PDX Weekend Happenings: December 11-12

December 10, 2010

This weekend, Portland is busy with local holiday sales. Our list of weekend events leaves you with no excuse for last-minute Christmas shopping at Fred Meyer. Support students at PNCA and receive one-of-a-kind pieces of art; visit New Deal Distillery to stock up on artisan foods for your holiday meal or buy local specialties to send to far-away friends; stop by Crafty Wonderland for a plethora of gift choices from Portland crafters. And take a break from shopping to attend a 90′s dance party at Holocene on Saturday night.

Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) Holiday Art Sale

What: PNCA students will be peddling their prints, paintings, sculptures, clothing and other pieces of art during an open-house art sale on campus today and tomorrow. The above holiday cards were made by my friend Cassandra, a student at PNCA, who will be there with her talented classmates to provide you with beautiful and unique holiday gifts!

Event Details: This event is free and open to the public.

When: Today, Friday December 10, and tomorrow, Saturday December 11, from 11am to 8pm.

Where: At the main PNCA campus, 1241 NW Johnson in Portland, at Swigert Commons.

New Deal’s 2nd Annual Season’s Eatings

What: New Deal Distillery is a micro-distillery — you may have had their tasty New Deal Vodka. They’re hosting a food drive/artisan food market on Saturday. New Deal is all about local, high-quality sustainable ingredients, and they’ll be featuring the best of local products, from free-range meats to locally made chocolate, pies, jams and more. These products will be available to purchase from vendors at the market.

Event Details: Bring one non-perishable food item for donation to get in.

When: Saturday, December 11, noon to 6pm.

Where: New Deal Distillery, 1311 SE 9th Ave in Portland.

Crafty Wonderland’s Super Colossal Holiday Sale

What: Crafty Wonderland regularly hosts bazaars for local crafters to sell their wares. In time for holiday gift-giving, Crafty Wonderland presents their biggest event of the year. More than 200 vendors will give you the opportunity to find a unique gift for everyone on your list while supporting local artists and keeping your money in the community.

Event Details: This event is free and all-ages. The sale is more than… well, more than just a sale: take a look at the other activities going on here.

When: Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 from 11am to 5pm

Where: The Oregon Convention Center (see? It’s going to be big!) at 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Hall C.

SNAP! 90s Dance Party at Holocene

What: SNAP! is a monthly dance party at Holocene that usually happens at the end of the month, but it’s been moved up to avoid intersecting with the holidays. Take a break from shopping to dance it off with old-school 90s tunes.

Event Details: Free before 11 pm — $3 cover thereafter. 21 and older.

When: Saturday, December 11 beginning at 9 pm.

Where: Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison in Portland.

PDX Weekend Happenings: December 4-5

December 3, 2010

This weekend we’ve got the whole city covered, with events ranging from St. Johns in deep North Portland to the West Side and over to Southeast and Northeast. This week’s list makes a counter-clockwise trip around our fair city, encountering a Christmas tree lighting, a seasonal ale festival, a dinner in the dark and a holiday craft bazaar. Happy December, everyone!

North Portland: St. Johns Winter Fest

What: The St. Johns Winter Fest is a huge Dickens-themed celebration. The central event is the Christmas tree lighting at St. Johns Main Street Plaza, where Mayor Sam Adams will do the honors. There will also be a farmer’s market, Moonstruck Chocolate samples and prizes, a fire pit and movies, a Dickens character look-alike contest and so much more.

Event Details: I believe the event is free; I have not found a ticket price listed anywhere. Find more information on the plethora of planned activities here.

When: Sunday, December 5 from 10 am to 10 pm.

Where: In and around St. Johns Main Street Plaza, on the corner of N. Lombard and N. Philadelphia.

West Side: Portland Holiday Ale Festive in Pioneer Square

What: The Portland Holiday Ale Festival takes place in Pioneer Square under a heated tent. The event features food, merchandise and of course beer tasting. More than 50 winter ales will be featured, all crafted specifically for this event — you won’t find these brews at the Plaid!

Event Details: Tickets are $20 in advance (you can buy them here) and that price gets you a mug and 10 beer tickets; additional beer tickets are $1. Admission is $25 at the door, and free re-admission is allowed the following day as long as you have your wristband and your mug. This event is 21 and over.

When: Saturday, December 4 from 11 am to 10 pm and Sunday, December 5 from 11 am to 5 pm.

Where: At Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave in Portland.

Southeast Portland: The Portland Blind Cafe 2

What: Enjoy a gluten-free vegetarian/vegan meal, served by blind people in the pitch dark. Join in discussion about blindness, advocacy and spacial awareness, and enjoy live music in the dark. Experience a new awareness of your senses and build community unity through this moving event.

Event Details: Buy tickets online here. Read more about the event here. Proceeds go in part to support the visually impaired and blind, and in part to PAWS, a seeing-eye-dog training program.

When: Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4. Check in at 7 pm, dinner begins at 7:30.

Where: At Tabor Space in Mt. Tabor Presbyterian at 5441 SE Belmont Ave.

Northeast Portland: Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar

What: The Laurelhurst bazaar features local and unique holiday shopping from more than 50 independent artisans and vendors. There will also be a raffle, a silent art auction, activities for kids, food and more!

Event Details: The event is a fundraiser for the Laurelhurst Parent Teacher Association, but I cannot find an admission price. Perhaps some of the vendor’s profits or the food proceeds go to the school.

When: Saturday, December 4 from 9 am to 5 pm.

Where: Laurelhurt School, 840 NE 41st Ave in Portland.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

PDX Weekend Happenings: November 20-21

November 19, 2010

Welcome to your weekend! I’m sure it’s as glad to see you as you are to see it. Certainly two of our recommended events would love to see you this weekend to support their causes. The Swashbuckler’s Ball is a fundraiser party for the Portland Pirate Festival, an annual event that needs some help to take place this year. The Monaco Cup, where you will be plied with food and beer, benefits the United Way, a community-oriented coalition of charitable organizations. Finally, get your craft on at SCRAP, where they hope to provide some inspiration for homemade, non-consumerist holiday gifts.

The Swashbucklers Ball

What: Don your finest pirate costume and come to this benefit for the Portland Pirate Festival to enjoy Caribbean food, drinks, raffles and pirate-y fun.

Event Details: 21 years of age and older; tickets $14 in advance and $18 at the door; buy tickets online here.

When: Saturday, November 20 from 7pm to midnight.

Where: The Melody Ballroom, at 615 SE Alder in Portland.

SCRAP’s Holiday Bazaar

What: SCRAP is a store in NE Portland that sells donated odds and ends at low prices to promote creativity and reuse of materials. Their Holiday Bazaar is a gathering of crafty-minded people perusing local craft vendors, craft tables, listening to live music, eating food from carts and joining in the “killer” raffle.

Event Details: This event is free!

When: Saturday, November 20 and Sunday, November 21 from 10am to 6pm both days.

Where: At SCRAP, 2915 NE MLK Blvd in Portland.

The Monaco Cup

What: A fundraiser for the United Way that pits 6 local chef-and-brewery pairings’ creations against each other.

Event Details: $20 admission includes 6 small plates and beer pairings. Attendees get to vote to determine the winner of the Cup. Buy tickets here.

When: Sunday, November 21, from 3pm to 6pm.

Where: At the Hotel Monaco, Portland’s premier craft beer hotel, located at 506 SW Washington St in Portland.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

PDX Weekend Happenings: November 12-14

November 12, 2010

Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away, and while we still have awhile until we commence the stuffing of our faces, food is definitely on all of our minds.  This week is when you really have to start narrowing down your Thanksgiving plans, and in honor of this preparation all of this weekend’s happenings are focused around food.

Make Your Own Cookbook Straight From Your Garden

What: Portland-based artists, gardeners and cooking enthusiasts Lexa Walsh and Nicole Penoncello want to make you a cookbook. Through their program Your Garden Cookbook, they will assess your garden and then make a custom, handmade cookbook designed to utilize your garden’s bounty to its fullest.  I love this idea and it really makes me hunger for my own garden once again.

Event Details: This workshop is FREE; for more details visit their blog.

When: Saturday, November 13; 12pm-2pm

Where: 2505 SE 11th Ave., No. 106

People’s Food Co-op turns 40

What: People’s Co-op is having a birthday party and everyone is invited. You’ll find natural foods, a cake in the shape of the store and a “People’s Co-op through the Ages” presentation. T-shirts bearing the winning design of a T-shirt contest will also be for sale.

Event Details: This is a FREE event.

When: Saturday, November 13; 5pm-8pm

Where: 3029 SE 21st Ave

Portland Opera’s Hansel and Gretel

What: This is not your kids’ Hansel and Gretel.  This show by Engelbert Humperdinck, the German composer,  features a terrifying chorus of cooks, flying food, and murder.

Event Details: $20+; call for full ticket pricing 800-745-3000 .

When: Saturday, November 13; 7:30pm

Where: Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St

Kenny & Zuke’s Thanksgiving Dinner To Go

What: Who wants to really go through all that effort just for one Thanksgiving dinner?  Wouldn’t you rather be enjoying yourself and spending time with family than slaving over your stove all day?  That’s why at Kenny & Zuke’s delicatessen they want to take care of the entire dinner for you!  They’ll be offering turkey stuffed with wild mushrooms, along with sides like cornbread stuffing, twice-baked truffled potatoes and three different pies. Yummy!

Details: Call 222-3354 or visit www.kennyandzukes.com for full menu. Orders must be placed by 3 pm Monday, Nov. 22

Where: Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen, 1038 SW Stark St.

Weekend Happenings: November 5,6, and 7

November 5, 2010

First, a public service announcement: Daylight Savings happens this weekend. On Sunday the clocks “fall back,” which means an extra hour of sleep, and no more getting up in the dark! Second, this week we have some quintessentially Portland events for you to attend. Nothing screams Portland like a bike rally, pampered pets, coffee tasting and films by Northwest artists.

Be Seen, Be Safe Bike Rally at Pioneer Square TONIGHT!

What: A rally to promote safe commuting during the dark winter months (especially with Daylight Savings taking an hour of our afternoon light). The goal is to fill Pioneer Square with light, so break out your stash of glo-sticks!

Event Details: Winners of the Best Lit Bike Contest will win $75 gift certificates for bike merch. Free flashing lights will be handed out, and Bike Gallery will offer free bike check-ups. The rally ends in an easy-paced bike ride around downtown.

When: Tonight, Friday November 5, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Bike ride beings at 6:30 pm.

Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave in Portland.

The Oregon Humane Society presents Santa Paws

What: The Humane Society presents a photo opportunity for your pet to pose with Santa! Support OHS and receive a fun memento.

Event Details: The cost is $20 for two 5×7 portraits, a holiday card with the photo and a CD with the digital image, and all proceeds go to OHS .

When: Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7, from noon to 3 pm.

Where: At a variety of Fred Meyer locations. See the full list here.

The Second Annual Portland Coffee Fair

What: A fair dedicated to the world’s most popular drink. Sample coffee, learn about brewing techniques (including what you can do at home to improve your morning cup) and specialty coffees, participate in taste-tests to find the best brew.

Event Details: The fair costs $8 for adults and $5 for children under 18. Coffee Fair admission includes admission to the World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum as well.

When: Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Where: At the World Forestry Center, at 4033 SW Canyon Road in Portland.

The 37th Northwest Film and Video Festival: Shorts II

What: Saturday’s 7 pm Shorts II event is a screening of 10 short films by Northwest creators.

Event Details: The festival goes on until the 13th, with more events on this upcoming Saturday and Sunday and the following weekend. Check the website here for showing and event info. General admission is $9; festival passes and rates for students and museum members can be found on their website.

When: Saturday, November 6 at 7 pm.

Where: The Whitsell Auditorium at the Portland Art Museum, at 1219 SW Park Ave in Portland.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

You Gotta Try This!: The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

November 3, 2010

So Halloween is behind us and it’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and those December holidays. This is the time of year where you get to dress up and attend classy cocktail parties, festive and well-thought-out meals, and sophisticated outings to the theater. One such outing should take you to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, where they have been producing great music and entertaining snazzily-dressed concertgoers for thirty-two years.

The orchestra has some sweetly humble beginnings: it started as a group of musical enthusiasts who played together in various groups. They moved up by steps, first becoming the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra than the Vancouver Community Orchestra, as they created a demand for chamber music in their region. String musicians joined the group to form the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and today this professional organization is highly regarded.


This weekend, the symphony has its last regular season performance of the year, featuring two outstanding pianists, Yukiko Akagi of Japan and Alex Alguacil of Spain, pictured here. They will perform together on the Concerto for Two Pianos at Saturday’s 3 pm performance and Sunday’s 7 pm show. Their piece will be followed by the whole orchestra’s performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 and Liszt’s Hungarian Raphsody.

But the really festive concert will take place on December 18. The Big Horn Brass Christmas Show is a “perfect blend of traditional and swinging standards played by sixteen pieces of brass and percussion, and featuring vocalist Valerie Day.”

Another great reason to support this organization is their involvement in the Vancouver community and their dedication to providing opportunities to young musicians. Take advantage of this local treasure and make the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra part of your holiday celebration this year!

Weekend Happenings: October 30-31

October 29, 2010

Halloween weekend has arrived! Although Sunday is not always the best party night, I’m pleased with the opportunity to celebrate all weekend long and I’m pretty sure I can bring myself to stay up a little later Sunday. (What am I saying, this is Portland, we know how to party on a Sunday.) Anyway, for our Weekend Happenings we’ve included some Forkfly Merchant events for your holiday pleasure!

Portland Walking Tours: The Beyond Bizarre Ghost Tour

What: The Portland Walking Tours offers this event every weekend, but Friday and Saturday will be especially appropriate nights to experience the haunted edifices of our fair city. The tour uses real ghost hunting equipment to capture paranormal activity.

When: On Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30, tours take place for all ages at 7 pm and for those 18 and over at 10 pm.

Where: Buy tickets here and meet your guide outside Old Town Pizza.

Pearl Animal Hospital Hawl-Loween

What: A Halloween party with snacks, drinks and a pet costume contest!

When: Saturday October 30, 2 pm to 4 pm. Costume contest judging begins at 3 pm.

Where: The Pearl Animal Hospital, 1250 NW 10th Ave.

Annual Pearl District Halloween Hunt Prize Giveaway

What: A scavenger hunt that takes you to many Pearl District businesses, including some Forkfly merchants, to hunt for activities and treats. Get your Halloween Hunt Map stamped at 5 businesses to win a prize!

Event Details: Forkfly affiliates Asula Chiropractic, Oblation Papers, Salt Grotto, Whole Foods and Yo Yo Yogi are participating.

When: Saturday October 30 from 12-4 pm.

Where: Begin at any participating business!

Sixth Annual Tour of Untimely Departures at Lone Fir Cemetery

What: Tour the gorgeous Lone Fir Cemetery to visit residents at their resting places and hear their stories, plus learn about the history of the cemetery.

Event Details: Tickets $10 per adult or $15 for a family with kids under 12. Buy tickets here.

When: Sunday, October 31, 6 pm to 9 pm.

Where: The Lone Fir Cemetery, entrance at SE 26th off Stark.

Costume Party then Vampire Trivia at East Burn

What: On Saturday, attend a Halloween party with a $500 prize for the winner of the costume contest. On Sunday, try your hand at Vampire Trivia.

Event Details: $5 cover for the party Saturday; trivia is free and requires teams of 5 or fewer. Both events are 21+.

When: The party on Saturday, October 30 doesn’t have a start time; things will probably be happening around 9 pm. On Sunday, October 31 trivia begins at 6 pm.

Where: East Burn, 1800 E. Burnside.

Halloween at the Oregon Zoo!

October 27, 2010

What’s more festive than an elephant with a pumpkin? The animals at the Oregon Zoo may not know what season it is, or care about Halloween parties and plans, but they do know they’re getting treats, and they’re ready to share the spectacle! This Friday at 10:30 am the zoo’s elephant family will receive a huge pumpkin, which they will smash and chow on — it’s called the Annual Squishing of the Squash, and the photo op is free with admission to the zoo.

The zoo will also host a Halloween event this weekend where kids in costume can complete scavenger hunts for goody bags. Howloween takes place Saturday and Sunday from 11 am until 4 pm. Of course any day is a good day to go to the zoo, where daily zookeeper talks, animal feedings and environmental enrichment combine with the awesomeness of the animals for a great outing.

The presentation of pumpkins to the animals is one form of the environmental enrichment the zoo uses to keep animals fit, stimulated and to satisfy their instincts. Watching the animals’ behavior with puzzles and unusual objects (like pumpkins) create opportunities for visitors to learn about the animals’ behavior and see their wild nature in action. The Oregon Zoo does a tremendous job of keeping their charges happy and healthy, and educating the public about conservation, while providing the very basic but very much appreciated opportunity to see these amazing creatures.

Speaking of conservation, the Oregon Zoo tweeted today to remind us to think of our animal friends as we buy candy for this weekend. Palm oil harvested using non-sustainable methods in Indonesia and Malaysia causes deforestation and destruction of orangutan habitat. Find the Palm Oil Candy Guide here to see which companies and candies use sustainable palm oil in their recipes. The Oregon Zoo orangutans have recently moved to a new habitat, so be sure to pay them a visit after you do right by their cousins in the wild!

After the Halloween festivities this weekend, the zoo will prepare for Zoolights, the annual holiday event featuring music and decorations. Check Forkfly for discounts on admission and purchases at the Oregon Zoo Store, and get out there soon to take advantage of these great events and to support our zoo.

PDX Weekend Happenings: October 22-24

October 22, 2010

Get your Halloween fix a week early with more zombie-oriented events than you would expect to find in one city, a punk rock style haunted house with a bar and live bands, and an Audubon event that lets you see some spooky winged creatures up close.

Tease Time: Zombie Halloween Burlesque Show at Tonic Lounge

What: A live show by All the Apparatus, featuring burlesque zombie choreography.

Event Details: $7 admission. Zombie attire is requested of guests, but no worries if you show up unprepared — a zombie transformation station is available!

When: Tonight, Friday October 22. Doors at 8:30 pm, show at 9 pm for those 21+. For minors, All the Apparatus will play a show street-side at 8:30 pm.

Where: Tonic Lounge, 3100 NE Sandy.

The 6th Annual Portland Zombie Walk

What: A gathering of costumed, Halloween-and-horror-movie-loving Portlanders ready to terrorize our fair streets. The Thriller Dance will also be performed. Participants and photographers/gawkers welcome.

Event Details: Free!

When: Saturday, October 23. Gathering and photo op at 3:30 pm; Thriller dance at 4; walk begins after dance.

Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square.

The Blood Shack Haunted House

What: A haunted house, plus much more. The Blood Shack has live music on the weekends, a beer garden, hot Hammy’s pizza, horror movies playing and horror-themed pinball.

Event Details: $10 admission. Tiny’s Coffee is providing free coffee for designated drivers on the weekends. This is an adult-oriented event.

When: 8 pm to 1 am Friday through Sunday. The house will be open through next weekend.

Where: 55 SE 11th and Ankeny.


Night Flight 2010 with Audubon Society

What: See owls, vultures and ravens, and take a night walk around the beautiful Audubon Society grounds.

Event Details: $12.50 for the first person per group, $10 for each person after that. Register online or call 503-292-6855 to reserve your spot and schedule you night walk. This event is recommended for kids 5-12 years old.

When: Saturday, October 23 from 5pm to 8:30 pm.

Where: The Audubon Society, 5151 NW Cornell Road.

PDX Weekend Happenings: October 16-17

October 15, 2010

Do you have children, or access to children? They’ve been in school for a while now and they deserve a fun outing this weekend just as much as you do. So today we have for you a list of great weekend events, in descending order of child-friendliness.

Apple Tasting at Portland Nursery

What: The Portland Nursery hosts its 23rd annual apple tasting this weekend. Apples and pears (and juice and ice cream concoctions) will be available to sample. Vendors, live music, a scarecrow contest and free admission make this a very family-friendly fall staple.

When: Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17 from 10 am to 5 pm.

Where: The Portland Nursery, at 5050 SE Stark St.

Portland Open Studios Tour

What: The Tour is an annual self-directed tour of 100 artists’ studios. Observe the process of many kinds of artistic creation, from painting to glassblowing, weaving, sculpting and beyond. Get kids thinking creatively and learning about artistic possibilities with this tour, which is free for those under 18.

Event Details: $15 buys you 2 adult tickets, a map and directions to the studios, and pictures of the artwork produced at each stop so you can decide what you want to see. Tickets cover both days.

When: Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, 10 am to 5 pm.

Where: 100 locations all around Portland.

Rose City Roller Derby Match: Wheels of Justice vs. Windy City Rollers


What: A smackdown on wheels, featuring two of the highest-ranked teams in the West and North Central regions. Roller derby is one of few female-dominated sports; watching a match may be the perfect confidence boost for an adolescent girl.

Event Details: $14 admission, free parking.

When: Saturday October 16. Doors open at 5 pm, match from 6 pm to about 8:30 pm.

Where: The Hangar at Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way.

The Vampires of Fright Town to hold Twilight Book Burning

What: Apparently the vampires at Portland’s award-winning haunted house FrightTown are pretty upset with Stephanie Meyer for portraying vampires as sparkly brooding teenage poster boys. As a diehard Buffy fan, I can’t say I’m please either, but I don’t know about resorting to book burning. In any case, this is happening, and while it’s probably best to leave the little ones at home, teenagers might enjoy the event.

Event Details: The haunted houses are $20, but I don’t know if you need haunted house tickets to attend the event.

When: Saturday October 16 at 8:30 pm.

Where: On the Commons of the Portland Memorial Coliseum.

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