This past Sunday night in Portland, GIRLS star and Not That Kind Of Girl author Lena Dunham completed her ten city book tour, "Not That Kind Of Tour", with an intimate conversation with Portlandia star, Sleater-Kinney rock icon and Portland royalty Carrie Brownstein, live on stage at the Newmark Theatre.
Sponsored by Powell's Books, the event sold out in just six hours -- and it's no wonder. Both of these smart, funny, talented women are at the top of their game right now, each with hit TV shows, and each having just finished books; Carrie's book, as revealed by Lena during the conversation, is en route.
Local Portland comedian JoAnn Schinderle opened the evening with a hilarious set. Dunham called her "fucking hilarious" when she took the stage, and then proceeded to read two essays from her new book, which is currently enjoying the #1 position on the New York Times Indie Bestsellers List (no big deal).
After talking about her many physical ailments while on tour, asking the audience if we could see her underwear (adding "Not that I care, I just want to know"), Dunham boldly read her strange, brave, beautiful truth to the crowd of (mostly) strangers, eventually inviting Brownstein to join her on stage.
The two are close friends -- texting each other frequently in the midst of hypochondria-induced moments of irrational panic, apparently -- and they were a delight to watch together. Quick-witted, sharp-tongued, and each holding a special place at the heart of our culture, Lena and Carrie talked to one another as though no one was watching... and it was glorious.
Conversation topics over the course of the evening included, but were not limited to, feminism, humanism, the underground railroad, the Ebola Virus, the ethics around murdering abandoned baby squirrels you find on the side of the road, challenging authority, surviving sexual assault, marrying internet trolls, taking Adderal recreationally, the journey toward self-esteem, current literary obsessions, old school music, their parents, donuts, sex, love, virginity, the perils of college and, of course, Portland.
I was lucky enough to have a spot on the guest list for the evening (thanks Carrie, Lena and Powell's!) and I managed to capture a few special moment during the conversation on video.
Watch Lena Dunham and Carrie Brownstein LIVE in Portland:
Here are some shots from the event as well, all lifted from social media:
In the words of @IanKarmel "this does not suck." @lenadunham 's #pdx crowd pic.twitter.com/PFHS3QrPjj
— JoAnn Schinderle (@joannlizabeth) October 20, 2014Dorkin around w/ @lenadunham #notthatkindoftour SUCH AN AMAZE NIGHT! W/ Lena @Carrie_Rachel THX @Powells @randomhouse pic.twitter.com/PPxkwzmIPa
— JoAnn Schinderle (@joannlizabeth) October 20, 2014Such a great night with @Carrie_Rachel and @LenaDunham. Fun to see you both. Thanks again, @Powells! pic.twitter.com/krWfbThGdW
— Logan Lynn (@LoganLynn) October 20, 2014Portland, you are a dream. @Powells @Carrie_Rachel JoAnn Schinderle thank you for an amazing final away game #NotThatKindofTour
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) October 20, 2014It was an honor and a treat to speak with @lenadunham tonight at @Powells. Thanks to all who joined us in #pdx #NotThatKindofTour
— Carrie Brownstein (@Carrie_Rachel) October 20, 2014"I have pretty few complaints about my parents...except when they text me without exclamation points. It makes me feel judged." @lenadunham
— Powell's Books (@Powells) October 20, 2014For more on Lena Dunham, follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
For more on Carrie Brownstein, follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
For more on Logan Lynn, visit his website, or follow him on Facebook and Instagram.