Revelry most Portland:
The creative hipsters of Kaosmosis seek a wider audience for its Yeti Snowball

Thursday, 15 December 2005
Lee Williams <willslither@earthlink.net>

Kaosmosis
noun: 1a. The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of beautiful medium. Community.


Kaosmosis marches across the Burnside Bridge during its November show, "Suono Angelica: The Language of Harmonics."  The performance collective includes musicians, artists, singers, sculptors and dancers.

Williams, Lee. The Oregonian: “Revelry most Portland: The creative hipsters of Kaosmosis seek a wider audience for its Yeti Snowball”, 15 December 2005, Living, p.E1 + E3.

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1134521728172440.xml&coll=7

 

Photos by Motoya Nakamura / The Oregonian

On a drizzly Saturday night in November, one thing is clear: The folks downtown weren't expecting angels. 

As the 50 or so winged and haloed members of Kaosmosis, a Portland performance collective, marched past the Union 76 station at Southwest Fourth Avenue and West Burnside Street, the curious gazed from car windows and stared from street corners. 

Slowly, baffled expressions give way to smiles and applause. 

"I don't know what this is, and I don't know who they are," onlooker Kevin Streever said. "But I love it!" 

The parade through downtown and across the Burnside Bridge -- complete with police escort and the blessing of the Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association -- was part of Kaosmosis' event "Suono Angelica: The Language of Harmonics." 

Kaosmosis, founded three years ago by Darcy Dziedzic and John Averill, is a collective of musicians, artists, singers, sculptors and dancers. Its highly interactive shows are theatrical presentations of music, art and design, featuring elaborate costumes and minimal yet imaginative sets. (Think Cirque du Soleil on a budget, with no wires but a wealth of local musicians.) Attendees are encouraged to come in costumes akin to the theme. 

On Friday, Kaosmosis will present its annual Yeti Snowball, a recap of the year's best moments and musical numbers by the Roswell Sisters, Solovox and the 24-member Dahoo Chorus. 

Kaosmosis has logged eight original shows this year, including "Suono Angelica"; February's "Huevos Diablos," a surreal Mardi Gras event commencing with a jazz funeral procession that included some members of the Kaos crew carting a coffin full of Voodoo doughnuts; and May's hair-themed "Medusalon," which featured "Free Leg Waxes for Straight Dudes Now!," billed as "a ritualized act of leg waxing for straight dudes, administered by the girl who lives inside the straight dude's own psyche." 

Kaosmosis attracts a varied, seemingly random crowd: Top-40 fans, creative-class devotees, fraternity brothers, fortysomething people-watchers in search of a party. By 3 a.m., the entire assembly is on its feet, getting its collective groove on. 

"In the past year, Kaos' allure has definitely expanded," said Krystin Brackett, who first booked Kaos at the Bossanova Ballroom. The audience, she said, has moved beyond "that narrow niche of highly creative types to one that's more inclusive. They really do a stand-up job of creating an 'anything-goes-and-everyone-is-welcome' atmosphere." 

Shannon Day, 32, a singing participant in "Suono," concurred. "That's what I love. . . . They're so accepting. There's no judgment, and that's why everyone shines." 

And while co-founder Averill admits a special fondness for Kaosmosis' original participants -- many are transplants; some have participated in Burning Man -- he also understands the importance of artistic development. "I do like the idea that these are creative-class reunions," he says. "But if you just keep preaching to the converted you're not going to grow or expand your audience." 

And yet, for J.K. Monagle, a 32-year-old health worker who donned angel wings for the November march, Kaosmosis conveys something simpler than artistic expression or grand theatrics. 

"It's a chance for all of us adults to celebrate being alive," he said.


Capra J'neva chants during the indoor portion of "Suono Angelica."  Kaosmosis, whose shows are usually themed, invites attendees to come in fitting costumes.


Brooklen Nixon, halo aglow, works the ticket window of the Bossanova ballroom during a Kaosmosis show.

Kaosmosis' 4th Annual Yeti Snowball:
The Bumble is Back

When: 8p.m. Friday to 4:30a.m. Saturday
Where: Audio Cinema, 226 S.E. Madison St.
Cost: $15-$30 sliding scale.  Buy tickets online at www.kaosmosis.org. The website includes a list of Portland businesses also selling tickets.

COME ALL YE FAITHFUL, UNFAITHFUL, JOYFUL ABOMINABLES, UNEMPLOYED ELVES,
ICE QUEENS, PENGUINS, SNOW FLURRIES, AND FURRY ARCTIC FRIENDS!

THIS IS A 21+ EVENT



It is hard to believe this is the fourth year (how time flies!). Get your tickets now online or at our ticket outlets (below). There will be a special side-door entry for advance ticket holders only (so you won't have to wait in the cold).
We highly recommend arriving early to this event or purchasing your tickets in advance.
Kaosmosis is proud to present the Fourth Annual Yeti Snowball! This "winter wonderland of excitement" has become a Portland tradition and one of our most popular shows. A year-in-review of Kaosmosis' 2005 event series will feature an all-local line-up of musical acts, artists, and DJs performing special Holiday sets.
Aside from the stellar entertainment line-up, we will also have on hand:

AMBIANCE:

Dervishgirl and the Snow Sirens (a mesmerizing journey through an illuminated world of circles)

Snow Globe Holiday on the Moon (Interactive photo-op installation by Nick Miner)

Gingerbread Village and Candy Igloo Effigy (a twisted take on a edible holiday tradition by artist Fredrick Zal)

Illuminated icicles by Urbplot LAB (suspended sculptures by designer Grace Luebke of Urbplot LAB)

Snowflake Mobile (kinetic sculpture by Michael Taluc and Richard Cawley)

World’s largest White Elephant Holiday Gift Exchange Bring a quality gift (or two), take a gift, make new friends. This is a Kaosmosis first! Winter Elves will be on hand to take your gifts. You’ll get a ticket that’s good for a gift in exchange.

Tiki Lounge vacation chill-room

Kaosmosis’ Bake sale with Bing, Donna Reed and friends, Didn’t bring a gift, how about a custom ginerbread creation by a Kaosmosis artist?

FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT will include the Dahoo Chorus (24-person rock alterna-choir) performing their 2nd Annual Holiday Extravaganza show, two sets by the MarchFourth Marching Band (35-piece big-band explosion), new material by Solovox (one-man electronic dance machine), the Roswell Sisters (androgynous jazz vocal trio), plus a very special extended musical journey by DJ Manoj and the Baby New Year (a rare collaboration of turntables and live musicians). Arrive early to experience the Gingerbread House of Mystery, Interactive Snow Globe, illuminated hula hoopers, fireside crooners, and many more surprises!

PLEASE NOTE NEW VENUE LOCATION:
Due to the recent (and unexpected) sale and closure of the BossaNova Ballroom, we have moved the Yeti Snowball to the Audio Cinema (an amazing new 10,000 square-foot artist workspace located at the corner of SE 3rd and Madison). Fare thee well Bossa Nova, we will cherish the memories!