Cirque du Brunch: A Collective Stand for Arts Spaces In Portland

Jul 17

Written by Nickolas H.

In the heart of Portland's Central Eastside Industrial District, an eclectic group of local artists, performers, and national business figures are uniting for a cause that transcends art and performance. The August 3rd "Cirque du Brunch" fundraiser at JaJa PDX aims to preempt what many see as maligned code enforcement that has served as a continuous threat to the survival of music and arts venues in Portland.

JaJa PDX, affectionately known as the Factory of Dreams, is a 20,000 square foot haven for creativity and community. Founded by Mariano Di Yorio, a former Cirque du Soleil performer with roots in the slums of Argentina, JaJa PDX is more than just an arts venue. It is a sanctuary of personal and artistic empowerment, home to a circus school, art studios, a wood shop, a ceramic studio, a music studio, and a place of interconnection between the artists and community members within. Mariano’s story is one of resilience and community spirit. Homeless at 17, he found solace and purpose in juggling, which eventually led him to a mansion turned squat. He and his growing collective of talented friends transformed abandoned warehouse spaces into venues and community education centers, ultimately leading to the founding of the Centro Kultural Trivenchi, the first social circus school in Buenos Aires. That spirit of community and transformation now lives on in JaJa PDX, a space Mariano built from the ground up to empower Portland’s community of artists and their work. As his tenure grows here, he tells us that his mission is to create even more spaces where creativity can flourish, unhindered by financial constraints or bureaucratic obstacles.

Despite its outsized contributions to the local arts scene in a relatively short time in operation, JaJa PDX faces a set of challenges not unfamiliar to anyone who’s watched their favorite venues fall to city-official meddling over the last decade. In 2013, the infamous “sprinkler code” came into effect - after an admittedly tragic fire incident - and has been a contentious issue that’s dragged down our nightlife and entertainment scene ever since. Many believe that Portland’s leadership has taken advantage of the strict fire-code regulations to shut down independently owned restaurants and venues in prime redevelopment zones. As it sits, JaJa PDX is not facing immediate threat of closure, though selective fire-code and zoning enforcement are concerns the art collective is taking seriously in light of the recent North Warehouse closure, among many others (see Willamette Week’s coverage of The North Warehouse closure and Portland’s history of illegal sprinkler-code enforcement).

The Cirque du Brunch is one of a number of fundraisers that represents a critical lifeline for Jaja as they seek to grow their organization and head off any legal barriers the city could impose on that progress. The event comes amid a growing wave of support behind the Jaja, serving as something of a testament to the power of community and the importance of standing together against forces that seek to undermine the arts. Mariano's commitment to his mission is unwavering, but the financial burden of complying with these regulations is immense. The venue needs to raise $1 million for essential upgrades, including installing the tyrannical sprinkler system, alongside seismic upgrades, window replacements, bathroom renovations, and rezoning the property for larger scale events.

In response to these challenges, the community has rallied together to organize this fundraiser event that brings together a diverse group of supporters, including local artists, performers, and notable figures from the entertainment and cannabis industries. Among them is Dany Bitar, an international DJ and owner of Cannabis On Time and Cave Junction Farms in Southern Oregon. Dany's involvement in the arts and cannabis industries, as well as his role in managing the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, positions him as a crucial ally in this fight. Originally from France and Lebanon, has a deep appreciation for the power of music and art to build community. His experiences growing up in a war-torn Lebanon and organizing events there have shaped his belief in the transformative power of art. "The goal for me is to create community bonds through music and art," he says.

Community Arts & Festivals, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is another partner that has been instrumental in organizing the event. Their mission is to support the sustainability of the arts community by organizing accessible art events and festivals. By creating a pipeline from local scenes like Portland to larger stages in places like Los Angeles, they hope to provide a platform for artists to break out and thrive. The event model, inspired by similar events hosted by Dany at the TCL Chinese Theater, will feature a blend of circus performances, music, and art, offering a unique and dynamic experience for attendees. And yes, the event takes place in the evening, but that won’t stop our friends over at Fine & Dine PDX from serving up some gourmet brunch for dinner. “The goal,” they say, “is not only to raise the necessary funds for JaJa PDX, but also to highlight the importance of preserving spaces that foster artistic expression and support arts-based communities.”

It could be said that JaJa has become an irreplaceable entity for empowering artists in Portland; a bridge between creatives and the local community, and for those reasons alone it's a cause worth supporting. Though, Mariano’s vision goes far beyond just the JaJa - a vision supported by this broad and colorful coalition of artists, performers, and business leaders - and has emerged as a beacon of hope in a city that has become starved for spaces like JaJa PDX. Now more than ever, supporting this cause amounts to more that just standing up for a bunch of *literal* clowns at the JaJa PDX. It represents a stand for all the beautiful weirdos that make our city special; a stand for all creative spaces in Portland that enrich our lives and make this the city that we love. And if you don’t care about any of that, well, it's gonna be an amazing show anyways and don’t forget your red nose! We’ll see ya there, Actual Portlanders.