Hmmmm – how odd!  What exactly is this?  Seems to be 4′x4′ with hinged appendages.  Is that a stage? A coat? A device for moving?  All of the above.  This is little glimpse of the riffing on the standard 4′x4′ Ten Tiny Dance format that will happening this Saturday, Aug. 2nd, at the South Waterfront. Ten Tiny Dances/South Waterfront – A Performance Walkabout is an opportunity for Portlanders to see some great new works by some of the city’s finest independent dance artists all the while strolling the South Waterfront neighborhood – tram to river – amid live music.  Ten new, site-based movement works are being created for 10 different locations around the district. Participating artists include: Linda Austin, Cydney Wilkes, Tere Mathern, POV Dance, Hand2Mouth Theatre, Sojourn Theatre, Hot Little Hands, Ko & Co., Rhiza A+D, and Ten Tiny Dances founder – Mike Barber.  This particular object is part of the performance work being developed by Rhiza A+D, an architecture and design collective.  Expect a lot more unusual formats for this TTD.  While the 4′x4′ scale remains the common thread, the artists have been invited to challenge the how and the where of that structure. Presented by the Artist in Residence program and co-curated by Mike and me, this TTD offers audience members the opportunity to curate their own order of viewing, meaning – one can see all 10 performances, or sit and watch one over and over again.  The 10 dances will be performed simultaneously in continual rotation every 15 minutes.  A menacingly loud horn will signal the start of the next dance.  While this format will make for some very tired artists by the end of the day, it also makes for a very playful chance for viewers to have some autonomy over their experience.  I am always a fan of tha .To be part of this event, bring yourself to the the South Waterfront by 4p. Check in at the information booth on the corner of SW Moody and Curry to get your performance map and cool orange wristband.  First dance begins on the dot at 4:15p, so if you are not walking towards your first site by 4p you may miss one.  Be sure to bring some loose change so you can imbibe in the great treats for sale.  Oh, and in between the dances there will be these groups of performers walking around playing some fantastic music.  Please consider joining us for this free event.  Secure bike parking is available at SW Moody and Curry, as the South Waterfront is an easy, green commute by bike, streetcar, tram or carpool.

A day-length public event that features many of the city’s most beloved performing arts ensembles, organizations and independent artists, Summer Stage is an open invitation to the larger metropolitan community to come down and discover the South Waterfront neighborhood. Take the street car, bring a picnic and settle at the South Waterfront for a wonderful day of performances.