 | |
| Formation | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Brian Kidd |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Location |
|
President | Christine Lassiter |
| Website | weirdportlandunited |
Weird Portland United is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Brian Kidd, who is known as the Unipiper, founded the collective in 2018 in an effort to "Keep Portland Weird".
The nonprofit organization Weird Portland United (WPU) was founded by Brian Kidd (known as the Unipiper) in 2018 in an effort to "Keep Portland Weird". [1] [2] According to Willamette Week , WPU's mission "includes everything from awarding grants to emerging talent with an eye for eccentricity to acting as a clearinghouse for events and places with a flair for the bizarre". The newspaper said the organization also "aims to make our time stuck in traffic spiked with quirk by purchasing billboard space throughout the city and reserving them for weird-use only." [3] The Oregonian has said WPU was established to "[raise] and [distribute] money to keep Portland's unique creative spirit alive and kicking". [4] "Weirdo Memberships" cost $10 per month, or $100 per year, and the group also accepts donations from businesses and individuals. [3]
WPU distributed $500 grants in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. [5] The Keep Weird Alive grant program offered assistance to artists. [6] WPU and the Portland Street Art Alliance have collaborated on a series of murals. [7]
WPU collaborated with Portland Brewing in 2019 to help with the organization's launch; proceeds from Unipiper Hazy IPA sales benefitted WPU. [3] [8]
The organization has collaborated with Gigantic Brewing several times. In 2023, WPU and Gigantic collaborated on the Darcelle Blonde IPA, a beer commemorating drag performer Darcelle XV. A release party hosted by Poison Waters was held at Darcelle XV Showplace. [9] In 2024, a beer commemorating Mill Ends Park was released with "Portland's shortest parade" for "the world's smallest park". [7] Proceed from sales of the Portland Elvis Gold Lager benefited local Elvis impersonator John "Elvis" Schroder after his home eviction. [6] [10] WPU and Gigantic also partnered on the Santa Clones Winter Warmer beer in 2024. The beer commemorates Santa Clones , an annual Christmas display by Chris Willis. [11]
Among the organization's fundraising events is the Weird Portland Gala. [12] [13] The first Weird Portland Gala and Costume Party was held at Polaris Hall in North Portland in 2019. Hundreds of people attended, including former mayor Bud Clark and Darcelle XV. [14] WPU's first major public event, called Portland Weird Fest, was held at Oaks Amusement Park in 2024. [15] [16] The festival had activities for children, a beer garden, a costume contest, performance art, and vendors. [6]
Gigantic has also hosted WPU socials. [17]
Kidd was the president of WPU in 2019. [18] He has described the group as "the only 501-c-3 dedicated to keeping Portland weird". [19] Christine Lassiter is the president as of 2024. [15]
Voodoo Doughnut is an American doughnut company established in 2003 in Portland, Oregon, with various chain store locations around the United States.
Music Millennium is an independent record store located in Portland, Oregon. It was opened by Don McLeod, his wife Laureen, and Dan and Patty Lissy in 1969. It is currently the largest and oldest record store in the Pacific Northwest.
Darcelle XV Plaza is a square that was a small park and fountain at the intersection of Southwest Park Avenue and Southwest Harvey Milk Street in downtown Portland, Oregon, in the United States. It received the current name in July 2023. It was named after Hugh O'Bryant, Portland's first mayor.
"Keep Portland Weird" is a popular slogan that appears on bumper stickers, signs, and public buildings throughout Portland, Oregon and its surrounding metro area. It originated from the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan and was originally intended to promote local businesses, though it has since evolved into an all-encompassing slogan that secondarily promotes individuality, expressionism, local art, as well as atypical lifestyle choices and leisure activities. The slogan frequently inspires articles and debate that attempt to quantify the exact level to which Portland is considered weird, unusual or eccentric. It has been called the unofficial motto of Portland, as well as the informal mantra of the city's residents.
The Unipiper is a Portland, Oregon unicyclist, street performer, bagpiper and internet celebrity.
House of Louie was a Chinese restaurant in Portland, Oregon's Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, in the United States. The restaurant was managed by James Leung, as of 2006, and closed in 2018 after operating for 30 years. In 2023, the building which housed the restaurant was purchased by the nonprofit organization Sisters of the Road. The group plans to use the building for offices and a cafe, opening in June 2025.
Human Access Project (HAP) is an organization based in Portland, Oregon, whose mission is "transforming Portland's relationship with the Willamette River". The organization's vision is a city in love with its river. HAP was founded by Willie Levenson, whose official title is the organization's Ringleader, is a tireless and effective advocate for swimming in the Willamette River he brings his love of water to his work as an activist for recreational access to the Willamette River in Portland.
The Roxy was a diner serving American cuisine in Portland, Oregon. Located on downtown Portland's Southwest Harvey Milk Street, the restaurant was established in 1994. The Roxy was popular as a late-night food destination and had a diverse clientele. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the diner operated 24 hours a day, except on Mondays. The Roxy has been described as "iconic" and a "landmark", and was known for being an LGBTQ-friendly establishment because of its employees' community involvement and its location within the historic hub of LGBT culture and nightlife. Following a forced six-month closure due to the pandemic, the diner opened under new public health and safety guidelines in November 2020. The diner closed in March 2022.
Carts on Foster was a collection of food carts, or "pod", in Portland, Oregon's Foster-Powell neighborhood, in the United States. Established in 2010, Carts on Foster was owned and managed by Steve Woolard. Ownership was transferred to 2021, and the pod closed in 2023.
Kevin Cook, known by the stage name Poison Waters, is an American drag performer. Since the 1980s, Poison Waters has been an emcee, entertainer, and community activist. She is a longtime hostess at Darcelle XV Showplace and has participated in fundraisers, LGBTQ events, public service announcements, and other community activities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Cook has also taught at Portland Community College.
Cart Blocks is a food cart pod in Portland, Oregon's Ankeny Square, in the United States. It is operated by Friends of the Green Loop.
Assembly Brewing is a brewery and restaurant in Portland, Oregon.
Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom is a bar in Portland, Oregon. Spouses Alex Kurnellas and Shawn Stackpoole opened the original location in southeast Portland in July 2013, followed by a second in northeast Portland in 2017. The business serves local brews on tap, and bottled for take-out.
Daniel P. Elliott, known professionally as Bolivia Carmichaels, is an American drag performer based in Portland, Oregon. Since 1995, she has performed at LGBTQ establishments such as CC Slaughters, Darcelle XV Showplace, and the defunct Embers Avenue, and has also participated in many community events.
Steeplejack Brewing Company is a brewery with three locations in the U.S. state of Oregon. The business operates in Portland and Hillsboro, and has announced plans to expand to Manzanita.
Von Ebert Brewing is a brewery based in Portland, Oregon. The business has operated in northwest Portland's Pearl District, at Glendoveer Golf Course in the northeast Portland part of the Hazelwood neighborhood, and at Cascade Station in Beaverton. The Pearl District location closed in April 2024.
In Portland, Oregon, Christmas trees have been installed at Pioneer Courthouse Square annually since the public space opened in 1984. The trees have been donated by Stimson Lumber Company since 2002, and are delivered the week of Veterans Day. With some exceptions, the trees are 75-foot-tall Douglas firs, decorated with thousands of multi-colored LED lights.
Apex is a beer bar in Portland, Oregon. Jesse McCann opened the bar in southeast Portland's Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood in 2010. The cash-only and bicycle-friendly business has dozens of beer on tap, a large patio, and pinball machines. Apex is popular and has garnered a positive reception. It is slated to stop operating at its current location in August 2024, as the lease was not renewed.
Summer Lynne Seasons is the stage name of Brent Blackwell, an American drag performer based in the Portland metropolitan area, in Oregon. Summer Lynne Seasons is part of the cast of Darcelle XV Showplace.
Candace Avalos is an American nonprofit executive and politician who is a member-elect of Portland City Council from District 1 after being elected along with Loretta Smith and another council member to be determined in the 2024 election. Avalos is one of the twelve inaugural members of Portland's new expanded city council after switching from a city commission government to a mayor–council government.
