On September 7th, 2021 you can come to downtown Hillsboro along Main Street and safely celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Hillsboro Tuesday Night Art Walk, more commonly known as Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk. The event is the oldest and longest-running event of its kind. In fact, prior to founders Linda Holland and Evan Acey getting this event going, Hillsboro was a town that rolled up the streets after 5 PM. Now known for lots of functions and events, the Hillsboro Community was just starting to blossom when the event got started.
FROM THE ORGANIZERS:
On First Tuesday, Sept. 7, 5:00 until 8:00, Rodney Stubbs will be hosting an Influence Music Hall’s Open-Mic at Weichert Realty. This just happens to be the very location that Influence was opened and the place where First Tuesday Artwalk was birthed fifteen years ago. There will be a special cake (courtesy of Tualatin Valley Artists) and much festivities.
Acey, who founded Influence Music Hall talked about the creation of the Art Walk event and the reason it all started.
“The community needed a place for musicians and for artists to take center stage and have a chance to be seen,” said Acey. “For 15 years, we have done just that and were the first to promote art and music in that way.”
Promote they have. The groundbreaking group, which includes musicians and visual artists, spent their formative years in a gallery space where Weichert Realty is now. Artists would show their work all week, and musicians would perform their music in the space. Many of those getting a shot to be seen were young people and marginalized people, including those suffering from homelessness.
With the help of Linda Holland, also an Art Walk founder, the groups set up Tualatin Valley Artists, a 501 C3 group. Together Acey, Holland, and other volunteers have tirelessly supported the arts.
From the Influence Music Page:
Since 2006 Influence Music Hall has been the host of Friday Night Open Mic. Founded by Evan Acey, IMH is focused on family-friendly community art and music, appreciative and supportive audiences, and providing a forum for everyone to display their art and perform their music. Novice or experienced, young or old, you are welcome at Influence Music Hall.
After starting on Main Street, IMH moved to 3rd Street where they had a 12-year run making music and showcasing art. The group left the space about 2 years ago but remains active in the Hillsboro Community. While Covid works it way through our society, Influence is working on plans for a comeback. This is such a need because we have so many great musicians and the venues are limited. In April the Herald Featured an article on this very fact and called for more opportunities and space to rise up. IMH is a player we need to be at the center of that.
The Info- Hillsboro First Tuesday Art Walk – 15th Anniversary – September 2021
- The Event runs from 5 PM to 8:30 PM
- Live Music All Night at: Come See 4 Musical Acts as they travel between each Venue
- Open Mic at Weichert Realty runs the entire event and 3 song slots are almost full
- Visual Arts and shopping will accompany the music at all 4 of the venues mentioned above as well as the Catherine Bede Gallery at 230 East Main, Suite D, Hillsboro, Oregon.
- Come to Historic Downtown Hillsboro and support the music and art as well as our many fine dining options.
What is ahead for Influence Music Hall?“Our goal is to continue to provide access to fine art and live music opportunities to those in the community and especially the youth and the underserved,” concluded Acey.
“In my experience, I’ve seen how art affects even a few people and how it touches their lives, so multiply that by more people and it can change a whole community as it has here in Hillsboro.”
As a member of the core performing group from IMH, I take pleasure in reporting that we are very aware of and sensitive to our role in helping to establish, sustain, and continue the legacy of community vitality made possible by the initiative taken by Evan and Linda years ago. What a privilege to be able to do this while having tremendous fun! It is satisfying to see the community coming together and responding to the efforts of the musical and artistic performers, and the outpouring of entrepreneurial talent on display at all the tents. Lucky us!