It's the busy season! Be sure to plan ahead!

Hope you have all been well.

These past 2 weekends have been crazy.

We had a phenomenal turnout for Fruition & Danny Barnes. It was interesting to hear several of the Fruition members say "It was wild to go upstairs after our set, see our friends, and hear that they couldn't get in because the line was so long!"

I took this comment very seriously. I felt bad that they didn't get in but it also made me realize that so many of the bands that play here have continually expanding numbers of fans. You really cannot get too complacent and plan on rolling up to a show an hour after the doors open and hope to be able to stroll right in.

I turned this experience these fans had into some sage advice all last week and have been continually telling folks who really want to see these amazing shows to NOT procrastinate! You really do need to show up shortly after the doors open if you want to catch these shows.

It was nice to see many of the faces from 2 weeks ago taking my advice and... sure enough... the crowd was LARGER this past weekend and those who took my advice got right in this time around!

I am expecting this week (and weekend) to be just as busy. The biggest show this week being Joey Porter's return to The Goodfoot with the 8th Annual Tribute to Herbie Hancock.

As of now, we do not offer advanced sales for shows. We will, however, be making the transition into that as we get closer to our December 10th show with Billy Martin (of Medeski, Martin & Wood) & Wil Blades Duo w/special guest Skerik (that's a show you ought not miss!)

So here we are, the first week of November! Just to make this week sweeter, let me give you a quick rundown of the amazing stuff we have going on:

• 11.01.11 - The finest Tuesday in town. Trivia A Go-Go upstairs (7:30pm) Scott Pemberton Trio downstairs (9:30pm) and as always, both are free!
• 11.02.11 - The Doc Brown Experiment w/The Villains
• 11.03.11 - 1st Thursday Phunktion w/Philly's Phunkestra & Cherry Royale (Atlanta, GA.)
• 11.04.11 - 1st Friday Super Jam - Funk, Soul, Disco & Hip Hop dance party w/DJ Magneto & Friends
• 11.05.11 - Joey Porter's 8th Annual Tribute to Herbie Hancock 

Looking forward to seeing you all at The Goodfoot!

Tuesday at The Goodfoot

I don't know about you but I have always loved Tuesday evenings.
Sure, it's at the beginning of the week and yeah, it's the day that is nestled between Monday and Wednesday. The thing is... I've always managed to find a terrific deal at bars & restaurants on Tuesdays.

It's not confined to just restaurants and bars... Rock radio stations have a 'Two For Tuesday', I've seen 'Terrific Tuesday' at small shops and 'Thrifty Tuesday' at various establishments (from thrift stores to grocery stores). Lest we not forget the 'Tightwad Tuesday' which isn't really meant to insult you, oh consumer with smart money sense, but exists to offer up an enticing selection of great deals so that you'll come out of your house and show Tuesday who's boss.

For some time now, The Goodfoot has hosted The Scott Pemberton Trio every Tuesday. Slow going at first (as with anything new), this evening has exploded into something special. Every Tuesday seems to be growing each week. Scott Pemberton is one of the finest musicians in Portland (and beyond). SP3 starts out as a trio but tends to grow as the evening progresses. It's not uncommon to see some amazing musicians joining in on the hammond organ, percussion, horns, guitar, bass, drums - you name it!

Here's a little taste of the music:

In recent months, we've brought trivia back to the lounge upstairs. Hosts Zander Speaks and Andrew Fuller have created Trivia A Go-Go. Every Tuesday at 7:30pm you can join them for thirty-one trivia questions based on the theme that has been selected that week.

There are a few more delights that make Tuesdays easier on you. Let's start with the two events I just highlighted. Both of these are free of charge (you'll likely think we're nuts for not charging to see the Scott Pemberton Trio).

We decided to open up the food service to downstairs on Monday & Tuesday nights (in addition to our existing food service upstairs which is 7 days a week). The feedback has been positive because, according to so many of the folks who come to see SP3, they won't have to miss a thing now that the food will come to them.

We have great food & drink specials from 5:00 - 9:00pm.

• $2.00 Pabst Blue Ribbon
• $3.50 Pints - Organic Draft Beers
• $3.00 Burnett's Gin Drinks
• $5.00 Select food items

We have a rum special tonight too (Castillo Rum is just $3)

And of course there's our pool tables, all 4 of which have recently been re-felted. We've got them open for free play all week now (through the end of the month, perhaps we'll keep going).

So whether you are a tightwad, or you are just looking to get more bang for your buck... This is certainly an evening you ought to check out at The Goodfoot.

Cheers!

Scott Law Reunion Band - Hold on tight!

The Goodfoot has a habit of being a place that musicians fall in love with. This love affair happens to musicians at every level.

It's why The Goodfoot is almost too good to share with too many people. We've maintained this feeling that you've been invited to a good friend's once in a lifetime basement show complete with dancing, amazing people, and fantastic drinks. It's what allows us to have some very special shows with some really amazing musicians.

One of these special moments happens tonight!

The Scott Law Reunion Band will play a special show that is bound to make your heart flutter, knees weak, and fill those ears of yours with sounds so sweet they'll vibrate straight to the marrow.

The band consists of:

• Scott Law
• Damian Erskine
• Asher Fulero
• Russ Kleiner

These musicians are world class, uniquely talented, and fantastic entertainers. I always enjoy interacting with them and the friendship that we've developed in the few years I've been at the bar.  

If you haven't seen Scott Law then you have got to get on down to the Goodfoot tonight.

On a side note: Scott was selected to participate in a pre-show sit-in with Phil Lesh &Friends at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado where he played (the late) Jerry Garcia's custom "Wolf" guitar.

Guitarist, writer and singer - Scott Law embodies the ideal of the Steel-String Guitar Master. A brilliant and versatile instrumentalist, Scott's alternately chiming and grinding melodic concept bears favorable comparison with everyone from the early Telecaster masters to Doc Watson, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jerry Garcia while creating a style that bears his unique stamp yet freely ranges over the entire history of American guitar. Recognized for his ability to fit into and uplift any musical situation, Scott's energizing stage presence, articulate phrasing and exquisite tone enthusiastically serve the music.

Scott performs with Darol Anger's REPUBLIC OF STRINGS, his own solo and group endeavors and as a special featured guest at concerts and festivals. Law is known for his collaborations with many peers and contemporaries and has appeared with Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Darol Anger, The Travelin' McCourys, David Grisman, Danny Barnes, String Cheese Incident, Railroad Earth, Melvin Seals and Tony Furtado among many others.

Take a peek for yourself on Scott's You Tube Page.

I would expect that we'll have a pretty heavy turnout for this show. We open the doors at around 9:00pm and the cover charge this evening is $9. There are no advance ticket sales so you'll want to come down early before the show sells out.

Cheers!

First Friday - DJ Magneto

One of the things the Goodfoot is well known for is our Friday dance nights.

When I talk to people outside of the bar about The Goodfoot they often know it as one of three places:

1. "The place that has that funk & soul dance night on Fridays".
2. "The pool hall/art gallery with cool art on the walls"
3. "The place that has great live music"

All of these things are true (among a plethora of other great things The Goodfoot is known for).

It's first Friday today and this is the one Friday that we switch it up a bit with DJ Magneto & Friends.

The First Friday Super Jam (like Soul Stew) has been going for 10 years. Our Friday nights are the longest running dance night in town.

In the almost 3 years that I have worked these nights, I have seen thousands and thousands of faces.

The crowd is so eclectic that it makes Friday night both FUN and unique (for me & the folks who come in to have fun).

I often am asked this question "Why is Friday night so special at The Goodfoot?"

There isn't just one answer really. The thing that I most often end up divulging is that this night is not for everyone. If you hate getting hot & sweaty, if you don't want to shake your ass, let your hair down, you hate getting hit on, if you are self conscious about getting out on the dance floor, leaving your ego behind and just dancing the night away because it is FUN then this isn't the place for you. I never hesitate to tell folks that either. As a door man I feel that it is my responsibility to set the tone for people. If we have a brief conversation and you ask me for my advice, I will give it to you. Sometimes that advice may be to go to a different venue that night.

I would rather be remembered as the door guy who gave you a great tip on where to go have fun & potentially see you again on a different night than to be known as that door guy who was a dick that just wanted to charge you money and not give it back because it wasn't your 'cup of tea'.

It's about dancing. It's about fun. Come and see if this is your kind of thing, or at least come in and say "Hi" to Rob (me) at the door downstairs.

Sonic Forum - The Goodfoot Open Mic Night

I had the pleasure of working the door during the Sonic Forum nights for about a year.
In the past couple of years Chris was there before me, and now we have Todd at the helm each Monday night.

Having been a musician, performing in front of audiences that ranged from 15 people to 1000 or more beginning at the ripe young age of 17, I know just how difficult it is to get out there and perform in front of people. It is with this experience that I can look at each performance/performer with an open mind, while being empathetic to both newbies and the pros alike.

Sonic Forum provides a supportive, ego-free, and festive environment each and every week. Because of this, Sonic Forum is the springboard for many eclectic musicians, comedians, entertainers and more.

I've seen it all; the good, the bad, the ugly, the sexy, the sultry, the gritty, the mind-boggling, the tone deaf and the shining stars... It is truly a night filled with potential and never disappoints.

It's nice to stumble across folks who take the time to talk about Sonic Forum. One such musician is from Long Beach, CA. and her name is Alyssandra Nighswonger. She recently came to Portland to create music with friends and found herself at our open mic night. Read about her adventure and hear Alyssandra here.

Take a peek at You Tube for Sonic Forum videos and you'll see how eclectic this night is...

Catch Sonic Forum every Monday night at The Goodfoot Pub & Lounge.
As with all Goodfoot events/shows/etc. we're a 21 years of age and older venue. You need to have a valid form of ID with you in order to get in. Sonic Forum costs just $1 for admission and the list (for those performing) is handled on a first come, first served basis. Bands that have 3 or more members can sign up in advance to secure a time slot for the night (see the Sonic Forum page for more info).

Every Monday a winner is selected (votes are submitted via ballot during the evening) and the winner gets $50 in Goodfoot Gift Certificates (good for food, drink & admission to shows).

So good we had to pack an extra night of music in... 8/8 through 8/14

We're having so much fun that we decided to pack an extra night of music in this week!
We've added a very special Sunday night show we think you'll dig!

Have you checked out the Trivia A Go-Go night on Tuesdays? You should! It's free each Tuesday (upstairs) and is hosted by Zander & Andrew.  

Let me get to the week that is packed full of phenomenal music!

Monday, August 8th
Sonic Forum: The Goodfoot Open-Mic Night
Doors open 8:00pm | $1 cover | 21+
As a former open-mic performer, I am always amazed at how fantastic Sonic Forum is. Of course I'm a bit biased, but let me turn my focus to the benefits for musicians... You pay a $1 cover (everyone pays, musicians, audience, etc.) and you get 2 professionals; Ji Tanzer (legendary local drummer & host of Sonic Forum) and Bryan Appel (professional sound engineer & local musician). Musicians have the option to pay an additional $5 and get a digital recording of their performance (right from the soundboard). Everyone in attendance has a chance to vote for their favorite. The winner receives $50 worth of Goodfoot Gift Certificates (good for food & drink). For the music lovers, this evening is always entertaining and often offers a jaw dropping surprise. You never know what magic could happen! 

Tuesday, August 9th 
The Scott Pemberton Trio
Doors 9pm | FREE | 21+
Tuesday nights are on fire. It's so much fun to watch this evening progress. The band takes the stage at about 9:30pm. The room always seems to begin filling up around 9:45pm and by 10:30pm it becomes a full-on party as the band gets everyone movin' & groovin'. Add to this mix our food service downstairs, fantastic line-up of beers, great 'no frills' drinks, and fantastic people and you've got one hell of a Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, August 10th
Future Beat Session 9 (FB9)
Doors 9pm | $3 cover | 2
I love Future Beat. This monthly event showcases talented local DJs (with the occasional guests from abroad). It's an evening that is filled with boom bap, glitch, neo soul & experimental music. FB continues the summer fun with a special guest for August - LZRKMMNDR (*it's like laser commander) AKA Mr. Bambu, all the way in from Florida. He's joined by your Future Beat buddies & residents Brazil, Carrier + Ryan Organ.

Thursday, August 11th
Fruition
Doors 9pm | $6 cover | 21+
It's no secret that The Goodfoot loves Fruition. We have so many wonderful relationships with the musicians and artists who we're fortunate enough to have under our roof. There's something about an evening of music with Fruition that leaves you feeling fantastic! Fruition tours (or detours) are a mix of spontaneous street concerts, rowdy saloon hoedowns and all-night house parties. The band is becoming well known for their timeless brand of harmony-driven folk/soul string music. They've recently shared stages with Hot Buttered Rum, Greensky Bluegrass, the Watertower Bucket Boys, Danny Barnes, the Absinth Quartet, the Quick & Easy Boys, Dead Winter Carpenters, Hillstomp, Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, and members of both ALO and Tea Leaf Green. 

Friday, August 12th
Soul Stew w/DJ Aquaman & Friends
Doors 9pm / Music 10pm | $5 cover | 21+
Portland's longest running funk, soul dance night! Join DJ Aquaman & Friends for an evening of sexy hot pants, booty shakin', hot & sweaty fun fueled by funk, soul, disco & break beats. Come see why Soul Stew has satisfied thousands dancers.

Saturday, August 13th
Scott Pemberton Superband w/Mike Dillon's Go-Go Jungle
Doors 9pm | $8 cover | 21+
It’s that time again! SP Superband (the expanded version of the trio) steps in the room to tear some s@*t up! These shows are becoming the stuff of local legend, so don’t miss the band as they roll through funk, rock, surf and psychedelia. Tonight they are joined by Mike Dillon (Les Claypool, Critters Buggin’, Garage-a-Trois) and his inventive Go-Go Jungle, who should not be missed.

Sunday, August 14th
Euforquestra
Doors 9pm | $6 cover | 21+
Originally from Iowa City, IA, Eufórquestra (pronounced: yoo • FOHR • keh • struh, think Euphoria+Orchestra) relocated to Fort Collins, CO in August 2008 and has made a splash on the Colorado music scene with its progressive, genre-crossing funk fusions and a relentless tour schedule. Eufórquestra is quickly spreading its self-proclaimed “Afro-Caribbean-Barnyard-Funk;” a unique, rhythmic blend of sound, integrating such genres as Afrobeat, Reggae, Afro-Cuban, Samba, Soca, Funk, Salsa, and Dub. Eufórquestra’s music is igniting dance floors across the country, with a sound that “explodes, dances and melts in your ear with sheer bliss” (Chris M. Slawecki; AllAboutJazz.com).

Welcome August! Welcome Summer! Let's get this party started... Here's what's happening the week of 8/1 through 8/6

Summer seems to have decided to start in August here.
We'll take it.
I'm often times shocked at the things we have to offer throughout the week.

We're still rockin' our specials daily.
The free pool tables have been wildly popular and everyone comments about how sweet they are now that they have been re-felted.

Here's what's happening this week:

Monday, August 1st
Sonic Forum: The Goodfoot Open-Mic Night
Cover $1 | Doors 8pm | 21 and over
Something for everyone! For the musicians, this is an excellent open-mic night! For music lovers... you can never be sure what delights will reveal themselves at Sonic Forum! Food service available downstairs, 

Tuesday, August 2nd
Trivia A Go-Go
No Cover | 7:30pm | 21 and over
Join hosts Zander Speaks and Andrew Fuller for a 31 question trivia odyssey. The topic(s) change weekly.

The Scott Pemberton Trio
No Cover | Doors 9pm | 21 and over
The party is in full swing Tuesday nights. The room fills up and before you know it people are dancing & cheering for the Scott Pemberton Trio. It's a fun filled evening that you should not miss.

Wednesday, August 3rd
Fox Street All-Stars w/Pocket
$6 cover | Doors 9pm | 21 and over

The Fox Street All-Stars come to us from Denver, CO. and deliver a high energy show that's infused with their New Orleans-inspired funk and soul.
Pocket kicks off the night with a combination of vintage and contemporary funk/jazz covers and an ever expanding library of original material, Pocket is adept at transferring their energy and passion for the music directly to their audience, creating a dance party of epic proportions. 

Thursday, August 4th
Otis Heat w/Unicorn Domination
$6 cover | Doors 9pm | 21 and over
Oregon Music News writes: "Otis Heat is known for delivering energetic and animated live performances distinguished by warm danceable grooves, impassioned vocals, dirty rhythms, and high voltage analog instrumentation. The band has earned a reputation as a recognizable musical force throughout the Pacific Northwest. Their inspirations, educations, and motivations draw from a wide spectrum of musical influences, from the giants of jazz, to the soul of Nina Simone, to the honesty of Neil Young, to the ferocity of the 1990s grunge movement, to the proficiency of the British invaders. The result is a dynamic and ever-growing body of work which never fails to capture the imagination of its audiences."

Joining Otis Heat is Unicorn Domination. Thriving in the rich performance art culture of Portland, OR, is Chelsea Dixon and Clint Havard's music project Unicorn Domination. The duo weaves a soundscape of fat electronic beats spliced with melodic hooks. They demonstrate an expressive live performance, exuding a superhero persona with a popping delivery. Inspiration lies in the symbol of the Unicorn, a playful and fierce beast of the magical world.

Friday, August 5th
1st Friday Super Jam w/DJ Magneto & Friends
$5 cover | Doors 9pm | 21 and over
The first Friday of each month means that its time once again for DJ Magneto and friends to take the helm downstairs and steer everyone toward a super jam of epic funk, soul, disco & hip hop proportions. Caution: if you feel that you might get blinded by shaking booties in hot pants you may want to avert your eyes!

Saturday, August 6th
JUJUBA
$8 cover | Doors 9pm | 21 and over
"How YOU Feelin'?" Ready to dance your hearts out? Jujuba is one of the Goodfoot favorites. They're an ultra funky Afrobeat and Juju band led by master talking drummer, Nojeem Lasisi (King Sunny Ade). Grounded in solid drumming (provided by drum kit and massive African percussion), rubbery bass lines and layers of floating brass, Jujuba shows are grand and sweaty dance parties for the people!