As you might already know, Pearl District mainstay Mark Woolley Gallery recently pulled up roots and moved fulltime to his new home beneath the Wonder Ballroom on NE Russell. Tonight, in would could be percieved as a (justifiable) effort to move some of the First Thursday shenanigans (drinking, bumping into art) closer to his space, Woolley has organized a limo and an unfortunately named Groove Bomb—”a former Tri-met bus that was converted into an art car complete with lounge and sound system”—to shuttle back and forth between NE Portland, Chinatown, and the Pearl, all for the price of FREE. One of the sweetest parts of the whole equation (depending on your level of excitement at drinking vodka Red Bulls on a Groove Bomb) is that there’s zero need to try to park your whip in the Pearl on the most hellish parking night of the month. You can find easy parking off MLK by Woolley’s space, hop in a limo, do the schmoozing and boozing, and get a ride right back to the Wonder Ballroom. Easy as that. The only bus rules: No puking; No dry-humping if you’re over 35; and at least feign an effort at looking at art.

All the details after the jump.

CONVENIENT AND STYLISH FIRST THURSDAY TRANSPORTATION IS NOW AVAILABLE

Monthly Free Service Between the Pearl and NE by Groove Bus and Limo

Sponsored by Russell/MLK businesses expecting you!

The Russell Shuttle consists of a classy limo AND the "Groove Bomb", a former Tri-met bus that was converted into an art car complete with lounge and sound system and has served Portland in this guise since 2005. This Thursday, February first and subsequent First Thursdays, the Groove Bomb and Limo will provide FREE shuttle service between seven businesses and five art galleries/studios in Northwest and Northeast Portland, including the Mark Woolley Gallery. For the Russell Shuttle, complimentary nonalcoholic beverages will be available. The shuttle route will begin at 6 PM at the corner of NW 9th Ave. and Couch and will proceed to the Everett Street Lofts (home of the Rake Gallery, Sugar Gallery, and Vorpal Space), returning to NW 9th, then West on Glisan, North on 12th, East on Lovejoy, then across the Broadway Bridge for the short jaunt to the Wonder Ballroom/Mark Woolley Gallery, adjacent to Cafe Wonder and the Secret Society Ballroom (former Disjecta space now renovated & conducting tours this night) and a few steps to Russell BBQ, Gold Rush Coffeebar, William Park Studio and gorgeous, upstairs Arabella Salon, which sports a rooftop garden. The shuttle then goes south on MLK to Queen of Sheba Restaurant and, and Echo Restaurant & Bar, then will return to the Pearl via Broadway to repeat this route until 10PM.

We sincerely hope you will discover the magic of this area by visiting the sponsors listed below. If you live in North or NE, or close-in SE, you can drive to Wonder, visit the businesses on Russell/MLK. then use the shuttle to go to the Pearl & back without dealing with the hassles of parking. See you soon!