The big finale for our site launch week was the Digital Departure party on Saturday night, and it went off like a Roman Candle against the blackest sky. It featured work from all 20 artists who have had Portfolio features in the mag (many of whom made it out for the show), plus sounds from DJ John Cardiel, a live set from the illmatic Mumlers, and the re-premier of Stereo's first two videos (A Visual Sound and Tincan Folklore) which are just coming out on dvd. Vans and Oakley kicked down on the sponsorship front, and we did it up right! Packed to the gills with rad folks, amazing art, cold beer and good sounds all night. We've got a video, slide show of art, and party pics...

Here's every piece of art that was on the wall.
Slide show!

We hung the whole show in four hours with just a handful of people. Big Judd with Lady Brina in the house:

We had boxes of mags below each guys' art- the issue their Portfolio was in. Here's a shot of the unload...

After four hours is was up and running. These is part of the long wall space...

Several of the artists who came in for the show dropped by to help hang,
like righteous Chris Johanson:

and Mr. Michael Leon:

soon enough the DJ showed up- any guesses by the box?

The man behind the table, the one and only John Cardiel! Thanks for spinning things John!

soon enough things got going...

and then they got going even more...

Heads were on the scene! Here's a glimpse at some of the noteworthy bromars...

Featured artists and shred pals Jason Adams, Chris Pastras and Jai Tanju.

SLAP pal filmer/photographer Kyle Camarillo and artist Todd Bratrud:

Super OG SLAP pal and featured artist, Mat O'Brien:

enjoi/TMA honcho Matt Evs and Jose Rojo (who finally put something in the
bag earlier Saturday that might just put that man's name on a board):

Brian Delatorre and Benny Fairfax:

Classic Stereo in the house! Mike Daher and Chris Pastras (with a girl who's name I didn't catch):

Last year's OIAM winner and new Real am, Jake Donnelly (on his 21st b-day, drink tickets in hand! Yeah Jake!) with runner-up from last year's OIAM, Dave Rickett:

Chris Johanson and Mark Whiteley:

This year's OIAM top fiver Erik Deringer, enjoi TM Paul Sharpe and The Screaming Lord Halba:

Dave Rosenberg and Colt Cannon (with Colt's girl):

Matt Evs, Jai Tanju, SLAPpers Erik Olsen and Joe Brook:

Erik and Mumlers main man Will Sprott (buddies since '95 when will was 12, awww....):

Captain EO and SLAP interns Scott and Chris:

Michael Leon and 3131 Clement gallery man Yong-Ki:

This girl had a burrito with wings tat'd onto her arm:

Jerry Hsu, Mark Whiteley and Chris The Intern:

The Turk with work:

The Kid with work:

Chris Pastras with Stereo dvds ready to rock. Get a set! That weird shrunken apple headed-dude behind him was named George and he lurked the fuck out the whole night, unbuttoning his pants and rubbing his stomach the vast majority of the time...

Wyatt Lee and Nestor Judkins:

At some point the Mumlers hit the stage and ran things:

Will Sprott!

The night just went on and on- it was a blast for everybody. If you were there, stoked you could make it! Thanks again to Vans and Oakley for funding the thing, and to Red Bull for kicking down on the drinks and Stereo for the video entertainment. And keep your eyes peeled for ultra-rare sets of stickers featuring art from all the Portfolio guys, coming soon to a website near you...