Archive for December, 2010
Announcement: Around the Sun will be on hiatus for the next two weeks. Thank you so much for reading. I wish all of you the best this holiday season. See you in 2011!
Here are this weekend’s free events.
This month
Peacock Lane: Residents of this SE Portland street have been decorating their homes for nearly a century. See what they’ve come up with this year.
The Architectural Heritage Center is offering free admission for the entire month of December.
Christmas Ship Parade: A menagerie of boats decked with lights and other holiday finery will sail down the Willamette and Columbia Rivers each evening through December 21.
Friday, December 17
Sellwood Community Center 100th Birthday Party: Old-fashioned carnival games, cake, and music. 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Saturday, December 18
Kidical Mass Family Bike Ride: This holiday-themed ride will head to North Mississippi. Caroling and Grand Central Bakery are also on the agenda. Meet at 1:45 pm under the covered basketball courts in Irving Park.
The Toy Trains: This family-friendly rock band features drums, stand-up bass, harmonica, accordion, violin, mandolin, banjo, and electric and acoustic guitars. Central Library, 10:30 am.
Sunday, December 19
Fancy Nancy Holiday Party: Dress up and enjoy fancy treats, fancy activities, and readings from the latest adventures of everyone’s favorite fancy girl. A Children’s Place Bookstore, 1:00 pm.
More free events
For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Dave Knows Portland.
For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.
For free concerts, see Concert Co-op.
December 16th, 2010
I’m finally getting into the Christmas spirit. Kind of a weird story, but it happened after I found out that one of my favorite bands, Guster, is featured on a Target Christmas commerical.
The cool thing is that you can download their song and several other holiday songs free from the Target website.
Have fun this weekend (and stay dry)!
All month
The Architectural Heritage Center is offering free admission for the entire month of December.
All weekend
Christmas Ship Parade: A menagerie of boats decked with pretty lights and other holiday finery will sail down the Willamette and Columbia Rivers each evening.
Friday, December 10
Beaverton Tree Lighting: Festivities include a visit from Santa, live music, and dance and theatre performances. The tree lighting concludes the event. Beaverton City Library and City Park, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
“The Nutcracker & the Rat King”: Multnomah Arts Center students, ages 8 to 16, will perform an adaptation of this classic holiday story. Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm.
Geeky Wonderland Holiday Party: The newly formed Portland Geek Council of Commerce and Culture (PGC3) is throwing a holiday party featuring special performances, video games, door prizes, and more. Ages 21+. Someday Lounge, 9:00 pm to 2:00 am.
Saturday, December 11
Tuba Christmas Concert: More than 200 tuba players are expected to participate in this now 20-year holiday tradition. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
Nob Hill Holiday Village: Nob Hill merchants will provide treats, discounts, and special events. Santa will visit Homestreet Bank from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Legacy Hospital will offer free parking.
West Linn Holiday Parade: The parade will march through Willamette Falls Drive starting at 10:00 am. Join Santa after the parade at Willamette Fire Station and enjoy yummy treats.
Gresham Family Winter Festival: Live music, crafts for kids, Santa, prizes, and a tree-lighting ceremony at 4:30 pm. Plaza del Sol, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
“The Nutcracker & the Rat King”: Multnomah Arts Center students, ages 8 to 16, will perform an adaptation of this classic holiday story. Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm.
“Scary Ghost Stories and Tales of the Glories”: The Free Theatre of Portland will perform an original Christmas tale that’s funny, frightening, and filled with music. Clinton Street Theatre, 7:30 pm.
Indie Lit Roadshow: Come down to PLACE at Pioneer Place Mall for an afternoon of literary readings, live music, and a pop-up book shop. 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Sunday, December 12
Posada Milagro: This community celebration, filled with Latin American traditions, features live music, dance presentations, arts and crafts workshops, bilingual storytelling, and more. The event also includes Spanish-language performances. Tickets for these performances are available free on a first-come, first-served basis. Milagro Theatre, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Aífe Murray will present a reading and discussion of her new work, “Maid as Muse: How Servants Changed Emily Dickinson’s Life and Language.” Central Library, 1:00 pm.
Healthy Holiday Sweets: Food historian and author Jean Johnson will show how to make three easy holiday recipes that rely on fruit, not refined sugar, for their appeal. Hollywood Library, 2:00 pm.
Murder by the Book Author Event: Meet Chelsea Cain, Bill Cameron, Rod Englert (a blood splatter expert), Dana Haynes, Katy King, and Ann Littlewood at Murder by the Book’s open house. 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Twinkie Chan: In her book “Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies,” Chan shows how to crochet a variety of food-inspired creations. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 4:00 pm.
Spencer Beebe, founder and president of Ecotrust, will present his book “Cache: Creating Natural Economies” in which he shares his views on the environment and economics based on a 35-year career in conservation. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Kids musicians Matt Clark, Bill Aubrecht, and Joe Liebezeit will perform at Mississippi Pizza from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
More free events
For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Dave Knows Portland.
For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.
For free concerts, see Concert Co-op.
December 9th, 2010
Enjoy!
All month
The Architectural Heritage Center is offering free admission for the entire month of December.
Friday, December 3
Free night at the Children’s Museum: Admission is free from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
First Friday Art Walk: Go gallery hopping on the East side. And check out PORT’s First Friday picks.
More art: Milepost 5 and galleries in Sellwood will also host openings.
First Friday in Milwaukie: Enjoy the annual Umbrella Parade and City Hall Tree Lighting event in addition to First Friday festivities. 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Camas First Friday: This month’s event includes a tree lighting, Santa, tractor hay rides, kids’ activities, and more. Downtown Camas, 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Montavilla First Friday: Head to Montavilla’s Stark Street strip for live music, art, and more. The fun starts at 5:00 pm.
Tigard Tree Lighting Festivities: Santa will arrive at Liberty Park to light the tree around 7:00 pm. Afterward, children will be able to greet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free hot cocoa and cookies.
Tualatin Starry Nights and Holiday Lights Celebration: Music, kids activities, refreshments, Santa, and the lighting of the floating tree. Tualatin Commons, 5.30 pm.
West Linn Holiday Tree Lighting & Community Celebration: Santa and reindeer, sing-a-long, cookie decorating, and music. West Linn City Hall and Cascade Summit Town Square, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
“Play Again”: American children are spending an increasing amount of time in the virtual world. The film “Play Again” explores the impact of this trend through the eyes of six teens on their first (and completely unplugged) wilderness adventure. Multnomah Arts Center, 6:30 pm.
“The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History”: Bethlehem Shoals will present his latest book at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, December 4
Oregon City Tree Lighting Event: Music, refreshments, Santa, and more. Liberty Plaza, 4:30 pm.
Children’s book author and Caldecott winner Allen Say will present his book “The Boy in the Garden” at A Children’s Place Bookstore at 2:00 pm.
Native American Storytelling: Two accomplished members of the Native American community will share tales that are based on the geography, history, and culture of the area around Celilo Falls. Sellwood-Moreland Library, 11:00 am.
“Martha Speaks”: Celebrate reading and dogs with a free screening of the cartoon “Martha Speaks.” After the screening, enjoy crafts and visits from special guests. For children 3 to 8 years old. Central Library, 2:00 pm.
Reindeer Visit: See Santa’s reindeer and enjoy complimentary cookies and hot apple cider at Dennis’ 7 Dees Eastside Garden Center (6025 SE Powell Blvd) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
“Goldfish Don’t Eat Pizza”: Join musician Anna Antonia Giedwoyn in celebrating the release of her first kids album. Festivities include live music, face painting, refreshments, prizes, and more. Buckman Elementary School, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Sunday, December 5
Free Movies at St. Johns Theater & Pub: “A Christmas Carol” will show at 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm. “Christmas Vacation” will show at 7:30 pm. The first 25 kids in to each will get hot chocolate and a candy cane.
Happy Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony: Horse-drawn carriage rides, refreshments, musical entertainment, and Santa. Happy Valley City Hall, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Stuff White People Like: Christian Lander (creator of the Stuff White People Like website) will present his book “Whiter Shades of Pale: The Stuff White People Like, Coast to Coast, from Seattle’s Sweaters to Maine’s Microbrews” at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 5:00 pm.
“The Book of Maps” National Release Party: Join David Michael Slater in celebrating the release of “The Book of Maps, Sacred Books Volume III.” Signed copies of all his works will be given away as prizes. Central Library, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
A Taste of Asia: Stories from the Far East: Visit Japan, Korea, China and Singapore through stories told by professional teller Alton Chung. These tales are appropriate for children aged 5 and up. Rockwood Library, 2:00 pm.
Tualatin Valley Community Band: The band will present a holiday concert at Deb Fennell Auditorium, Tigard High School, at 3:00 pm.
“The Walking Dead”: See the season finale of the best new zombie series on TV. Bagdad Theater & Pub. Doors open at 9:00 pm; show starts at 10:00 pm. Ages 21+.
More free events
For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Dave Knows Portland.
For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.
For free concerts, see Concert Co-op.
December 3rd, 2010
