Best Tribute To Leonard Cohen
Tower of Song
Photo by Natalie Conn |
If you haven't heard
of the Tower of Song, you still might have heard it, albeit unknowingly. The Radio Raheem of buildings, where Congress and High streets meet, sends its music far and wide — not just into Congress Square but echoing throughout the nearby streets. Four stories above the road, in the tower façade above Allen & Walker Antiques is the apartment of Johnny Fountain, Will Ethridge, and Alicia Sampson — and the venue now known as Tower of Song.
On the first Friday of every month, the hosts hoist speakers and television screens into their oversized windows, bringing the sights and sounds within to the passersby below.
As occupants of an apartment with breath-taking views of the city, and as musicians involved in the arts scene, the TOS founders couldn't help but think about their digs as the ideal stage. The idea is for the audience to enjoy it from the street level, but some curious visitors do climb the several flights of stairs to check out the actual space, have a drink, and toss some spare change in the donation box.
Tower of Song will be celebrating their one-year anniversary with a free Memorial Day weekend festival on Saturday, May 23. Nine bands will perform at the TOS between noon and 8 pm. To occupy those below, there will be an arts fair in Congress Square, with art, jewelry, clothing, records, and, of course, that amazing sound.
Tower of Song | every First Friday, plus other special events | Congress and High streets, Portland | eternalotterrecords.blogspot.com
