Wedding Bells (And Moving Vans) For Duffy Bishop, Chris Carlson

Bride, groom and gone.

Song stylist and reigning Seattle chanteuse Duffy Bishop and longtime boyfriend/ex-boyfriend/boyfriend, paramour-a-mundo and lead guitarist Chris Carlson were officially married Tuesday afternoon in Carkeek Park. Singer, songwriter, giver-of-wisdom and Universal Life minister Orville Johnson officiated.

And today, the couple officially moved to their new home, Portland.

Bishop made the most of her wedding plans while hanging around between takes on the set of the movie "Georgia" at the Seattle Center Arena last week. It was there she corralled Johnson and kept tabs on Carlson, both of whom had parts in the film. Bishop said Carlson wrote a special wedding song for her, one she'd just as soon never hear again.

As for relocating to Portland, Bishop said it was simply time for a move. She recently signed with the Portland-based recording company Burnside and later this month will release a new CD titled "Duffy Bishop's Bottled Oddities." "It isn't like we'll never play Seattle again," she said. "We'll still be around."

Bishop and Carlson sold their Seattle home and have already purchased a Portland place. "I got the price I wanted on our house, too," Bishop said, smiling. "I wrote what I wanted on a piece of paper, wrapped it around a statue of St. Jude and buried it in the back yard. It really worked.

"Of course, it took a year, but it was worth the wait."

We wish the couple and their career move the best of luck.

-- He's been called heir apparent to the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, but guitarist Chris Duarte only considers that accolade "humbling" at best. Originally from San Antonio, Duarte came of musical age at 16 when he moved to Austin, discovered the blues and mixed in the late '70s punk he had been listening to. The mix proved a volatile force, one Duarte has further empowered with years of road-rugged practice. His debut album "Texas Sugar/Strat Magik" easily attests to that. It's strong stuff.

Duarte demonstrates tomorrow night at the Backstage.

Sunday the Backstage features Masada with jazz masters John Zorn, Joey Barron, Greg Cohen and Dave Douglas.

-- Jeff Dunham isn't just a first-class ventriloquist, a thrower of voice, but a master shaper of characters as well. His impish alien "Peanuts" and the acerbic curmudgeon "Walter" are almost as real as some of the hordes that regularly attend Dunham's shows. They are certainly funnier than most of us. Dunham and company can take what's considered a cute concept and push it a lot farther, although usually without getting too far over the line.

Dunham and his pals are at the Improv tonight through Sunday, and they always sell out.

-- Dave Garibaldi, former drummer for Tower of Power and ace session man, will present an American Music percussion clinic with his group Talking Drums at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pier 70. Admission is a can of food for Northwest Harvest.

-- Also: The Spinanes, Portland's popular duo, is back at the Crocodile tonight with Fifth Column. Tomorrow it's Satchel and Churn.

7 Year Bitch returns tomorrow to Moe's with Alice Donut and Monroe's Fur. Wednesday, his Moeness features Wayne Horovitz & Pigpen with Joe Bass & Some People Playing Music. At Jazz Alley Sunday it's Either/Orchestra.

Lazy Susan, The Pleasure Elite and Peach are at Under the Rail tonight. Tomorrow, Inflatable Soule is at the Fenix Underground.

Juned celebrates its record release tonight at the Weathered Wall. Cherry Poppin' Daddies does the same at the Ballard Firehouse. And Sunday the release party is at the Tractor Tavern for "Peace by Peace," a 12-band compilation album from the Seattle Peace Concerts featuring The Wombats, Bill Davie and - yes - the Duffy Bishop Band. The Variables and Reggie Garrett, also on the record, will perform live.