In the 1990s, Portland’s Dada Ball was the stuff of legends. An unorthodox gala thrown each year by the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA), the ball was as debaucherous as it was provocative. It happened everywhere from abandoned warehouses to Oaks Park, and brought together an amazing cross section of artists, eccentrics, and counter-culture creatives.

This year, to mark its 20th anniversary, PICA is bringing the Dada Ball back on March 16 at the Southeast warehouse space The Redd. They're combining it with their annual gala, TaDa, and calling it TaDaDa – and the now veteran arts organization is hoping it’ll be like no fundraiser you’ve ever attended. In place of an auction, ticket holders can whack their way through an enchanted forest of piñatas stuffed with original art works and gorge themselves at a bacchanalian feast prepared by six different chefs. The evening will also feature the Bizarre Bazaar, an adults-only twist on classic carnival games (think vape toss).

At 9pm the doors open to the public for a raucous after party, with music by White Hinterland, DJ Beyonda, and more.

To commemorate the event, State of Wonder producer Aaron Scott put together this oral history.

Read our full story: