Ryan McCluskey and Joelle Jones on First Thursday at Sequential Gallery
SUPER ARTIST: On First Thursday I was one of the lucky ones who had a chance to sneak at peek at The Art of HELHEIM, by Joëlle Jones at Sequential Gallery in Old Town. Jones art is one of the reasons that Vikings have replaced zombies as the baddest asses on the block. And this illustrator is one to watch on many other fronts too. Mark my words, in the next few months, you will be hearing a lot about Ms. Jones.
Support the groundbreaking artistic programs of the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art and connect with a amazing community of visionary artists and audiences at their mesmerizing annual benefit party: TADA!
It's all going down on Saturday, April 20th, beginning at 6 pm Sandbox Studio (420 NE 9th Ave Portland, OR 97232). It's going to a very cool event with a sweet dinner from Simpatica, sommelier service and winery tastings with Mitchell Wines and fabulous live auction items including a vacation to a rustic manor in Provence!
This year's Honorary Chairs are Whitney Chapman & Clint Werner with Champion Sponsors Gerding Edlen, The Boeing Company and Patron Sponsors NW Natural; Tonkon Torp, LLP; Stoel Rives, LLP.
This year PICA is partnering with local designers Pino/Pattern People for the design of a special limited-edition numbered TADA! silk broadcloth bowtie. Designer Crispin Argento's graphic bowties are $100. BUT you can knock $10 off the bowtie for each TADA! ticket bought, that is if you mention you heard about it from BYRON BECK. So get your bowtie on! It's almost time for TADA!
Sam Adams greets guests at Civic Drinks, Rep from Rep. Earl Blumeanuer's office, Rob Ducote, Cameron Whitten, Rob Sadowsky, Jason Lim and Gale Castillo
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: "When did City Club become so cool?" I overheard someone say that as I waited in line to go inside Portland's Penny Diner, the first space to host City Club's brand-new meet-and-greet opportunity.
Civic Drinks, held the 1st Tuesday of each month, is a mix of informal conversation, connection and cocktails and a great opportunity to mingle with local leaders, City Club members, and others involved or interested in civic issues. The kick-off was packed. Perhaps that had something to do with the Penny Diner an Chef Ben Bettinger's tasty nibbles or bar manager Brandon Wise's cool cocktails. Or, it could have been the fact, the City Club's new Executive Director, Sam Adams, was personally greeting everyone at the door. Or maybe it was the guests.
April's special guests included local staff leaders of agencies and organizations dedicated to our economic success, including: Gale Castillo, President of Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber; Robert S. DuCotè, Acting District Director of U.S. Small Business Administration; Heather A. Hoell, Executive Director and Justin Zeulner, President of Venture Portland; Herb Fricke, President of Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce, Scott Goddin, Director of U.S. Export Assistance Center; Jaime Lim, President of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon; Tim McCabe, Director of Business Oregon; Sandra McDonough, President of Portland Business Alliance; Andrew McGough, Executive Director of Worksystems; Jefrey Nauck, President of Portland Area Business Association; Sean Robbins, President & CEO of Greater Portland Inc; Shelley Shirley, Executive Director of East Portland Chamber of Commerce; and Patrick Quinton, Executive Director of Portland Development Commission.
Talk about your "civic engagement." This opportunity was awesome.
Fashion Expert Kevin Lennox looking ever so fashionable
SPRING THING: With spring coming, it’s time to put some color in your wardrobe. Luckily Downtown retailers are prepared with a series of events called Spring into Fashion.
From NOW to April 7th, stores and restaurants are hosting trunk shows and parties, offering special offers and serving special drinks. More than 30 retailers and restaurants are participating, making this a chance for shoppers to find just the right style for spring in Portland.
There are fashion events happening all over downtown. April 4th, Radish Underground will host First Thursday event featuring fresh designs, accessories and artwork as well as an opportunity to give gently loved clothes to Dress for Success Oregon to get 5% off purchases.On April 6th, Bettie Page Clothing is holding their Grand Opening party with music, a photo booth, discounts and giveaways. And on April 7th Brooks Brothers is teaching anyone who wants to learn how to tie a bow tie.
Another fun happening will be at Pendleton Woolen Mills. On April 4th, 5-7 p.m. Pendleton is launching a signature brand for Pendleton Woolen Mills: The Thomas Kay Collection. The trunk show runs all week, but on April 4, you can enjoy Pendleton lager while checking out this exciting line of classic, yet modern cut clothing collection for men and women.
There will be events all throughout Downtown all week so for more information about Spring into Color and a complete list of participating businesses and events, visit downtownportland.org/spring-into-color/. See you there!
TO GET AN INSIDE SCOOP ON SPRING I TALKED TO FASHION EXPERT KEVIN LENNOX:
With Spring approaching, what are the hot new styles the savvy trend spotter should be looking out for? Well Byron, my personal faves are luxe leather, bold stripes, and of course COLOR.
Colors are big, especially in Portland. What should a shopper think about when choosing colorful clothing? What’s interesting right now is that instead one particular color being a trend, it’s every bright color in the rainbow. The danger in that though, is wearing nothing but color can go clown, so be judicious.
Downtown Portland has seen a lot of new stores open. What retailers get you excited about spring? There are several, but the ones I really look to, are Tory Burch, TJ Maxx, and Bettie Page and XCVI. These four really show the incredible range of fashion available in Downtown Portland. What’s the best way to add color if your wardrobe is otherwise neutral? I’d definitely say take it slow out of the gate, but still have fun. Start with one color, and work your way up to as many as you feel comfortable with.... Short of going clown. Mixing and matching clothing has always been important to Portland’s style, what are the do’s and don’ts of mixing and matching colors? Do use color to help express your self, but don’t let it overpower you. Do choose to wear bright color on a grey dreary day, don’t create your own rainbow ensemble.
Where will we find you during Spring into Color? Oh I’ll be hitting up all the events I can!
Cyril's Sasha Davies and friend show off sections from the wheel of Schlosseberger
WHEEL DEAL: Small shop. Big cheese. One of the most common plights of a small cheese shop in just two words: big wheels. Cyril’s at Clay Pigeon Winery, a new urban artisan winery and tasting room along Portland's Central Eastside Industrial corridor, confronted this plight by using Kickstarter to encourage Portlanders to help purchase a big wheel of cheese each month for their Community Supported Cheese Club.
Yes, it's just one more thing that keeps Portland weird.
Cheese lovers who purchase each month’s cheese will be invited to Cyril’s to pick up their cheese at a complimentary tasting party, which we did on Thursday night for the " Schlossberger Edition”. These cheese club member only events include a public cracking and wrapping of the cheese, tastes of a wine and beer that winemaker Michael Claypool recommends would pair with the cheese, and artisan edibles to complement the cheese.
