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

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: May 2–4

May 2nd, 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

• 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.

• First Friday Events: Live music, food and art from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Multnomah Village and in Downtown Camas.  

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Brady Goss (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21 and over. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• 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.

• Debra Arlyn (website) will perform at Borders in Vancouver at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.  

• “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.

• 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.  

• Read about more art openings at PORT. 

Saturday, May 3

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Sean Thomas will perform at Borders in Tigard at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website.

• Paul Barkett will perform at Borders in Gresham at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Borders website. 

• 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. 

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.  

• 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.

Other articles from Around the Sun:

• August 14, 2007 -- “…making a big fuss out of an adult shopping in a junior’s section”
• October 9, 2008 -- Around the Sun Turns Two
• June 8, 2007 -- My New Money-Saving (and Fat-Busting) Game

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