Angela Allen

Jazz town or not?

Financial difficulties for the 1905, which has just gone out of business, raise larger questions about the history and future of jazz in Portland.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch November 2023

A beloved club, the 1905, struggles for seven years and ultimately fails. Can Portland sustain jazz? See Angela’s in-depth story. Photo by Reed Ricker. Read More

Bright and funny

PO kept its sixth production of the 238-year-old Mozart opera fresh with superb singing, tight conducting, agile staging, and new, historically-informed costumes.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch November 2023

Portland Opera’s “Figaro” emerges colorful and comedic. See Angela’s review. Photo by Philip Newton. Read More

Handel’s `Alcina’

SO staged the Handel opera with six singers (including one countertenor), modern set design, and haute couture costuming.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch October 2023

Seattle Opera’s 1735 gender-bending opera is delightfully sexy. See Angela’s review. Photo by Sunny Martini. Read More

Friend and conductor

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch October 2023

The music world—the entire world—lost Yaki Bergman, longtime leader of Portland Chamber Orchestra and Siletz Bay Music Festival. Photo by Joe Cantrell. See Angela’s obit. Read More

Museum love

From Portland's museums and galleries to the Guggenheim and Whitney to Amsterdam, Australia, Berlin and beyond, Angela Allen focuses her camera on people interacting with art.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch September 2023

A photo essay about falling in love with museums while watching people looking at art. See Angela’s story and photos. Read More

Real life. dark story

Local production of Nico Muhly’s opera brings complex emotions and conflicting points of view to Lincoln Hall.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2016

Orpheuspdx’s opera production of Nico Muhly’s 2012 “Dark SIsters” takes on a beautiful anguish at Lincoln Hall. See Angela’s review. Lindsay Ohse; photo by Owen Carey. Read More

Improvising on Mr. Tabor.

Mobile venue SoundsTruck NW hosted an improv-based concert co-sponsored by IRCO and Montavilla Jazz.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2023

Joe Kye and Denzel Mendoza cast a musical spell from Portland’s new Soundstruck NW. See Angela’s review. Photo by Angela Allen. Read More

In tune with jazz and each other

The singer and guitarist performed a sizzling set of jazz standards and pop classics at Portland’s struggling jazz club.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2023

Vocalist Kate McGarry and guitarist Keith Ganz are partners in jazz and life. See Angela’s review of the1905 gig. Photo by Angela Allen. Read More