Footsteps through overgrown grass have worn an irregular path around the north Portland home of Sam Mowry and Cynthia McGean, leading to their backyard garage. This space, originally designed for two cars, has been partitioned and converted into a quirky sound studio, with mustard walls, crimson curtains and audio gear stacked against just about every wall. The founders of Willamette Radio Workshop are preparing for their latest performance, an adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” which will be featured in the second annual Tolkien Festival on Saturday afternoon at McMenamins Kennedy School. [More]