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

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: Jan 2–4

January 1st, 2009

Happy New Year, all!

Admission is free for all events below.

In addition, admission to OMSI is only $2 on Sunday. For more information, visit the OMSI website.

Friday, January 2

• Free First Friday Night at Portland Children’s Museum: Admission to the museum is free from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 4015 SW Canyon Road. For more information, visit the event website.

• Family Events at Airplay Café: Duo Rosa will perform at lunchtime. This interactive duo wants to share classical music with the whole family. At 3:00 pm, Liz Kelly will lead a family drum circle. Bring a drum or something like a drum that you can beat, or borrow an instrument from the cafe, or just beat on your table. At 5:00 pm, Andy Simon will perform. Food and drink specials for all ages. 701 E. Burnside. For more information, visit the event website.

• First Friday Artist’s Reception at Press Club: Photographer Shy Alot with the musical accompaniment of DJ Jr. Private Detective. 7:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• First Friday in Downtown Camas: This month’s theme is “Discover Camas.” Pick up a “Discover Camas” trivia sheet from one of the downtown stores and visit each store for clues. Turn in your completed sheet for great prizes. 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Camas website.

• First Friday Art Walk in Troutdale: On the First Friday of each month, Historic Downtown Troutdale businesses host dozens of local artists exhibiting their works of art. For more information, please contact the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce at 503-669-7473.

• In Music We Trust at Doug Fir: The Family Gun (featuring Michael Maker), Western Aerial, and The Slants will perform. Ages 21+. Doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Lars Campbell & Dan Gaynor will perform at Three Degrees Lounge at the RiverPlace Hotel, 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the PDX Jazz website.

• James Low Band (website) will perform at LaurelThirst Public House at 6:00 pm. NE Glisan and 30th. For more information, visit the event website.

• Vinny D. (website) will perform at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale) at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Boy’s Club (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.

Saturday, January 3

• Oregon Symphony Storytime: This series focuses on books, music, instruments, sound and fun musical crafts. Each week features a visit from an Oregon Symphony musician who will play and provide an introduction to his or her instrument and orchestral music. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. Hillsdale Library (1525 SW Sunset Blvd), 11:00 am–noon. Most appropriate for preschool-age children. For more information, visit the event website.

• ”Raven Steals the Sun” Children’s Puppet Show: Created and performed by Emily Alexander of Tears of Joy Theatre, this show tells how Raven the trickster brought light and warmth to the world. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Most appropriate for grades K–5. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. For more information, visit the event website.

• Animal Collective Listening Party: You’ll be able to preview and preorder Animal Collective’s new album, “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” as well as get exclusive goodies and participate in giveaways. The band will not be present. Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside), 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

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

• Mood Area 52 (website) will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Lynn Conover & Little Sue (website) will perform at LaurelThirst Public House at 6:00 pm. NE Glisan and 30th. For more information, visit the event website.

• First Saturday Concert Series at Ledding Library: Joe Powers and Lewis Childs will perform. 10660 SE 21st Ave, Milwaukie, 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Matt Meighan (website) will perform at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale) at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Sonny Hess (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.

• William Stafford and the Poetry of Place: Poets Bill Siverly, Michael McDowell, Sean Patrick Hill, Shelley Kirk-Rudeen, and Katy McKinney will read, starting at 2:00 pm. Tigard Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd. For more information, visit the event website.

• 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 “Magnificent Moss and Lovely Lichen.” 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.

Sunday, January 4

• Willamette Week Presents Portland Makes Music: A monthly concert and interview series every first Sunday at The Someday Lounge. Today’s performers are Alialujah Choir (members of Weinland and Norfolk & Western) and Old Growth. 125 NW 5th Ave, 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• The Golden Hours, The Honeys, and Some Weird Sin will perform at Valentine’s (232 SW Ankeny St) at 9:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the event website.

• Music at LaurelThirst Public House: Freak Mountain Ramblers will perform at 6:00 pm. Billy Kennedy and Tim Acott will perform at 9:30 pm. NE Glisan and 30th. For more information, visit the event website.

• Purple Heart (website) will perform at Satyricon (125 NW 6th Ave) at 8:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the event website.

• Jimmy Bivens (website) will perform at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale) at 5:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

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

• Sunday Cinema Classics at St. Johns Library: “Ninotchka” will be showing. Free tickets for limited seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. 7510 N. Charleston Ave, 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.

Other articles from Around the Sun:

• January 8, 2009 -- Free Events This Weekend in Portland: Jan 9–11
• January 4, 2009 -- 1/8–1/29: 21 Days of Free Yoga Classes
• December 30, 2008 -- Peacock Lane Photos, Last Day to See Lights Is New Year’s Eve

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