This Thursday, our chums over at the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art kick off their sixth annual Time-Based Art Festival (or TBA:08 for the abbreviation-minded). For a week and a half (September 4-14), moderation gets the heave-ho as the festival surveys what’s happening in contemporary art’s multifarious forms—performance, dance, music, new media, visual arts projects. In fact, it's the only North American festival to examine and exalt today’s art with such breadth. The inspired programming includes 250+ artists with new, next-big-thing work, like Justin Gorman and his outsized, site-specific text displays, and 150+ performances, from the otherworldly melodies of Antony and the Johnsons to the deconstructive confrontations of artist collective Superamas.

Each day is stuffed to the second with workshops, salons, performances, and, for the night owls, music and drinks at THE WORKS, the museum’s late-night spot. If you happen to reside in Portland, check out the list of events/exhibits. There are some discounted travel packages and accommodations available for out-of-towners.