The PICA TBA festival is Coming!!!

Remember going out on the town with mild expectations and then showing up to a warehouse full of fascinating people and seeing a mind-blowing show and thinking, Portland is the most awesome city in the fucking world I’m so glad I live here and thank god Fox is ensuring lame people don’t move much less visit here??

If you want feel that again come out to the TBA festival.?

Created and curated by the Portland Institute for Contemporary Arts it’s a 10-day festival that brings performance that defies definition from all over the world here to Portland.?

It started back in 2003 and I had the privilege of performing in the festival that first year, and again the next year with AC Dickson: eBay PowerSeller, and then again a few more times over the next decade with my shows Sell Out and Life Coach.?

As an artist, it was transformational. I was given a huge amount of trust to premiere new work in front of a fantastic audience, which gave me the confidence to really find my voice and own approach to making work.?

And because curators from all over come it also gave me the opportunity to tour my work to places like New York, and Kansas City but also Europe three times (where they actually pay for your flight, hotel, meals and then pay you to perform!!!)?

The festival changed my life. And continues to.?

As an audience is gives me so much food for thought: images to respond to and remember. Ideas to consider and reconsider and spectacle to entertain and engage all my senses.

These days I serve on the board (full disclosure).?And while the PICA has grown far beyond the festival, with a massive warehouse space that hosts visual art exhibitions, performances and non-profit community events through the year, the TBA festival is still my favorite.?

After a few years of an online and then hybrid model this year the festival is back full on and in person.?

So I thought I’d offer up a little guide to help folks navigate it.?

What is it again??

It’s an 11-day festival that brings dozens of artists from all over the world right here to Portland. TBA stands for Time Based Arts so it’s dance, film, drag, stand-up, spoken word, storytelling, theater, music and a single performance often combines several of those things at the same time.?

When is it??

Opening night is this September August 8th and it runs through Sunday September 18th, with the weekend being particularly stacked with performances, films and artist talks.?

Where is it??

Mostly at PICA’s space in NE caddy corner from the Moda Center (which you likely still call the Rose Quarter) but also at theaters and campus across the city.

How much is it??

You can buy tickets to individual events and many events are free. But if you have the means, I recommend a pass, which is as little as $75 for a a weekend to $150 for a full pass to $500 for a patron pass.?

You can learn more and buy yours here.

Do I need reservations??

Yes! After you buy your pass take a look at the calendar of events and email the box office for reservations. As I write this most everything still has space, so it’s perfect timing to dig in.?

There’s so much to choose from, how do I navigate it??

I suggest choosing a few nights to go all in. For instance, come Thursday for the opening night performance and party.?

And then come again that Friday and Sunday or Saturday (or all three) and go all in and see 2 or 3 three things each day.?

Over the two weekends there is a show (if not a few) at 6pm and 8pm, and often one at 4pm and a lecture or film earlier as well. During the week there are a few events throughout the day with performances at night ramping back up next Wednesday.?

So maybe you come this Thursday, come hard all day Saturday, see one more show Sunday and then come again the next Wednesday and Friday and Sunday. ?

The whole idea of the pass is go see lots of stuff. You’ll love some of it, some of it might confuse or challenge you, but it will all make you think.?

And performance art shows are usually closer to an hour than two, and the more you see the richer the experience is. So don’t just cherry pick one that looks good, immerse yourself!?

Should I come alone??

You can, but I recommend bringing friends, co-workers or a date. Because it’s really fun and thought provoking. You will leave every show wanting to get a bite or a drink or take a walk to talk about it.?

Are there a few shows I should really see??

I would super recommend High Winds by Sylvan Oswald. It’s a storytelling show, with music and visuals and I actually saw it this spring at Austin’s version of the TBA festival with PICA co-curator Erin Boberg. Moth and fiction fans especially will love this show.?

Adrienne Truscott’s THIS is not to be missed. It’s one night only Saturday September 10th - but I’ll actually be missing it to emcee and auctioneer the Harper’s Playground Gala. (Which will be incredible if that’s more your speed. And yes, tickets still available!)?

Anthony Hudson/Carla Rossi Clown Down 2: Clown out of Water is also a must see. There will be serval performances of the show the second weekend.?

And I’m super excited for the ALL IN: a performance gathering hosted by First Nations Performing Arts. That’s Friday September 16th.?

But you can’t go wrong. Dig into the website and see what sound interesting to you. I’m not familiar with most of the shows so I’m super excited to see as much as I can.?

Anything else??

Yes actually. Lots, but. I can’t imagine anyone is still reading this.?

If you are and have questions… or concerns… or ideas… or want to start a goth party bus business, or whatever… just hit me up!?