Happy Mother’s Day to the mothers out there. A few Portland attractions are offering free admission to moms on their special day; see Sunday’s summary for details. If you know of any other Mother’s Day freebies, please let everyone know by writing a comment.
Admission is free for all events below. Have a good one!
Friday, May 9
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Marty Willson-Piper of The Church (website) will perform at Music Millennium at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.
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Star Anna (website) will perform at Music Millennium at 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.
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Paddy Casey (website) will perform at Borders in Beaverton at 6:00 pm. Visit the Borders website for more information.
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Rogue Bluegrass (website) will perform at Borders in Beaverton at 7:00 pm. Visit the Borders website for more information.
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Carlyle (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
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Ramblin Jaks (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. For details, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
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Paul Brainard (website) will perform at Press Club at 8:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.
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Author Jim Sheeler will talk about his book Final Salute at 7:00 pm at Barnes & Noble, Lloyd Center. For more information, visit the Barnes & Noble website.
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Romance Author Event: If you like romance novels, head to Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing for an event featuring a variety of Pacific Northwest romance authors: Shirley Karr, Stephanie Rowe, Lucy Monroe, Alexis Morgan, Delle Jacobs, Minnette Meador, Megan Clark, Samantha James, Paty Jager, Karen Duvall, and more. 7:00 pm. Visit the Powell’s website for more information.
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Authors Ashraf Ghani and Clare Lockhart will talk about their book Fixing Failed States at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. Visit the Powell’s website for more information.
Saturday, May 10
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St. Johns Parade, Bizarre Street Fair and More: Downtown St. Johns will welcome a variety of events including a parade from noon until 2:00 pm, an all-day street fair dedicated to “Keeping Portland Weird and St. Johns Bizarre,” a hula dancing exhibition, and much more. Click here for a full schedule of events.
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Laurelhurst Art Walk: Stroll the Laurelhurst neighborhood and view the artwork of more than 80 artists. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information and a map of participating locations, visit the Art Walk website.
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Festival of the Birds: Come down to Sellwood Park, just south of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. The festival runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and includes children’s activities, live music and the chance to meet birds from the Audubon Society of Portland’s Wildlife Care Center. There’ll also be guided bird walks from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Audubon Society of Portland website.
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Wetland Watchers Birding Hike/Class: Tigard Library is sponsoring a bird class and hike in Tigard’s Fanno Creek wetlands. The class will meet at 1:00 pm in the library’s Community Room. 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Tigard Library website.
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Second Saturday Event at Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver: This month’s theme is Mother Nature’s Gifts. Kids and their families will explore this topic through hands-on activities, games and stories. 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Water Resources Center website.
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Kids “Bike Rodeo” in Tigard: Tigard Youth Advisory Council is sponsoring a bike education event including a skills course, free helmets, food, bike safety checks, entertainment and prizes. Tigard Police Department parking lot, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Visit the City of Tigard website for more information.
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Bear Fair: To celebrate the acquisition of a bear-themed sculpture, Lake Oswego Public Library is hosting a family-friendly event featuring a puppet show, music, crafts, and more. 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Lake Oswego Library website.
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Willamette Week’s Best New Band Showcase: The Builders and the Butchers, Starfucker and Loch Lomond will perform at Berbati’s Pan at 9:00 pm. Ages 21 and over.
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The History and Mystery of the Blues: Local bluesman Steve Cheseborough will present a live performance, lecture, old recordings, readings and discussion at Rockwood Library, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.
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Acoustic Minds (website) will perform at 7:00 pm at Borders in Gresham. For more information, visit the Borders website.
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Lincoln Crockett (website) will perform at Music Millennium at 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website. He will also play at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Visit the Edgefield website for details.
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The Old Yellers (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. Visit the Rock Creek Tavern website for more information.
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A Cup of Comfort for Single Mothers: Contributors and editor Colleen Sell will talk about this new anthology at Borders in Beaverton, 2:00 pm. Visit the Borders website for more information.
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Swing Dancing Lesson:Learn the basic steps of swing with instructor Joan Ormsby at the Central Library from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.
Sunday, May 11
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Moms Get Free Admission to Pittock Mansion: All mothers are invited to visit this Portland landmark for free in honor of Mother’s Day. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the Pittock Mansion website.
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Free Admission for Moms to Portland Children’s Museum: Visit the museum website for more information.
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Free Ride for Moms on Willamette Shore Trolley: Willamette Shore Trolley is offering free rides to moms of all ages when accompanied by a paying child (over age 3). For more information, visit the Willamette Shore Trolley website.
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The History and Mystery of the Blues: Local bluesman Steve Cheseborough will present a live performance, lecture, old recordings, readings and discussion at Gregory Heights Library, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.
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Finn Riggins (website) will perform at Music Millennium at 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.
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Beth Willis (website) will perform at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. Visit the Edgefield website for details.
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Author Ken Kolsbun will talk about his book Peace: The Biography of the Symbol at 4:00 pm at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne. Visit the Powell’s website for more information.
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Author William J. Bernstein will present his book A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. Visit the Powell’s website for more information.
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The film Philadelphia Story will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, feel free to contact me.
May 9th, 2008
Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) is offering 2-for-1 tickets for Einstein Is a Dummy, a production by the Oregon Children’s Theatre.
The play runs through May 18, 2008, at the Dolores Winningstad Theatre.
The discount is valid for the $19.00 tickets only.
Use the password “PCPA” to get the 2-for-1 deal at the PCPA box office (1111 SW Broadway in downtown Portland) or online through Ticketmaster.
On the Ticketmaster website, select the number of tickets you want under “Promotions and Special Offers” and type PCPA in the box.
May 7th, 2008
I just checked the Entertainment Book website and noticed that the books are on sale for $9.99.
This is a good price, since you can recoup your money by using just one or two coupons.
The Portland/Vancouver Entertainment Book contains hundreds of coupons for restaurants, sporting events, attractions, stores and travel. The website provides details on the discounts, so you can make sure you’re getting coupons you’d actually use. Coupons expire on November 1, 2008.
If you’re planning a trip to another state, I also recommend checking whether it would be worthwhile to buy a book for your destination.
May 6th, 2008
One of the things I love about Portland is the abundance of opportunities to explore your artistic side without spending a penny.
One such opportunity is the free collage night at Scarlet Star Studios.
The fun happens on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 pm–9:00 pm. All collaging supplies are provided, including papers, found objects and more.
The next event is on May 15.
To find out more and to RSVP for this event, visit the Scarlet Star Studios website.
Photo/collage by peregrine blue
May 5th, 2008
I’m blushing.
Contributing writer Rick Turoczy at Portland is Awesome recently featured Around the Sun in his series “Awesome Portland Blogs.” Here’s a snippet of his kind words:
Every week, I find this blog chock full of interesting stuff in Portland, for which I have to spend nada, zilch, zero.
If taking a look at Around the Sun doesn’t give you some good ideas for something to do, I’ll give you your money back.
That’s right. It’s that good.
I will tell you, I am thrilled and awed every time someone says something nice about Around the Sun. Truly, it means a lot. And I am particularly flattered this time because I think so highly of the contribution that Rick Turoczy is making with his own blog Silicon Florist.
Silicon Florist reports on the new and fresh young things of the tech community in Portland: startups, projects, events, ideas. Someday, one of these sprouts may grow up to be Portland’s next big contribution to the technology industry, and that makes reading Silicon Florist so exciting to me.
Now, moonlighting over at Portland is Awesome, Rick is throwing a spotlight on great Portland blogs. And, of course, I think his taste is impeccable. 
Portland is Awesome is a relatively new blog about Portland and looks destined to be as awesome as its opinion of our city. PIA is a community blog, so if you want to share something worthwhile about Portland, contact founder Dawn Foster.
Many thanks to Mr. Turoczy and Portland is Awesome for the great review. The feeling is mutual.
May 3rd, 2008
We’ve got a diverse selection of things going on this weekend (can you believe it’s May already?!): Cinco de Mayo festival at Waterfront Park, free admission to the Portland Children’s Museum, several art openings. And that’s just Friday.
Admission is free for all events below. Have a good one!
Friday, May 2
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Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Tom McCall Waterfront Park: On Friday, you can get in for free before 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the festival website.
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First Friday Events: Live music, food and art from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Multnomah Village and in Downtown Camas.
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Free Admission Night at Portland Children’s Museum: It’s the first Friday of the month, which means admission to the Portland Children’s Museum is free from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Children’s Museum website.
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Tigard Reads 2008 Kickoff Party: Tigard Library has chosen the novel The Last Chinese Chef for its community-wide reading project. Pick up a free copy of the book, listen to traditional Chinese music by the Portland Classical Chinese Trio, and enjoy Chinese food samples. Tigard Library, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Visit the Tigard Library website for more information.
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A Tribute to Tom Waits: Adrian H. & The Wounds, Amoree Lovell, Babydollars, Garett Brennan, and Trevino Brings Plenty will perform a Tom Waits tribute at Mississippi Studios at 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Mississippi Studios website.
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Brady Goss (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
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Sweet City Slang (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
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Debra Arlyn (website) will perform at Borders in Vancouver at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website.
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Paul Barkett will perform at Borders in Beaverton at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website.
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Author Jeff Stone will talk about his book Eagle: The Five Ancestors #5 at 7:00 pm at Powell’s Books, Cedar Hills Crossing. For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
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Author Clotilde Dusoulier will talk about her book Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
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Artist Reception for Tom Keating: Press Club is hosting this event with music provided by DJs Dave Allen and Ratanski. 7:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.
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“18 & Younger” Art Show Opening: The 100th Monkey Studio will host an evening of live musical performances and poetry readings to celebrate the opening of the “18 & Younger” art show featuring the work of artists 18 years of age or younger. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the 100th Monkey Studio website.
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Art Opening for Jesse Reno: Destroy Store is hosting an art opening celebration for Jesse Reno. The artist will do some painting, DJ BigTop will provide music, and Widmer Brewery will supply free beer. 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Visit the Destroy Store website for more information.
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Read about more art openings at PORT.
Saturday, May 3
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Spring Useful Goods Exchange, hosted by Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-op, is happening at Sunnyside Environmental School from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, click here.
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Concordia Spring Wellness Fair: At this outdoor, family-friendly event sponsored by the Concordia Neighborhood Association, you’ll get the opportunity to take a Tai Chi class, get a massage, learn about nutrition and fitness, and more. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at NE 30th and Killingsworth. For more information, visit the Concordia Neighborhood Association website.
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Portland Sacred Harp All Day Singing Event: Experience and take part in Sacred Harp singing, a form of a cappella singing that dates back over 200 years. No experience necessary. Milwaukie Community Club, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Visit the Portland Sacred Harp website for more information.
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Wanda Jackson and the Marshall Scott Warner Band will perform at Music Millennium at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website. Find Wanda’s website here and Marshall’s here.
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Carley Baer and Celia Grace will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and older. Visit the Edgefield website for more information. Find Carley online here, and Celia here.
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2 Licks 2 Many (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
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Sean Thomas will perform at Borders in Tigard at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website.
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Paul Barkett will perform at Borders in Gresham at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website.
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The Bittersweet Trio (website) will perform at Press Club at 8:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.
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Author Alice Feiring will talk about her book The Battle for Wine and Love, or How I Saved the World from Parkerization at 2:00 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
Sunday, May 4
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Portland Opera Preview of Aida: Enjoy musical selections from Aida as well as a lecture covering historical background and composer information. Central Library, 2:00 pm–3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.
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Independent Musician Seminar: On the first Sunday of every month, the White Eagle hosts a free Independent Musician Seminar (Q&A), prior to that night’s Open Mic. Speakers will discuss and answer questions on a range of topics including recording, marketing, and more. 5:00 pm, ages 21 and over. For more information, visit the White Eagle website.
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Poets Sean Hill, Elizabeth Bradfield and Jasmine Dreame Wagner will read from their respective new collections at 4:00 pm at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne. For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
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Author Willy Vlautin will talk about his book Northline at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
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The movie Murder on the Orient Express will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.
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Alfred Hitchcock classic Rear Window will be playing at St. Johns Library at 2:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, feel free to contact me.
May 2nd, 2008
Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) is offering 2-for-1 tickets for pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin’s performance at the Newmark Theatre on May 11 and 12.
Use the password “PCPA” to get the discount at the PCPA box office (1111 SW Broadway in downtown Portland) or online through Ticketmaster.
On the Ticketmaster website, select the number of tickets you want under ”Promotions and Special Offers” and type PCPA in the box.
May 1st, 2008
Lots of art and lampreys this weekend.
Admission is free for all events below. Have a good one!
Friday, April 25
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Oregon Guild Fair—Glass, Potters, Metal Arts, Beads, and Weaving: All weekend, artists from several craft guilds will be showing and selling their work at the Oregon Convention Center. Participants include the Oregon Glass Guild, Oregon Potters Association, Creative Metal Arts Guild, Portland Handweavers Guild, Portland Bead Society, Northwest Fine Woodworkers and Guild of Oregon Woodworkers. Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Asian Heritage Celebration: In honor of Asian Heritage Appreciation Month, this event includes Thai cuisine, taekwondo, dragon dancers, arts and crafts, raffle prizes and more. East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106th), 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
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Gideon Freudmann (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
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Chickweed (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
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Courtney Jones (website) will perform at Borders in Beaverton at 7:00 pm. Visit the Borders website for more information.
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Frank Blair (website) will perform at Borders in Vancouver at 7:00 pm. Visit the Borders website for more information.
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Hunter-Donnaloia Duo (jazz) will perform at Press Club at 8:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.
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Author Alexander McCall Smith will talk about his book The Miracle at Speedy Motors at 7:00 pm at Powell’s Books, Cedar Hills Crossing. Visit the Powell’s website for more information.
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Cartoonist Jen Sorensen will talk about her book Slowpoke: One Nation, Oh My God! at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. Visit the Powell’s website for more information.
Saturday, April 26
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Northwest National Park Family Day: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is hosting an event showcasing the region’s national parks. Guests will get the chance to speak with park rangers; interact with animals; learn about camping and other topics through displays and presentations; and sample camp cuisine. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Fort Vancouver website.
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Oregon Guild Fair—Glass, Potters, Metal Arts, Beads, and Weaving: All weekend, artists from several craft guilds will be showing and selling their work at the Oregon Convention Center. Participants include the Oregon Glass Guild, Oregon Potters Association, Creative Metal Arts Guild, Portland Handweavers Guild, Portland Bead Society, Northwest Fine Woodworkers and Guild of Oregon Woodworkers. Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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GreenWalks in Lair Hill and Duniway Parks: Park Horticultrist Lance Wright will guide you around these two parks and talk about the plant life including a hundred year old purple beech. 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Meet in front of the old Carnegie Library at 2909 SW Second Avenue. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.
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Mike Doughty (website) will perform at Music Millennium at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.
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Eric John Kaiser (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
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The Old Yellers (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
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Debra Arlyn (website) will perform at Borders in Tigard at 7:00 pm. Visit the Borders website for more information.
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Mt. Hood String Quartet will perform at Borders in Gresham at 7:00 pm. Visit the Borders website for more information.
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Kaitlyn ni Donovan (website) will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.
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Día de los Niños y Día de los Libros: A celebration of bilingual literacy with food, music and special activities. North Portland Library from 11:00 am–1:00 pm, or Rockwood Library from 2:00 pm–5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.
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Author William Sullivan will talk about his book Oregon’s Greatest Natural Disasters at the Hillsdale Library from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.
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Book Release Party: Judy Norsigian, contributing editor of Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth, will talk about the book and the challenges women face in pregnancy and childbirth. In Other Words Women’s Books and Resource, 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the In Other Words website.
Sunday, April 27
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Earth Day Celebration at Tryon Creek State Park: This family-friendly event provides the opportunity to learn about lampreys through arts and crafts, games, stories and more. Guests are invited to come dressed as their favorite animal and participate in a parade. Winners of the 2008 Daryle Seil Tall Tale Contest will tell their stories. Refreshments served. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm; parade begins at 3:30 pm. For more information, visit the Tryon Creek Park website.
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Oregon Guild Fair—Glass, Potters, Metal Arts, Beads, and Weaving: All weekend, artists from several craft guilds will be showing and selling their work at the Oregon Convention Center. Participants include the Oregon Glass Guild, Oregon Potters Association, Creative Metal Arts Guild, Portland Handweavers Guild, Portland Bead Society, Northwest Fine Woodworkers and Guild of Oregon Woodworkers. Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Family Discovery Sunday at the Museum of Contemporary Craft: This month’s theme is Feathered Extravagance. Families will get the opportunity to create art that combines everyday objects with feathers. 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the Museum of Contemporary Craft website.
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Power of County, Lael Alderman (website) and Amelia (website) will perform at Towne Lounge at 9:30 pm (doors open at 9:00 pm). Visit the Towne Lounge website for more information.
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Connie Bieberach and Armonia Latina will perform at the Central Library from 2:00 pm–3:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.
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Poet Floyd Skloot will talk about his book Selected Poems at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. Visit the Powell’s website for more information.
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Author William Sullivan will talk about his book Oregon’s Greatest Natural Disasters at the Central Library from 12:30 pm–1:30 pm. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.
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National Poetry Month Celebration: Authors Kate Moses, Leanne Grabel, Paulann Petersen, Anita Helle and Kathleen Worley will read works by and about Sylvia Plath. Looking Glass Bookstore, 4:00 pm. Visit the Looking Glass Bookstore website for more information.
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The film Purple Noon will be showing at Press Club at 8:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, feel free to contact me.
April 25th, 2008
Next week, there’ll be back-to-back events that will satisfy your sweet tooth without rotting your wallet:
April 29 is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s stores. Stop in and get a free ice cream cone to celebrate Ben & Jerry’s 30th birthday. Check the Ben & Jerry’s website for participating locations.
On April 30, Baskin-Robbins will be selling small ice cream scoops for 31 cents between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm. The event will raise money for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Check the Baskin-Robbins website for locations.
Thanks to reader Kate for alerting us to this report on ReadySetMom.
April 25th, 2008
Starbucks and iTunes have teamed up to promote new music by giving away a free song or music video each week.
The new program is called Pick of the Week. More than 7,000 Starbucks will offer customers a card with information on how to get a free download of a particular song or music video on iTunes. Each Tuesday, a new download, determined by Starbucks and iTunes, will be available. Pick of the Week artists include Carly Simon, Duffy, Adele, Sia, Hilary McRae and more.
For more information, visit the Starbucks website.
April 22nd, 2008
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