A Celebration of Life and Candlelight March for Midas Well

Two weeks after Midas Well’s passing, the Eugene community, their friends, and their family came together for a celebration of life and candlelight march to Curry Up!—what would’ve been their food cart—for a one night only offering of Well’s recipe. Spoiler: it was delicious. 

Well’s celebration of life began at 2 p.m. on Nov. 26 at The Hybrid in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood. There, around an hour later, approximately 150 people that had arrived went into the building where Well’s celebration was held. The space included several rows of chairs lined up; a table with cheese, crackers, hummus, and vegetables; and two tables with photos of Well, stickers to be grabbed, and a guest book. 

Several stories were shared by Well’s friends and family during the two hour celebration, painting the beloved chef and activist as selfless, beyond humorous, and full of humility. 

With the speeches and storytelling over, all of the chairs were pushed aside and the inside of The Hybrid transformed from a sobering, emotional space into a vibrant EDM dance party by one of Well’s favorite artists, Nara. Stickers of Well in their “chef whites” printed by Potter Decal and Sticker Co. were also sold for $5 a piece to benefit their loved ones. 

Around 5 p.m., organizing for the candlelight march began with the P.A. system getting connected and purple lights—Well’s favorite—attached to the lead vehicle. While this was happening, the crowd began lighting their candles. 

Half-an-hour later the march—led by Trish Lipton and members of Black Unity—set off for the short walk to 255 Madison where Well’s Curry Up! Thai food cart was open and served their coconut milk-based recipe for one night only. Everyone gathered for Well marched in silence, holding large signs with images of Midas and lit candles, until arriving at the intersection of 6th Ave. and Madison St. 

Immediately after entering the intersection, a sedan attempted to hurriedly drive through but was stopped and engaged in a dialogue with the march’s bicycle-riding corkers. A few moments later, after the crowd began reciting Well’s favorite chants, a van arrived at the edge of the crowd and ceaselessly laid on the horn. 

Just before 5:50 p.m., a lifted 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty drove behind the honking van onto the sidewalk and through the crosswalk while narrowly missing grieving community members—and one of Well’s partners pulling their dog Romeo in a wagon—in the process. 

Shaken, but undeterred, the candlelight march continued a few moments later — this time chanting “say his name” and “Midas Well.” Around this time, individuals within the march also began to remark about a drone operated by the Eugene Police Department less than thirty-or-so feet above the crowd. 

As the march ended, the crowd chanted “this is Kaos”—a nod to one of their social media pseudonyms—and “Curry up!” while arriving at the food cart in front of 255 Madison. Outside, in front of the tasting room, Ben Maude served Well’s Thai curry to everyone that walked up, free of charge. The curry was a warm delight to most considering the night’s temperature was below 40 degrees. Inside, their beverage sales and wine pours contributed to a fund for Well’s loved ones. 

The celebration of Well’s life and closing event at 255 Madison ended around 8 p.m. At the same time, a separate memorial event—an EDM dance party—began at Alluvium Church and was scheduled to end at midnight.   

Here, Boop Troop Eugene’s livestreams for the celebration of life and candlelight march can be found.