Oregon Jewish Museum

Thank you to everyone who helped make OJM"s

Mirror Image Street Party a huge success!

Mirror Image, Oregon Jewish Museum’s August 6th street party, drew over 400 party-goers of all ages from across the Metro Portland area. The evening’s entertainment included an Artist’s Talk, 3 bands, 5 free art projects, 6 local food carts, and a rocking summer party scene.

Early in the evening, downtown workers and families with young children stopped by to enjoy a nosh from the food carts, the sounds of Svila and Sound Semantics, and the variety of hands-on art projects.

A talk by artist Jac Lahav drew yet more visitors into the Museum to view and hear about his exhibit, 48 Jews, showing at OJM through September 6th. In a lively dialogue, visitors learned about what inspired Lahav to create 48 Jews and how his style and technique have evolved in the process.

Later, the party continued as popular Gypsy-Klezmer-Punk sensation Chervona, played to 200+ dancers and enthusiasts. The energy and excitement created by this final group brought out the Klezmer-enthusiasts in all present and made this a spectacular First Thursday event. Amateur artists continued their endeavors throughout the night as tile painters worked studiously at the edge of the crowd of dancers.

To help sustain the dancers and budding artists, a variety of food and beverages – including sweet and savory options both vegetarian, and vegan,– were available all evening from local food cart vendors.

At the end of the night, one young visitor was overheard telling another, “See, I told you this was THE place to be tonight.”

The Mirror Image Street Party is a concept that evolved from meetings with OJM’s young adult focus group, aiming to expand the Museum’s visibility and connection with a wider audience across the community. The event was made possible with the generous support of the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition and the Oregon Cultural Trust.