Did you see Viva's Holiday? You know, the holiday opera based on the memoirs of Portland stripper/author/all-around BAMF lady-about-town Viva Las Vegas, which busted open our usually bland holiday theater season and was an oddly heartwarming delight? Well, it's coming back next year, says Christopher Corbell of producing company Cult of Orpheus. More info on them here.

Third Rail Repertory Theatre announced their upcoming programming for 2016, which is normal and not a shock. BUT HERE'S WHAT IS: The company is producing a play in the summer. That sound you just heard was every arts writer in the city slowly exhaling, because summer should not be ruled by Shakespeare in the Park (not that there's anything wrong with that), AND NOW IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE. Last year, Third Rail changed their membership model so that you pay a monthly fee and can see as many of their shows as you damn well please. The fee is year-round, so it looks like they're adjusting their programming accordingly—and no longer hewing to theater's usual academic year approach to programming.

"Part of that engagement means that Third Rail will always be announcing their coming programming in an effort to make Membership authentically valuable throughout the year," said the company in a press release. "Additionally, Third Rail will be programming every quarter—including Summer—with Main Stage, NT Live, and Wild Card shows."

This summer, they'll produce Sharr White's Annapurna at Imago Theatre.

The Seattle-based New Foundation has announced a new grant for artists as well as writers and curators, and it's open to Portlanders! From the organization's press release:

The CIF grant can be used for research or study; travel to present work; or to participate in workshops, conferences, master classes, seminars, or residency programs. Applications are due February 10, 2016. The grant application, information, and FAQs can be accessed on the Foundation’s website.

Founder of The New Foundation Seattle Shari D. Behnke said, “The Funding Program endeavors to build a strong contemporary art community by ensuring that Pacific Northwest artists, curators, and arts writers of all levels have access to educational resources and professional development tools that can help expand their practices.

Applications are due in February, and you can find more info here.