OK, Blogtownies. So there are two really special Portland-reared performances opening this weekend that I’m totally peeing my pants about. And I just wanted to give you a heads-up, because word on the street is that both shows are selling fast. You snooze, you lose. Really special Portland performance the first: “Foot Opera Files.” BodyVox […]
Artsy
Posted inArtsy
24/7
Here’s a worthy-sounding event: In recognition of the fact that the U.S. has been at war with Iraq and Afghanistan for 7 years, more than 350 area musicians (mostly classical and featuring members of the Oregon Symphony) will perform 24 consecutive one-hour concerts, beginning at 7 pm tomorrow, in the WK atrium. Bluehour will be […]
Posted inBooks
Win a Copy of Art/Work
In covering the local arts scene, I’m often frustrated by how little practical know-how goes along with some of the work that’s created in town. Some days it seems like half the press releases I receive either lack vital pieces of information (price! time!); link to a shitty MySpace page you have to log into […]
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Threatened Again With Slashed City Funding, IFCC’s Adrienne Flagg Rallies The Troops
Adrienne Flagg has been through this before. Every year around this time, it’s the same circus. The city of Portland releases its draft budget. Tongues wag. Heads roll. The political jockeying for a piece of the budget pie begins. And for several years running now, the sad story’s been the same: the city threatens to […]
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Lost in the Funhouse with Anouk Van Dijk
posted by Arts Intern Matthew Vollono The press release for STAU, the new piece by Dutch choreographer Anouk van Dijk currently running as part of White Bird’s Uncaged series, describes the piece as an “interactive dance performance.” When it comes to performance pieces, I find the word “interactive” a bit terrifying. Ever since being hypnotized […]
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Cheap White Bird Tickets: Fancy Dance for the un-Fancy
I picked out that press photo special for you guys. You know why. White Bird is offering Mercury readers $16 tickets to their five remaining shows, Dutch dance troupe anoukvandijk’s performance of STAU. (Here’s where I remind you of something I relearn at TBA every year: Just because you can’t pronounce it, doesn’t mean it […]
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Steve Martin to Finance La Grande Student Production
The O picked up this article over the weekend, but in case you missed it: Actor Steve Martin will foot the bill for an Oregon high school to stage a production of his play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, after the show was cancelled because of parents’ concerns about the play’s content. La Grande High […]
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A Peculiar Early Opera Fantasy, With Two Stars In Its Galaxy
Seventy five bucks a pop. That’s how much you’ll be shelling out if you elect to see Portland Opera’s new production of “La Calisto,” a mid-17th century opera by Francesco Cavalli, which opened last Friday at the Newmark Theatre and features young singers from the company’s studio artist program. It’s a hefty tab to hoist […]
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Let’s Give a Warm Blogtown Welcome To…
I know it’s not customary to introduce new Blogtown bloggers—it’s generally just more fun to just shove ’em onto the interledge and see what happens. I’m going to make an exception in this case, though, because I’m just so darn excited to welcome Stephen Marc Beaudoin as our newest contributing arts writer. Formerly of Just […]
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Onstage this Weekend
You got options. White Bird presents Dutch choreographer Anouk van Dijk as part of their White Bird Uncaged series (the above image is from that show). This time, the venue is the Oaks Park dance pavilion, so you could even strap on some skates after the show and bust out your own moves. Just DO […]
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Getting Witchy at Wicked
The last time I went to see a live musical in a fancy theater was My Little Pony Live! at the Schnitz, so it’s kind of a big step up for me to move from that on to Wicked, the traveling musical currently residing at the Keller, based on Wicked: The Life and Times of […]
Posted inFood and Drink
Steeped in Innuendo
Ummmm… while straightforward and factual and commendable, perhaps the good folks at Good Earth Tea should reconsider renaming their upcoming charity benefit. Right now it’s called the Tea Bag Drive. From their press release: Did you know that your brewed tea bags have more uses than just making a steaming cup of tea? They can […]