While Rome Burns is pleased to announce the next in its ongoing series of benefits, this time in support of Unite Oregon (uniteoregon.org). Events are held the last Thursday of each month at Mississippi Pizza Pub. This month’s event is April 27th, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and will feature the music of Smut City Jellyroll Society and Jennifer Smieja, with master of ceremonies Karissa Lowe. Members of Unite Oregon will be on hand to talk about the important work their organization is doing, and to meet directly with attendees. Admission is $10, with 100% of proceeds going to benefit Unite Oregon.
The Music:
Smut City Jellyroll Society is a wild and crazy bunch of fun loving musicians playing blues and early jazz from the 1920’s and 1930’s. With a unique sound somewhere between ragtime blues, early jazz and jugband music, the Jellyroll Society keeps it loose and lively with a driving syncopated swing that gets the dancers out on the floor. The music is from a variety of sources: Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, The Harlem Hamfats, Memphis Jug Band, Blind Boy Fuller and others. The Society also has a couple of original tunes in the repertoire with more on the way. The lyrics are fun and a bit on the risqué side. Smut City Jellyroll Society plays shows at some of the finest venues in town and is available for private events and swing dances.
Singer/songwriter Jennifer Smieja brings a refreshingly honest take on life and love to her finely drawn songs.
Drawn to the music of Gillian Welch, Patsy Cline and Richard Thompson, and lead by her pure and resonant voice, her band delicately weaves the sounds of new folk, Americana and country.
The Cause:
Our Mission
Led by people of color, immigrants and refugees, rural communities, and people experiencing poverty, we work across Oregon to build a unified intercultural movement for justice.
Our Values
- Inclusivity: We believe in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces that make room for all people to be their full, authentic selves.
- Racial Justice: Because of the United States’ history of racism, we believe in putting racial justice front and center in our work.
- Social Justice: We believe in sharing power, opportunities, and resources to ensure equitable participation and representation in an increasingly multicultural society.
- Empowerment: We believe all people have the potential to become leaders and agents of change.
- Stewardship: We believe in stewardship and respect for the environment, both within our own organization and in our broader communities.
- Respect: We believe in the fundamental human dignity of all people.
- Transparency: We commit to organizational transparency and accountability to our members and to the communities we organize.
- Leadership: We believe that the people most affected by injustice should be the individuals and communities leading and advocating for solutions.
- Equity: We examine all issues through perspectives of race, economic status, immigration status, and gender to promote equity and inclusion of all.
- Vibrancy: We build strong, vibrant connections through the celebration of families, cultures, and communities. We believe that justice is a journey, and our creation of community is what sustains us on that journey.