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".
 | |
| Formation | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Brian Kidd |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Location |
|
President | Christine Lassiter |
| Website | weirdportlandunited |
History and activities
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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]
Beer collaborations
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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]
Events
editAmong 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]
Leadership
editKidd 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]
References
edit- ^ "Organization aims to fulfill bumper sticker's call to 'Keep Portland Weird'". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "The Unipiper starts 'Weird Portland United' to make Portland even weirder". KGW. 2019-01-22. Archived from the original on 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ a b c "One of the City's Most Popular Local Celebrities Has Started a Nonprofit Dedicated to Keeping Portland Weird". Willamette Week. 2019-01-15. Archived from the original on 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Meunier, Andre (2019-07-21). "Oregon Brewers Festival kicks off Wednesday with Unipiper's 'full flame and sound'". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "Keeping Portland Weird during Covid". KGW. 2020-05-23. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ a b c "Calling All Weirdos to Oaks Park this Weekend". Willamette Week. 2024-09-05. Archived from the original on 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ a b "The Unipiper!". KATU. 2024-02-12. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "Gigantic Brewing kicks off beer line celebrating Portland starting with the Unipiper IPA". KATU. 2022-04-02. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "Portland brewery, non-profit team up for Darcelle Blonde IPA". KOIN. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2024-11-10 – via Portland Tribune.
- ^ "Gigantic Brewing Releases Portland Elvis Gold Lager". Willamette Week. 2024-06-27. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Elhelw, Amal (2024-11-09). "Portland's 'Santa Clones' come to life in a new brew". KPTV. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "Calling all weirdos! The Weird Portland Gala returns!". KOIN. October 27, 2023. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ "Celebrate the city's oddities at the Weird Portland Gala". The Oregonian. 2019-11-05. Archived from the original on 2022-01-17. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Graves, Mark (2019-11-08). "Portland's weirdest stars gather for first Weird Portland Gala (PHOTOS)". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ a b Barr, Allison (2024-09-08). "Portland Weird Fest celebrates everything 'delightfully strange and wonderfully odd'". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Vondersmith, Jason (2024-08-29). "Aurelia Stardancer says: Discover and celebrate your weirdness at Portland Weird Fest". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Acker, Lizzy (2024-02-23). "5 ways to celebrate leap day in Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Boddie, Ken (October 28, 2019). "Where We Live: Weird Portland United". KOIN.
- ^ Scheffler, Daniel (August 28, 2023). "WEIRD TOWN, USA". Spin. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
External links
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- Official website
- Giegerich, Andy (February 21, 2020). "From the Unipiper, here's Portland's weirdest nonprofit". Portland Business Journal.