Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
October 6, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … It’s Election Day and you’ve already cast your ballot like a responsible, civic-minded Oregonian. Instead of anxiously awaiting the Kulongoski/Saxton governor’s race results, spend a night downtown with a group of people who have actually worked there.
Based in Washington D.C., The Capitol Steps are a political satire group who “put the MOCK in Democracy.” Most of the members have worked on Capitol Hill for both Democrats and Republicans, and the group prides itself on parodying both sides equally. The Steps recently recorded their 26th album, I’m So Indicted, dedicated largely to the Bush Administration with songs like, “God Bless My SUV,” “What a Difference Delay Makes” and “Dubai Dubai Doo.”
Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, the Steps have been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC and PBS. The group started with just two Republican Congressional Staffers during a performance at a Christmas party for the Foreign Relations Committee. They were soon joined by other staffers and shortly after gave themselves the name “Capitol Steps” based on an amorous interaction between a congressman and his wife on the steps of the Capitol building.
The project became a full-time job after Senator Percy lost on election night, meaning the staffers had also lost their jobs. Twenty-five years later, they perform every weekend in D.C. and other cities across the country.
The 39-member group has also performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan (Thank God I’m a Contra Boy), George H.W. Bush (Stand By Your Dan), and Bill Clinton (Unzippin’ My DooDah). Offers to perform Don’t Go Fakin’ You’re Smart for George W. Bush have been declined.
Visit https://www.oregonsymphony.com/concerts/performance.aspx?perf=1107SC06 for a preview of the performance.
The performance is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 to $75 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office, located at 923 S.W. Washington. Ticket office hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased anytime online at www.orsymphony.org or charged by phone at (503) 228-1353 or (800) 228-7343, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discounted tickets for groups of eight or more are available through the group sales hotline at (503) 416-6380. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster outlets. The Oregonian is the official sponsor of the performance. Media support is provided by KPOJ.