Friday Surprise: Michael Jackson's Death & Its Economic Connection to Portland, Former Governor Barbara Roberts Possible Future Governor?

[Byron Beck]

MJ & PDX: The death of Michael Jackson will affect at least one local business. Taow Productions, Scott Taylor's enterprising events and marketing company based in Northwest Portland, provides security and tour logistics for major music tours including Britney Spears who just finished dates in the United States and is currently touring Europe. For these big events Taow works with 19 Entertainment which is led by founder Simon Fuller who is the dude behind the phenom that is American Idol. Taow contracts with 19 Entertainment to provide security details to other tours as well including So You Think You Can Dance.
Recently talks were under way to support a potential Michael Jackson tour coming to the states after his sold out concert series in London.
On a more personal note, Taylor said about seven years ago he was invited to Jackson's Neverland Ranch for MJ's father, Joseph Jackson's, birthday. "The whole scene was pretty crazy," says Taylor. "Michael came out for a while, but was very shy and went back to the house. It felt kind of depressing. Joseph was charging people to take his picture with them. Can you imagine?"

GOVERNOR & THE DRAG QUEEN: Talk about your delicious gossip. When Darcelle XV found out that former Governor Barbara Roberts was thinking of possibly taking another run at being the governor of our fair state once again, Portland's most notable female impersonator had no problem spilling the beans in front of an "audience." Darcelle was one of the "toasters" who gathered at the Froelick Gallery for Basic Rights Oregon celebration honoring the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Roberts, who spoke at the event prior to Darcelle, has yet to make her final decision about whether or not she will actually run saying she will thoughtfully consider the decision over the summer.

[Byron Beck]

also...just off Facebook....
Michael Curry Design (based in Portland) just shipped props and puppets for his new tour. "It was going to be fantastic!" said one of the artists.