A Pleasant Surprise

Yesterday, my housemate Stephen and I were in the people's republic of Portland doing some shopping down on 23rd and Johnson.  I was sitting on a park bench on the busy street, watching the shoppers go by, the cars frantically weaving in and out.  Just then I heard music from a boom box on the corner.  It was kind of an introductory song, the one from Blues Brothers.  Da na na na na na na na na.  It continued to get louder and build.  Many people passed by the boom box as the music continued to build.   

Just then, a man dressed in a white Elvis costume with a horrible wig showed up and started dancing around to the song.  He went on the corner and pointed to an imaginary audience, then to the other corner of the street and pointed to another imaginary audience.  I think he was supposed to be Elvis of the later years because he was a bit on the portly side.  He then went into traffic, effectively stopping traffic flow and danced around to the music.  He angered the drivers when he pointed to them while essentially shaking it, so to speak.  

He then came on to the side walk and sang 2 Elvis songs.  Every once in a while, he would look into the shop windows, at himself, and wink as he danced around.  People who were walking at an average pace would quicken their step and avert their glances to the swinging and gyrating.  After the second song (I was the only one watching), I started clapping and he said, "Thank you, you've been a great audience."

Elvis then caught the next bus to head to another section of Portland to entertain and raise the spirits of all.

Here is a video posted by someone on Youtube of the Portland dancing Elvis.

Cheers. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tott-8PVipE