Legendary Portland entertainer Tony Starlight is returning to Canby for a series of intimate shows this spring called “Songs and Stories with Tony Starlight.”
Though the comedic singer is better known for his more than two decades as a headliner in the Portland entertainment scene, he has deep roots in Canby. His stepfather, John Eide, was the longtime parson of the Macksburg Lutheran Church, which was built by German and Austrian immigrants in 1893 — the same year the city of Canby was incorporated. He shared the story in his appearance on the Canby Now Podcast back in December , which was re-released as a bonus episode this week:
Starlight, however, will be taking the stage of a different historic church in town: the Canby Pioneer Chapel at 508 NW Third Ave. Each performance will have a different theme. March will be Frank Sinatra, April is Neil Diamond and May is Cowboy and Western music. For these shows Tony will draw on his 26 years as an entertainer to weave together songs and stories, telling the history of the artists and their music, but mostly illustrating Tony’s connection to this music, which is primarily from the generations prior to his own.
“I am deeply connected to music. I love exploring why artists like Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Gene Autry have a voice that elicits such a deep emotional connection,” says Starlight.
Tony shares a story about putting up a Neil Diamond poster in his closet in high school.
“Little was more uncool in the ’80s that being a Neil Diamond fan, so to avoid ridicule from friends I hung his poster in my closet. I was literally a ‘closet Neil Diamond fan.’”
Starlight, who is accustomed to performing large-scale productions at his Tony Starlight Showroom in Portland, will feature smaller bands for this series in order to suit the intimate nature of the pioneer chapel.
These shows all begin at 7:30 and end at 9:30 with a brief intermission. All ages are welcome. Bottled water and soda will be available for sale and each adult 21 and over will receive a complimentary glass of red wine.
TICKETS: $25 General / $35 Reserved (first 2 rows guaranteed)
For a chance to win free tickets, post a comment on our Facebook giveaway:
Sinatra Songs and Stories
Friday, March 22, 2019
Full details and tickets: http://www.tonystarlight.com/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/
Neil Diamond Songs and Stories
Friday, April 19, 2019
Full details and tickets: http://www.tonystarlight.com/
Cowboy Songs and Stories
Friday, May 17, 2019
Full details and tickets: http://www.tonystarlight.com/
