07.14.2023

Today’s Forecast

92º | Mostly sunny | 4% chance of rain | Sunrise 5:35 a.m. | Sunset 8:57 p.m.

‘It’s weird not to be weird.’ - John Lennon

Austin, Portland, Asheville: Which city is the weirdest?

keep portland weird music millennium.jpeg

The original “Keep Portland Weird” sign can be found on the side of Music Millennium on East Burnside Street. | Photo by Steve Morgan

“Keep Portland Weird” is a slogan all residents — and many visitors — are familiar with, but it isn’t exclusive to the City of Roses. If you spend time in Texas or North Carolina, you might notice “Keep Austin Weird” and “Keep Asheville Weird” nomenclature, which begs the question: Which city has the strongest claim to the weird throne?

We asked our fellow city editors at ATXtoday and AVLtoday to share their thoughts on why their respective cities earned the phrase.

party — This is not an unusual scene at Eeyore’s Birthday Party. | Photo by Jack Newton [CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons

Keep Austin Weird

The phrase was reportedly first said by Austin Community College librarian Red Wassenich, who called into KOOP Radio to donate because “it helps keep Austin weird” in 2000. The phrase was later put on bumper stickers to support BookPeople and Waterloo Records from the threat of big box stores moving in, and became synonymous with “support local business.”

Of course, Austin still has its fair share of unconventional traits. Name another city that faithfully celebrates Eeyore’s Birthday, had an iconic thong-wearing mayoral candidate, is Matthew McConaughey’s preferred place to play bongos in the nude, or has a mule-riding Santa Claus. We’ll wait. Don’t believe us that Austin is the weirdest? We’ll be “alright, alright, alright.” - Laura Figi, ATXtoday city editor

Keep Portland Weird

Terry Currier, the owner of Portland record store Music Millennium, is to credit for bringing Austin’s slogan to the Rose City in the early 2000s. But Portland’s unique reputation was already established thanks to a lively arts and food scene and its residents’ progressive attitudes, embrace of alternative lifestyles, and commitment to sustainability. There was enough “Portland-ness” to inspire a TV show with eight seasons.

Much has changed, but as long as a neon martini glass lights up the West Hills, thousands of bicyclists cruise commando through the streets, and creatives play flaming bagpipes on unicycles, Portland’s torch of eccentricity will remain lit. - Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday city editor

Keep Asheville Weird

Asked

Which city is, in your opinion, the weirdest?

A. Austin, Texas
B. Portland, Oregon
C. Asheville, North Carolina

Weird? More like magical

Events

Friday, July 14

Sherwood Robin Hood Festival | Friday, July 14-Sunday, July 16 | Times vary | Locations vary, Sherwood | Free | Hear ye, hear ye — the beloved local tradition returns with Maid Marian and her court, merriment for all ages, vendors, a knighting ceremony, live music, a parade, and an archery tournament.
Lily Flower Festival | Friday, July 14-Sunday, July 30 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | David Hill Farm, 45627 NW David Hill Rd., Forest Grove | Free | Enter an enchanted floral world where 75+ varieties of lilies thrive, shop for potted plants, bouquets, and bulbs, and enjoy wine tastings, charcuterie, and ice cream for sale.
Ecliptic Brewing Moon Room Pride Party | Friday, July 14 | 7-10 p.m. | Ecliptic Brewing Moon Room, 930 SE Oak St., Portland | Free | Order a pint of the new pub-only brew — Planetary Pride Passion Fruit Blonde Ale with Glitter — and enjoy food specials and music with a portion of proceeds supporting the Q Center.

Saturday, July 15

Rose City Vintage Market and Left Coast Revivals | Saturday, July 15-Sunday, July 16 | Times vary | Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Dr., Portland | $8-$55 | Hunt for antique and vintage home decor, clothing, accessories, and other treasures.
Portland Highland Games | Saturday, July 15 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mt. Hood Community College, 2600 SE Stark St., Gresham | $10-$200 | Don your finest kilt for a full day of bagpipes and dance performances, learning the history of Scottish clans, and whisky tasting courtesy of Rogue Distillery. Sláinte.
La Strada dei Pastelli Chalk Art Festival | Saturday, July 15-Sunday, July 16 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Cultural Arts District, 100-399 E. Main St., Hillsboro | Free | Professional artists will debut large-scale street paintings while local musicians serenade an estimated 40,000+ onlookers.

Sunday, July 16

Giant Bubble Show | Sunday, July 16 | 12-2 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave., Portland | Free | Prepare to be dazzled by enormous, shimmering orbs that float through the air — and bring the kids to pop as many as they can.
Oregon Short Film Festival Summer 2023 | Sunday, July 16 | 12-10 p.m. | Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton St., Portland | $50 | Sit through a screening of independent, international short films spanning various genres.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Festival

The Portland Pride Waterfront Festival is this weekend. The annual celebration is “one of the largest donation-based LGBTQIA2S+ Pride events on the West Coast” and will include live performances, food, activities, and more. The Portland Pride Parade starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 16, in the North Park Blocks.

Film

Living Room Theaters will screen a documentary addressing the challenges of addiction and the houseless crisis on July 16, 17, and 19. Each showing of “The Definition of Insanity” will be followed by a Q+A session with speakers — including the film’s director and county court judges — on potential solutions.

Eat

National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 16. Nico’s Ice Cream is giving away free kids-size cones, while Kate’s Ice Cream will offer a limited number of plant-based and gluten-free Strawberry Shortcake Bars.

Real Estate

Barbie Dreamhouse, eat your heart out. Blackberry Castle in the Forest Park neighborhood is for sale (again) — and the highest bidder takes all. There’s no reserve on the 13,000-sqft chateau valued at $5 million, but interested bidders must provide a $100,000 deposit and a letter of reference. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Sports

Four Portland Pickles players were picked in this year’s MLB Draft. Former pitcher Alonzo Tredwell was the No. 61 pick (selected by the Houston Astros), making him the highest-drafted former Pickles player in the team’s history. Morris Austin, Josh Mollerus, and Jacob Bresnahan are also headed to the big league. (KOIN)

Open

Hood River’s Double Mountain Brewery & Cider has opened a second Portland location in the former Lucky Labrador Tap Room space. The new Overlook neighborhood pub offers spacious dining areas and outdoor seating, with plans to host live music. You’ll find 22 beers on tap, non-alcoholic drinks, pizzas, and sandwiches. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Development

A new study found the city of Portland’s inclusionary housing policy has created 1,000 new affordable rental units since 2017. The mandate, which requires new apartment complexes to offer some units at affordable rates for low-income tenants, is most beneficial to central Portland developers, the study found. (OPB)

Finance

This leading balance transfer card offers 0% intro APR for guess how many months… with no annual fee. (Hint: It’s one of the longest 0% intro APR periods we’ve seen.) Details revealed here.*

Travel

Searching for the perfect luggage set that’s both lightweight + durable? We love this set for its polycarbonate shell and quiet double spinner wheels.*

Cause

👑 Con-drag-ulations are in order

Drag-A-Thon claims Guinness World Record for longest drag show

People in colorful outfits stand on a stage, holding an official Guinness World Record poster in front of a crowd.

Drag-A-Thon featured more than 600 songs and 700 set changes. | Photo by Devin Toohey

The queens, kings, and emcees behind Drag-A-Thon didn’t just break the previous record for the world’s longest drag artist stage show.

They obliterated it.

The marathon performance started at 4 p.m. on Monday, July 10, at Darcelle XV Showplace in Old Town — just months after the death of the carbaret’s founder and namesake. For the next 48 hours, 11 minutes, and 30 seconds, 120 participants kept the party going with the help of 2,500+ attendees. RuPaul, Fred Armisen, and Jamie Lee Curtis got in on the action. A Guinness World Record official certified the accomplishment on Wednesday afternoon. (The previous record was 36 hours and change.)

Claiming the title wasn’t Drag-A-Thon’s sole objective. With the help of Portland-based queer apparel company Wildfang, Darcelle’s raised $285,000 for The Trevor Project — an organization working to support LGBTQ+ youth.

Wildfang CEO Emma McIlroy called the show “a historic testament to the power of self-expression” and praised Portland as the only city in the world where such a feat could be accomplished.

Share PDXtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_20}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

Exploring the PNW’s less-traveled paths is one of my favorite hobbies — and I know I’m not alone. So for those who haven’t heard of the Parkdale Lava Flow, give this article by KOIN’s John Ross Ferrara a read. We truly live in a spectacular part of the world.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY