Cabaret with a Q

May 17, 2010

Cabaret-for-Newsletter

Welcome to a revival of the classic cabaret, where the piano was the center of attention and the hills were alive with the sound of music.

Cabaret with a Q is a monthly evening of singing, meeting friends and sassy conversation around the grand piano. With the delightful Bob Lamberson as our host and the talented Glenn Goodfellow at the keyboard, everyone has the choice to either sing along with the group or grab the mic and rock a solo.

At its least, this is karaoke with a live piano.
At its greatest, this is one of the most fun events you’ll ever attend–regardless if you’re a singer or not.

Folks with kids, theater people, and musicians…this one’s for you!

*Always the 3rd Friday
Next performance: Friday, September 17th, 2010
8:00pm-10:00pm
Q Center, the NEW location
4115 N Mississippi Ave, Portland (map)

Membership

June 11, 2009

If you haven’t already become a member or if it’s been more than a year since you last enrolled, then this a great time to join the Q Center family.

*Your membership makes it possible for Q Center to maintain the wide array of programs, activities and events that are geared toward the LGBTQ community and their allies.

*When you join in membership at Q, you make it possible for people who have limited resources to attend our events. Seniors, young people and others who might find it difficult to reach out to the queer community benefit from your membership too. So even if you have plenty of social options and a packed calendar, your membership helps make access possible for someone else.

*And most importantly, as a member, you are literally contributing the Center itself. Q Center is our “community’s living room”, and your membership helps keep the lights on, the music playing and the doors open. Without your membership, we would not exist.

As a member of Q Center, you will receive a variety of discounts and goodies at the shops, restaurants, and clubs that line our new North Mississippi neighborhood. Just flash your membership card and reap the benefits.

Are you part of a queer family?
With the purchase of a Family Membership, you are eligible for discounts, prize give-aways, and raffles at our many family events.

Calling all event lovers!
Whether you love to sing your heart out at Cabaret With a Q, make the first move at Game Night, or take in a stellar theater performance, showing your membership card at any of our in-house events entitles you to a free beverage (when available), coffee drink, and a 20% discount on applicable entry fees.

Individual Membership 40$
Family Membership $65
Business Membership $99
Preferred Business Membership $149

Staff & Board

October 13, 2008

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Kendall Clawson, Executive Director

Kendall Clawson has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz and has been in the non profit arena for nearly 20 years, working primarily in capacity building, community development and non-profit management. Most recently, Kendall was Vice President of Planning and Community Services at the United Way of Pioneer Valley and the founder of Idea Box Consulting, a strategic planning and organizational development firm for non profit organizations. Kendall’s professional focus includes helping community groups develop strategies for growth and sustainability and building strong community partnerships and coalitions. She is excited to be part of the newly-formed Oregon Council on Civil Rights, an appointed group that serves to advise the commissioner, BOLI and the state generally on matters related to the education and enforcement of civil rights in Oregon. kendall@pdxqcenter.org

Glenn Goodfellow

Glenn Goodfellow, Events/Activities Coordinator

One part epicure and one part epic cure, Glenn’s onboard to help with the myriad of organizational tasks at Q Center. With a background in education, accounting, and accounts management, he’s a perfect blend of both walk and talk. He’s the guy to go to for event ideas, marketing plans, and rental questions. Glenn’s also responsible for maintaining Q Center’s website. Look for his fingers at the keyboard at the next Cabaret With a Q, our monthly sing-along piano cabaret. glenn@pdxqcenter.org

Paul Fukui

Paul Fukui, Operations Coordinator

Paul is one of Q Center’s most long-standing volunteers, heading our Arts and Culture Committee for several years. With his support, Q Center’s arts programming has continued to thrive. In addition to those duties, he now serves as Operations Coordinator, helping the organization manage its internal systems and behind-the-scenes infrastructure. paulf@pdxqcenter.org

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Alan Colley, Development Coordinator

Alan lives for moments when people and ideas intersect, igniting the spark of “aha!” He joins Q Center with a life-long career building relationships with people as they manifest their dreams into tangible reality, and he believes that Q Center is exactly that ‘reality’ for the LGBTQ people in OR and Southwest WA. Our full-time development coordinator, he is dedicated to raising the funds that enable Q Center to continue providing both a haven and a home where everyone is safe, valued, and encouraged. He and his partner live in NW Portland. alan@pdxqcenter.org

Sam-Adams

Mayor Sam Adams, Honorary Chair

Sam Adams, Portland’s first openly gay mayor (and former city commissioner), serves as Q Center Honorary Chair. Considerable charm, smarts, leadership savvy, and good humor are but a few of the assets Sam brings to this work. A part of the center development team from day one, he holds a deep personal commitment to creating a vibrant, thriving LGBTQ community center.

“With Q Center, we finally have a place for us and our allies to call home.”

Check out Sam’s blog to learn more about his city-wide activities.

Brian Johnson

Brian C. Johnson, Co-Chair

Brian C. Johnson has worked in print advertising for 25 yrs. He is currently the Lifestyle Media Manager at the Oregonian Publishing Company managing 5 local magazine titles; Mix, Homes + Gardens NW, Northwest, Explore the Pearl and Drive Time Illustrated. Brian has lived in the Portland area since 1992 and has served as President of the Portland Advertising Federation, Communications Director for the Oregon HRC Chapter and served on the Board of Directors of the Home Builders Foundation & P:EAR a local homeless youth organization.

David Conrad, Secretary

David M. Conrad has been a Nurse for 30+ years, and in Nurse Management for the past 7 years. In the mid-70’s, he helped with the organizing/formation of the Los Angeles Gay Community Center, and in the mid-80’s, he was on the Board of the newly founded Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore, MD (GLCCB). He has sung with Lesbian & Gay Choruses in Washington, DC and Salem, OR. He has served on the Boards of PFLAG Central Oregon, the PFLAG Oregon State Council, and Rosetown Ramblers (Portland’s G & L Square Dance Club) – as both VP and President. In addition to his current involvement with the Q Center, David is very involved with The Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon, and was honored in October 2009 as Outstanding Court Member of the Year. He has been in Portland since 2001, and lives in Inner Southeast Portland with his several furry “kids”.

Tim-Bias-Staff-Photo

Tim Bias

Tim Bias has lived in the great Northwest for the past 40 years. Though originally from Santa Ana, CA, he thinks the Portland/Vancouver area is the most beautiful and wonderful place to live. His passion for the community, and love of the location, translate into the self-moniker of ‘Ambassador to Portland’. Mr. Bias is an agent for Farmers Insurance and has owed his own agency for 17 of the 23 years he’s been in the business. Outside of the office, he has been involved with the Rose City Softball Association for 15 of their 16 years; serving as assistant commissioner ( 6 years), Commissioner (2 years) and currently as Public Relations Ambassador. He lives by two mottos “Everything happens for a GOOD reason” and “You can NEVER have to many friends.”

Stephen Cassell (bio still coming)

Aaron Hall

Aaron Hall is an architect with Ankrom Moisan and a LEED accredited professional through the US Green Building Council. He previously served as president of the Portland Area Business Association (PABA), Portland’s GLBTQ Chamber of Commerce, representing approximately 300 gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses in our community. Aaron led the group of GLBTQ design professionals who worked together to develop the Center’s physical space and amenities.

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Eric Brown

Eric is currently the Executive Director of the YWCA of Greater Portland. Eric also served as the CEO at the American Red Cross (Pacific NW Region), and is dedicated to the field of public health, with a strong personal mission to provide leadership in a community committed to helping people improve their lives. Educational background includes a BA in Psychology and Education from the University of Colorado and a Masters Degree in Public Health from Portland State. Eric has served as Vice Chair of Donate Life NW, and currently is on the boards for Hands On Greater Portland and the Gateway Center for Domestic Violence. A Colorado native, Eric has lived in Portland since 1992, most of that time spent with his partner of 16 years, Scott.

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Judge Kemp

Judge Kemp (Jr.) can be best described as a people person. He currently works as an Administrative Assistant for KPMG LLP in downtown Portland. His background is one filled with travel and adventure abroad in Europe before arriving here in Portland a decade ago. Judge is a graduate of Portland State University where he majored in Communication and minored in Community Development. He has been a core volunteer for Portland’s premier Red Dress Party, a planning member for another fun fundraising party, Fire on the Columbia on Sauvie Island, and is part of PSU’s Alumni Resource Council. Judge resides in North Portland with his partner of 10 years, home designer Eric Schnell. The couple met in San Diego over 25 years ago. Judge jokes about those days and says, “Back when Eric’s hair was blond and I had a moustache and a Jheri curl.” Judge and his partner enjoy traveling, meeting new people, and entertaining friends at their home.

Sharon

Sharon Murtagh

Sharon Murtagh is a native Oregonian, though she has spent the last twenty years traveling and learning around the world. Murtagh graduated from San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA with a BA in History and Anthropology. Over the preceding two decades she developed a true love of connecting with people. Learning about who they are and what they do. Having developed an intricate network of contacts both in the public and private sectors here in the Portland Oregon Metropolitan Area, Sharon thoroughly enjoys expanding this network of contacts. She strongly believes in community involvement and enjoys spending her free time volunteering and immersed in a lifelong passion of working with dogs. Murtagh proudly served on active duty in the US Marine Corps from 1985 to 1991.

John Palmeri (bio still coming)

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Jim Taff

Jim is a native Oregonian, a graduate of Oregon State University and has worked in human resources since the early 1980s. Currently he is the Assistant Vice President of Compensation & Benefits at Standard Insurance Company. Jim and his long time partner Dirk moved from San Francisco to Portland in 1999 and currently live the SW neighborhood of Garden Home.

Anne Board Photo

Anne Viola

Anne Viola is a Colorado native. She fell in love with both Portland and her partner in 2004, moving here permanently the following Spring. She has a strong background in accounting and bookkeeping which serves her well in her career as a loan officer. Anne has worked in the mortgage industry at Rose City Mortgage since December of 2005. She feels fortunate to work for a successful woman-owned business that is committed to being “green” and promoting sustainable practices. She and her dog Ishai volunteer at a local school and the public library through a pet assisted therapy program sponsored by Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital. Anne loves playing soccer year round and is a proud sponsor of Portland’s lesbian dragon boat team, the Amazon Dragons.

About Q Center

October 13, 2008

Q Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to increase the visibility of and foster connection within metropolitan Portland’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Questioning (LGBTQ) community. The center builds public awareness and support, and celebrates LGBTQ diversity through art, culture, and collaborative community programming.

There are dozens of events and groups that meet here, some focused on specific topics (like coming out or gender identity) and others aimed at fun social interactions (like sing-along piano cabarets or craft nights). Most of these options are free-of-charge and run by dedicated volunteers, keeping Q Center truly community-driven and accessible.

In addition to our programmatic offerings, our 5,000 sq/ft facility is also a safe and friendly place to spend an afternoon. With our monthly art exhibits, extensive library collection, Resource Wall, and free WiFi access, there’s always something to see and learn here at Q Center.

And don’t forget that Q Center is also a great inexpensive rental space that affords great visibility and accessibility to people and other organizations.

Did you catch our television debut on the Logo Channel’s show, Bump? Watch it here!

Q Center’s New Cafe “Macchiato Moon” Needs Your Help!

July 9, 2008

Did you know that a cafÃ© cart named Macchiato Moon is “in the works” for Q Center? We can see it now…a cute little stand that serves great beverages and light snacks. People will be able to read the paper in the new library or browse the Resource Wall while sipping on a mocha. Students can do their homework with our free WIFI connection and an Italian soda. Folks will enjoy a glass a wine while they sing their hearts out at Cabaret with a Q.
This is going to be great!

This newest addition to Q Center has been in the works for a while and is preparing to debut. And this debut is being made possible because of a fabulously generous donor and a long-term Q Center volunteer, Jaysen Paulson. Jaysen has been in the coffee industry for ten years, working for independent coffee establishments as well as most recently being a Store Manager for Starbucks. It’s with his vision and help that we’ve been able to actualize this project—and we’re so grateful.

But the work’s not done yet! Jaysen is still on the hunt for several much-needed items; some of them big and some of them small. We’re hoping that maybe YOU might be able to help us secure these things, garnering yourself both a big heap of gratitude and a Taxable Donation. These items can be either gently used or brand new.

To make this giving process easier, we’re hosting a CafÃ© Drive on Saturday, July 18th from 10am-1pm.
Stop by Q Center to meet Jaysen in person, make your donation, and receive your Tax receipts.

High-Priority
Small mini fridge (dorm/office style or restaurant grade)
Cash register or cash box
Drip coffee maker, commercial grade
Grinder, espresso and coffee, commercial grade

Low-Priority
Ceramic cup sets
Condiment holders/shakers
Metro cart or metro rack pieces
Large refrigeration unit
Display case, small
French presses
Cutting board
Cocktail mixer
Chalk pens
Ice maker
Timers
Trash cans
Electric label maker
Water jug (large office water cooler type)
Board games
i-Pod and i-Pod dock
Gift cards to Storables
Gift cards to Costco
Gift cards to Amazon.com
Gift cards to Ikea
Cash donations

Also Needed
Paper towels
Cleansers, glass and all-purpose
Disposable gloves
Hand soap
Envelopes, box of large standard
Stamps
Rainbow sprinkles
Bottled water

If you have any questions about the Cafe cart or about any of the items listed above, please contact Jaysen at jaysenpluto@gmail.com.

Q Center's New Cafe "Macchiato Moon" Needs Your Help!

July 9, 2008

High-Priority
Small mini fridge (dorm/office style or restaurant grade)
Cash register or cash box
Drip coffee maker, commercial grade
Grinder, espresso and coffee, commercial grade

Low-Priority
Ceramic cup sets
Condiment holders/shakers
Metro cart or metro rack pieces
Large refrigeration unit
Display case, small
French presses
Cutting board
Cocktail mixer
Chalk pens
Ice maker
Timers
Trash cans
Electric label maker
Water jug (large office water cooler type)
Board games
i-Pod and i-Pod dock
Gift cards to Storables
Gift cards to Costco
Gift cards to Amazon.com
Gift cards to Ikea
Cash donations

Also Needed
Paper towels
Cleansers, glass and all-purpose
Disposable gloves
Hand soap
Envelopes, box of large standard
Stamps
Rainbow sprinkles
Bottled water

If you have any questions about the Cafe cart or about any of the items listed above, please contact Jaysen at jaysenpluto@gmail.com.