- âWRIGHT STUFF: Portland Playhouse, the 4-year-old theater company recently evicted from its Northeast Portland home by the city, announced some good news Monday. The company has commissioned its first new work, from playwright Christina Anderson. Anderson, whose plays address the black experience in America with a magical bent, is among 15 young artists American Theatre magazine says âwill be transforming Americaâs stages for decades to come.â
- RADIO FREE KETCHUP: From sourcing local ingredients to composting your nasty-ass trash, Burgerville has long positioned itself as a hip and decidedly Northwest fast-food chain. Now your local Burgerville even sounds cool: This month the company is launching an in-restaurant radio service with a focus on local music. In a press release that name-dropped indie-rock acts like Radiation City and Viva Voce, Burgerville said it plans to dedicate one-third of âBV Radioâ airtime to local and regional artists. Burgerville says youâll also be able to stream the station from home by yearâs end. Local musicians can drop off their CDs at Burgerville HQ for airtime consideration.
- TRUCKINâ: Portland may soon get its first food trucks! Portland, Maine, that is. We sorta take trucks for granted but, believe it or not, theyâre still verboten in many parts of the country, including our namesake back East. A special committee charged with making Other Portland more âcreativeâ has approved the measure, which now goes to a city council committee, etc. Good luck, Other Portland, may your city someday have as many food carts as one PDX âhood.
- OâBREW: Downtown Irish-themed bar chain Kells has applied to open Kells Brew Pub in a former furniture and fabric showroom at 210 NW 21st Ave. Kells is the third Northwest chain to place a claim on the street in recent weeks. The second location of Dickâs Kitchen and fourth Blitz sports bar are slated to open on 21st in the near future.
- EASTENDERS: Michele McDonnell and Gabriel Lageson, owners of East End, have applied along with Zachary and Kyja King to open Garageland, a âspace for art, film and other performing artsâ in the building next door to the bar at 215 SE Grand Ave. The new business will serve Mexican food and have a full bar.
- THATâS BUNK: The meatball sub-pushers at Bunk Sandwiches have opened a new location at 211 SW 6th Ave., between Little Bird Bistro and Lauretta Jeanâs Handmade Pies.
WWeek 2015