One of the more buzzed-about events of TBA:07 is the fascinating Toronto-based performance art group Mammalian Diving Reflex’s Haircuts by Children. It is exactly what it sounds like: From 12-4 pm tomorrow at Rudy’s Barbershop, Portland students between the ages of 10-12 (who have received some training) will be giving free cuts to intrepid grownups, including yours truly.

The appointments have all been booked, so it’s too late to sign up, but it’ll certainly be worth checking out, if you’re in the neighborhood—the kids’ll even be running a lemonade stand.

I have an interview with MDR’s artistic director, Darren O’Donnell, plus a bit more explanation of the project here on our TBA blog:

I’m getting my hair cut on Saturday. If I just ask for a trim, am I gonna feel like a square?

No, lots of people ask for trims, and [the kids] will do it really well, they’re really keen on pleasing the client.

I got that impression, looking at pictures from your website. The kids seem to take it really seriously.

It was unanticipated. I was expecting anarchy when I first did it a couple years ago, and hoping for crazy haircuts, but for the most part it has even taken a while for me to convince the kids that when people say “Do whatever you want,” they really can do whatever they want. Most of them would shy away from doing something that was too radical.

Sat-Sun 12-4 pm, Rudy’s Barbershop, 212 NW 13th