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

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: Mar 27–29

March 26th, 2009

Admission is free for all events below. For more concerts, visit Concert Co-op.

Have a great weekend!

All weekend

• Energy Trust Better Living Show: This event is packed with activities focused on sustainable living. Workshops, music, kids activities, theatre, cooking demonstrations, and more. Portland Expo Center (2060 North Marine Dr). For more information, visit the event website.

• Chicken Fest: Twenty breeds will be on display. Activities include live music, egg toss contest and workshops. Workshops cost $5; all other activities are free. Livingscape Nursery (3926 N. Vancouver Ave). For more information, visit the event website.

Friday, March 27

• Azeda Booth (website) will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 6:00 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the event website.

• Patterns, Dramady, and Root Beer and French Fry will perform at 9:00 pm at Someday Lounge (125 NW 5th Ave). For more information, visit the event website.

• Robert Moore will perform at Three Degrees Lounge at the RiverPlace Hotel (1510 SW Harbor Way), 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the PDX Jazz website.

• James Low and MBilly will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. All ages. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Sonny Hess and Lisa Mann will perform at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale) at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Will West & The Friendly Strangers (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.

• Author Anne Easter Smith will talk about her book “In The King’s Grace” at 7:00 pm at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing (3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd). For more information, visit the event website.

• Author Susan Jane Gilman will talk about her book “Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven” at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside). For more information, visit the event website.

Saturday, March 28

• Family Walks With Metro Councilors: Carlotta Collette, District 2 Councilor, will lead a 2.5-mile walk through the Tideman-Johnson Natural Area and quiet residential streets of Milwaukie’s Ardenwald neighborhood. Meet at 10:00 am at the Springwater Corridor Trailhead (SE Johnson Creek Blvd and the Springwater Corridor at 45th). For more information, visit the event website or contact Carl Larson at larson @ bta4bikes.org or 503.226.0676 x16.

• 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 “Restoration of the Creek.” 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.

• Oregon Zoo at the Library: Meet a cast of animals from the Oregon Zoo such as a kind snake, a silent owl and a squeaky-clean cockroach. Oregon Zoo employees will share animal facts and introduce each species. Most appropriate for grades K–5. Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave), 3:00 pm–4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Fairly Stupid Tales: This play was inspired by the book “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. It’s brought to you by Book-It Repertory Theatre from Seattle, WA, a production company that focuses on bringing books to life for children. Most appropriate for grades K–5. Two performances at North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth St), 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website (information near bottom of page).

• Massive 5: Get in free before 10:00 pm by saying “Life is a Party” at the door. Massive 5 is a dance party and benefit that includes a fashion show, raffle, clothing sales, tattoo work giveaways, and plenty of other goodies. The fun takes place at Crown Room, 205 NW 4th Ave. Ages 21+.

• Ben Medler Trio will perform at Three Degrees Lounge at the RiverPlace Hotel (1510 SW Harbor Way), 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the PDX Jazz website.

• Kaitlyn ni Donovan and the Brilliant Channel will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. All ages. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

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

• Justin Jude & The Open Road (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.

• Tax Help: Trained tax preparers will volunteer their time and expertise to help you with your tax forms. Bring last year’s return and this year’s paperwork. This program is sponsored by AARP. Two locations: Gregory Heights Library (7921 NE Sandy Blvd), 10:00 am–2:00 pm; Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave), 12:00 pm–5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• VoiceCatcher Authors Reading: VoiceCatcher presents prose and poetry from its third women writers anthology. The work of six contributing authors will be highlighted. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Simple Healthy Cooking Saves Time and Money: Jean Johnson will present no-fuss recipes from her book, “Cooking Beyond Measure: How to Eat Well without Formal Recipes.” She will show how quickly and deliciously food comes together when we forget about measuring. Fairview-Columbia Library (1520 NE Village St, Fairview), 3:00 pm–4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Writers’ Dojo Day of Literary Celebration: The day includes poetry performances, writing workshops, and a panel discussion on publishing. 7518 N. Chicago Ave, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Please RSVP. For more information, visit the event website.

• Craft Project and Book Signing: Author and crafter Susan Beal will talk about her book “Button It Up” and help folks make button magnets and pushpins. Supplies will be provided. The afternoon will also include sweet treats and a crafty giveaway. Bolt Fabric Boutique (2136 NE Alberta St), 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.  

Sunday, March 29

• Trillium Story: Join Stephanie Wagner, Executive Director of the Friends of Tryon Creek, for a lecture on this woodland plant. Ages 12 and older. Tryon Creek State Park, 2:00 pm–3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Build a Bird House: The Rebuilding Center will provide you with the tools, reclaimed house materials and all the instruction you’ll need to build your own bird house. Most appropriate for grades K–5. Holgate Library (7905 SE Holgate Blvd), 2:00 pm–4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Thumbelina: In this Oregon Shadow Theatre production, Thumbelina journeys through a series of natural habitats to discover her home in the land of the flower fairies. Most appropriate for grades K–5. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave), 2:30 pm–3:15 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

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

• “Sweet and Lowdown” will be showing at Press Club at 8:00 pm. All ages. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Author Catherine Clinton will talk about her book “Mrs. Lincoln: A Life” at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside). 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: Art,Children,Environment,Food,Literature,Movies,Music,Theater,Workshops