hope to see you at the show!

Posted by :: Gina Piroli :: Marketing & Promotions Coordinator

Santa was in the house!

Santa (Alex Smith), Derek and his mom, Gina Piroli (Marketing Coordinator)

Taking a break from his busy holiday schedule, Santa spent Monday, December 19 and Wednesday, December 21 at The Old Church, posing for photos and helping to raise money for the “Keep The Old Church Cool” Fund. To donate click here: http://www.oldchurch.org/donate/

Mr. Dickens (Thom Bray) and the Ghost of Christmas Future recreate the Victorian Theater’s pose for “terror.”

Thanks to Santa and to Mr. Charles Dickens a/k/a Thom Bray, who posed for photos after his stirring performance of “A Christmas Carol” on December 20, $500 were raised for the campaign.

Santa and Tinka, a very sweet and friendly Leonberger.

A special thanks must also go out to Michael Allen Harrison and his crew, John and Karen Carnathan, who allowed us to take Santa photos during the intermission of “Christmas at The Old Church” concerts. Michael’s warmth and generosity is reflected by his many friends and followers. For more info on Michael and his shows go to: http://www.michaelallenharrison.com/calendar.php.

Santa and the folks from the Edgewood Retirement Community.

Of course, there would not have been “Santa at The Old Church” if not for Alex Smith, who generously gave his time and talent to the fundraiser. His ability to calm the most anxious baby and encourage the most timid dog, made the whole process so easy and fun.

Thanks also to Darrin Pufall, who created the gorgeous Santa costume, Corrine Walker at Reed College for the boots and belt, and Brooke at The Art Cubby, an art friendly drop-in child care center, www.kidsartcubby.com.

From the staff and volunteers of The Old Church:

Joyful May Your Holiday Be!

-Posted by Gina Piroli Marketing Coordinator

The tree is trimmed, the wreathes are hung and music decks the halls at The Old Church.

Santa was here Saturday night to take in the Michael Allen Harrison “Christmas at The Old Church” concert and to pose for photos to raise money for the “Keep The Old Church Cool” campaign.

This is Michael’s 21st year at The Old Church and his shows continue through December 26. There were some new faces among the cast. Cayla and Ashley Bleoaja (here with Santa) sang a beautiful Amy Grant tune “Breath of Heaven” and also performed “Silent Night”. 

Julianne Johnson brought down house, with her rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and almost as many fans wanted photos with her as they did with Santa.

If you missed the Saturday night concert, don’t despair!  Tickets for “Christmas at The Old Church” are still available. Call 503-255-0747 or www.michaelallenharrison.com.

Santa will be at The Old Church Monday, December 19 and Wednesday, December 21, 11am-3pm. For more information, www.oldchurch.org.

Posted by: Gina Piroli, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator.

LIVE concert followed by the screening of the video, “Rip Up Your Stitch” from the EP “Bison Rouge”.

LIVE concert followed by the screening of the video, “Rip Up Your Stitch” from the EP “Bison Rouge”.

Through the heat of August and into the Fall we worked tirelessly on our debut music video with stop motion animation and live action shots. All of the live action for this multi-media music video was shot at the Old Church, so what better place to screen its world debut?! Many of those who generously contributed their time, energy and love to this project will be there too!

There will be a reception following the show with treats and goodies!

Show features:
Ashia and the Bison Rouge
Led to Sea
Grey Anne
Special surprise guests and a Lost Dolls Exhibition
November 30th
The Old Church
1422 S.W. 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97201
7:30pm Doors, 8pm show All Ages
$3-12 sliding scale at the door!
$8 pre-sale

First 15 pre-sales will receive a pair of signed, fully assembled paper dolls of Ashia and Xander featured as stop motion animation in the video!
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/212487

Jackie Susann was not present, but with the gorgeous art, fancy jewelry and scantily dressed figures, she would have felt right at home. “Lost Dolls,” The Old Church’s first First Thursday art show, was inspired by Dawn Panttaja who attended a concert and decided The Old Church was the perfect venue to debut her new works.

It was a family affair. Timothy, aka “Dawn’s husband”, enhanced the mood by playing his collection of vintage vinyls on a quaint turntable. He was also in charge of packing the delicious home-baked cookies and cupcakes that accompanied the savory teas, but felt sorry that the ginger molasses snaps didn’t make it into the car. Alexandra, Dawn’s daughter, and her friend Zoe offered him moral support.

Dawn also brought along some friends. Amanda Myers’s fabric dolls were beautiful to behold, and a delight to hold. Unlike the ones from my childhood, these fancy dolls were designed to be touched. Adorned with rich fabrics, feathers, and crystal beads, -her creations-, along with her original framed-art-work- were a wonderful addition to the show.

The most varied collection of the evening was that of Miss Red Star, Alicia Justus, who kept the doll theme but expanded it to include delicate jewelry, unusual art-work, and lacy hats, I spent half my time drinking in all the details of her intricate work.

Wearing an outfit similar to her ceramic doll alter-ego, vocalist/cellist Ashia Grzesik and her band, Bison Rougue, brought down the house with music form their upcoming video that was filmed at The Old Church. She promised to come back and show the video here. We’ll keep you posted when the date is set!

By: Gina Piroli - Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

You may already be aware that The Old Church is home to a wide range of activities. One of our most recent has fitness enthusiasts bending and stretching across the wooden floor. Yoga instructor Fawn Williams thought Kinsman Hall was in perfect alignment for her class of 10 and began teaching here every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. A certified yoga instructor, Fawn brings her philosophy that yoga should be accessible to everyone, everywhere. Her goal is to help students experience life with more authenticity and joy through a regular yoga practice.

While Tuesday classes will continue throughout September, the class will move to Thursday mornings at 9:30 starting October 6.

Bring a yoga mat down and join Fawn and other students in these rejuvenating sessions.  The sliding scale fee per class is $5 to $10.

The heat was on, but not just because of the 85-degree temperatures outdoors. On Thursday, August 18, six members of the Portland Cello Project performed an intimate, all acoustic concert to a full house in the auditorium of The Old Church.  This special concert helped to raise funds to upgrade and install a new air conditioning system. Judging by the size and exuberance of the 300+ crowd, a good time was had by all.

PCP is no stranger to The Old Church.  This past summer, Doug Jenkins and the crew have been using the auditorium as a recording studio for an upcoming CD, which will be released  2012. A special thanks to the musicians, TOC staff and, most importantly, to all who attended this fantastic show.

If you would like to contribute to “Keep The Old Church Cool” HVAC fund, or to become a member of The Old Church Society, please visit our website and click on: http://www.oldchurch.org/membership/.

All donations of $100 or more will receive a copy of the upcoming Portland Cello Project record, due out next spring.

Posted by Gina Piroli - Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

Photos courtesy of Jeannie Baker Photography