Neighborhood Notes

Series features latin rhythms of Alfred Muro, saxman Patrick Lamb and classical Chinese music Inspired by the lingering light of summer evenings and the magic of the garden at dusk, the Portland Classical Chinese Garden will present its third summer concert series again on six consecutive Tuesdays beginning July 5. "Tuesdays by Twilight: Midsummer Music in the Portland Classical Chinese Garden" offers you the rare chance to enjoy live music in the garden after hours. The summer concert series has been an extraordinary success for its first two seasons, with all performances sold out.

The Tuesday evening concerts feature a diverse mix of musical styles by some of the region’s most exciting performers. The garden will also offer beer from co-sponsor BridgePort Brewing Company, fine Oregon wines and Asian dinner boxes for sale during the shows. Tuesdays by Twilight is made possible by a generous sponsorship from the Bill Naito Company. The Tuesdays by Twilight line-up is as follows:

Tuesday, July 5: Alfredo Muro Trio
Guitarist Alfredo Muro plays with a facility and passion that will entrance you. The Peruvian-born former child prodigy draws on an astonishing range of styles, from Spanish music and South American folk songs to classical compositions and the intricate Brazilian rhythms of choro, samba, frevo and Afro-samba. The trio includes Brian Healey on bass and Jay Harris on drums.

Tuesday, July 12: Mia Nicholson Jazz Quintet
Jazz vocalist Mia Nicholson delivers an uncontrived sound at once sweet, sultry and vulnerable. Her repertoire features a signature selection of uncommon standards with an extra dose of bossa nova a la Gilberto and Getz. The band features Steve Christofferson, piano; Dave Captein, bass; Reinhardt Melz, drums; Bobby Torres, hand percussion; and David Evans, tenor saxophone.

Tuesday, July 19: Tessa Brinckman and East West Continuo
Virtuoso flutist Tessa Brinckman and East West Continuo push the boundaries of chamber music with riveting explorations of music from the eastern and western worlds, including traditional, new and hybrid material. The ensemble features Ms. Brinckman on flute, Daniel Rouslin on violin, Victoria Gunn-Pich on viola, and Lori Presthus on cello.

Tuesday, July 26: Dylan-Thomas Vance with Griff Bear
Lovers of roots music, country blues, folk and Americana, prepare yourselves for the real thing. A pioneer of cross genres, lap steel slide guitarist and singer-songwriter Dylan-Thomas Vance serves up a potent stew of original country blues, roots and folk tunes that will stir your soul. Joining him for the second half will musical soulmate and recording collaborator, fiddler Griff Bear.

Tuesday, August 2: Patrick Lamb Quartet
Get ready to groove! Saxman Patrick Lamb and his band will make you want to dance with their, old-school blend of R&B, pop and 60’s-style jazz-soul tunes, many of them originals from Lamb’s "Sunshine Alley" CD. The band features Patrick Lamb, tenor saxophone; George Mitchell, piano; Gene Houck, bass; and Graham Lear, drums.

Tuesday, August 9: Portland Classical Chinese Trio
What could be more magical in a Ming dynasty-inspired garden than the evocative sounds of Chinese music written 500 to 1,000 years ago? Back by popular demand for a third season, the trio includes Jerry Lin on erhu, Emily Deng on zeng, and Henry Hung on bamboo flute.

Individual tickets are $16. A series pass is available for $84 for non-members, $70 for members. All concerts begin at 7:15 p.m., and are for ages 21 and older. On concert evenings, the ticket window and gates open at 6:30 p.m. Box dinners, wine and beer will be available. Please note that in order to protect the garden’s rare plantings and prevent crowding, coolers and large folding chairs will not be allowed beyond the gates. Small, armless chairs or stools are acceptable. Member tickets will go on sale June 6th. General public tickets will go on sale June 13th. Please call 503-228-8131 x2001 to reserve.