We have an event here in Portland called the Last Thursday Art Walk. It started fourteen years ago as a sort of the rebel offspring of the First Thursday Art Walk held in the downtown galleries. It is truly a renegade DIY event in every aspect of the word—equal parts carnival, garage sale, art fair, burning man, protest, karaoke, dance party, art experiment, parade, ______.
It’s a place were performance artists of all sorts, buskers, marching bands, crafters and anyone trying to make a buck merge together in the name of “anything can be considered art” for one colorful evening a month. It’s a place where spontaneous dance parties break out in the street, stilt walkers become almost “normal” and you never really know what you’ll find on the next block. It’s a place where unique expression is celebrated, diverse neighborhood populations merge, and for the most part, everyone seems to have a really good time. Oh, and I’m pretty sure it’s some of the best people watching on the planet.
I just returned home from what felt like the first official Last Thursday of the year (it’s a warm weather event, and tonight was particularly lovely). I’m definitely a little wired from all the stimulation…and perhaps the full moon 🙂 But, mostly I’m also feeling incredibly grateful for my freaky city where truly anything goes and art is an extension of life itself. We sure are lucky here.
I also want to thank you all for your beautiful heartfelt comments yesterday after my “Blogging about Dating 101” post. I so loved hearing all your stories of LOVE FOUND!
Hurray for love.
Hurray for art.
Hurray for you.
xo flora
