Heads up art lovers: Each Monday night during the school year, Portland State University invites a different artist to give a free lecture. These lectures are open to the public and start at 7:30 pm in Shattuck Hall, Room 212 (1914 SW Park Ave). Upcoming speakers come from all over the world and represent different disciplines:
February 2: Edgar Arceneaux
February 9: Julie Ault
February 16: Mark Beasley
February 23: Althea Thauberger
March 2: Modou Dieng
March 9: J. Morgan Puett
March 30: MK Guth
April 6: Michael Rakowitz
April 13: Larry Sultan
April 20: Neighborhood Public Radio
April 27: Doug Blandy
May 4: Mark Dion
May 11: Frances Stark
May 18: Mierle Laderman Ukeles
The schedule is subject to change, so be sure to check the event website for the latest information. The website also includes bios of all of the speakers.
PSU MFA Monday Night Lecture Series (website)
Monday nights, 7:30 pm
FREE to the public
Shattuck Hall, 1914 SW Park Ave, Room 212, PSU Campus (at the corner of SW Broadway & Hall on the PSU campus)
Local artist Irina Beffa is giving away 40 of her paintings on February 1. Here’s the email she sent to Around the Sun:
Hello Portland. I’m giving away all my art for FREE.
I’m Irina Beffa, an artist here in Portland who has big plans this year.
To kickstart my 2009, I’m getting rid of tons of paintings I’ve created in the last few years, mostly pop/modern acrylics and oils, that I have sitting around. While I love these pieces and am deeply attached to them, they’re taking up precious space and I would love to send them out into the world to enjoy their own 2009 adventure.
Instead of using my energy trying to sell my excess art, I’ve decided to share it with you, local Portland dynamos.
So, I’ve created a blog that features pictures of all 40 pieces of art that I’m getting rid of. Please visit this blog, browse and mentally claim a piece for yourself. Then, return THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST at NOON … and comment on the piece that you want. At that time I will enable blog comments and the first to comment on each piece will be the new owner. Upon claiming your piece, we will make arrangements so you can pick up your newly acquired art.
Please share this with others, post on your own blogs, or send to your mailing lists.
Admission is free for all events below. Have a great weekend!
Friday, January 30
“Battlestar Galactica” Final Season: Join KUFO’s Cort and Fatboy each Friday night from January 16 through March 10 to watch the final 10 episodes of “Battlestar Galactica.” Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd). Doors open at 9:30 pm; show at 10:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, contact the Bagdad Theater or KUFO.
Jason Carter (website) will perform at Wine Unwind (1019 NW 11th Ave) at 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Chance Hayden (website) will perform at Three Degrees Lounge at the RiverPlace Hotel, 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the PDX Jazz website.
SweetJuice (website) will perform at LaurelThirst Public House (NE Glisan and 30th) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Kaitlyn ni Donovan (website) will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. All ages. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
Eddie Parente (website) will perform at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale) at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Catherine Welson and Strawberry Roan (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern (10000 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro) at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
Write Around Portland Anthology Release Party and Community Reading: Write Around Portland is celebrating the release of their new anthology, “Now/Past/Future,” featuring the writing of adults and youth living with mental illness, people affected by HIV/AIDS and cancer, burn survivors and many others. Light snacks and drinks provided. Donations of new journals accepted and appreciated. First United Methodist Church, Collins Hall (1838 SW Jefferson), 6:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
“Peaches and Bats” Release Party and Reading: Celebrate the release of a new issue of “Peaches and Bats.” Poets David Abel, Joseph Bradshaw and Kaia Sand will read. There will be music by Warren Lee (harmonium), Ian Ackerman (violin) and Gabriel Will (viola). The Waypost (3120 N. Williams Ave), 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Saturday, January 31
Saturday Guided Nature Walks at Tryon Creek State Park: Join a park ranger for a free, guided nature hike to explore the forest and stream ecosystems and natural history at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Today’s theme is “Woodpeckers.” Appropriate for all ages. Parents must accompany kids on all hikes. 10:00 am to 11:30 am. For more information, visit the event website.
Japanese Heritage Event: Celebrating Oregon Reads 2009 and its selection “Stubborn Twig,” the true story of three generations of a Japanese-American family, Tigard Library will host an event featuring the Minidoka Swing Band, Japanese desserts, craft time for the kids, and an exhibit from the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. Library card holders can pick up a free copy of “Stubborn Twig” while supplies last or download the audio book at http://www.wccls.org/oregon_reads/2009/read.php. 13500 SW Hall Blvd, 12:30 pm–2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Miss Michael Jodell and the Dim Sons (website) will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. All ages. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
Eric John Kaiser (website) will perform at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale) at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
The Cowboy Heroes (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern (10000 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro) at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
World Travel 101: This budget and travel workshop is geared toward the first-time traveler planning a trip abroad. Veteran travelers will offer tips on everything from budgeting, packing, finding accommodations, managing health issues, cultural behavior, transportation, language barriers, getting the most out of your trip and more. Hillsdale Library (1525 SW Sunset Blvd), 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
William Stafford Birthday Celebration: Frances Payne Adler, Christine Delea, Robert McFarlane, John Morrison, Emma Oliver, and Dennis and Helen Schmidling will read. Audience members are invited to bring their favorite Stafford poem to read for the rest of the group. Looking Glass Bookstore (7983 SE 13th Ave), 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
SPOKES 4 FOLKS: Concerned and community-minded urban cyclists will gather to create a number of care packages on Saturday night, then deliver them by bicycle to Portland’s cold and wet “outside dwellers” early on Sunday. The packages may include food, hygiene supplies, water, stamps … anything that is tough to come by and sorely needed as the weather rolls in. Saturday, January 31, at 7:00 pm is the care package creation get-together. Sunday, February 1, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm is the care package delivery throughout the city. All events are held at 1716 NE Clackamas St., Portland. Donations and generosity are welcomed and appreciated. For more information, contact spokes4folksevent @ gmail.com.
Sunday, February 1
Super Bowl at McMenamins: The Super Bowl will be playing at St. Johns Theater (ages 21+), Bagdad Theater (minors welcome with an adult), and Mission Theater (ages 21+). Doors open at 1:30 pm; game starts at 3:00 pm.
Portland Opera Preview: “Turn of the Screw”: This lecture/concert covers the historical background, composer information and musical selections of the show. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Atole and E*ROCKwill perform at Someday Lounge (125 NW 5th Ave) at 9:30 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the event website.
Andrew Calhoun (website) will perform at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale) at 5:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
“Memento” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. All ages. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
Sunday Cinema Classics at St. Johns Library: “Some Like It Hot” will be showing at 2:00 pm. Free tickets for limited seating will be available at 1:30 pm. 7510 N. Charleston Ave. For more information, visit the event website.
Author Lois McMaster Bujold will talk about her book “Horizon” at 6:00 pm at Powell’s Books, Cedar Hills Crossing (3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd). For more information, visit the event website.
Kimono Workshop: There are many rules to wearing a kimono. A member of the Wakai Tea Association will model how to choose and wear a kimono. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave), 1:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Women and Wellness: Eating and Mindfulness: Our fast-paced lifestyles and obsession with thinness has led to a culture of weight and nutrition related problems. Learn how to develop a healthier relationship with your body and food by slowing down and becoming more mindful of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Presented by the offices of Kate Donchi, MS, LMFT, Beth Westbrook, PhD, Ryan Spokes, PhD. Hollywood Library (4040 NE Tillamook St), 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
SPOKES 4 FOLKS: Concerned and community-minded urban cyclists will gather to create a number of care packages on Saturday night, then deliver them by bicycle to Portland’s cold and wet “outside dwellers” early on Sunday. The packages may include food, hygiene supplies, water, stamps … anything that is tough to come by and sorely needed as the weather rolls in. Saturday, January 31, at 7:00 pm is the care package creation get-together. Sunday, February 1, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm is the care package delivery throughout the city. All events are held at 1716 NE Clackamas St., Portland. Donations and generosity are welcomed and appreciated. For more information, contact spokes4folksevent @ gmail.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, please contact me.
McDonald’s is running a promotion called “Refreshment Recess.” On Mondays through Fridays, you can get two drinks for the price of one from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The deal applies to soft drinks, bottled water, McCafe drinks and more. Ask your local McDonald’s if it is participating and if there are any restrictions.
Unfortunately, the Refreshment Recess website doesn’t give a whole lot of information, but it is nice to look at. If you like to look at visually interesting websites, check out the game by clicking “Go Out and Play.”
If anyone knows when this deal expires, please write a comment about it.
From now through January 31, you can get a 70% discount at Restaurant.com by using the code SUPER. In addition, you will receive a free $15 Dale & Thomas gift card.
Restaurant.com sells discounted gift certificates for about 90 restaurants in the Portland area. For example, a $25 gift certificate normally costs $10. With the code, it’s $3. The code can be used on any gift certificate offered on the site.
How to use the code:
When you visit Restaurant.com, type in your zip code to find restaurants in your area. Once you find a restaurant you like, select a gift certificate and add it to your shopping cart. Be sure to read the restaurant’s details before purchasing the gift certificate. Some restaurants have minimum purchase requirements and other conditions. On the shopping cart page, enter SUPER in the box labeled “Enter Discount Code.” Once you finish the transaction, you’ll be able to print out the gift certificate. In most cases, gift certificates expire one year from the purchase date.
You can also use the code to buy generic gift certificates as gifts. Read more about how generic gift certificates work on Restaurant.com’s FAQ page: “Does Restaurant.com have gift options?”
For more Restaurant.com-related freebies and discounts, visit The Freebie Blogger.
On Friday, January 30, TriMet will give us a free sneak peek of its new Westside Express Service (WES). Free rides will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm.
WES will run through Wilsonville, Tualatin, Tigard and Beaverton. Regular service will begin on Monday, February 2. From February 2–6, TriMet will host activities and giveaways at every station.
All WES trains will offer free wireless Internet access.
Over the phone by calling Ticketmaster at 503.780.ARTS.
In person by visiting the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office at 923 SW Washington in downtown Portland. Open weekdays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Moms by Heart has compiled an impressive list of free things you can get from the web right now. Free food, samples, magazine subscriptions, coupons, downloads, birthday stuff, and more:
