The Big O.

Nights of Passion. No Regrets in the Morning. ~Portland Opera
(If anyone ever sees a t-shirt or a bumper sticker with this on it, you should get it for me. I'll pay you back!)

Last weekend was the 64th Annual Oregon Orchid Society and what better way to celebrate than going to the opera? And, with two of my best orchid pals, Jamie and Lori.

We had dinner at Higgins, one of my favorite places, and started out with the most awesome flatbread with bacon, asparagus and goat cheese. Between that, the flat iron steak I had, Jamie's duck, Lori's halibut and two martinis, I was glad I had booked our pedicab for the ride down to the Keller. Not only was I full, but I was wearing my magic shoes. They magically make me taller.

The pedicab was AWESOME and I love their tag line: "Do something green, ride something orange."

So, off to the Keller we went. But first, a photo op at the Keller Fountain. 13,000 gallons of water a minute move across the acre in front of the Auditorium. Ira Keller was instrumental in the "South Auditorium Renewal Project" which also wiped out the core of Portland's Jewish and Italian communities, when the city used eminent domain to "revitalize" the area and raze their homes. Well done, Ira--I bet you wanted those pesky Gypsies out too....

I had not realized that the Keller Fountain is just one portion of an 8 block span designed by Lawrence Halprin. I'll let him explain it in his own words:

"In Portland I attempted to do two things: the first of these was to develop a long eight block sequence of open spaces, promenades, nodes of plazas and parks with a mix of public space and private space interwoven. Along this progression are a diversity of uses - housing, apartments, shops, restaurants, offices, auditorium. The space is choreographed for movement with nodes for quiet and contemplation, action and inaction, hard and soft, yin and yang. The second basic approach was to bring into the heart of downtown activities which related in a very real way to the environment of the Portland area - the Columbia River, the Cascade mountains, the streams, rivers and mountain meadows. These symbolic elements are very much a part of Portlanders' psyche…. Finally these places were for the first time designed to be used to be participatory - NOT just to look at - they say COME IN, not stay off."

The Lovejoy and the Pettygrove fountains are also part of this. I have to have one more quote because it's too funny not to include. In describing the eight blocks, Walt Lockley describes it this way: "....some of the grassy platforms seem tailor-made for mimes, in macramé denim vests and rainbow toesocks, to writhe in the last agonies of a fondue overdose. Another relic of the seventies." What's Walt got against fondue, I wonder?

I digress. After the fountain photo op, we went in and found our seats and Rigoletto began. Rigoletto is a court jester. His boss orders women like some people order Starbucks. The boss seduces Rigoletto's daughter. Rigoletto puts a hit out on his boss. I won't tell you how it ends, but they don't call it tragedy for nuthin.

Then, it was back in the pedicab for the ride uphill back to Higgins. Then it was home to puppies and bed because the next morning was the beginning of the orchid show.

My friend Lori won an award with a former Orchid Exchange miltonia (my mom's favorite!) and it was appropriate not only because it was Mother's Day weekend, but also her birthday! We were all so proud!

This green lady slipper smelled like raspberries.


Thus ended the weekend, but began my "I am Oregonian" challenge. Stay tuned--only 144 more things to go!

Recap:
Day One - May 8, 2009
1. Higgins (Foodie Stuff)
2. Ira Keller Fountain
3. Keller Auditorium
4. Portland Opera (Event)
5. Pedicab (Outdoorsy Stuff)

Miles traveled from home: 8.6 miles
Miles traveled by alternative transportation: 1.0

Day Two - May 9, 2009
6. 64th Annual Oregon Orchid Show (Event)

Miles traveled from home: 9.1 miles

Related sites:
http://www.pdxpedicab.com/
http://www.portlandopera.org/
http://www.tclf.org/pioneers/profiles/halprin/index.htm (Lawrence Halprin)
http://www.waltlockley.com/irakellerfountain/irakellerfountain.htm