Art, too, is in the eye of the beholder

I had a great night of art this week. Thursday marked the beginning of Portland's TBA Festival - an annual 2 week performance art festival.

I planned to attend the opening performance "On the Great Migration of Excellent Birds" - a large group of singers performing a piece intended to resemble the sounds and actions of birds. Then, walk around the galleries and check out new art premiering on "First Thursday".

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The birds, albeit somewhat disappointing in magnitude, were delightful. A hundred singers gesturing like birds, chattering like birds, chirping like birds - and singing about how great it would be to be one. The highlights of the performance were the whistling and chirping (it really sounded like a bunch of birds) and the sometimes gimmicky "craning" of their arms and hands.

Then, I wandered through The Pearl district's many art galleries. My favorite gallery Beppu Wiarda premiered beautiful new work from Arvie Smith. The Pony Club's featured artist, Josh Simmons, left me wanting for something more. I did delight in the vulgarity of the work entitled "How to Fuck".

Afterwards, I intended to go home.

On my way to catch the bus, I thought I'd grab a quick cocktail. And made the pleasant mistake of walking into a drag show bar (Darcelle XV) 30 minutes before the early show. I opened the door and was immediately greeted by a 7-foot tall (including the hair) drag queen. Ahem, excuse me: Female Impersonator.

Me: "Sorry I was looking for a bar."

DQ: "Well, we got drinks. Come on in."

After a cocktail, I tried to make a quiet exit, but Darcelle herself said to sit "here" for the show and pointed to the table next to her wig changing station in the back. There's not too many things I can say I know for sure - but I know you don't argue with a Drag Queen. So I sat. And thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The show hasn't been updated in decades. I chose to forgive her, she is 77 after all - the oldest performing Drag Queen in the world. Lorena Bobbit jokes ("She was in a bad car wreck recently. Some dick cut her off."). Darcelle's first number was "Rhinestone Cowboy" in the standard ass-less rhinestone chaps. And what would an evening of old time drag be without a rousing "Hey, Big Spender"? Cheap drinks, cheap "women" and all around good fun. I'll be forcing everyone I know to attend shortly...in the meantime, I took a quick pic.

I remember thinking, during the show, that this was some of the best performance art I've ever seen. Perfect way to end my "night of art".