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03/30/2024

Joanie Fox: Directing a documentary on the life and death of Derek Rieth / Coffeeshop Conversations @ Artichoke Music #414

By TOM D'ANTONI // Joanie Fox is the director of Beatlore the upcoming documentary on the life and death of Derek Rieth. There is a fund-raiser at Pink Martini World Headquarters on Thursday, April 4

We’ll be back at the Artichoke Music Café next time but this episode had to be recorded today, before a fund raiser to help complete a documentary on the life and death of one of Oregon’s favorite musicians, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist member of Pink Martini and Lions of Batucada among others; Derek Rieth who committed suicide in August of 2014.

Today Director Joanie Fox will talk to us about Derek, the film and the fund raiser which is being held at Pink Martini World Headquarters in downtown Portland on Thursday, April 4, 5-30 to 7pm.

Let’s welcome for the first time, Joanie Fox.

Oregon Music News · Joanie Fox: Directing a documentary on the life and death of Derek Reith CC#414

Here is what Thomas Lauderdale posted on Facebook:

10 years ago, Pink Martini’s beloved percussionist Derek Rieth experienced a manic episode while on tour, followed by a debilitating depression which led to his death by suicide.

Derek was a member of Pink Martini for almost two decades. He was brilliant, talented, articulate, compassionate, and sexy. Men, women, children, animals all swooned over him. He was revered for his mastery of Brazilian and Afro-Cuban drumming, and, with fellow band member Brian Davis @brianl._davis, he co-directed the Lions of Batucada, a Brazilian style marching samba ensemble.

Now, a documentary about Derek’s wonderful and complicated life is nearing completion. Using unseen footage from an interview in 2007, Derek Rieth tells his own story of his life, his adventures with Pink Martini, his passion for Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music and his studies with Jorge Alabe, his mentor and surrogate father. In sharing Derek’s story, the filmmakers hope to normalize the conversation around suicide prevention and help those who are struggling or have lost a loved one to death by suicide.

In partnership with the Hollywood Theatre and Cascadia Health, and supported by the Regional Arts & Culture Council, join the filmmakers and members of Pink Martini for cocktails, snacks, and Salt & Straw ice cream in a final push to raise $50,000 to complete the documentary, titled Beatlore: The Life and Legacy of Derek Rieth. Director Joanie Fox will screen excerpts of the film. China Forbes and members of Pink Martini will perform.

A benefit for Beatlore: A documentary about the life and legacy of Pink Martini’s percussionist Derek Rieth

Thursday, April 4, 2024

5:30 — 7pm

the world headquarters of Pink Martini

728 SW 1st Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204

cocktails, snacks, performances and a sneak preview of footage from the documentary.

Tickets begin at $50 and are tax-deductible: https://events.humanitix.com/beatlore-the-derek-rieth-story. If you can’t come, but would like to make a tax deductible donation go to https://beatlore.com/donate.

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