This Friday marks the inaugural event of the Triple Dare Reading
Series, a joint venture from neighboring (and seemingly reinvigorated)
indie stalwarts Reading Frenzy and the Independent Publishing Resource
Center. If the premiere program is any indication, Triple Dare looks
poised to set a new standard for well-rounded fun and quality
smarts.
Author Vendela Vida—better known to many as the editor of
The Believer—brings some welcome star power to the event’s
headlining slot. (“Lit-mag” star power, not “George Clooney” star
power, granted.) Vida will read from “Soleil,” which was just
anthologized in Zadie Smith’s The Book of Other People.
Less celebrated but even more exciting is Triple Dare’s inclusion of
Apart from That, an amazing, truly independent film from Mount
Vernon, Washington directors Randy Walker and Jennifer Shainin. Lauded
on the festival circuit, Apart from That was (unsurprisingly)
ignored by film distributors, so the directors are tirelessly promoting
the film themselves, with a beautifully printed book/DVD/soundtrack
combo of the same name. Apart from That‘s Carver-esque
storylines are brought into intense focus with non-professional Puget
Sound locals who are genuinely fascinating, rather than affectedly
quirky, and are shot with an immediate, almost documentary grittiness
that picks up the strange nuances of closely observed human behavior.
Apart from That runs a full two hours, so only clips will be
shown tonight, but the directors will be there with DVDs for sale.
To round the bill out, Shelley Short serenades the audience with
that heartbreaking voice of hers; creative chameleon and pink-haired
cutie Skye has a surprise up her sleeve for everybody; and the audience
will be subjected to a corny creative writing “dare”—a feature
that I, personally, could live without.
One month ago, I never would have believed that Portland needed a
new reading series, but Triple Dare appears to be uncommonly well
curated, and loaded with proven entities and lesser-known gems alike.
With a great author event, kick-ass indie filmmaking, a mini-concert,
and other assorted treats, Triple Dare raises the bar of intelligent
entertainment in ’08.