As a company, we are growing and evolving too- and with that K.C. and I have been discussing the new directions that we plan on taking the blog and our content in general. It’s a very exciting time as the mobile movement continues to grow and blogging however fun, is starting to give us more pause in how we want to spread the word of all things happening at JR…With that K.C. and I are planning a redesign that we are so excited to be launching in the next couple of months, and the whole team here – is working vigorously to take our platforms to the next level and provide the very best resources, stories, and good finds we can, in a way that is easy, fun, and speaks to all things we love most about JR and the events and network we produce and support.

And so with that I want to offer up a huge thanks To K.C. as he will be helping me grab hold of this evolution as we continue to rock and roll over on the JR Facebook page - chalk full of quotes, pics (K.C. has also been killing it with fresh photos from all our recent events!) videos, and the good finds in between..Check us out over there if you haven’t already, and keep your eyes open for the latest updates to come on the blog and our new ventures (that we are SO excited about to come!!)

With that – and along the same theme of growth & appreciation.. – it fits perfectly within our story today that the person to which I can thank so much for his passion, dedication, and hard work – happens to be celebrating his birthday today!! That’s right – a very happy birthday wish to K.C. James Swain himself – someone who has taught me so much about myself and the world in these short months…is having his very happy birthday TODAY, this Friday May 11, 2012.

So much love to K.C. – his drive, the voice he both inspires and supports, and to everyone who has been sharing in the ride along the way with him. As we gear up for some fun, and exciting changes ahead for JR – I welcome you to send some love and happy thoughts K.C.’s way as well on this special day for him!

Thanks to all our readers, supporters, clients, friends, and family – and can’t wait to catch you on the other side as our small business works its tail off to be the very best it can be in relationship building, event planning, and network development within each industry. We thrive on bringing people together and sharing and showing support for our partners and projects. Happy Friday everyone! And cheers to new adventures to come!

Sincerely,

Jillian Rabe

Hi friends, happy Thursday! Today I want to shine a well-deserved spotlight on one of my all-time favorite local shops. Cool? Cool!

A few weekends back I was lucky enough to spend some seriously good, quality time with my favorite neighborhood boutique, betsy & iya. Back story: I, conveniently, live right up the street from this lovely little shop, and am constantly ogling their always perfectly dressed windows as I pass by. My super sweet boyfriend had given me a gift certificate a few months ago for my birthday (thanks, sweetie!) and I still had some credit, I also had my eye on a pretty little number I’d seen outside the store recently. So I strolled on down to said boutique with my gift card in hand and my awesome dress in mind and I snapped a few photos so I could tell you guys all about it!

First things first, betsy & iya is a jewelry line designed by one pretty, evil (in all the right ways) genius, named (you guessed it!) Betsy. Her designs are absolutely stunning. From the delicate gold and black geometrical shapes to the bright, punky plastics she utilizes, they are, in one word: amazeballs. The shop is perfectly sized: not too big (read: you won’t get lost wandering around looking for help), not too small or stuffed (read: you won’t have a panic attack due to claustrophobia). There’s a very cool sort of “you’re at home” vibe that makes it easy to relax and shop or browse at your own pace. You’ll be greeted by an uber friendly face (sometimes human, sometimes ridiculously adorable shop dog, Gingham) and you’ll instantly fall in love with the store’s cozy, fresh atmosphere. Bonus: more often than not, you can peek into the back room and see Betsy herself (!), or one of her pretty little elves, working away on the line’s latest designs. Another bonus: you won’t leave empty handed (wait is that good or bad? Whatevs, count it.)! While the jewelry is unbelievably impressive, b&i (we’re besties now, let’s abbreviate) also houses a number of other totally awesome brands and designers. We’re talkin apparel, bags, other jewelry lines, cards, candles, and all sorts of other rad little knick-knacks, they’ve totally got you covered.

betsy & iya

A gorgeous assortment of betsy & iya jewelry

Rings, rings, rings! Newbies to the betsy & iya fam, love them!

Pretties at the front counter

More pretties

The dressing room door - so cute!

Contestant #1 - the feather tie back dress by Uzi

Contestant #2: The ribbon stripe tee dress by Jessalin Beutler

It was a tough choice, though luckily I had two dear friends by my side to aid in my decision-making. Ultimately, since my pasty white thighs aren’t quite ready to sport something so short, I went for the one that brought me in in the first place! (Don’t fret, contestant #2, once I get my tan on, I’ll be back for you or one of your equally cute brothers!) I’ve had to fight the urge to wear it every sunny day since I got it, you understand why, yes?

Winner winner, chicken dinner. (Pardon the wrinkles.)

If you’d love to know a little more about betsy & iya (don’t lie, you know you do) pop on over to the shop’s BLOG. Or, confront the urge head on and walk right in to see all the lovable goodness for your very own eyes. They’re right on the corner of NW 24th and Thurman, don’t be shy!

Until next time friends! Lots and lots of love.

xo, e.

UPDATE: Bus Family to Prom is sold out! BUT tickets to prom itself can be purchased at justpeoplemusic.com – so snag em while you can – this is going to be epic!!

Greetings friends, community, and loved ones! A very special time of year has come, and not just for juniors and seniors in high school or a few lucky sophomores or freshmen…THIS is for all of Portland…the 2012 production and special event of Portland’s Prom is upon us and I can’t wait!

May 12, 2012 Portland's Prom

Packed to the brim full of live music, dancing, costumes, outfits, style, fashion, photography, friends, entertainment, laughs, fun and play, Prom is an event that is inspired through everyone to give us the prom “we wish we had…” Now is your time to make Prom everything you could have wanted and more, with this 21+ event at Star Theater featuring the awesome talents of Just People, Worth, Mr. Wu, and Vinnie the Squid, come May 12th – there is a whole gang of adventures just waiting to be had.

Check out a little video and some of the people behind making this event possible!

Answers to some of the most popular questions!

What do I wear? Whatever you want! Classic, retro, new, old, found prom attire…or your own personal spin on what Prom attire is all about!

Do I need a date? NOPE! come stag, or in a group, or ask that cool guy/gal you’ve been hanging out with to join you for a good time. With great people galore, you will be sure to have a wonderful time however you decide to get there!

Where do I get tickets? Right here  

Is there more info? Who else is going? Check out Facebook for details and RSVP list…

I won’t know anyone…? That’s okay, you will meet everyone and leave with a ton of new friends!

Is it awesome? YES.

+ DJ, live musical performance by Just People, photography, Just Hoopers, and so much MORE + Attending via The Bus Family and those perks as well – Check out The Bus Family PROM event page for those details!

All in all – we can’t wait to see and have you as part of the night and looking forward so much to dancing the night away at Portland’s Prom 2012!!!!

I would like to welcome you and yours to,

Rafael Vigilantics…

Rafael Vigilantics; photo by Mike Pifke

I found Rafael Vigilantics through my sister’s boyfriend.

He and my sister caught a live Rafael Vigilantics show at the Roseland theatre in Portland and were impressed with his skills as a lyricists and also his original beats.

My sister left his “Bury Me Standing,” album on my desk one night by mistake.

It sat there for some time.

At the time, my desk looked something like a battle front mixed with a classroom.

Coffee spills, piles of required reading, and notebooks for days.

Late one night, as I was rushing through a long packet of articles for my feature writing class, trying to write a close reading and desperate attempts at cleaning in between, I found that pink CD of the hip hop artist my sister and her boyfriend told me I would dig.

“Why not,”

I thought.

Late.

Buzzed on caffeine.

No heart to continue the homework, but enough guts to try on this new groove.

Bury Me Standing

The first song I heard was PrizeFighter.

Inspiration to push on.

It was finals week of Spring Term 2011 and I had found my theme song to finish the horse *hit term strong.

I had “Prizefighter,” on repeat for most of that next day. Then I had “A Million Arrows,” on repeat the rest of the week.

Rafael’s words hit me hard.

I felt them flowing around Portland.

The goosebumps still come from time to time.

I am with you sir.

Thank you…

—

A pleasure to share with you now…my exclusive interview with Rafael…

Rafael Vigilantics photo by Mike Pifke

K.C. :Where are you from? What is your back ground?

R.V. : I’m from the dessert. I’ve always been a nomad but when I feel that dry dirt and can smell sage I know I am close to home. I need to see the stars to know where I am, New Mexico is one of the few places in America where you can still orientate yourself well. I think I am one of the last true gypsies. My heart is spread over more people and places on this earth than is good for me. I always thought my father was Mexican until I was getting dropped off in Juarez by my mother about a year ago and she told me to be careful, I said what do you mean be careful…I am with my people. She said, your people? “Hunny your dad was a Puerto Rican.” That was the last thing she said to me, and as I closed the car door I felt suddenly alone.

K.C. : What is your biggest inspiration for being an artist? How would you describe your drive/inspiration?

R.V. : I’ve made music my whole life. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing a song. As an only child music is just one of the many games you play with yourself. I’ve shared my music on and off with the world since I was 13. I would say I have written more records no one has ever heard then records people have heard. I don’t think everything is meant to share, that’s the problem with people, they think they need validation for everything they do. I make music for me. I want people to enjoy it, but I am also just looking for answers to my own questions and that is how I find them, by writing and singing.

What inspires me most as an artist is fear. I take everything I am afraid of and build my music like a battle plan to combat it. I want to be possessed when I am on stage, to be not present in my body when I am performing is my goal. I have never achieved it, but I will never stop trying.

 Do you have a muse? If so, what about that muse gets the creative juices flowing?

R.V. : My muse is still the nine heads of the daughters of Zeus. They are like hydras constantly changing. I find inspiration in women. I try to channel my heroes in my actions and so they tend to find their way into my art.

K.C. : What is your biggest challenge as an artist?

R.V. : My biggest challenge as an artists is letting go of my ego. I want my art to consume me and spit out my personality, whatevers left. Not the other way around. I am bad at dealing with people. I feel awkward basically all the time, this doesn’t challenge me as an artist…but it is a huge challenge when I try to move my art forward into the world that surrounds me.

K.C. : If you could change the world, what would your first step be? Second? 

R.V. : There is nothing for me to change in this world. There are as many worlds or aspects of this one as I desire. I simply have to choose what I would like to see. I only wish for others to see it this way as well. The big adventure is the only thing that is important to me. I would like to meet others on the path more often. Who am I to say though. As I change the world changes around me, what better proof of magic is there?

K.C. : Could you describe in your own words, what it looks, feels, tastes like to turn your passion into your day job? 

R.V. : Turning music into a paying job feels amazing. There is no other feeling like watching your art turn into whiskey and meat. When I can eat based off the things I can create in a room alone I understand the value of what it means to be a human being.

K.C. :  Is there a separation between work and personal life, if you are doing what you love?

R.V. : There is no separation between my music and me. Most of my close friends don’t have to listen to my songs because they were there when it happened. When people ask me what kind of music I like I simply say, ‘sincere music.’ It is true, and as long as I keep my music that way you will never be able to tell the difference between it and me.

K.C. : How do you define ‘work?’

R.V. : Work is a word people have bad connotations of. There are a lot of lazy people on an every other day half day hustle. Hard work is all it takes to achieve anything. It is beautiful and strong. You have to push forward constantly in life. You have to shove and fight and spit. That’s work. You don’t accept the things in your way, that’s work to me, or if you do accept them then you work on understanding them, because if you understand them then they wont be in your way.

 K.C. : How important is it to follow your passion?

R.V. : There is nothing more important than leading your passions. With great intention and imagination we create the world. Who wants to live in a world of insurance offices and banks. Don’t let those peoples imaginations control whats happening. I want to live somewhere full of sound, smell, and color. Artists, not bankers, must paint the countries with their ideas if we are ever gonna be healthy and happy.

K.C. : What does it mean to ‘get in the zone’ for a performance? What do you do to get there?

R.V. : I try to do something different before a show each time. It is so important for me to have silence though. I need to hear who I am before I get on stage. It can be easy to forget when your adrenaline gets high…you revert to animal instinct. That’s not what I want though. I want to be in a place that I have created. Not a place where I was made. When I am truly in that place I am no longer present. If that makes sense.

 K.C. :  I play yours songs “Prizefighter,” and “A Million Arrows,” on repeat often when I am writing or brainstorming, and find myself wondering what was going on in your head as you wrote those two tracks…

R.F. : When I wrote those songs I was in a very combative, destructive place. I wanted to battle the world but the album Bury Me Standing was my only weapon. I have been an underdog my whole life and wouldn’t trade teams for anything. Sometimes though, it’s overwhelming. The pain becomes so great that if you don’t take it out on your music you begin to take it out on the people you love. I would say my ex-girlfriend suffered greatly from the creation of Prizefighter. I got her to sing the chorus on “I’m Leaving,” about me leaving her. That’s how close my music was to me, how sincere it was. We were literally telling the story of breaking up as we were breaking up. Word by word. Day by day.

—

A big Thank You goes out to Rafael Vigilantics for taking a moment to share some of his world with us. For more…check him out online at, Rafael Vigilantics.

Happy Hunting,

K.C. James Swain

* Check out more too of: Mike Pifke Photography