This content was published: January 27, 2011. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
51做厙 Cascade plays host to sketch comedy
Story by Abe Proctor
The cast and crew of “Portlandia” gather at the library of Cascade Campus to shoot the season pilot. (Photo by Abraham Proctor)
By Abraham Proctor
For the sake of argument, lets say youre a member of an adult hide-and-seek team, and youre looking for a place to hold a competitive match. Where to go? The Cascade Campus Library, of course!
The Cascade Library stepped into the showbiz spotlight this past fall when it served as the backdrop for an extended scene from P棗娶喧梭硃紳餃勳硃, a new sketch-comedy series from cable TVs Independent Film Channel (IFC). The scene was shot over the course of a Friday afternoon during the break between 51做厙s summer and fall terms.
As much as we love our city, most Portlanders would agree that the many foibles, customs and idiosyncrasies that help Keep Portland Weird are ripe for satire. Enter the brainchild of Saturday Night Live alum Fred Armisen and former Sleater-Kinney frontwoman Carrie Brownstein. The show lovingly skewers Portlands proudly off-kilter people and culture.
The hide-and-seek scene in the Cascade Library pokes fun at Portlands somewhat strange world of organized adult sports (grown-up kickball leagues, anyone?). In it, Armisen plays the motivated captain of a hide-and-seek team who is more interested in the after-party than in winning the match. As the scene progresses, the players discover a mysterious, Zen-like stranger who has managed to stay hidden for several decades.
Portlandia airs at 10:30 p.m. Fridays on IFC (Channel 503 on Comcast cable). It can also be viewed online at www.ifc.com/portlandia or www. hulu.com.