Archive for March, 2011
All free. No foolin’!
Friday, April 1
Free night at the Children’s Museum: Admission is free from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Art Openings: Check out the First Friday Art Walk.
“The Dark Side of Chocolate”: Multnomah Arts Center presents this film, as well as live music, fair trade coffee and chocolate tasting, and Q&A. Music starts at 6:30 pm. Movie starts at 7:30 pm.
“A Chicken in Every Yard”: Want to raise chickens in your backyard? In their book, Robert and Hannah Litt of Portland’s Urban Farm Store show you how. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, April 2
Trillium Festival and Native & Hardy Plant Sale: Enjoy guided nature walks, kids activities, storytelling, live music, and more at Tryon Creek State Park. Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Safe Routes to School Kick-Off: This family-friendly event features bike-related workshops and activities for adults and kids. Beach PK-8 School, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. RSVP: SafeRoutes(at)PortlandOregon(dot)gov or 503-823-4998.
Children’s book author Bart King presents “The Big Book of Spy Stuff” at 1:00 pm at A Children’s Place Bookstore.
Costumes for Ramona: On Klickitat Street, Ramona made her own costumes. You can too! Turn yourself into an animal or creature of your choice, and finish your costume off with face paint. Great for children ages 4–10 and their families. Capitol Hill Library, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program.
Stretching Your Retirement Dollars: Learn strategies for making your money go further in retirement, as well as tips on investing, reverse mortgages, tax planning, and more. Gresham Library, 2:00 pm.
Museums on Us: If you’re a Bank of America customer, you can visit the Portland Art Museum, Pittock Mansion, and Lan Su Chinese Garden free.
Sunday, April 3
Trillium Festival and Native & Hardy Plant Sale: Enjoy guided nature walks, kids activities, storytelling, live music, and more at Tryon Creek State Park. Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Cherry Blossom Festival: Bring a picnic lunch to the Japanese American Historical Plaza and enjoy live entertainment at this celebration of spring. Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center: Admission is free from noon to 3:00 pm.
University of Portland Reading Fair: Pre-kindergarten to middle school children will enjoy arts, crafts, and games that promote literacy. Each student will receive a free book (while supplies last). 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Budgeting and Saving: Learn strategies that can help you save money and reach your financial goals. Hollywood Library, 2:00 pm.
“Modern Log Cabin Quilting”: In her new book, Susan Beal puts a contemporary spin on this traditional quilting technique. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 4:00 pm.
Museums on Us: If you’re a Bank of America customer, you can visit the Portland Art Museum, Pittock Mansion, and Lan Su Chinese Garden free.
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.
March 31st, 2011
Happy Spring! Here are the weekend’s free events.
All weekend
Better Living Home Garden & Lifestyle Show: Sustainable and healthy living is the theme of this annual three-day event, featuring classes, cooking demonstrations, fashion shows, kids activities, celebrities like Atlanta Fullback Ovie Mughelli, and more. Portland Expo Center. Friday, noon to 9:00 pm; Saturday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Friday, March 25
Oregon Regional FIRST Robotics Competition: Teams of high school students put their robot creations to the test in this annual high-tech sports event. Memorial Coliseum, 8:45 am to 4:00 pm.
Portland Art Museum: It’s the fourth Friday of the month, which means free admission to the museum from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Saturday, March 26
Oregon Regional FIRST Robotics Competition: Teams of high school students put their robot creations to the test in this annual high-tech sports event. Memorial Coliseum, 8:45 am to 4:00 pm.
Author Chelsea Cain will talk about her new book “Night Season,” the fourth thriller featuring Portland detective Archie Sheridan. Tigard Library, 2:00 pm.
VoiceCatcher Authors Reading: VoiceCatcher presents prose and poetry from its fifth women writers anthology. VoiceCatcher offers a local publishing opportunity that respects, nurtures, and promotes local artists. Central Library, 2:00 pm.
Toys for Ramona: Learn how Beverly Cleary’s Ramona made her own instruments and other inventions out of bottle caps, plastic containers, tin cans, and common household materials. Great for children ages 4–10 and their families. Gresham Library, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Sunday, March 27
Portland Opera Preview “L’Heure Espagnole and L’Enfant et les Sortileges”: This presentation and concert cover historical background, composer information, and musical selections. Central Library, 2:00 pm.
“Dance of the Photons: From Einstein to Quantum Teleportation”: Austrian physicist Anton Zeilinger discusses quantum entanglement. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 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.
March 24th, 2011
Before I get to this week’s free events, I’d like to feature a few opportunities to support those affected by the recent natural disasters in Japan.
- “Wish Arbor”: The Portland Japanese Garden has erected a memorial outside the admission gate to the garden. The public is encouraged to write wishes and condolences for victims of the disasters and tie them to the memorial. The memorial is open during Garden hours from March 15 to 29. Admission to the memorial is free.
- Candlelight Vigil for Japan: A public candlelight vigil will be held in Pioneer Square from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, March 18.
- Crane Folding: On Saturday, March 19, all are welcome to stop by Flying Cat Coffee Co. to make paper cranes. The cranes will go on display at the Portland Japanese Garden’s memorial. Origami paper and instructions will be provided. Donations of paper are greatly appreciated. 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
All events will provide an opportunity to give monetary donations to the Red Cross and Mercy Corps.
And now the weekend’s other free events:
Friday, March 18
St. Patrick’s Celebration at Edgefield: A full evening of fun featuring Irish dancers, bagpipers, and live music starting at 4:00 pm.
Kell’s Irish Festival: Live music in the pub and outside in the festival tent all night.
Andre Dubus III: In his memoir “Townie”, the author of “House of Sand and Fog” reflects on his violent childhood, and the life that threatened to destroy him—until he was saved by writing. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, March 19
St. Patrick’s Celebration at Edgefield: Irish dancers, bagpipers, kids activities, and lots of live music starting at 3:00 pm.
Kidical Mass: This family-friendly bike ride will visit urban farms and springtime gardens in the Cully neighborhood. Meet at 2:45 pm at Rigler Elementary.
Kell’s Irish Festival: Kids activities and live music in the festival tent during the day. More live music through the night.
Oregon Maritime Museum Family Day: On the third Saturday of each month, admission is free to families with children under 17. This month, make decorative flags and learn how flags are used by ships. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Composting for a Healthy Garden: Learn to start your own home worm composting system to provide your garden with rich, organic fertilizer. Tigard Library, 1:00 pm.
“Cheap Trick: Live at Budokan”: Rock to the movie version of this concert on the Crystal Ballroom’s floating dance floor. Doors open at 8:00 pm. Movie starts at 9:00 pm. Ages 21+.
Sunday, March 20
Stretching Your Retirement Dollars: A member of the Oregon Society of CPAs will discuss strategies for making your money go further in retirement; how to evaluate your lifestyle and investments; and tips on annuities, reverse mortgages and tax planning. Gregory Heights Library, 1:30 pm.
Baba Wagué Diakité is a well-known artist and storyteller from Mali, West Africa. Baba will tell the 13th century mythical story of the creation of the Mali Empire. Central Library, 2:00 pm.
More than Just a Bee Movie: This visual presentation is filled with filmed clips and stills that explore the important relationship between humans and bees. After the presentation, children can taste honeycomb, look into a real hive (no bees) and handle equipment that beekeepers use in the field. Troutdale Library, 2:30 pm.
Writers Barry Lopez and Mark Tredinnick will talk about ecology, mythology, and Tredinnick’s book “The Blue Plateau.” Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Robert Wynia of Floater will perform at Music Millennium at 3:00 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.
March 17th, 2011
In addition to the weekend’s free events, I want to highlight Smart Saving, Multnomah County Library’s financial literacy program. This program offers kids, teens, and adults an awesome collection of resources, media, and classes on budgeting and saving, investing, retirement, taxes, employment, and much more. See the Smart Saving website for more information.
Saturday, March 12
“Object Stories”: Treasured objects are the focus of this series of short films created by Latino artists. The program also features literary readings by participants of Write Around Portland. Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium, 2:00 pm.
Washington County Museum Family Day: Make leprechaun paper marionettes, printed scratch foambooks, and sewing cards. Hear stories of Washington County’s women. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
“Ramona and Beezus”: Watch this movie at Rockwood Library, 3:00 pm.
“Tikki Tikki Tembo”: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo…. Tears of Joy Theatre puppeteer Emily Alexander performs this beloved story at Holgate Library, 4:00 pm.
Tualatin Community Resources Fair: The fair brings together businesses, non-profit agencies, government organizations, and educational institutions to provide information to community members in Tualatin. Tualatin Library, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Calder Quartet: Featured on the Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Jimmy Kimmel, this acclaimed string ensemble is redefining what classical music can be. Central Library, 2:00 pm.
Sunday, March 13
Budgeting and Saving: If your money seems to disappear each month without much to show for it, this workshop might be what you need to make ends meet and help you reach your goals. Gregory Heights Library, 1:30 pm.
“Eat, Pray, Love”: See the movie and then join the optional discussion to talk about the book and movie versions. Light refreshments will be provided. Hillsboro Main Library, 1:00 pm.
Children’s Drawing Party: Mark Teague, author and illustrator, hosts a children’s drawing party to celebrate his book “LaRue Across America.” Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 2:00 pm.
Portland Opera to Go: “Elixir of Love”: Here is your opportunity to introduce opera to your kids and maybe to yourself. This is a rollicking, 50-minute, English-language version of Donizetti’s coming of age tale. Edgefield Blackberry Hall, 2:00 pm.
James Gleick, author of the bestsellers “Chaos” and “Genius,” presents “The Information,” a revelatory chronicle that shows how information has become the modern era’s defining quality. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 4:00 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.
March 10th, 2011
Miss me?
In the mix this week, lots of art: First Friday, SE Area Art Walk, and Free Family Day at the Portland Art Museum. Enjoy!
Friday, March 4
Free night at the Children’s Museum: Admission is free from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Art Openings: Check out the First Friday Art Walk and Multnomah Arts Center.
Cascade Festival of African Films: The festival runs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through March 5. Seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“How to Train Your Dragon”: Watch this family movie at Multnomah Arts Center. Plus live music, popcorn, and more. Music starts at 6:30 pm. Movie starts at 7:30 pm.
Saturday, March 5
Portland Lindy Exchange: Hundreds of dancers from all over the country will come together to dance Lindy Hop, Charleston and other swing-related dances. Join them! Pioneer Courthouse Square, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Owl Fest: Activities for the entire family including owl pellet dissection, snacks by Clif Bar, owl house construction, guided hikes, and up-close encounters with the Audubon Education Owls. Tryon Creek State Park, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
SE Area Art Walk: More than 200 artists, many in their studios, will be greeting guests and showing their work: sculpture, painting, jewelry, pottery, photography, print-making, textile, and more. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Museums on Us: If you’re a Bank of America customer, you can visit the Portland Art Museum, Pittock Mansion, and Lan Su Chinese Garden free.
Sunday, March 6
Family Day at Portland Art Museum: Music, art projects, storytelling, scavenger hunt, and more. 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
SE Area Art Walk: More than 200 artists, many in their studios, will be greeting guests and showing their work: sculpture, painting, jewelry, pottery, photography, print-making, textile, and more. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Museums on Us: If you’re a Bank of America customer, you can visit the Portland Art Museum, Pittock Mansion, and Lan Su Chinese Garden free.
Avoiding Investment Fraud and Identity Theft: A certified public accountant from the Oregon Society of CPAs will discuss staying safe on the web, doing your own research on investment offers, how to recognize scams, how to report a scam, and what to do if you fall victim. Gregory Heights Library, 1:30 pm.
Portland Opera to Go: “Elixir of Love”: Got kids? Intimidated by the idea of opera? Here is your opportunity to introduce opera to your kids and maybe to yourself. Old St. Francis School, 2:00 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.
March 3rd, 2011
