Degas, Forain, Toulouse-Lautrec at Portland Art Museum

A heavily buzzed-about exhibition at the Portland Art Museum right now is entitled “The Dancer.” This collection, exclusive to the Portland Art Museum, features more than 110 works by three turn-of-the-century Parisian artists: Edgar Degas (1834-1917), Jean-Louis Forain (1852-1931) and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). The focus of this exhibition is work inspired by dancers and includes drawings, prints, pastels as well as rarely seen paintings from fin-de-siècle Paris. “The Dancer” is on display through May 11th and costs $15 for adults.

Portland Art Museum

1219 SW Park Avenue

(503) 226-2811

Happy Hour at Blue Dragonfly

One of the best, and lesser-known, happy hour spots in Portland, OR is Blue Dragonfly on 12th and SE Powell Blvd in the Abernathy neighborhood. One can chill out in the sleek, upscale barroom and a enjoy local microbrew (like Old Lompoc LSD) along with a gourmet meal–all for under $8! That’s right, from 3-6 pm Monday through Saturday, everything on the bar menu is $3.99. And these are not small portions either. Try the Lamb Skewers with Curried Crème Fraiche or the Washington Manila Clams with Chorizo and olive oil. Or venture into the burger menu, which includes some exotic patty options such as elk and deer. All burgers come with fries to boot. For whatever reason, this Portland happy hour spot remains relatively undiscovered. But I have a hunch this won’t last for long!

Bill Clinton Visits Portland

Portland, Oregon has seen its share of high-profile political figures over the last few weeks, which may increasingly become the norm as we lead up to the state’s critical May 20th primary. On March 21st, Democratic nomination contender Barack Obama spoke to a packed crowd at Portland’s Memorial Coliseum. This morning sees former president Bill Clinton speaking at OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University). He continues his whirlwind Oregon mini-tour today with visits to Chemeketa Community College in Salem and Bend Senior High School.

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Paranoid Park Filmed in Portland

This past weekend saw the Portland release of Paranoid Park, a new film written and directed by local treasure Gus Van Sant. To many Portland cinephiles, a new Gus Van Sant film, especially one shot almost entirely in Portland, is nothing short of an event. Over the years, we have come to expect a certain grit and anonymity from a Van Sant vehicle (sans mainstream ventures like Finding Forrester, Good Will Hunting, etc), as if no matter where he films, he feels he has to singlehandedly bear the cross of Portland’s art-damaged counter-culture, or at least the stereotypes associated with it. His last couple films, Elephant and Last Days, explored the social mythology behind recent “world-shaking” Gen-X/Gen Y events: Columbine and the suicide of Kurt Cobain. It was almost as if these were films he had to make, events he had to comment on through his art. They were his obsessions. The result of these projects were two beautiful and beautifully detached films. With Paranoid Park, we find an older, perhaps wiser, and certainly more contemplative creator. Without compromising any of his signature grit, Gus Van Sant has crafted a deceptively simple, fully-realized art film that doesn’t have to comment on anything or protect itself through its own conceits. It is free to just be itself. Which, not suprisingly, makes it more of a Portland film than any other I can think of. Read more

Energy Trust Better Living Show - Portland Expo Center

This is the green events of all green events, and it’s happening this week at the Portland Expo Center. The event is a three day expo produced by Blue Ocean Events spreading ideas about healthy living and sustainability. There will be tons of booths and workshops featuring their ideas and techniques on the issues. Such features will include Energy Trust Good Energy House, Gardens Gone Wild, The Burgerville Experience, Portland Fashion Week, A Green Wedding Showcase, Planet Kids, and tons more! The event starts on Friday the 28th and ends on Sunday the 30th. The best part is admission is FREE! Once again Portland is a great example of how a community and a city have come together to make some real changes in our environment. Portland, you Rock!

Hike Mirror Lake, Oregon

Mirror Lake… a rhododendron-lined old-growth hike to a small sub-alpine lake reflecting the snow-clad peak of Mt. Hood, followed by a climb to a craggy ridge with spectacular, unobstructed views of Hood and other cascade peaks - and so easy kids can hike it.

This splendid combination of trails offers the best that Oregon hiking has to offer. The one-two punch of Mirror Lake and Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain is a favorite for first-time back-packers, day-hikers, anglers, snow-shoers, and photographers. Expect company even in the rainy season – but don’t let the crowds deter you.

The well-maintained trail climbs 800 feet 1.4 miles through a beautiful old-growth forest. After crossing a small talus slope with hints of views to come, ascend to the lake after passing through a recovered logging area; look for notches in the cedar stumps where loggers inserted their springboards before sawing away. Read more

Where is The Best Burger in Portland?

Who’s got the best burger in town? A debate that continues on a daily basis on blogs all over town.

In Willamette Week’s just published Cheap Eats 2008, they mention a few: Christopher’s Gourmet Grill, Fords on 5th, Helvetia Tavern, Hollywood Burger Bar, Laurelwood Public House and Brewery, Red Coach Restaurant, Skyline Restaurant and Stanich’s. Of these, I have only had Stanich’s burger - and it’s good. Lots of goop and fatty options for adding on, like thick bacon, fried egg, etc.

Burgerville is probably the best fast-food burger and I think Cafe Castagna is up there for the best gourmet, high priced burger at $11. I’ve also heard that Country Cat serves up a pretty tasty burger that rivals Cafe Castagna.

Then there’s Buffalo Gap, where you can order Buffalo burgers. I haven’t decided how I feel about those yet.

Of all the burger joints in town, which one is your favorite? Would you rather pay $11 for a good knife and fork burger, or settle for the $4 fast food burger that satisfies your taste?

Article By Elizabeth Fuss, Lizzy Dishes Portland

Bridgeport Ale House, SE Hawthorne

Do you have that spot in your workplace, that place where you can just chill, be yourself, even if it’s for 5 minutes? To kick back, put your feet up, do the silent scream? I always try to have at least one chill spot at work, even if it’s in the supply closet.

And when I really just want to relax and have a nice comforting meal and just chill and ponder the day’s happenings, I go to the Bridgeport Ale House on SE Hawthorne. That’s my restaurant chill spot.

Besides their comfort food menu of Macaroni and Cheese, Pizza, Pot Roast and Chicken Pot Pie (which is pretty much just like a big hug from a friend), the service is fast, attentive and not overbearing. The music is good sing along music, even if you are singing along in your head - and it’s loud enough that you can zone out and just forget that there are other people around you, but not so loud that you can’t hear yourself think. Read more

Portland Fashion Week March 27-30th

Portland is taking off this week with it’s very own Fashion Week. This fashion extravaganza begins Thursday March 27th at 8pm, and will be coming to an end on the 30th. The event will consist of display fashion shows, auctions supporting such charities as the Children’s Cancer Association, and many parties. Venues that many of the auctions and functions will be held at, are the Discovery Center and Portland Expo Center. Portland Fashion Week will be auctioning off some one of a kind pieces, and presenting a eco-fashion panel. Take a look HERE
for more details.

Obama Speaking Today at The Memorial Coliseum

The campaign trail has made it’s way to Portland today. Senator Barack Obama is scheduled to speak today in Portland, Oregon’s Memorial Coliseum. Much excitement has caused tickets to be completely sold out, but catch a live coverage by KATU NEWS.

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