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Thursday, July 2, 2009

Artsy OBT Leads Big Arts Rally Today in Pioneer Square

Posted by Stephen Marc Beaudoin on Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 9:08 AM

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When was the last time the Portland arts community got up a big public rally to celebrate its own bad-assness?

It hasn't happened in recent memory, but Portland's Oregon Ballet Theatre has big reason to pop a cork, of course: they succeeded in raising more than three-quarter of a million dollars in less than three weeks - through aggressive fundraising and a jaw-dropping gala performance at the Keller - which saved the company from the brink of extinction.

Now OBT's assembling a day of blowout partying - today! - to thank Portland for their generosity (although OBT admits they received donations from 25 states outside of Oregon to help boost their coffers) and spread the arts community love a little bit. The mega "thank you rally" kicks off just before noon today in Pioneer Courthouse Square, and OBT encourages you to hoist a sign sending some props to your fave Portland arts group. See you there?

Later today (7 tp 9 pm), the company's hosting a five-buck fundraiser (five bucks?!?!) at Forkfly, 332 NW 6th, featuring noshes and booze, a fashion show, and live performances from some of my personal favorite OBT company members: Steven Houser, Anne Mueller, Gavin Larsen and Adrian Fry. Go, already!

UPDATE, 10:15 am: Oops! Seems OBT forgot to request a city permit for the rally, according to company spokesman Erik Jones. Instead of a massive blowout rally with speakers and raucous music, they're changing gears: "We’re going to meet there as scheduled and then go for a little arts walk through downtown and the Pearl," Jones says. "I figure we’ll head up to PCPA [Portland Center for the Performing Arts], swing by the art museum, and then down past the symphony office, the armory, PICA, and RACC. That should be a nice little jaunt — and we can distribute the RACC material along the way."

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