Lithuanian-born, Portland-based photographer Darius Kuzmickas took this shot at Ace Hotel Portland using pinhole photography. See his show, up for only a couple more days, at the Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Downtown Portland.

NATIONALE is one of our favorite shops in Portland — tiny and perfectly curated, abuzz with good creative energy. We’ve gladly smashed ourselves into hushed crowds washed up like surf around the perimeter of their shop to watch dance performances and listen to our friends read from their books, and we’ve happily unwrapped treasures we’ve treated ourselves to from their laden shelves. And now we’re proudly part of their star-studded line-up: they’re currently carrying our limited edition Ace x Impossible instant analog film for Polaroid cameras. To top it all off, today, NATIONALE turns three — they’re having a party at another local favorite, Holocene, with Tunnels, Wooly Mammoth Comes to Dinner and Scout Niblett, as well as DJs, a video installation by Alicia McDaid and a free advice booth from the lovely Jenn Armbrust. Everything’s going down 8:30 til late for a paltry six bucks — see the full schedule here.

Wooly Mammoth pictured here dancing on the tables at Clyde Common.

Kea loves taking photos.

Truen Pence and two loved ones in the photobooth at Ace Hotel Portland, via Twitter.

Grant and Paige, a photographer and carpenter respectively, made Ace Portland their home-away-from-BC on a recent rainy weekend. They brought their bikes down on the train (five bones, totally worth it) and shook off the drops at our place.

Our friends at Lizard Lounge in Portland are now carrying Ace x Impossible Starter Kits and Film at their rad little shop in the Pearl — they’re also part of our Stick it to the Man holiday shopping heist. We’ve known the folks at Nau, the brand behind the shop a la lounge, for many years and we’re further ingratiated by their ever-running river of Stumptown at Lizard Lounge, so it’s all in the family. Go check out their shop, hang out and read a book and peruse their handsome selections of amazing sweaters, denim and, now, lovingly refurbished Polaroid cameras and resurrected analog instant film.

Mr. Ian Svenonius has sung his @#$&ing heart out in bands like The Make-Up and Nation of Ulysses, and in the meantime has procured quite the collection of rare soul 45s. He stays with us at Ace Portland Thursday night to spin wax at the 5 Year Anniversary of I’ve Got a Hole in My Soul, Beyondadoubt’s legendary soul night going half a decade strong. Come dance for five bones and win $100 at the midnight dance contest with Jonathan Toubin of New York Night Train. Ian, Toubin, Beyondadoubt and the one and only Mr. Fine Wine of WFMU — the godfather of soul 45s — will help you ruin a pair of heels, get the girl and watch the sun rise. We asked Ian to curate a playlist for Ace to support crappy weather survival — as he says himself, all the DJs will be mining their crates to pizzazzle your winter weariness. Come dressed in your midcentury finest.

RAINY WEATHER MUSIC REPORT by IAN SVENONIUS

When the weather’s bad, (i.e. rainy, dark, cold) those of us with S.A.D. (sensory Affective Disorder) tend to huddle up in a ball, lay on the bed and listen to “Healing music,” i.e. lots of minor chords, aching songs of “love and loss,” Cohen, Dylan, Satie, et al. Some go all the way and listen to truly depressing music: murder ballads and “goth” music by people dressed in black. Goths nurture depression and a “dark” view of life. 

The idea of “Goth” came from the tribes who initially migrated out of “Gotland,” or what would now be Western Sweden, in the 4th Century. They were so depressed and melodramatic they sacked Rome and plunged the world into a “Dark Age” which lasted (accounts vary) between 700 and 900 years. 

Ironically, if one goes to Scandinavia now, there is little evidence of “gothic” dress or behavior. In fact, Danish and Swedish design is marked by bright colors like yellow and red, and festive patterns. It seems the really depressed “Goths” all traveled South 1500 years ago and those who were left had a different approach to bad weather: denial and sublimation. 

Happy music is therefore also a Scandinavian trademark. Abba, Cardigans and Aqua. Since Scandinavians purport to have a high standard of living, we’ll follow their lead in promoting joyful music as a way to wrestle with the interminable rainy months.

Beyondadoubt’s 5th Anniversary of her world famous “I’ve Got a Hole in My Soul” party at Rotture will feature the kinds of infectiously delightful songs that will keep you dancing til May, as well as internationally renowned guest DJs Mr. Fine Wine, Mr. Jonathan Toubin and — yours truly — Mr. Ian Svenonius. We will be playing soul all night December 8th!!! With a Dance Contest!!!!

MY PERSONAL PLAYLIST FOR WINTER: 

Richard Humble & the Continents – Summer All Night Long
The Baubles – Pardon me, Ma’am
The Horsemen 4 – Craters and Rainbows
Gayle Troyglad – Poor Omen
Pass Outs – (Do the) Crack and Squeeze
Paul Moriarty with the River Rangers – I Love Wyoming
The Intentions – Good Intentions 
Other Women – More, More, More 
Alexander Muskrat – I Smell (A Muskrat)

Photo of Ian by Jackie Roman