This Week in the Mercury
I'll Cry If I Want To
Touring the Election Night Parties: Who's Out, Who's In—and Who's Dancing to November
Friday, August 7, 2009
TBA The Works at TBA: Washington High School
Posted by Alison Hallett on Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Every year, PICA chooses a different location for the Works, the Time-Based Art festival's late-night performance/party space. The Wonder ballroom two years ago was a misstep; Leftbank proved awkward last year thanks to bad sightlines and a cramped dance floor. This year's venue could not be more perfect.
A couple weeks ago, before cleanup had really begun and while the building still lacked electricity, I got a chance to explore Washington High School on Southeast Stark, an old high school that's been sitting unused for several years (white boards are still scribbled with inspirational messages from when the school was requisitioned by FEMA to house Katrina refugees). Washington will house music, a few regular festival performances, and TBA's visual programming, including installations—Ethan Rose's sound installation Movements, which employs more than 100 altered music boxes, will be in the school's old library. There's an illicit thrill to being in a repurposed school—it feels like a clubhouse. A rambly, spooky, cavernous clubhouse. Shows will be held in the school's auditorium (chairs are being removed to create a dance floor, and the upper balcony will be all-ages); various classrooms will house visual art; an outdoor beer garden will feature local food carts, though I haven't yet heard which ones. Basically: It's going to be fun as hell.
A full festival pass for TBA is a little spendy ($150 for non-PICA members; a Works pass is $75), but the visual art installations are free, as is the opening night Works show with Gang Gang Dance; other shows at the Works are $10. Also, volunteers can earn free tickets: email for info, or attend an orientation session on Sat Aug 15, from 1-2 pm, or Wed Aug 19, 5-6 pm (224 NW 13th; no RSVP required). Check out the full schedule of Works events here, and stay-tuned for the Mercury's TBA blog, launching later this month.
Photographer Jeff Yarbrough did his best with the building's lack of light, and got some great shots of Washington's interior—posted after the jump.
1
I do wonder what Mr.Sweeney thinks about all this, though.
2
How come this giant empty building hasn't turned into a squatter's paradise?
6
I want to see more!
I want to work this event this year!
I worked the misstep.......
7
8
Most Commented on Blogtown, PDX
-
City's "Overnight Sleeping" Program Finds First Host—and Neighbors React in Ugly Fashion by Denis C. Theriault
-
Game of Thrones Recap: Calm Before the Storm Edition by Joe Streckert
-
Feds Dish Out $745.2 Million to the Light Rail by Alex Zielinski
-
Portland Button Works Opens on Killingsworth by Alison Hallett
-
Happy World Goth Day! by Marjorie Skinner
-
We're Number One! by Alex Zielinski
-
Hecklevision: Point Break—The Wisdom of Point Break by Erik Henriksen
-
Weekend Eatings: Corazón and The Slide Inn by Marjorie Skinner
-
Good Morning, News! by Nathan Gilles
-
Win Tickets to Hecklevision: Point Break! by Erik Henriksen
Our Friends
- UrbanHonking
- Culture Shock
- Portland Roundball Society
- Steph Cassano
- Cort and Fatboy
- Street Roots
- Powell's Books Blog
- Portland Transport
- Portland Afoot
- Bike Portland
- Eater: PDX
- Portland Food and Drink
- Mr. Movie
- Sunday Softball
- BlueOregon
- Sightline Institute
- Ultra: Arts Portland
- Bitch Magazine
- Blazer's Edge
- Reading Local: Portland
- Portland Food Carts
- Stumptown Vegans
Our Enemies
The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.
RSSGoing to Seattle?
Comments (9) RSS