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

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: Dec 19–21

December 18th, 2008

See comments for updates.

Admission is free for all events below. If the crazy weather continues, please contact appropriate event organizers or venues for last-minute cancellations. Have a great weekend!

All weekend

• Christmas Ship Parade will be cruising the Willamette and Columbia Rivers each evening. For more information, visit the event website. On December 20, the City of Lake Oswego plans to host a watch party at Foothills Park (link).

• Peacock Lane: The lights will be on from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm each day. Peacock Lane is between SE Stark St and SE Belmont St and one block east of SE 39th. For more information, visit the event website.

Friday, December 19

• Fifteenth Annual Sing-Along Messiah: The Sing-Along is truly a sing-along. You, the audience, will sing all of the Messiah Choruses, some of which are seldom sung. Children are encouraged to attend. You do not have to sing—or even want to sing—to attend. Central Lutheran Church (1820 NE 21st Ave), 8:00 pm. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis, and it fills up fast. For more information, visit the event website.

• Northwest Professional Dance Project: The dancers will perform some of the best works from NWPDP’s 2008 season as well as new dances from NWPDP’s Artistic Director, Sarah Slipper. December 19 and 20, 6:00 pm, in the rotunda lobby of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts (1111 SW Broadway). For more information, visit the event website.

• Barbara Lusch will perform at Three Degrees Lounge at the RiverPlace Hotel, 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the PDX Jazz website.

• Will West (website) will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Local Celtic harpists Jennifer Pratt-Walter and Valerie Blessley will perform at 7:00 pm at Cedar Mill Community Library (12505 NW Cornell Rd). For more information, visit the event website.

• Mary Flower and Jesse Withers (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Sonny Hess Trio (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.

• Friday Family Flick in Hillsboro: “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” will be showing at Hillsboro Main Library (2850 Brookwood Pkwy) at 6:30 pm. Popcorn and movie snacks provided. For more information, visit the event website.

Saturday, December 20

• Oregon History Museum Free Day: Admission is free on the third Saturday of each month. For more information, visit the museum website.

• Northwest Professional Dance Project: The dancers will perform some of the best works from NWPDP’s 2008 season as well as new dances from NWPDP’s Artistic Director, Sarah Slipper. December 19 and 20, 6:00 pm, in the rotunda lobby of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts (1111 SW Broadway). For more information, visit the event website.

• Free Horse Carriage Rides in Sellwood and Westmoreland: In Sellwood, the route will be along 13th Avenue and in Westmoreland along Milwaukie Avenue. Just stand at any bus stop on these routes marked with the Decemberville poster for a chance at a ride. For more information, visit the event website.

• Kaitlyn ni Donovan (website) will be perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• John Stowell will perform at Three Degrees Lounge at the RiverPlace Hotel, 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the PDX Jazz website.

• Mary Flower and Jesse Withers (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• X-Angels (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.

• Qi Gong is the study of the body’s energy to improve mental and physical health. Come learn the breathing techniques of Qi Gong. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave), 2:00 pm–3:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Film Discussion With Curt Ellis on “The Greening of Southie”: Local film producer/director Curt Ellis (“King Corn”) will talk about his and Ian Cheney’s new film, “The Greening of Southie.” The film tells the story of Boston’s first residential “green” building, through the eyes of the steel-toed construction crew that sets out to build it. Hollywood Library (4040 NE Tillamook St), 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Winter Movie Weekend at Beaverton Library: Saturday’s movie is “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Sunday’s movie is “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” All ages. Beaverton City Library Auditorium (12375 SW Fifth), 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Sunday, December 21

• Caroling on the Commons in Tualatin: Join the Tualatin Valley Community Band for an evening of traditional Christmas caroling on the Lake of the Commons in Tualatin. The band will provide musical accompaniment, while local sponsors will provide cookies, cocoa, cider and coffee. Patio between Ben Lake building and Hayden’s Lakefront Grill, 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Morton’s Steakhouse is giving away free mini-cheeseburgers from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, according to Willamette Week. The deal celebrates the opening of Morton’s first restaurant 30 years ago. 213 SW Clay Street. Contact information can be found at Morton’s website.

• “The Flight and the Fall,” Root Beer and French Fry: Artist Abraham Ingle’s new radio show, “The Flight and the Fall” is Portland’s version of NPR’s “This American Life.” From Willamette Week: ”Ingle’s calm, to-the-point language gives the program a familiar rhythm, and his exploration of Portlanders’ narratives mirrors TAL’s insightful flavor. Fabulous foursome Root Beer and French Fry will accompany the episode’s live debut.” Valentine’s (232 SW Ankeny St), 9:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Valentine’s website.

• Holiday Guitar Music: Jeffrey Ashton presents a seasonal program of guitar music, featuring Renaissance and Baroque selections, as well as standards and carols. St. Johns Library (7510 N. Charleston Ave), 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Holiday Sing-Along in Hillsboro: Bring the whole family to sing holiday songs with musical accompaniment by local band Runway 3. Lyric sheets will be provided. Hillsboro Main Library (2850 Brookwood Pkwy), 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Winter Solstice Family Event in Tualatin: Crafts, food and music. Something for every age. Tualatin Public Library (18878 SW Martinazzi), 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Toys in the Hood Concert: Tragedy, Cool Nutz, and others will perform at Roseland Grill (8 NW Sixth Ave) at 7:00 pm. Admission is free with donation of two toys for the Salvation Army. All ages. For more information, click here.

• Mary Flower and Jesse Withers (website) will perform at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Winter Movie Weekend at Beaverton Library: Saturday’s movie is “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Sunday’s movie is “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” All ages. Beaverton City Library Auditorium (12375 SW Fifth), 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event 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, please contact me.

Entry Filed under: Charity,Children,Entertainment,Events,Food,Free,Frugal living,Holidays,Kids,Movies,Music,Portland,Theater