On August 22, Caitlin Myer and the Portuguese Artist Colony presented Xtreme! Unction at the Five Points Arthouse with featured performer Robin Ekiss and music by Scott Sier.
Followers of this site may have noticed we rarely, if ever, miss the monthly readings of The Portuguese Artists Colony. I have attended this event three times, and understand why it has assumed an exalted place in our monthly schedule.
On their blog, the Colony describe themselves as “a collection of untrustworthy characters who gather at Fivepoints Arthouse weekly to engage in the disreputable act of writing.” Well, that’s fine as far as it goes. “Untrustworthy” means different things to different folk, I suppose, but as far as producing work which rewards our attention, you can count on the Colony.
Let me say a bit about some colonists. Founder Caitlin Myer looks like what she is, a bubbly, friendly, sophisticated Mormon lady, child of an art professor. She's normal. As normal as an ear of corn. And she does not look like what she is: an observer of heartbreaking insight, spying out people’s inner lives and telling the secrets she discovers. She has said, “I’m a slut for a good character.” Looking at her, it is easy to imagine she has never heard the word “slut” spoken aloud, let alone said it herself. But, here she is, telling the secrets that belie her genteel Mormon exterior. She never fails to surprise, neither in her person nor in her writing. Why wouldn’t we want to see her at least once a month? We would and we do. Read a sweet interview of Caitlin here.
Mr. Benjamin Wachs is a columnist; Wonder Dog is a puppy; Bob Dylan writes songs. In each instance, the category cannot contain the artist. They overflow like volcanic lava. Mr. Wachs, show us your lava light. Benjamin writes, humorously and often, for the S. F. Weekly, among other outlets. He writes about theatre. He writes about politics. He writes fiction. Whatever he writes, his wry voice and impeccably constructed sentences are distinguished and satisfying. His dry delivery highlights the monthly Portuguese soirees.
Wachs and Myer are not the whole shebang, of course, but I am most familiar with them. The other colonists—Megan Enright, playwright Daniel Heath, Leslie Ingham, Damion Searls, Cary Tennis and Alice Wu—also provide scintillating literary entertainment each time they read.
The Portuguese Artists Colony always includes musical guests to round out the evenings.
A visit to Fivepoints Art House with the Colonists is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a late Sunday afternoon in San Francisco.—Charles Kruger
VIDEO LINKS (AUGUST 22: XTREME! UNCTION)
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