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

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: Mar 7–9

March 7th, 2008

A variety of cool things happening this weekend, including a Spanish-language event on Sunday. 

Admission is free for all of these events. Have a great weekend!

Friday, March 7

• The 2008 Electronic Book Education and Outreach Event will take place from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Union Ballroom (third floor of the Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway). A panel of e-book professionals will discuss the publishing, writing, production, and reading technologies of e-books. A variety of electronic book readers, including Amazon’s new e-book reader, the Kindle, will be demonstrated. Refreshments will be provided. Visit PSU’s Ooligan Press website for more information.

• It’s First Friday in downtown Camas from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Downtown Camas website.

• Paul Barkett (folk/rock) will perform at Borders in Beaverton at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website.

• Ruby Hill will perform at Borders in Vancouver at 7:00 pm. Visit the Borders website for details.

• Dolorean, Matt Sheehy, Mbilly and Adam + Kris will perform a tribute to Neil Young at Mississippi Studios at 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Mississippi Studios website.

• Alexa Wiley will perform at Music Millennium at 6:00 pm. For details, visit the Music Millennium website.

• John Bunzow will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and older. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• SLA will be playing at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.

• Twisted, a yarn and craft shop on NE Broadway, will be showing the ’80s flick Revenge of the Nerds at 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the Twisted website.

• Michael Patrick MacDonald will talk about his new book Easter Rising at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. For details, visit the Powell’s website. 

• Press Club will host an art reception for Justin Barner with music provided by DJ Santo at 7:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.        

• Artist Lisa Congdon’s Little Souvenirs show opens tonight at Redux with a reception from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Next door at Grass Hut, the Balls Out! art show is also making its debut with a reception from 6:00 pm–9:00 pm.

Saturday, March 8

• There’ll be live music and swing dancing at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This event is part of the Portland Lindy Exchange. 

• EnviroMom.com is hosting a kids’ clothing swap. Visit the website for details.  

• The children’s book Tomás and the Library Lady will come to life in two free performances at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Brunish Hall. Performances are at noon and 2:00 pm. Free tickets for both performances will be released on a first come, first served basis beginning at 11:00 am. Maximum six tickets per person. The performance and materials are most appropriate for children in grades K–5. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.

• Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver is hosting its monthly Second Saturday family event. This month, learn about the amazing properties of water through hands-on activities. 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Water Center website. 

• Delectable Designs with Cupcake Jones, Capitol Hill Library, 1:30 pm–2:30 pm: Learn about the origins of foods like vanilla and chocolate found in this year’s Every Family Reads book, Yum! ¡Mmmm! ¡Qué Rico!, by Pat Mora. Then you’ll get the chance to decorate your own cupcake. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Space at this program is limited. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.

• Symphony Storytime at Midland Library, 2:30 pm–3:30 pm: Enjoy music, storytime and hands-on crafts. A member of the Oregon Symphony will play and discuss orchestral music. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.

• Canoe (indie folk/rock) will perform at Borders in Tigard at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website.

• Legally Insane (’60s and ’70s covers) will perform at Borders in Gresham at 7:00 pm. For details, visit the Borders website.

• Red Rubber Band will perform at 5:00 pm at Music Millennium. Visit the MM website for more information.

• Lincoln Crockett will be playing at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and older. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• John Bunzow Trio will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. Visit the Rock Creek Tavern website for more information.

• The Bittersweet Trio will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.           

• Amy Goodpaster Strebe, author of Flying for Her Country: The American and Soviet Women Military Pilots of World War II, will be at Borders in Beaverton at 2:00 pm. A few local veteran pilots have been invited to attend this event that is being held in honor of International Women’s Day. Visit the Borders website for details.  

• Storytelling workshop for adults, Hillsdale Library, 2:00 pm–3:30 pm: In this fun and easygoing workshop, learn basic storytelling techniques by professional storyteller Courtney Campbell. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website.

• Artist Laurie Hall will discuss her art jewelry and techniques at the Museum of Contemporary Craft at noon. Admission to the museum is always free. For details, visit the MCC website. 

Sunday, March 9

• CRAFT Magazine is throwing a party to celebrate the release of its latest issue. Moxie will demonstrate how she makes her felted monsters, and there’ll be a craft table where you can try your hand at making pantyhose flowers. The party is happening at Twisted from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Visit organizer CraftyPod’s website for more information.

• Hip Drip Cafe’s 2nd Sunday Sustainability Fair is happening from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Swing Papillion (gypsy, jazz trio) will be performing. Local artisans will show off art made from recycled or renewable resources, and representatives from businesses that use sustainable practices will be on hand to talk about what they do. This event happens every second Sunday of the month. Visit the Hip Drip Cafe website for more information.    

• Wills, trusts and estate planning workshop, Midland Library, 2:00 pm–3:30 pm. Learn the basics of wills, living trusts, powers of attorney and healthcare directives with attorney and author Richard Schneider. For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website. 

• Discussion: “Mid-Century Modernism Now,” Museum of Contemporary Craft, 2:00 pm: Randy Gragg, editor of Portland Spaces magazine, and Curator Namita Gupta Wiggers will discuss The Living Room exhibition and the convergence of art and design in the context of living spaces and current trends that reflect Modernist influences. Admission to the museum is always free. For more information, visit the Museum of Contemporary Craft website.

• Jon Koonce will perform at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. Ages 21 and older. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Press Club will show the movie Blow-Up at 8:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.          

• Milagro Theatre presents Mujeres de arena: Testimony of Women from Ciudad Juárez, a dramatization in Spanish addressing the issue of feminicide in Ciudad Juárez. This presentation of short readings will be followed by an open forum with community representatives to discuss domestic violence against women. 2:00 pm. Childcare provided. For more information, visit the Milagro Theatre website.

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.

Other articles from Around the Sun:

• December 28, 2008 -- How to Get a Discount From Comcast: Ask for It
• August 20, 2009 -- Taking a Break
• August 14, 2007 -- “…making a big fuss out of an adult shopping in a junior’s section”

Entry Filed under: Art, Books, Children, Entertainment, Events, Food, Free, Frugal living, Kids, Literature, Movies, Music, Portland, Theater, Workshops