2GQ ~ 2 Gyrlz Quarterly ~ Portland, Oregon arts, literature, & madness

NICK CAVE LECTURE & MORE FABULOUS STUFF @ COOLEY

"Working History: African American Objects" finds curator Stephanie Sydner in top form, bringing the work and/or live presences of Kianga Ford, Nick Cave, Adrian Piper, Faith Ringgold, Kara Walker, and many others to Portland, at Cooley.

THE GYRLZ ARE BACK IN TOWN: Rock Fest at Rotture Feb 9th

2 Gyrlz Performative Arts returns to Portland! Our fearless leaders, co-directors Lisa Newman and Llewyn Maire/Yhi, have returned from their year-plus in England, and they've brought us some tasty European treats to savour: Tex Napalm, Dimi Dero, and Anthony Malat. Keep reading for deets.

UPCOMING 2 GYRLZ SHOWS:

Feb 9, Saturday ~ Tex Napalm/Dimi Dero/Anthony Malat; Magick Daggers; and special guests at Rotture, 9 pm, $8

April 3, Thursday ~ Ron Athey performance followed by PanZen party, at Rotture

April 13, Sunday ~ Works Corps performs "HOUSE BOUND" at Performance Works NW, co-presented by 2GQ

THE POOL CLEANER: SHORT FICTION BY JOHN LONGSTOCKING

With short-short fiction by John Longstocking (formerly John Barrios), 2GQ kicks off our Domestic Terror series, featuring fiction, performance documentation, and other art that takes a challenging approach to the well-worn subjects of home and family.

We like Longstocking and his writing so much, in fact, that we've invited him to join 2GQ as a regular writer. Look for him on a blog post near you. And now, onto the story...

NW NOISE MUSICIAN MICHAEL GRIFFIN PASSES AWAY

"Michael Griffin passes on 1/7/08

Early this morning Michael Griffin died. He was the violinist in Behead the Prophet No Lord Shall Live and played in the noise duo Noggin and many other projects along the way. His contribution to music was very significant as huge proponent of Improvised Noise. Michael encouraged anyone curious about music regardless of talent and got a lot of people started on a path to true creative expression. I am greatly thankful for my experience with Michael as an individual, as a fellow musician and to know his family who have been a family to me when I needed a one that accepted me for who I am without judgement. I am currently working on a documentary about Michael with a friend Peter Rand that hopefully will be completed within the next year. Much Love to you all, I know that Michael believed in Love, - Jordan Rain"

GOTHIC BEAUTY: IRRITATE THE DOUBTERS

reviewed by Johan

Gothic culture tirelessly marches on towards greater popularity despite being virtually a religious subculture subject to persecution in America. But when any great designer needs an edge, it's often the first place they will reach for ideas. And Gothic culture now has gone global, with huge followings in Japan, Europe, Mexico and central and south America, each region contributing equally fantastic twists, and with a dedicated network of supporters penetrating every country on Earth.

Enter Gothic Beauty magazine.Daring to define the enigmatic Gothic culture for nearly a decade. Unafraid to embrace the controversial, but always finding a route to the fantastic, seductive and beautiful in a way which turns the cynical American status quo on its head to create a darkly beautiful sensibility, offering alternatives spanning the range of our own culture like a parallel universe made up of darker dreams with better endings.

Gothic Beauty, at once loved by people on the Gothic fringes and neglected by counterculture snobs, will be the first established example anyone will go looking for to defend Gothic culture from silly misinterpretations. (Continued...)

2GQ co-presents "HOUSE BOUND" at PERFORMANCE WORKS NW

The Works Corps invites the 2 Gyrlz community to experience the group's very intimate and unusual new performance, "House Bound," at Performance Works NW on April 13, 2008. The work delves into the tension between individuality and relationship, between selfhood and family, between freedom and claustrophobia, between private and public.

2GQ is delighted to co-sponsor this rare opportunity for audiences to visit a very different kind of house. We'd like to give a big shout-out to the show's current donors, including the Cooley Gallery at Reed College, Plazm magazine, P!x Patisserie, Vanessa Renwick/Oregon Dept of Kick Ass, and Steve Fritz Photography.

THE WIFE, THE MISTRESS, & THE PROSTITUTE: PLAZM AT THE BACK ROOM

Come along, creative whores! Eat food, hang out, and dive into a conversation about "The Wife, the Mistress, and the Prosititute" as essential metaphors for life as artists, writers, and as creative professionals. Discuss design, language, survival, protest and collaboration!

Join 2GQ editrix Tiffany Lee Brown (who moonlights as a Plazm editor) with the Plazm crüe, editor Jon Raymond and art director Josh Berger.The evening is hosted and curated by Stephanie Snyder of the back room and the Cooley Gallery at Reed College.

Music by Tara Jane O'Neil. Food by catering & farmers market favourites Tastebud Farm, who will soon open their new dining room in Southeast Portland.

January 11, 2008, 6:30 pm, Podkrepa Hall, 2116 North Killingsworth Street. $45 per person includes a delectable feast, wine, and a copy of a book written & pressed especially for this occasion. Reservations are highly recommended; these events usually sell out. Email thebackroompdx@gmail.com or buy tickets via THE BACK ROOM online. Keep reading for details...