On Wednesday night, February 12, 2025, hundreds of arts advocates joined legislators at the Elsinore Theatre in Salem to kick off the 2025 Oregon Arts & Culture Caucus.
The evening began with a welcome from Rep. Rob Nosse and Sen. Dick Anderson, caucus co-chairs. Other speakers were Dana Whitelaw, chair of the CACO board (read her remarks here); Lisa Mensah, president and CEO of the Oregon Community Foundation; Carrie Hoops, executive director of the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation; Sean Andries, chair of the Oregon Cultural Trust; and Subashini Ganeshan-Forbes, chair of the Oregon Arts Commission and an ex-oficio member of the CACO board.
After the speeches, the wonderful music and poetry began, interspersed with beautiful videos about the arts in Oregon. The event was emceed and curated by Darrell Grant, professional jazz pianist, composer, and educator. First we had a beautiful sung land acknowledgement by “Generations,” a group of Indigenous drummers, singers and dancers, claiming Oregon as our own. Next was Buffalo Kin, a musical duo from Fossil, Oregon, singing traditional cowboy folk tunes and haunting original pieces. Past Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani read his poem “The Lemon Tree,” accompanied by beautiful jazz piano with Darrell Grant. Husband-wife duo Dreckig played the flute and sang some electronic music.
Next was acclaimed Mexican singer Edna Vasquez, who sings with Pink Martini. Vasquez treated us to a gorgeous original song called Ixim Ixoq (Mujer Maiz). Edna is a fearless singer, songwriter, composer, and guitarist whose powerful voice and musical talent transcend the boundaries of language to engage and uplift her audience.
Finally esperanza spalding closed out the program with several songs, including Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder covers. esperanza was born and raised in the Portland area and after teaching herself to play violin, began performing as a violinist in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon at age five! Called “the 21st century’s jazz genius” by National Public Radio, esperanza has won four Grammy Awards, including best new artist in 2011, the first jazz artist to win that award. Last August she released a collaborative album, Milton + Esperanza, with Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento.
She led the audience in a singalong, “We shall receive all that we need…all that we need, we shall receive,” tying that back to our appeal for greater arts funding in 2025.
In addition to all the performers listed above, thanks to the following people and organizations: Oregon Community Foundation, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Independent Venue Coalition of Oregon, Elsinore Theatre, Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, Cultural Advocacy Foundation, Oregon Arts Commision, Oregon Cultural Trust, Darrell Grant, Adolpho Canto-Real, Claire Blaylock, and all of the volunteers who helped pull off a great event!
