'Tis the season for benefit soirees, and we're fortunate that here in Portland so many shows for good causes come with great lineups. Icebreaker is an annual fundraiser that benefits local music nonprofit Friends of Noise. As the organization was formed to create more opportunities for youth to perform and gather at all ages music events and raise awareness for the need for more all ages venues, it's appropriate that the evening will showcase performers of various ages: Portland veteran emcee Vursatyl (of the classic hip hop group Lifesavas) headlines the event and shares the spotlight with up-and-coming R&B singer-songwriter Alana Rich, among others. Ever since Rich’s performance(s) at The Thesis in 2022, I’ve been waiting for her debut full-length. And while I’m still waiting (patiently), seeing her perform her collection of new singles live will be a treat. In addition to his 2015 record Crooked Straights, Vursatyl put out a number of singles in the last couple years—“Secondhand Smoke (feat. Lunden Benard) and “Let Me Know” in 2021—so I'll be excited to see what solo material he pulls from to compile a killer setlist.