Around the Sun: A Blog About Saving Money in Portland, Oregon, and beyond

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: August 24–26

August 23rd, 2007

First of all, thanks to everyone who’s sent such kind feedback on these weekly round-ups.

Without further ado, the summary for this weekend. Admission is free for all of the events listed here. In many cases, food and drink are available for purchase. Happy weekend, all!

Friday, August 24

• Festa Italiana
  Pioneer Courthouse Square
  11:00 am–11:00 pm
  Friday is Day 1 of Portland’s 3-day celebration of Italian culture. There’ll be Italian music, dancing, children’s activities, merchandise booths, and food booths featuring affordable cuisine from several Portland Italian restaurants. For more information, visit www.festa-italiana.org.

• Watch professional bicycle racing at the Health Net Portland Twilight Criterium. According to the website, “The course surrounds the North Park Blocks of downtown Portland, creating an island oasis of 360-degree viewing, music, food and beverage.” This is a family-friendly event; festivities start at 4:00 pm. For more information, visit www.portlandtwilight.com.

• Chris Robley will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Reverb Brothers will be performing at White Eagle Saloon from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the White Eagle Saloon website.

• Kevin Barber & The Happiness Boys will be performing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.

• The Insomniacs will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 7:30 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information. 

• “Night at the Museum” will be playing at Beaverton City Park (located across the street from the Beaverton City Library). The movie will begin at dusk (sometime between 8:10 pm and 8:40 pm). For more information, visit the Beaverton Parks website.

• “Happy Feet” will be playing at Brentwood Park. Start time is between 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.

• Masque Alfresco will perform “The Misanthrope” at George Rogers Park, Ladd & So. State Street, Lake Oswego, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (check website for more information).

Saturday, August 25

• Festa Italiana
  Pioneer Courthouse Square
  11:00 am–11:00 pm
  Day 2 of Portland’s 3-day celebration of Italian culture. There’ll be Italian music, dancing, children’s activities, merchandise booths, and food booths featuring affordable cuisine from several Portland Italian restaurants. For more information, visit www.festa-italiana.org.

• Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhoods is hosting a festival at Arbor Lodge Park. From 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm, the festival will feature performances by community groups, instrument petting zoos, arts displays, hands-on family-friendly activities, and booths highlighting local social service organizations. At 7:00 pm, the entire symphony orchestra will perform music from opera, ballet, television, film and Broadway. For more information, visit the Oregon Symphony website.

• The Port of Portland is hosting its annual Seaport Celebration. According to the website: “There will be plenty of fun activities for all ages—face painting, games, prizes, equipment demonstrations by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, and tours of the dock with views of the large container cranes. Captain Bogg & Salty will perform at 11 am and 2 pm, and the ILWU will grill food while supplies last.” The festival docks at Terminal 6 (7201 North Marine Drive) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Port of Portland website.

• Watch contraptions of all types whiz around Mt. Tabor Park at the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby. Event starts at 10:00 am. For more information, visit www.soapboxracer.com. (Thanks to Mike for the heads up.)  

• Eric John Kaiser will be performing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Chickweed will be performing at White Eagle Saloon from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the White Eagle Saloon website.

• The Old Elbows will be performing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.

• The Old Believers will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 1:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information. 

• Get Set Go will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 5:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information. 

• “Shrek 2″ will be playing at Sellwood Park. Start time is between 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.

• Masque Alfresco will perform “The Misanthrope” at George Rogers Park, Ladd & So. State Street, Lake Oswego, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (check website for more information).

• Portland Actors Ensemble will perform “The Taming of the Shrew” at 3:00 pm at Fernhill Park. For more information, visit www.portlandactors.com.

Sunday, August 26

• Festa Italiana
  Pioneer Courthouse Square
  11:00 am–7:15 pm
  Last day of Portland’s 3-day celebration of Italian culture. There’ll be Italian music, dancing, children’s activities, merchandise booths, and food booths featuring affordable cuisine from several Portland Italian restaurants. For more information, visit www.festa-italiana.org.

• Salsa en la Calle: Enjoy free salsa lessons and show off your skills to music from local artists. There’ll also be art activities for the kids. Mayor Tom Potter is expected to make an appearance. The festival takes place at SE Main and Eastbank Esplanade (1 block west of SE Water Avenue) from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit www.salsaenlacallepdx.com.

• It’s Family Discovery Sunday at the Museum of Contemporary Craft. This month’s theme is “Weaving Our History.” According to the website: “An interactive afternoon at the Museum for the whole family! Every last Sunday of the month drop by The Lab any time between 1 and 4 pm to enjoy hands-on, intergenerational art-making activities led by a local artist. Free and open to all ages. Materials provided.” As always, admission to the museum is also free. For more information, visit the Museum of Contemporary Craft website. 

• Jujuba (Nigerian Afrobeat and Juju music) will be performing at Millennium Plaza Park at 1st & Evergreen Streets in Lake Oswego from 6:00 pm–7:30 pm. For more information, visit the Lake Oswego Parks website.

• E.Z. Eddy & Terry Robb (blues) will be performing at Lents Park (concert gazebo south of stadium at SE 92nd & Holgate) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Parks website.

• Caroline Oakley and Pete Leone will be performing at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Madgesdiq will be performing at Music Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd) at 6:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information. 

• Cascadia Folk Quartet will perform at Tryon Creek Park from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Friends of Tryon Creek State Park website.

• Masque Alfresco will perform “The Misanthrope” at George Rogers Park, Ladd & So. State Street, Lake Oswego, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (check website for more information).

• Portland Actors Ensemble will perform “The Taming of the Shrew” at 3:00 pm at Fernhill Park. For more information, visit www.portlandactors.com.

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.

Entry Filed under: Entertainment,Events,Food,Free,Frugal living,Movies,Music,Portland,Theater