Block Party Unites NE Portland Neighborhood in Transition

On August 26, Open Signal will band together with Eliot Neighborhood residents, businesses and artists to present a daylong multicultural block party, featuring live music on porches, family-friendly activities and immersive media installations that demonstrate the talent and culture of Northeast Portland.

Historically a Black neighborhood, Eliot spans between NE Broadway and Fremont, from NE 7th Avenue west to the Willamette River. The area, which includes Emanuel Hospital and the N. Williams Avenue business district, has experienced some of Portland's most rapid gentrification and displacement of the past 50 years.

In an effort to honor past and present NE Portland culture, this celebration blocks off NE Graham Street at MLK Jr. Blvd—adjacent to Open Signal—to feature the talents of Graham Street residents and those with deep ties to NE Portland neighborhoods.

Bring That Beat Back: A Block Party from Life Is Shortfilms on Vimeo.

Justen Harn, Open Signal Executive Director says, "This organization has been part of the Eliot neighborhood since the early 1990s and our community has seen a tremendous amount of change in that time. We can't control the gentrification around us, but we can engage meaningfully with our neighbors, preserve our collective history and document our local culture as it evolves."

"In my opinion, NE Portland has always been the cultural hub of the city," said event organizer and Eliot resident Dante Graham-Preston, whose family has lived in NE Portland for more than 60 years. "Post-gentrification, that spirit has been significantly diminished. This block party event is my contribution to the neighborhood that nurtured me and gave me the tools to explore and embrace life."

Graham-Preston continues: "My hope is that the event will bring natives and newcomers together to experience and enjoy the essence of the neighborhood."

Featured musicians include:

Kulululu (Indie Rock), member Denzel Mendoza lives on NE Graham St.
Destro of Oldominion/Boom Bap Project (Hip hop), MC/Lyricist Domion Oramas is a native NE Portland resident
Saeeda Wright (R&B/Funk/Soul/Vocalist), a NE Portland native
Grayskul (Hip hop), with MC Onry Ozzborn

Other activities include:

A food cart pod and a beer garden
The launch of a neighborhood story collection project hosted by StreamPDX, a podcast outfit located in an airstream trailer
Large-scale photographs of Eliot neighbors made by Ricardo Nakaoga
Interactive art installation by Taj Bourgeois and nationally recognized musician/artist and Eliot resident Erika Anderson/EMA
"What Connects Us," a display of photographs created by students at Open School North and Portland Police officers with Elijah Hasan, long-time Open Signal producer
Art making with RACC/Open Signal muralist Molly Mendoza
Family storytime by Black Hat Books