News in Brief

Partying politicians

Presidential hopeful Ralph Nader is coming to Portland April 5 to gather signatures for his inclusion on the Oregon ballot as an independent candidate in the November elections. He only needs the names of 1,000, but he and his campaign team have decided to turn the task into an occasion for fun.

The event takes place at the Roseland Theater, beginning at 6 p.m., whereupon Nader has 12 hours to gather signatures from registered voters.

For more information, visit www.voteNader.org.

On a local note, Willamette Week is sponsoring “Candidates Gone Wild!” – an all-ages debate between candidates for Portland’s new mayor and city council members. The event will also feature music from Menomena. Featured candidates include mayoral candidates Jim Francesconi and Tom Potter, as well as city council candidates Sam Adams and Nick Fish.

The “uncensored debate,” as the advertisements boast, begins at 7 p.m. at the Aladdin Theater, 3017 S.E. Milwaukee Ave. April 19. For more information, call Willamette Week at 503-243-2122.

So much for stardom

Portland-native director Gus Van Sant has moved the shooting of his latest film, “Last Days,” from Portland to New York. Open casting calls were held recently in the Rose City, similar to those for his last film, “Elephant,” which he directed in north Portland.

“Last Days” is about the mid-1990s grunge rock movement in the Pacific Northwest. A spokesperson for Van Sant said the decision to change venues was based simply on the location, after he found a New York house that better fit his artistic vision for the film.

– Sara Gundell