This month While Rome Burns welcomes back one of our favorite organizations, Rahab’s Sisters, a wonderful group working to create community through radical hospitality with those marginalized by poverty, houselessness, sex work, violence or substance use. This time around we’re bringing in the Jenny Moriarty Experience and The Andventures of Chicken & Dumpling to tickle your musical fancy with pretty much any kind of music you can think of – country, folk, R&B, jazz – you name it.
Sunday February 23, 5 – 7 PM
Mississippi Pizza Pub & Atlantis Lounge
3552 N. Mississippi Ave
Portland, Oregon 97227 (map)
$10 (100% Rahab’s Sisters)
All Ages!
DONATE!
Please consider bringing and donating toiletries/personal care items, such as travel size deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, hand warmers, sanitizer, razors, pocket tissues, soap and body-wash, African-American hair products.
Rahab’s Sisters
On December 5, 2003, the founding mothers of Rahab’s Sisters gathered on SE 82nd Avenue to offer hot coffee to women they met on the streets. Mugs of coffee evolved into a warm meal inside Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal Church, a safe space that is Rahab’s Sisters still calls home today. Before there were enough volunteers to maintain regular hours, women knew Rahab’s Sisters was open by candles lit in the windows – a warm and welcoming glow on a cold night.
Eventually Rahab’s Sisters decided to gather on Friday evenings from 7pm – 10pm. They added a regular stock of hygiene supplies guests could request every week, as well as community activities, from craft projects and karaoke to haircuts and foot care.
During their first 14 years, Rahab’s Sisters was run entirely by volunteers. As guest numbers climbed – fueled by Portland’s housing crisis, the booming opioid epidemic, and other factors – the board recognized the need for consistent leadership and raised money to hire their first executive director.
Rahab’s Sisters offerings have now expanded to include Friday Circle, a therapeutic group where guests can seek support from licensed counselors and each other. They now open at 5pm, collaborating with other organizations that provide powerful resources for their guests, and becoming better known outside of their close-knit volunteer community.
The Jenny Moriarty Experience
The Jenny Moriarty Experience (JME) is stylized blues and jazz for the next roaring 20s. The band combines decades of musical experience exploring the vast genres of rock, blues, and jazz.
Anybody that has been active in Portland’s blue scene will be familiar with Jenny Moriarty’s powerful and expressive vocals as she has performed with many of Portland’s more prominent musicians. JME provides the vehicle for Jenny to be at her most versatile and expressive vehicle where she can truly display her performance abilities and musicality.
The JME is musically anchored by Steve Maliszewski (bass) and Brad Bleidt (piano). Steve is a top-notch musician whether holding down the groove with a solid foundation for taking slight as a soloist. Brad’s primary piano focus is providing rich, imaginative interpretations of Jenny’s repertoire as the ensemble explores the roots of their music: Louisiana Zydeco, Northwest Rock, Memphis Soul, and Chicago Blues.
The Adventures of Chicken & Dumpling
The Adventures of Chicken & Dumpling are the fun-loving alter-egos of Tave Fasce Drake and Nikki Jardin.
Their shows involve original music consisting of blues, folk, swing, and 1930s style songs, along with a handful of carefully selected covers often played on unusual and whimsical instruments. The fun times also include storytelling, games, and the occasional guest performer!
When not off having adventures or performing together, Tave and Nikki are involved in several solo projects in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Additionally, Tave is the lead singer and Nikki is the drummer of Gerle Haggard Band, the “All Merle, All Girl” tribute.