Candidates Done Gone Wild

Tonight's Candidates Gone Wild event at the Roseland was a roaring success, thanks to a game group of political hopefuls, a randy emcee (Storm Large in her magnetic, pottymouthed splendor), a Randy in Lycra and leather, and a rowdy sellout crowd. Presented by Willamette Week and the Bus Project, this season's electoral event included mayoral candidates Sam Adams and Sho Dozono, City Council Position 2 candidates Nick Fish and Jim Middaugh, and City Council Position 1 candidates Jeff Bissonnette, John Branam, Mike Fahey, Amanda Fritz, Charles Lewis and Chris Smith. (Commissioner Randy Leonard made a cameo appearance—see video below.)

The political mosh pit before the show (photos by James Pitkin):

This year's event brought back versions of favorite set pieces from years past: a team quiz show, video interviews with Adrian Chen, grilling on the issues by WW editor Mark Zusman and political consultant Liz Kaufman (Kaufman to third-time's-a-charm City Council candidate Nick Fish: "Have you considered running for the West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District?").

But the centerpiece this time, as in the past, was the talent show, which included Amanda Fritz's take on "Iron Man," Mike Fahey's Elks Club comedy stylings, Charles Lewis playing Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry" (complete with waving lighters and cell phones in the audience), Chris Smith fixing a flat tire while his campaign manager "live-blogged" pop-up commentary, and John Branam operating power tools (he made a picture frame onstage).

Far more than Sam Adams' milkshake-making talent was on display when fellow Commissioner Randy Leonard walked onstage, bare-chested and spandex-crotched, to crank up the pedal-powered blender:
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Sho Dozono used his 2 1/2 minutes of fame to enact a challenging three-part commedia involving Dozono, a land shark and a Rap the Vote sho-down. Here's a snippet:
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Thanks to all the candidates for participating, and to the Bus Project, Wieden + Kennedy, Portland Community Media, dBMonkey and the Candidates Gone Wild volunteers. Look for a Candidates Gone Wild wrap-up in Wednesday's WW, and stay tuned for much more complete CGW footage from Portland Community Media.

Candidates Gone Wild highlight reel (photos by Jonah Schrogin):