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

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: Nov 7–9

Admission is free for all events below. Have a great weekend!

Friday, November 7

• Free First Friday Night at Portland Children’s Museum: Admission to the museum is free from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Bring a gift of canned food for the Oregon Food Bank and create a garland of gratitude and a pinecone turkey to take home. For more information, visit the event website. 

• First Friday Art Shows and Openings:

  • First Friday East Portland Gallery Art Walk: Several galleries on the East side open their doors to the public from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the first Friday of each month. Go to this website for the list of galleries. In addition to those, Bowl of Thistles and Tilde will also host artist receptions.

  • Multnomah Arts Center Faculty Art Show & Concert: From 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, chat with members of MAC’s art faculty and view paintings, prints, drawings, metal arts, clay arts, textile arts and more. The music faculty will perform at 7:15 pm. All are welcome. 7688 SW Capitol Hwy. For more information, visit the event website.

  • Photography Show and Voice Catcher Reading: The 100th Monkey Studio (110 SE 16th Ave) will host a reception for their new exhibit featuring photos by young people. Also, the Voice Catcher community will read from their new anthology. All ages welcome. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm; reading begins at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

  • Pattern Art Show: Olio United (1028 SE Water) is celebrating the opening of “Repeat,” featuring pattern work by 10 artists. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website. 

  • Press Club will host a reception for artist Charlie Kraft at 7:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

  • Also, go to PORT for more events.

• First Friday in Multnomah Village: During this monthly event, shops and galleries stay open late and offer special events, sales and complimentary refreshments. 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Multnomah Village website.

• First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Camas: This month’s theme is “Favorite Recipes from Downtown Camas.” In addition to displays for the holidays, downtown merchants will serve their favorite holiday recipes for customers to enjoy and also hand out the written recipes. 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Downtown Camas website.

• New Faces (website) will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 7:00 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.

• Ehren Ebbage (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.

• The Old Yellers (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Western Aerial (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.

• Ellen Heltzel & Margo Hammond will talk about “Between the Covers,” their anthology of fiction and nonfiction, at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside), 7:30 pm. For more information, visit the Powell’s website.

Saturday, November 8

• Keep Portland Weird Festival: The Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave) will host a variety of activities and information booths from “weird” organizations in Portland. For more information, visit the festival website. For details on the clothing swaps, click here. 11:00 am–4:00 pm.

• Siren Nation Workshops: In Other Words Women’s Books and Resources (8 NE Killingsworth St) will host three family-friendly workshops: “Zines 101” at 1:15 pm; “What Is Freeschooling?” at 3:00 pm; and “Urban Cycling: How to Ride the Road & Feel Good Doing It” at 4:15 pm. These workshops are part of the Siren Nation Festival, which includes free and not-free events. For more information on the workshops, visit the IOW website.

• Free Events at NW Film & Video Festival: The festival includes two free events:

  • Show and Tell Un-conference: A Barcamp for Filmmakers: This is an opportunity for filmmakers of all levels to share their knowledge, learn from others, inspire and be inspired. Beverages and snacks will be provided. School of Film (934 SW Salmon), 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

  • What’s Wrong With This Picture: Seattle film guru Warren Etheredge will host this talk about films that were not selected for this year’s festival. Open to filmmakers of all experience levels, as well as to film lovers. Whitsell Auditorium (1219 SW Park Ave), 4:00 pm.

  • For more information, visit the event website.

• Marie Black (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.

• Will West (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• Ida Viper (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.

• Author Laura Foster will talk about her book “Portland City Walks: Twenty Explorations in and Around Town” at Northwest Library (2300 NW Thurman St) at 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• “Get Me Through the Holidays: 10 Strategies for Coping with Loss and Loneliness on Days That Hold Special Meaning”: Staff from the Community Care Program of Providence Hospital will lead this presentation. Kenilworth Presbyterian Church (corner of SE 34th and Gladstone), 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Coffee and refreshments at 9:45 am. For more information, visit Neighborhood Notes.

Sunday, November 9

• Siren Nation Workshops: Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave) will host a day of free workshops—part of the 2008 Siren Nation Festival—on a wide range of topics of concern and interest to women: writing, music, canning food, sex, health, self-defense, entrepreneurship and more. 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. All ages welcome. For more information, visit the event website.

• ”Gourdy Pumpernickel’s Harvest Surprise” Puppet Show: Mudeye Puppet Company presents this all-new, all-original, all-ages puppet show about a determined but slightly silly farmer who never gives up. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave), 2:00 pm–3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website

• Kolvane/Joe McMurrian Quartet will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.

• “Election” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

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.

Add comment November 7th, 2008

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: October 17–19

Update: See Comments for more events.

Admission is free for all events below. Have a great weekend!

All weekend (October 17 to 19)

• Portland Nursery Apple Tasting Event: There will be 60 varieties of apples and pears available for tasting, live music, kids’ activities and more. 5050 SE Stark, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website. 

Friday, October 17

• Kidical Mass Family Bike Rides: Wear your Halloween costume or decorate your bike. Blinkies will be handed out while supplies last. Information on different rides:

  • Downtown Ride: Meet at 5:30 pm and leave at 5:45. Meet at the North Park Blocks Playground at NW 8th and Davis. Thanks to Nancy at Central Portland Families you can attend a pizza party at the end of the ride, but you must RSVP to nancy@zcommunitycenter.org. More info can be found here.

  • Outer NE Ride: Meet at 6:00 pm (leaving promptly at 6:15) at Knott Park, near the baseball field (near the corner of NE 112th and NE Sacramento). We will return to the same location.

  • SE Ride: Meet at 6:00 pm at the Sunnyside Environmental School playground. Leaving promptly at 6:15, ending at Sunnyside.

  • Sellwood Ride: Meet at 6:00 pm at the Sellwood Pool, and the ride will leave at 6:15, ending at the Sellwood Pool.

  • For more information, contact Angela Koch, 503-226-0676 x19.

• Fall Family Fun Night at Mt. Scott Community Center: Bouncy castle, face painting, obstacle course, crafts, roller skating, swimming, and indoor park. Admission is free. Activities cost 25 cents, family swim is $1. Bring donations of canned goods and receive 4 free tickets ($1 value). 5530 SE 72nd, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website. 

• Beta Collide will perform at 8:00 pm in the White Stag Building (70 NW Couch St). Performers include Roger Hayes (live painter), Nicholas Isherwood (bass-baritone), Justin Kagan (cello), Lisa McWhorter (violin), Phillip Patti (percussion), Molly Barth (flute) and Brian McWhorter (trumpet). For more information, visit the Beta Collide website. 

• Tartufi (website) will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.

• Dirty Dozen Brass Band will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.

• Leigh Marble CD Release Party: The evening will include performances by Marble, Teledubgnosis, and Auditory Sculpture featuring Infamous Coatcheck Girl, as well as video by Abstract Machines. Press Club, 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Ashia (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.

• Mark Alan (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• The Troublemakers (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. Visit the Rock Creek Tavern website for more information.

• Author Shalom Auslander will talk about his memoir “Foreskin’s Lament” at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W Burnside). For more information, visit the Powell’s website.

Saturday, October 18

• Oregon Historical Society Free Day: The theme of the day is archaeology. There will be presentations on rock art and flintknapping, art projects for the kids, an activity that will show you what an excavation is like, and more. For more information, visit the event website. 

• Oregon Bounty Fresh Hop Beer Tastival: Admission is free; glasses/mugs cost $5, and are required for tasting beer. Tastes of the individual beers are $1 each. Hopworks Urban Brewery (2944 SE Powell Blvd), noon to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Learn about Buckminster Fuller from Allegra Fuller Snyder (UCLA professor, founder and board chair of the Buckminster Fuller Institute, and Bucky’s only living child) and D.W. Jacobs (director/playwright of R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE). Gerding Theater (128 NW 11th Ave), 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website. 

• OMSI’s Teen-Only Night: Plan a date night and send the teens to OMSI from 7:00 pm–10:00 pm. Teens will get to see the new Mindbender Mansion exhibit, and there’ll be Segway rides, a DJ and cheap food. For more information, visit the OMSI website.

• Fiesta con Animales/Party with the Animals: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, some of the Oregon Zoo’s animals will visit St. Johns Library (7510 N. Charleston Ave) from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website. 

• Library Appreciation Day at West Linn Library: See juggler Rhys Thomas perform, hear the West Linn Community Chorus sing, and talk about the library with your neighbors. For more information, visit the event website. 

• Family Resource Fair at Beaverton Library: Get information from local family-friendly organizations, make crafts with your kids, learn about home school resources, and find volunteer opportunities right in your back yard. 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Apple Tasting Event at Tigard Library: Games, crafts, apple tasting and more. An “a-peeling” good time for the whole family. 1:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website. 

• GreenWalks: Explore Mt. Tabor with a guide from Portland Parks & Recreation. 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Appropriate for adults and families. Meet at the Crater Amphitheater near the playground. For details, visit the PP&R website.

• Ben Weaver will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.

• Sudden Anthem (website) and The Raining (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.

• Will West (website) will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Jimmy Bivens (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.

• The Scott Gallegos Band (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.

• Children’s pop-up book master David Carter will present his new book at 11:00 am at A Children’s Place Bookstore (4807 NE Fremont St). For more information, visit the event website. 

• Author Clare Langley-Hawthorne will talk about her book “The Serpent and the Scorpion” at Murder by the Book (3210 SE Hawthorne Blvd) at 1:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website. 

Sunday, October 19

• Fiesta con Animales/Party with the Animals: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, some of the Oregon Zoo’s animals will visit Gregory Heights Library (7921 NE Sandy Blvd) from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Dead Beetles (website) will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.

• More History and Mystery of the Blues: Musician-author Steve Cheseborough will present the music of Mississippi. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website. 

• “Ed Wood” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Sunday Movie Night at Hotel deLuxe: “Hear and Now” will be playing. The Screening Room, located off the hotel lobby, opens at 6:00 pm, the movie begins at 6:30 pm. RSVP to 503.219.2093. For more information, visit the event website.

• Authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson will talk about “Science Fair,” their new book for young readers, at 2:00 pm at Powell’s Books, Cedar Hills Crossing (3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd). For more information, visit the Powell’s website.

• Book Release Party for “HELP! A Bear is Eating Me!” Join author Mykle Hansen for a spoken word show/drinking opportunity to celebrate the release of his new book. PLAN B (1305 SE 8th Ave), 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Ages 21 & older. For more information, visit the event website.

• Moms Night Out/Scrapbook Basics: Join instructor Heidi Brehm for an introductory class on the basics of scrapbooking. Each participant is encouraged to bring personal photos to create a two-page layout, all other materials will be provided. St. Johns Library (7510 N. Charleston Ave), 2:00 pm to 4:00 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.

1 comment October 17th, 2008

Oct 5: Free Admission at Portland Classical Chinese Garden

From the Portland Classical Chinese Garden website:

Garden Free Day
Sunday, October 5
9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.

On Sunday, October 5 visit the Garden for free thanks to the City of Portland’s Office of International Affairs. Garden docents will wander the Garden throughout the day answering questions and providing visitors with brief introductions to the history and meaning of our Chinese Garden.

www.portlandchinesegarden.org

Thanks to UrbanMamas for the heads up.

Add comment October 4th, 2008

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: September 26–28

Update: See comments for more events.

Admission is free for all events below. Have a great weekend!

All weekend (September 26–28)

• Portland Art Open: Portland Art Open is a three-day art event & party showcasing the range of talents and styles of Portland’s artists. It’s your chance to experience art on the most personal level possible—see how each artist envisions their work in their own setting. Visit the event website for more information.

Friday, September 26

• American Indian Day Celebration: Local area American Indian organizations will host a celebration of American Indian cultures at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Northwest tribal leaders, drum groups, dancers, and arts and crafts vendors will share their talents and experiences. Visit the event website for more information.

• ActivSpace Open House: Artists, jewelers, crafters, designers, and small business owners open their doors. Meet artists in their workspaces. Local bands will perform. Craft/bead/art supply rummage sale. Friday (5:00 pm to 9:00 pm) and Saturday (11:00 am to 5:00 pm), 833 SE Main St. See comments below for more information.

• Someday Lounge 2-Year Anniversary Party: Copy, Ohmega Watts, Fleshtone, Ben Darwish Trio, Synchronicity Frequency, Polly High, DJ Hanukkah Miracle and more. 8:00 pm. 125 NW 5th Avenue. Visit the Someday Lounge website for more information.

• Bar 12 will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 6:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information.

• Emily Herring (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.

• Pete Krebs will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Mark Alan (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Visit the Edgefield website for more information.

• John Bunzow Trio (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. Visit the Rock Creek Tavern website for more information.

• Author John Elder Robison will talk about his book “Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s” at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside). For more information, visit the Powell’s website.

Saturday, September 27

• Polish Festival: This two-day event includes performances by Polish dance groups and music bands, a polka contest, Polish food and more. Last year’s festival was lots of fun; read about it and see pictures here. Saturday and Sunday, 3900 N. Interstate Ave. Visit the event website for more information.

• Museum Day: Get a free admission pass for you and a guest redeemable at participating museums. For more information, visit the Smithsonian magazine website.

• Welcome the Rain: Celebrate our abundant rainfall and learn about rain-related issues such as bike commuting in the rain, rain gardens, and more. Art and science activities as well as a story teller will keep the kids entertained. Sunnyside Environmental School (3421 SE Salmon St), 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. www.welcometherain.org

• SoEaPo Summer’s Last Rockin’ Outdoor Fest: At Plan B Bar (21+), artisan booths will be set up outside, live music on two stages (one stage outside, the other stage inside), BBQ. 1305 SE 8th, 4:00 pm to midnight. Visit the event website for more information.

• ActivSpace Open House: Artists, jewelers, crafters, designers, and small business owners open their doors. Meet artists in their workspaces. Local bands will perform. Craft/bead/art supply rummage sale. Friday (5:00 pm to 9:00 pm) and Saturday (11:00 am to 5:00 pm), 833 SE Main St. See comments below for more information.

• Harvest Fun Day and Extreme Scarecrow Makeover (Vancouver): Join the Clark County Historical Museum for a free family-friendly day of hands-on crafts and autumn events such as pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, blacksmith demonstrations, pie-eating contests and more. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visit the museum’s website for more information.

• GreenWalks: Explore Oaks Bottom with a guide from Portland Parks & Recreation. 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Appropriate for adults and families. Park staff will lead this tour from the North parking lot of Oaks Bottom located across the street from 5120 SE Milwaukie Ave. Visit the PP&R website for details.

• Ten Toe Guided Walk: Take a free Tram ride to OHSU and hike the trails of Marquam Nature Park as we climb to Council Crest Park and back. Meeting place: Tram stop, north of SW Whitaker and River Parkway. 9:00 am. Distance: 4 miles. Time: 2.5 hours. Visit the event website for more information.

• Someday Lounge 2-Year Anniversary Party: Opera Theater Oregon, Mortified, Classical Revolution, Action Adventure Theater, Hexasion, Pivot Dance Company. 7:00 pm. 125 NW 5th Avenue. Visit the Someday Lounge website for more information.

• Cold War Kids (website) will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 6:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information.

• Kotogoto (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.

• The Hunter Donnaloia Duo will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Eric John Kaiser (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Visit the Edgefield website for more information.

• Lincoln Crockett & Enemies (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. Visit the Rock Creek Tavern website for more information.

• Children’s book author Amber Keyser will bring camping equipment and her picture book “An Algonquin Heart Song: Paddle My Own Canoe” to share what it’s like to go on a canoe trip. Hillsdale Library (1525 SW Sunset Blvd), 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.

• Fiesta con Animales/Party with the Animals: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Oregon Zoo’s animals will be visiting libraries. Hands-on discovery stations will let visitors experience feathers, fur and scales of a few of Latin America’s animals. Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave), 3:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.

• SCRAP Art Activity: Kids and their families are invited to work with artist Emily Weisbard of SCRAP to create a unique piece of art from reused and reclaimed materials. Presenter is bilingual, Spanish/English. North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth St), 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.

• Vietnamese Film at Midland Library: “Journey From the Fall” is about a family’s experience in the Vietnam War and their immigration to America. The film will be presented in Vietnamese with English subtitles. A short discussion will follow. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave), 3:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.

• Oregon Encyclopedia Project Community Meeting: Oregonians who are interested in our history and culture are encouraged to research and write authoritative articles for the Oregon Encyclopedia Project. Learn more about this project at the Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 1:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.

• Meet Leigh Radford, author of “AlterKNITS Felt,” from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at CloseKnit (2140 NE Alberta St). Visit the event website for more information.

Sunday, September 28

• Polish Festival: This two-day event includes performances by Polish dance groups and music bands, a polka contest, Polish food and more. Last year’s festival was lots of fun; read about it and see pictures here. Saturday and Sunday, 3900 N. Interstate Ave. Visit the event website for more information.

• Family Discovery Sunday at Museum of Contemporary Craft: Using discarded color strips from the edges of printed books, participants will divert paper headed to the recyclery and create paper vessels and other art objects. 724 NW Davis St, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm. Visit the museum’s website for more information.

• Natural Cycles Exhibit Family Day: Join in a community celebration of the new art exhibit featuring local examples of natural art. Enjoy special hands-on art activities for adults and children along the Trillium Trail. Tryon Creek State Park, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

• Oktoberfest at Edgefield: The celebration includes live music, bellydancers, balloon twisting, plant sale and more. Wander about the entire property, beer and bratwurst in hand, to check out the fun. Music starts at 11:00 am and runs through the evening. Visit the Edgefield website for more information.

• Meiko (website) will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 3:00 pm. Visit the Music Millennium website for more information.

• “Blazing Saddles” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.

• Tigard Guitar Festival at Tigard Library: Cascadia Guitar Duo will perform an outdoor concert of Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, Contemporary and Latin pieces from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Author Stanley Plumly will talk about his book “Posthumous Keats: A Personal Biography” at 4:00 pm at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne (3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd). For more information, visit the Powell’s website.

• Author Floyd Skloot will talk about his book “The Wink of the Zenith” at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside). For more information, visit the Powell’s website.

• Ann Littlewood, author of “Night Kill,” and Sheila Simonson, author of “Buffalo Bill’s Defunct” will speak at Murder by the Book (3210 SE Hawthorne Blvd) at 5:00 pm. Visit the MBTB website for more information.

• Author Clyde W. Ford will talk about his book “Precious Cargo” at 3:00 pm at Barnes & Noble, Clackamas Town Center Mall. Visit the B&N website for more information.

• Puppet Theater “The Green Bird”: The Oregon Shadow Theater presents a puppet show inspired by Mexican folktales. Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave), 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.

• Vote 2008: Join Dr. Jim Moore, Professor of Political Science at Pacific University, for a discussion about the presidential hopefuls and the race to date. Bring questions for the group and prepare to get involved in the debate. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.

• Someday Lounge 2-Year Anniversary Party: “Pig Roast & Tank of Fish,” a documentary about Portland’s Chinatown, will be showing at 7:00 pm. 125 NW 5th Avenue. Visit the Someday Lounge website for more information.

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.

2 comments September 26th, 2008

9/27: Free Admission to Four Portland Museums (and More Nationwide)

It’s time again for Smithsonian magazine’s annual Museum Day. If you go to the magazine’s website and enter some personal info (name, address, email), you will be able to print out a free admission pass for you and a guest redeemable at participating museums on September 27, 2008.

Four museums in the Portland area are participating in Museum Day:

• Architectural Heritage Center
• Oregon History Museum
• Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals
• World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

And there are more nationwide, so spread the word!

For more information, visit the Smithsonian magazine website.

3 comments September 22nd, 2008

Portland Art Museum Offers Discount Admission to College Students

If you’re a college student who is planning to visit the Portland Art Museum more than once over the next year, add the museum’s College Student Pass to your back-to-school shopping list.

The pass costs $10 and grants you admission to the museum for one year (September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009). Since the price of a single student admission ticket is $9, the pass more than pays for itself after two visits.  

Starting September 1 through the end of the school year, the pass will be on sale at the museum box office. You can buy the pass no matter which college or university you attend, as long as you have a current student ID card. To use the pass, you’ll also need to show your student ID.

Special exhibits may require an additional fee. But even with that, the pass is a great deal.

Note: If you’re younger than 18, forget you just read this post. Everyone under 18 gets in to the museum for free.

For more information, call the museum at 503-226-2811 or visit portlandartmuseum.org.

Photo by goldenratio

Add comment August 28th, 2008

9/2: Free Admission Day at Portland Japanese Garden

Admission to the Portland Japanese Garden will be free on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The garden is located in Southwest Portland’s Washington Park and covers 5.5 acres. As a visitor, you get the chance to walk through five different types of Japanese gardens, see an authentic tea house, and take in an excellent view of downtown Portland and Mount Hood. 

If you’re feeling ambitious, I also recommend visiting the nearby International Rose Test Garden on the same day. It’s one of my favorite free attractions.

If you can’t make it to the Japanese Garden on September 2, it looks like there will be another free admission day on November 10. Mark your calendar now. In fact, I recommend visiting on both days, if you can, to see how the garden changes with the seasons.

Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97205
www.japanesegarden.com

Photo by Mike McCaffrey

2 comments August 21st, 2008

8/14: Free Admission Night at Pittock Mansion

Admission to the Pittock Mansion will be free from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 14.

The staff at Pittock invite you to bring a picnic supper to enjoy on the lawn, then explore the grounds and the mansion. Expert guides will be available to tell you about
the mansion and the Pittock family who lived there in the early 1900s.

Bus information: Take Tri-Met’s No. 20 line to the West Burnside-Barnes Road stop. From there, a free shuttle will take you to the mansion.

Pittock Mansion
3229 NW Pittock Drive
Portland, OR 97210
www.pittockmansion.com

Add comment August 14th, 2008

8/11: Watch Perseid Meteor Shower With OMSI

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) invites you to Rooster Rock State Park at 9:00 pm to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower.

From the OMSI website:

August brings one of the year’s most famous and enjoyed meteor shower - the Perseid Meteor Shower. Hundreds of star lovers from across the Pacific Northwest are expected to attend OMSI’s biggest star show of the year. The event, sponsored by OMSI, the Rose City Astronomers, the Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers and Oregon Parks and Recreations will have telescopes set up for attendees to use. Jim Todd, OMSI’s planetarium manager, will be presenting informal talks about the meteor shower, constellations, and the summer sky.

Rooster Rock State Park is located 22 miles east of Portland on I-84 at exit 25. The event is free, and there is a $3 per vehicle parking fee for public. For possible weather cancellation, call (503) 797-4610 on August 11 after 4:00 PM to get the latest information.

For more information:

• OMSI
• Rooster Rock State Park

Photo by scloopy

Add comment August 11th, 2008

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: August 1–3

This weekend is another example of too many cool events, too little time. What will you choose?

Admission is free for all events below. Have a great weekend!

Friday, August 1

• Art Shows and Openings:

  • “Thirty-one!”: Thirty-one artists accepted the challenge to paint thirty-one paintings in thirty-one days. The resulting 961 paintings will be on display at OM Tradition Arts (14 NE 10th Avenue and E. Burnside) beginning at 3:00 pm. Then they will be on sale from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Artists for the Arts. Visit the event website for more information.

  • “Mischief”: The 100th Monkey Studio (110 SE 16th Avenue) will host an opening for this exhibit featuring the work of 16 artists. Music will be provided by local Portland teen band, The Vegaleague. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

  • Zimbabwe Artists Project will host an opening for a month-long exhibit in the Olympic Mills Commerce Building (107 SE Washington Street, Suite 162). Music will be provided by Wood Vibrations. 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Visit DIY Alert for more information. 

  • Also, go to PORT for a list of more events.

• Free Admission Night at Portland Children’s Museum: It’s the first Friday of the month, which means admission to the Portland Children’s Museum is free from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Portland Children’s Museum website.

• First Friday in Multnomah Village: During this monthly event, shops and galleries stay open late and offer special events, sales and complimentary refreshments. 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Multnomah Village website.

• First Friday Art Walk in Troutdale: On the first Friday of each month, businesses in downtown Troutdale host local artists exhibiting their work. 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Visit the City of Troutdale website for more information.

• First Friday in Downtown Camas: This month’s event is a special one. Over a dozen musical acts are scheduled to perform, and over 30 artists will display their work. 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm in downtown Camas (4th Avenue, from Dallas to Adams and adjoining streets). For more information, visit the Downtown Camas website.

• Portland Concerts in the Park: Grupo Antifaz (regional Mexican) will perform at Fernhill Park (NE 37th & Ainsworth) at 6:30 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

• Dance performance: Metro Dancers (classical to contemporary dance) will perform at Washington Park Amphitheater Stage at 6:30 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

• Dan Gaynor will perform at RiverPlace Hotel (1510 SW Harbor Way) at 8:00 pm. Visit the PDX Jazz website for details.

• Lisa Forkish (website) will perform at Hawthorne Theatre at 9:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Tualatin Concerts on the Commons: Django’s Cadillac (jazz) will perform at Tualatin Commons at 6:30 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

• Jack McMahon Band (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. Visit the Rock Creek Tavern website for more information.

• Flicks on the Bricks: “The Birdcage” will be showing at Pioneer Courthouse Square at dusk. For more information, visit the Pioneer Courthouse Square website.

• Multnomah Outdoor Cinema: “The Princess Bride” will be showing at Multnomah Arts Center at dusk. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Portland Movies in the Park: “Shrek 3” will be showing at Gabriel Park (SW 45th Avenue & Vermont Street) at dusk (between 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm). Pre-movie entertainment starts at 6:30 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

• Flicks by the Fountain in Beaverton: “Bee Movie” will be showing at Beaverton City Park at dusk. Pre-movie entertainment will begin at 8:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Outdoor Movies in Vancouver: “The Princess Bride” will be showing at Esther Short Park at sunset (around 9:00 pm). Visit the event website for more information.

• Masque Alfresco will perform Moliere’s “School for Wives” at 6:30 pm at George Rogers Park Memorial Garden in Lake Oswego. Visit the event website for more information.

Saturday, August 2

• Red Bull Flugtag: Fearless flyers will launch their creative contraptions (and themselves) into the air over the Willamette River. The event will take place at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and will open at 11:00 am, with first flight scheduled for 1:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Obon Fest: Obon is an annual Japanese festival commemorating one’s ancestors. This Fest will include taiko performances, kids’ activities, food vendors, and Obon dancing, which everyone is invited to try. Oregon Buddhist Temple (3720 SE 34th Street), 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. You can read about my experience at Obon 2007 here. Visit the event website for more information.

• Iranian Festival: The event includes traditional Iranian and Kurdish musical performances, classical and modern Persian dance performances, children’s activities, Iranian food vendors, and more. Portland State University South Park Blocks, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visit the PSU website for more information. 

• Kids’ Summer Block Party in the Pearl: This event includes a Greasy Kid Stuff Dance Party, fashion show, puppet theatre, activities hosted by The Children’s Museum, and more at Jamison Square Park (NW 11th and Johnson). REI will host free rock climbing at NW 14th and Johnson. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visit the REI website for more information.

• Central Library Block Party: This outdoor celebration includes a performance by Captain Bogg & Salty at 2:00 pm, and kids’ activities from noon–4:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information.

• Parkrose Festival & Cruise-In: This street fair will take place along NE Sandy Blvd from NE 105th to NE 112nd, starting at 9:00 am. In addition to the cruise-in (paid participation, but viewing is free), there’ll be children’s activities, food vendors and more. Visit the event website for more information.

• Fremont Fest: This event includes a parade, children’s scavenger hunt and other activities, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Between 40th and 52nd on Fremont, starting at about 9:45 am. Read more about it here. 

• Celebrate Hillsboro: This two-day event takes place in downtown Hillsboro and includes activities and entertainment for the whole family. Visit the event website for more information.

• Ten Tiny Dances: Artists will perform 10 dances in 10 different locations in the South Waterfront neighborhood from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Each performance will be repeated throughout the evening. Pick up a map at the corner of SW Moody and Curry by 4:00 pm to make sure you have time to see all performances. Visit the event website for more information. 

• GreenWalks: Explore Hoyt Arboretum (4000 SW Fairview Blvd) with a guide from Portland Parks & Recreation. 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Appropriate for adults and families. Visit the PP&R website for details.

• Hillsdale-to-River Guided Walk: This is a 4.5-mile walk. Meet at 9:00 am at Wilson High School parking lot. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Portland Concerts in the Park: Portland Festival Symphony will perform at Cathedral Park (under the St. Johns Bridge, North Lombard at the Willamette River) at 6:00 pm. For details, visit the event website.

• Portland Concerts in the Park: Norman Sylvester Band with Gretchen Mitchell and Renato Caranto (original R&B) will perform at Washington Park Amphitheater Stage at 6:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

• Americana Music: The Stumptown Stars will perform multiple genres of Americana music at the Belmont Library at 3:00 pm. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information. 

• Ezra Weiss and Renato Caranto will perform at RiverPlace Hotel (1510 SW Harbor Way) at 8:00 pm. Visit the PDX Jazz website for details.

• Marie Black (website) will perform at Hawthorne Theatre at 9:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Miss Michael Jodell (website) and Matt Brown will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.

• Kate Mann (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Visit the Edgefield website for more information.

• Portland Movies in the Park: “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971 version) will be showing at DeNorval Unthank Park (510 North Shaver Street) at dusk (between 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm). Pre-movie entertainment starts at 6:30 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

• Tualatin Movies on the Common: “Bee Movie” will be showing at Tualatin Commons at about 9:00 pm (movie begins after sunset). Visit the event website for more information.

• Outdoor Movie in Milwaukie: “The Spiderwick Chronicles” will be showing at Ardenwald Park (3667 SE Roswell Street) at dusk. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Uptown Movie Night in Vancouver: “Fly Away Home” will be showing outside on 23rd and Main Street in downtown Vancouver at 8:45 pm. Love Trucker will provide music at about 8:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Portland Actors Ensemble will perform “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” in Lynchwood Park (SE Haig and SE 174th, between Division and Powell) at 3:00 pm. Visit the PAE website for details.

• Northwest Classical Theatre Company will perform William Shakespeare’s “Troilus & Cressida” at 3:00 pm in Woodlawn Park (NE 13th Avenue & Dekum). For details, visit the event website.

• Masque Alfresco will perform Carlo Goldoni’s “Servant of Two Masters” at 6:30 pm at George Rogers Park Memorial Garden in Lake Oswego. Visit the event website for more information.

• Buggy Puppet Show: Penny’s Puppets will perform “Scout’s Grand Adventure” at noon at Sellwood-Moreland Library. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information. 

• Author William P. Young will talk about his book “The Shack” at Gresham Library at 1:00 pm. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information. 

• Children’s author Susan Fletcher will do a reading and book signing at Barnes & Noble in Vancouver at 11:00 am. Visit the B&N website for more information.

• Children’s author Bart King will talk about his books “The Pocket Guide to Mischief” and “The Pocket Guide to Games” at A Children’s Place Bookstore at 1:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Author Barbara Pope will sign copies of her new novel “Cezanne’s Quarry” at Barnes & Noble in Vancouver at 1:00 pm. Visit the B&N website for more information. 

Sunday, August 3

• Sellwood Sundae in the Park: This event includes live music, children’s activities and entertainment, and a showing of the movie “Nancy Drew” (which is also listed below). Sellwood Park  (SE 7th Avenue and Miller Street), noon to 11:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information. 

• Celebrate Hillsboro: This two-day event takes place in downtown Hillsboro and includes activities and entertainment for the whole family. Visit the event website for more information.

• Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash at Edgefield: The Garcia Birthday Band  will perform at 1:00 pm, and the Freak Mountain Ramblers will perform at 6:00 pm. Visit the Edgefield website for more information. 

• Pickin’ on Sunday at Doug Fir: Lewi Longmire, Annalisa Tornfelt and Little Sue  will perform at 3:00 pm on the patio. Visit the Doug Fir website for details.

• Portland Concerts in the Park: Stephanie Schneiderman Band (indie pop) will perform at McCoy Park (North Fiske between Trenton & Fessenden) at 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

• Forest Music in Tryon Creek State Park: Puddin’ River Jazz Band will perform at Tryon Creek Park at 2:00 pm. Visit the Tryon website for more information.

• Portland Concerts in the Park: Portland Festival Symphony will perform at Washington Park Amphitheater Stage at 6:00 pm. For details, visit the event website.

• Lake Oswego Concerts in the Park: Stolen Sweets and Blue 4 Trio (Vintage Swing Jazz) will perform at Millennium Plaza Park at 6:00 pm. Visit the Lake Oswego website for more information.

• Tualatin Hills Concerts in the Parks: Keith Greeninger Trio will perform at Kaiser Woods Park at 6:00 pm. Visit the event website for more information. 

• ”Rear Window” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St., 503.233.5656.

• Portland Movies in the Park: “Nancy Drew” will be showing at Sellwood Park (SE 7th Avenue and Miller Street) at dusk (between 8:00 pm and 8:45 pm). Pre-movie entertainment starts at 6:30 pm. Visit the event website for more information.

• Sunday Cinema Classics at St. Johns Library: “To Have and Have Not” will be showing at 2:00 pm. Free tickets for limited seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. Visit the Multnomah County Library website for more information. 

• Portland Actors Ensemble will perform “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” in Lynchwood Park (SE Haig and SE 174th, between Division and Powell) at 3:00 pm. Visit the PAE website for details.

• Northwest Classical Theatre Company will perform William Shakespeare’s “Troilus & Cressida” at 3:00 pm in Woodlawn Park (NE 13th Avenue & Dekum). For details, visit the event website.

• Masque Alfresco will perform Moliere’s “School for Wives” at 6:30 pm at George Rogers Park Memorial Garden in Lake Oswego. Visit the event website for more information.

• Authors Jules Boykoff and Kaia Sand will talk about their book “Landscapes of Dissent: Guerrilla Poetry and Public Space“ at 4:00 pm at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne (3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd). Visit the Powell’s website for more information. 

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, feel free to contact me.

3 comments August 1st, 2008