COLLYMORE: COFFEE CUP ACTUALLY CONTAINS AN ART EXPLOSION
  • COLLYMORE: COFFEE CUP ACTUALLY CONTAINS AN ART EXPLOSION
Occasional Mercury arts writer and queer issue editor Stephen Marc Beaudoin has fallen head over heels for Multnomah County Commission candidate Karol Collymore, and he's throwing her an "Art Explosion" event this Friday night. Among Collymore's achievements on the campaign trail, it seems, is bringing about a reconciliation between Beaudoin and Portland's other mouthy gay cultural commentator, Byron Beck—they're both endorsing her in the upcoming primary.

I plan to pop along to the event before the Mercury's fashion show on Friday night. From Beaudoin:

Karol asked me to help her campaign with a fundraising event - one that focused on artists and creatives - because supporting arts and culture at the County level, and including the voices and ideas of creative folks is a central part of her campaign and her vision for the county. Aside from Mayor Adams, what other politicos are actively courting the creative community, seeking our voices and ideas, promising to protect and expand our opportunities here?

There's a big range of musicians, writers and artists participating in the May 7 event: fEARnoMUSIC ensemble, writer/funny guy Jimmy Radosta, LiveWire's Courtenay Hameister, photog-guy Wayne Bund, the amazing saxophone quartet Quartette Barbette, and one or two special special guests that most Portlanders would recognize.

It's about raising money for Karol at a grassroots event, yes, but it's also about getting artists and creatives to the table with her early and often.

The event runs from 7-10pm on Friday (I'll have to duck out for the fashion show, which starts at 9pm), at the newly opened FireByrd Studios, 409 SW 13th Avenue (half block south from corner of W Burnside and 13th Ave, in the future "Weave Building" across the street from Cacao/American Apparel). Suggested donation: $15 (min.) to $30.