Archive for May, 2011
The moment I say the weather is improving, rain-mageddon. This week, I’ll leave the weather reports to the professionals and focus only on the free events. And on wishing you a happy Memorial Day weekend. Cheers!
Note: These events offer free admission, but might charge for activities or items, such as food and drink.
All weekend
Village Building Convergence 2011: From May 27 to June 5, people all over Portland will take part in planned public art, building, and gardening projects. Be one of them! Watch the “invitation” video on the website to see what beautiful places people have created at past events.
Rose Festival Carnival (military only): Free admission for veterans, reservists, and active military personnel and their legal dependents with valid military ID. Waterfront Park, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Friday, May 27
Rose Festival Carnival (everyone): Free admission for everyone on Friday only. Festivities include Curtis Salgado in concert followed by fireworks. Waterfront Park, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Campus Rail Jam Tour: Head to Pioneer Courthouse Square between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to watch the finals of this snowboard and ski competition. Yes, snow in the Square!
Portland Art Museum: It’s the fourth Friday of the month, which means admission is free from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Saturday, May 28
Multnomah County Fair: Live music, rides, petting zoo, and more. May 28–30, Oaks Amusement Park, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Sunday, May 29
Portland Youth Philharmonic: A free concert featuring music by Giuseppe Verdi, John Caughman, and Howard Hanson. Lewis & Clark College Evans Auditorium, 4:00 pm.
Multnomah County Fair: Live music, rides, petting zoo, and more. May 28–30, Oaks Amusement Park, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Monday, May 30
Multnomah County Fair: Live music, rides, petting zoo, and more. May 28–30, Oaks Amusement Park, 12:00 pm to 7:00 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.
May 26th, 2011
The weather is getting better and so are the free events. Summer, here we come!
Friday, May 20
Yogurt Shack Store Opening: Yogurt Shack will offer all customers free frozen yogurt from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at its new location in Tualatin (19245 SW Martinazzi Ave in Martinazzi Square).
East County Community Orchestra will perform at David Douglas High School Horner Performing Arts Center, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, May 21
Mount Tabor Art Walk: On Saturday and Sunday, visit 40 artists in their homes and studios. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Family Saturday at the Oregon Maritime Museum: Families with children younger than 17 get in free. Tour the museum and take a knot kit home with you. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Sustainability Day at Tryon Creek Park: The event offers ideas for eating seasonally and locally, creative ways to reuse and recycle more efficiently, and items you can make and take home to help reduce your carbon footprint. 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Gateway Fun-o-Rama Fair: Classic car show, games, art show, $5 bike helmets, and more. NE Halsey at 111th Avenue, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
McMenamins Bagdad 20th Anniversary: Free cake all day and a free showing of “Back to the Future” at 2:00 pm. All ages welcome until 7:00 pm.
3-Creeks Natural Area Guided Walk: Tour this 89-acre site including the threatened old growth white oaks and the wetlands and streams that they protect. Meet at the picnic tables at the North Clackamas Aquatic Center at 10:00 am.
What’s It Like to Be Homeless: Terris Harned has been houseless off and on for 9 years. He’ll tell his story at Central Library at 1:00 pm.
Taming Your Food Budget: Kati Neville shares practical savings strategies to help you evaluate your spending and find a place to start cutting. Food demonstration, recipes, and resources included. Sherwood Public Library, 10:30 am.
Taming Tantrums: Understanding and Prevention: Parent educator and psychotherapist Deborah Kass-Ray shares practical strategies for preventing and helping children through tantrums. Troutdale Library, 10:30 am.
Build a Terrarium: Children in grades K–5 are invited to make a miniature garden inside a glass container. Learn how to take care of your plants and watch them grow. Gregory Heights Library, 2:00 pm.
Sunday, May 22
Sunday Parkways: It’s back! The first Sunday Parkways of the year connects Lents, Bloomington, Ed Benedict, and Gilbert Heights parks with a 7-mile traffic-free route. Live music, activities, and more at the parks and in between. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Mount Tabor Art Walk: On Saturday and Sunday, visit 40 artists in their homes and studios. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Kenton Street Fair: Coaster car race, kids activities, street yoga, and more. 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on N. Denver Avenue between N. Schofield and N. Willis.
Southwest Washington Wind Symphony will perform at Union High School Auditorium in Camas at 3:00 pm.
Lake Oswego Millennium Concert Band will perform at Lakeridge High School Auditorium, 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.
May 19th, 2011
All weekend
Tualatin River Bird Festival: Workshops, guided walks, art, live music, hands-on activities, and more. Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, May 14
St. Johns Bizarre and Parade: The bizarre features local music, street performers, a vendor’s market, delicious food, kids crafts, and a beer garden. Downtown St. Johns, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Parade starts at noon.
International Migratory Bird Day: Guided hikes for adults and children from 10:00 am to noon. From 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, learn about owl pellets, bird feeders, and more. Tryon Creek Park.
Ten Toe Express Walk: This fun series of walking tours is back. This week, tour the Irvington neighborhood, stopping to learn about classic architectural styles and some of our oldest trees. Meet at 9:00 am at the NE corner of NE 15th & Broadway.
Women on Bikes Clinic: Bring your bike and tools to this hands-on clinic. The class covers basic bike maintenance, flat tire repair, and cleaning techniques. Peninsula Park Community Center, 10:00 am.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation Head-Shaving Event: See Mayor Sam Adams and about 300 others get their head shaved to raise money for childhood cancer research. Oaks Park, 1:00 pm.
Washington County Museum Family Day: Kites, fish, and stories about Washington County. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Nikki McClure will talk about her latest children’s book “To Market, To Market” at A Children’s Place Bookstore, 1:00 pm.
Sunday, May 15
3-Creeks Natural Area Guided Walk: Tour this 89-acre site including the threatened old growth white oaks and the wetlands and streams that they protect. Meet at the picnic tables at the North Clackamas Aquatic Center at 10:00 am.
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.
May 12th, 2011
Happy weekend, and happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
Friday, May 6
Cinco de Mayo Festival: Free admission today only, and free fireworks show. The festival offers carnival rides, Latin entertainment for all ages, and more. Waterfront Park, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Portland Children’s Museum: Admission is free from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
First Friday Art Walk: The galleries open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Montavilla First Friday: Free mini-massages at Alleviate Massage (at Montavilla Community Acupuncture) from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Comedian Demetri Martin will talk about his book “This Is a Book” at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.
Saturday, May 7
Festival of the Birds: Guided bird walks, live music, kids activities, live birds from the Audubon Society, and more. Sellwood Park, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
National Train Day: Trains, information about trains, and live entertainment. Portland Union Station, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
World Labyrinth Day Festival: Outdoor and indoor labyrinths, kids activities, and more. Marylhurst University, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Free Comic Book Day: Participating comic book stores will be giving away free comic books. Check with the stores for their rules.
Saison Festival: Admission is free, and you can bring your own cup (“standard issue 14 oz plastic festival mug”). Samples start at $1. Cascade Brewing Barrel House, noon to 10:00 pm.
Bank of America Museums on Us: Free admission to Lan Su Chinese Garden, Pittock Mansion, and Portland Art Museum, when you bring your photo ID and valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card.
Family Bike Ride in Gresham: The City of Gresham is hosting a monthly bike ride for families and those who prefer a slower-paced ride. The ride will cover about 8 to 10 miles. Meet at Main City Park; start time is 10:00 am sharp.
Mile in My Shoes, The Human Library: This series of talks offers the opportunity to hear from people who might be very unlike yourself. Today, Muna Abshir Mohamud answers the question, “What’s it like to be Muslim?” Central Library, 1:00 pm.
Kids’ Drawing Party: Carolyn Conahan hosts a drawing party to celebrate her new picture book, “The Big Wish.” Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 1:00 pm.
Sunday, May 8
Bank of America Museums on Us: Free admission to Lan Su Chinese Garden, Pittock Mansion, and Portland Art Museum, when you bring your photo ID and valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card.
Steve Earle 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.
May 5th, 2011
