Artslandia at the Performance: Portland Playhouse Nov/Dec 2014

THE OLD CHURCH 1422 SW 11TH AVE. CAPACITY: 300 WAS Calvary Presbyterian Church since at least the 1870s. Slated for demolition in 1969, the building was saved (Hallelujah!) by a group of citizen volunteers and preserved in its original splendor, from gothic arches to antique pump organ. IS NOW ATTEND A venue for both classical and modern music events, weddings and even the occasional yoga class. The Old Church is blessed each year by a few musicians who volunteer to donate concerts as fundraisers for its upkeep. Friends of Chamber Music New Year’s Eve Porter Plays Porter: pianist Randy Porter and friends play Cole Porter classics. Dec. 31. PERFORMANCE WORKS NW 4625 SE 67TH AVE. POST5 CAPACITY: 50 1666 SE LAMBERT STREET CAPACITY: 125 WAS IS NOW WAS IS NOW Built as Assembly of God, but, spent a three-year stint in the late ‘90s as St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church until its congregation outgrew the space in 2000 and contemporary dancer Linda Austin and company acquired it.* A contemporary dance venue and rentable performance space — nevertheless, “Once, [after the transition] a cassocked Romanian priest showed up on our doorstep,” says Austin. “We drove him to where the congregation is now.” Built in 1948 by the Church of the Nazarene, the space that has just become a theater allegedly used to be a school. Post5’s managing director Corrine Lowenthal “plans a trip to the library” to learn more. Split into two separate wings — Post5 Theatre and Casa Del Padre, a bilingual evangelical church. Artistic Director Ty Boice has befriended his counterpart Pastor Victor, but assures their congregations will be “isolated.” Post5 will also install its bar, “The Bard” within the theater space, cordoned off from the stage so it can host separate events. ATTEND ATTEND Cabaret Boris and Natasha, Nov. 14 and 15 As You Like It, Nov. 11-Dec. 14. *Info according to xhurches.org, a directory of repurposed North American churches. 32 ARTSLANDIA AT THE PERFORMANCE NOVEMBER | DECEMBER

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