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

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: Apr 24–26

April 23rd, 2009

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

Have a great weekend!

All weekend

• Carnival Days at Eastport Plaza: Enjoy live music, children’s activities, carnival rides, classic car show, and more. On Saturday, come early to watch the start of the 82nd Avenue of Roses parade. For more information, visit the event website.

• Art Shows/Sales at Oregon Convention Center: View the work of artists from the Creative Metal Arts Guild, Oregon Potters Association, Portland Handweavers Guild, Oregon Glass Guild, Portland Bead Society, Northwest Fine Woodworkers, and Guild of Oregon Woodworkers. For more information, visit the event website.

Friday, April 24

• Asian Heritage Night: This event is free for all to enjoy culturally specific performances, arts and crafts, and food. East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106th), 6:00 pm–8:00 pm. For more information, click here.

• Colored Pencils Art & Culture Night: This is a monthly open mic and art show hosted by people from Asian, African, Arab, Slavic and Latino backgrounds. Center for Intercultural Organizing (700 N. Killingsworth St), 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. For more information, click here.

• Weinland will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Carmina Luna will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. All ages. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Dan McCoy will perform at Sellwood Public House (8132 SE 13th Ave) at 8:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the event website.

• Mary Kadderly (website) 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.

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

• Oregon State Poetry Association Reading: Created in 1956, the Oregon State Poetry Association seeks to bring together and nurture the widest possible community of Oregon poets. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside), 5:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Author Jane Hamilton will talk about her book “Laura Rider’s Masterpiece” at 7:00 pm at Powell’s Books, Cedar Hills Crossing (3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd). For more information, visit the event website.

• Jackpot Records Film Festival: “TV Carnage” and “Totally for Teens” will be showing at Hollywood Theater (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Saturday, April 25

• Earth Day 2009 Festival: Join fellow Portlanders in a city-wide celebration of Earth Day 2009 at Wallace Park (NW 25th and NW Raleigh) from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The event includes live music, food, and a showcase of local non-profit organizations and businesses that support sustainable practices. Information from Neighborhood Notes.

• 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade: This year’s parade features the first public appearance of the full 2009 Rose Court Princesses and over 40 other groups. Starts at 9:00 am at Eastport Plaza (4000 SE 82nd Ave), heads north to SE Yamhill St and disbands in the Montavilla area. For more information, visit Neighborhood Notes.

• Ultimate Open House: This year’s tour includes nearly 60 new homes in a selection of styles and range of neighborhoods that are priced for every budget. 10:00 am–6:00 pm, April 25 and 26. For more information, visit the event website.

• Nez Perce Chief Redheart Memorial: A traditional memorial to remember Chief Redheart’s band, including singing in honor of the ancestors, the Riderless Horse (Empty Saddle) Ceremony, the Sacred Pipe Ceremony, and recognition of veterans. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (5th St and Park Access Rd), 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Tigard Celebrates “A Century of Curtis Tigard”: Drop in for cake, toasts and big band music to celebrate the life of a man who has meant so much to this community. Tigard Public Library, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Free Acupuncture Day: Brooklyn Community Acupuncture (1212 SE Powell Blvd) will offer free treatments between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. No appointments, walk-in only. 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 “Springing Plants.” 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.

• Looking for Papito, Family Stories from Latin America: Join award-winning solo performer, storyteller and author Antonio Sacre for a special family performance. Sacre’s repertoire, tailored to his audience, includes his own stories of growing up biculturally in a Cuban and Irish-American household. Presented in both English and Spanish. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 11:00 am. For more information, visit the event website.

• Music for Toddlers: Join award-winning singer/songwriter and Gentle Wind recording artist Pam Donkin for fun with music. She will perform at different Portland-area libraries throughout the day. For more information, visit the event website.

• Mexican Folk Dance: Ballet Papalotl will perform at North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth St) at 12:00 pm and Rockwood Library (17917 SE Stark St) at 3:45 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Oregon Symphonic Band will perform at the auditorium at Jackson Middle School at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Mariachi Viva Mexico will perform at Rockwood Library (17917 SE Stark St), 2:30 pm–3:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Curtis Peoples, Josh Hoge and Tony Lucca will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Chris Margolin & Friends (website) will perform at Sellwood Public House (8132 SE 13th Ave) at 8:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the event website.

• Eddie Parente 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.

• Massive 6: Crème de la Crème with Dr. Adam, Demetre Baca and Pandemonium Jones: This monthly benefit is a dance party, fashion show, and more. Say “LifeisaParty” at the door and get in free before 10:00 pm. Ages 21+. Crown Room, 205 NW Fourth Ave.

• 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.

• “Whose Your Mama? The Unsung Voices of Women and Mothers”: Portland authors Kelly Jeske, Mary Foulk, Sonali Balajee, and Liz Prato will share stories about open adoption, queer family-making, the clash between traditional cultures and personal desire, and the decision to remain childfree. In Other Words Women’s Books and Resources (8 B NE Killingsworth St), 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Author Erin Hunter will talk about her book “Sunrise” at 2:00 pm at Powell’s Books, Cedar Hills Crossing (3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd). For more information, visit the event website.

• Comics Artists Dylan Meconis and Erika Moen will present their respective books, “Bite Me!” and “DAR: Volume One,” at Sequential Art Gallery (328 NW Broadway, No. 113), 5:00 pm–8:00 pm. Ages 18+. For more information, visit the event website.

• ”Oregon at Work” Launch Party: The Portland launch for the book “Oregon at Work” will be at the Oregon Historical Society (1200 SW Park Ave) from 10:00 am–12:00 pm. For more information on the book, click here.

• Slideluck Potshow: This is a potluck and art show. Bring a dish to share and watch local photographers present slides of their work. Sandbox Studio (420 NE 9th Ave), 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Ecoroof Vendors Fair: The event will provide designers, developers, homeowners and building owners with information and technical assistance about ecoroofs. 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Doubletree Hotel at Lloyd Center, Exhibition Hall (1000 NE Multnomah St). For more information, visit the event website.

Sunday, April 26

• Earth Day Celebration at Tryon Creek Park: Bring the whole family to learn about beavers through arts and crafts, games, stories and more. Come dressed as your favorite animal for an afternoon parade. Refreshments served. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Ultimate Open House: This year’s tour includes nearly 60 new homes in a selection of styles and range of neighborhoods that are priced for every budget. 10:00 am–6:00 pm, April 25 and 26. For more information, visit the event website.

• Mexican Folk Dance: Ballet Papalotl will perform at Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave), 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• In Mulieribus (website) will perform at Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave) at 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• “The Harder They Come” will be showing at Press Club at 8:00 pm. All ages. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Progression is what every other jam session isn’t. Original compositions, odd time signatures, free form improvisation, and no rules. Hosted by Ben Darwish. Someday Lounge (125 NW 5th Ave), 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Journalist Michelle Goldberg will talk about her book “The Means of Reproduction” at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside), 7:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Becoming Oregon: A Printed History: Robert Hamm will share newspapers, woodcuts, accurate and inaccurate maps, and early photographs from the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Lewis and Clark Exposition. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 1:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning: Learn the basics of wills, living trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives with attorney and author Richard Schneider. Northwest Library (2300 NW Thurman St), 1:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Vegan Cookbook Author Isa Chandra Moskowitz will talk about her work at Hollywood Library (4040 NE Tillamook St), 2:00 pm. Cooking demonstration included. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. For more information, visit the event website.

• Author Mark Rudd will talk about his book “Underground” at 4:00 pm at Looking Glass Bookstore (7983 SE 13th Ave). For more information, visit the event website.

• Poets Paulann Petersen, John Blackard, Ana Callan, Kirstin Rian and David Hill will read their work at Ink & Paper Group (1825 SE 7th Ave). The event will begin at 3:30 pm with an hour of open mic poetry followed by a half-hour of conversation and dessert on the veranda. The first featured poet will begin reading at 5:00 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:

• July 29, 2010 -- Free Events in Portland: July 30–August 1
• July 15, 2010 -- Free Events in Portland: July 16–18
• July 4, 2010 -- Free Family Film Festival 2010 at Regal Theatres

Entry Filed under: Art, Children, Environment, Food, Home, Literature, Movies, Music