Kendall Clawson and Sarah Jessica Parker (top) Clawson, Carol Smith, and Parker (below) at Saucebox

CELEB-U-WATCH: As indicated by KGW here actress Sarah Jessica Parker was at Northeast Portland’s King Elementary School to support arts education on Wednesday. As KGW indicates Parker's appearance was a show of support for a White House and Department of Education initiative to turn around low-performing schools. She adopted King Elementary last year, in an effort to help boost its arts program.

Following her stop at King, it looks like SPJ spent at least part of the evening at Saucebox dining with Portland School Superintendent Carol Smith and my friend Oregon State's Director or Executive Appointments Kendall Clawson. From the photo it looks like SPJ might have dined on Saucebox's salmon dish Thai red curry eggplant, with tofu. Word is she was at the restaurant for hours, before catching a flight very early this morning.

Jeana Frazzini, Bill Dickey, Ted Kulongoski, Melanie Davis, Terry Bean and Barbara Roberts

MOVING FORWARD: The HRC Federal Club & Federal Club Council, Oregon & SW Washington Steering Committee, National Board members and leaders from partner community organizations, such as Basic Rights Oregon gathered at Butters Gallery on Tuesday night to hear from HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse regarding the momentous discussion that is marriage equality at Moving Forward 2013, a National Federal Club Night Out. Joining Rouse was HRC Co-Founder & Director Terry Bean, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, former Oregon Governors Barbara Roberts and Ted Kulongoski as well as BRO Executive Director Jeana Frazzini and PQ Monthly publisher Melanie Davis and many other community leaders.

Walter Jaffe, Paul King, Nancy Martino, Byron Beck, Deana Haley, Michael Curry, Feathery Flock, Paul Taylor receiving his Lifetime Achievement award, BodyVox receiving their Community Engagement Award, Sam Adams, John Michael, Performer, David Magilke and Butch Wiliams

FEATHERED FRIENDS: The "Feathered Follies", White Bird's 15th Anniversary Celebration included dinner, a live and silent auction, performances, and the First White Bird Dance Awards.

Chaired by David Magilke and Butch Williams the celebratory dinner was provided by Art of Catering and dessert was a dash by patrons to pick out a favorite from many of Portland's best pastry makers. Performance included spotlights by the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Vagabond Opera and The Dolly Pops.

But, for me, the night was more than just an anniversary party. It was more like a homecoming.

During the last 15 years Paul King and Walter Jaffe have done for more contemporary dance than almost anyone else in our country. By booking and bringing the best dance companies in our nation and world to Portland, they are helping to preserve this important art form. I love Paul and Walter. And I love that they were able to gather so many great people together for their party, including award winners Paul Taylor, Alonzo King, Jamey Hampton, Ashley Roland and George and Nancy Thorn. Also I loved that it was the first time in a long time that I had a chance to say hello to the person who introduced me to the world of contemporary dance and one of my earliest mentors: Nancy Martino. Nancy and a group of wonderful instructors at Portland State University were the visionaries who started the Contemporary Dance Season which first showcased many of the artists who now come to Portland via White Bird. It was also great to see stage artist Michael Curry, Sam Adams, members of Paul Taylor's incredible dance company and so many others who have love White Bird as much as I do. Congrats to Paul and Walter. You make Portland and the world a better place.

Julio and Heath onstage, and behind the DJ booth, at PulsePDX

PULSE PALACE: A new space has opened up on Northeast Sandy that is definitely going to raise your pulse...and maybe even help you lose a few pounds.

It's called PulsePDX and I found out about via my incredible Zumba instructor, Julio Aleman. He's one of the owners and he teaches Zumba there (this dude is so good that even I have fun doing it) , but there are so many classes being offered there too including hip hop, Club Bollywood, cardio funk and many other styles of dance.

Saturday night Julio and his peeps opened their brand new space up for a night of entertainment, drinks, friends, dancing, and massive amounts of gratitude for all the people who are making this incredible space happen.

DANCE FEVER: It was the 8th Anniversary of 80's Video Attack at the Crystal Ballroom and for one night—Friday night—the whole building was entirely engulfed by all things 1980's. It was also Jeana Frazzini's birthday, so we cut loose—Footloose—that is with a bunch of kids who weren't even born in the 80's, that guy from the Fred Meyer holiday ads, and a guy named Joe who I kept calling "Rick Lobster."