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Monthly Archives: July 2008

Bend Summer Concerts

There are several good reasons to head down to Bend this summer for their Summer Concert Series. Bend’s Les Schwab Amphitheater is an outdoor riverfront venue in the historic Old Mill District. During the summer, the Amphitheater hosts a variety of concerts from popular bands such as Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Brooks and Dunn, Modest Mouse and Beck. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy free concerts on Sundays, along with your pooch. Tickets are on sale now!

Brooks & Dunn, Aug. 6
Wilco, Aug. 23
Beck, Aug. 24
Sheryl Crow, Aug. 28
Stone Temple Pilots w/ Black Motorcycle Club, Sept. 1

Check out the website for more information. Read More

Avett Brothers at Zoo

I first saw The Avett Brothers three years ago at Pickathon. I had no idea who they were at the time but they blew me away with their high energy Americana music. With some fast acoustic punk and some beautiful original country songs, they were the standout act that weekend. They have since gone on to national acclaim and a rigorous tour schedule. This is a great chance for anyone who hasn’t seen the Avett Brothers, or for those of you who have, to see them play one of Portland’s most scenic outdoor venues, The Oregon Zoo Amphitheater. The Avett Brothers will share the bill with Shawn Mullins.

Shawn Mullins w/ Avett Brothers
August 24, 2008
Oregon Zoo Amphitheater
Portland, Oregon

4001 SW Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97231
(503) 226-1561 Read More

Bite of Oregon 2008

You don’t have to travel far to experience Oregon’s fantastic food, wine, craft beer and entertainment. The Bite of Oregon 2008 on August 8th-10th at Tom McCall Waterfront Park benefits Special Olympics Oregon, the states Premier Culinary Festival.

This year’s festival features dozens of statewide restaurants, Iron Chef Oregon, Oregon’s finest wines and beers, top chefs, sandcastles, fireworks and more! There will also be three stages featuring Oregon’s best entertainment all weekend long! The Buzz 105.1 returns with Terry and Nelson’s Summer Talent Tour on the Main Stage Saturday August 9th. Come down to help decide a winner!

FRI, Aug 8, 2008 ? 11am-11pm
SAT, Aug 9, 2008 ? 11am-11pm
SUN, Aug 10, 2008 ? 10am-8pm

Visit www.biteoforegon.com for more information. Read More

Red Bull Flugtag at Waterfront Park

It’s time to watch grown men and women try to soar in crude homemade flying crafts. The last time the Flugtag came to Portland was four years ago and I was there. I remember thinking that these people were crazy and that someone was going to get seriously hurt. But it sure makes for a great spectator sport. Basically there’s a giant ramp that participants use to launch into the river. The craft to make it the furthest before crashing into the water takes the prize. It’s all very pre-Wright Brothers. Aviators will be judged on distance, creativity and showmanship.

In 2004 the competition drew more than 50,000 spectators to the waterfront. For more information on this year’s event and its competitors go to the official Flugtag website.

Red Bull Flugtag
August 2nd
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
gates open at 11am, first flight at 1pm Read More

Grocery Bag Fees? Bring it on!

City Commissioner/Mayor-elect Sam Adams is proposing a fee on disposable grocery store bags. The purpose of the fee, whi Read More

Free Summer Concerts in Portland

Everyone loves live music in the summertime; especially when it’s free! My wife and I have been walking over to Sellwood Park every Monday night for their free concerts and it’s been a lot of fun. The style of music changes week to week, and its always a great chance to meet up with friends and neighbors. With only one show left in that series, I thought I would do a little research and find out what other places in Portland have free outdoor music this summer. I was blown away with what I found!

Below is a list of just some of the upcoming shows happening around Portland. If you have anything you’d like me to add to this, please let me know.

DOUG FIR ‘PICKIN ON SUNDAYS’

July 27: Chris Robley, Jasmine Ash
August 3: Lewi Longmire w/ Annalisa Tournfelt, Little Sue
August 10: Michael Dean Damron, James Low
August 17: Matt Sheehy, Kele Goodwin
August 24: Portland Cello Project, Nick Jaina
August 31: Stephanie Schneiderman, Chris Robley
August 14th: Breanna Paletta
August 26th: Oh Darling
August 28th: Jasmine Ash

SELLWOOD RIVERFRONT PARK (Mondays 6:30 PM)
SE Spokane at Willamette River
July 28 Tony Furtado (contemporary Americana)

MT TABOR PARK (Tuesdays, 6:30 PM)
SE 69 & Taylor
July 29 The Menace Band (classic rock)

KENTON PARK (Tuesdays, 6:00 PM)
N. Delaware & Kilpatrick
August 12 Pete Krebs Gypsy Jazz (hot club swing)
August 26 Lewi Longmire Band (down-home rock)

WILLAMETTE PARK (Wednesdays, 6:30 PM)
SW Macadam & Nebraska (south end picnic area)
July 30 – Freak Mountain Ramblers (country rockabilly)
August 5 – Celebrating National Night Out with Koral Jam (Hawaiian)

WALLACE PARK (Thursdays, 6:30 PM)
NW 25 & Raleigh
July 24 Brian Wait Band (family fun)
July 31 Dirty Martini Trio (acoustic pop)

COUCH PARK (Thursdays, 6:30 PM)
NW 20 & Glisan
August 7 The Stolen Sweets (?30s swing jazz)
August 14 The ChaPMan Swifts (alt blues rock)

VENTURA PARK (Thursdays, 6:00 PM)
SE 117 & Stark
August 21 Gordon Neal Herman Trio (jazz), Fred Sanchez (classical piano)
August 28 Melao de Caña (Cuban dance party)

FERNHILL PARK (Fridays, 6:30 PM)
NE 37 & Ainsworth
July 25 Casey Neill and the Norway Rats (Americana rock)
August 1 Grupo Antifaz (regional Mexican)
Tuesday, August 5 Celebrating National Night Out with Trashcan Joe (old-timey strings)

POWELL BUTTE NATURE PARK (Saturdays, 7:00 PM)
SE 162 & Powell
July 26 Pan Gypsies Steel Drum Band (Caribbean fun)

ROSE CITY PARK (Saturdays, 6:30 PM)
NE 64 & Tillamook
July 27 Linda Hornbuckle (soul-tinged R&B)
Aug 3 Stephanie Schneiderman Band (indy pop)

PORTLAND FESTIVAL SYMPHONY SERIES
Lajos Balogh, Music Director & Conductor
6:00 PM
July 30 Peninsula Park (N. Albina & Rosa Parks Way): Thara Memory, guest conductor, with Peter Piazza and Gutfeelings (jazz ensemble)
August 2 Cathedral Park (under the St Johns Bridge, N. Lombard at the Willamette River): Michael Allen Harrison, guest artist
August 3 Washington Park
August 9 Grant Park (NE 36 & Brazee)
August 10 Washington Park: 3 Leg Torso, guest artists
August 17 Laurelhurst Park (SE 35 & Oak)

WASHINGTON PARK SUMMER FESTIVAL
Washington Park Amphitheater Stage, 6:00 PM

August 2 Norman Sylvester Band with Gretchen Mitchell & Renato Caranto (original R&B)
August 3 Portland Festival Symphony
August 4 Lions of Batucada (a festival of Brazilian music and dance)
August 5 Jim Beatty Jazz Band (mainstream/swing)
August 6 Pride of Portland (a cappella harmonies)
August 7 Yes Indeed! Charmaine Neville & Reggie Houston (N’Awlins music y’all!)
August 8 The Balkan Fusion Project (lively dance orkestar)
August 9 Sanyu! An Evening of Gospel and Much More
August 10 Portland Festival Symphony with 3 Leg Torso
August 11 Los Cowtones (cowboy swing)
August 12 PDXV (straight ahead jazz)
August 13 Locust Street Taxi (eclectic horn rock)
August 14 Ellen Whyte Band (heart rockin? blues)
August 15 Portland SummerFest Opera in the Park: Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti
August 16 Conjunto Alegre (Caribbean dance party
August 17 & 18 Rain Dates

*Hands-on art activities for children beginning at 6:00 PM.

Tyson Creek State Park
Sundays 2:00 – 3:00pm

July 27 – Rose City Timberliners Barbershop Chorus
August 3 – Puddin’ River Jazz Band
August 10 – Westside Singers ? show tunes, 40?s favorites
August 17 – Beltaine
August 24 – Sweet Thunder ? Jazz Trio
August 31 – Connie Bieberach / Armonia Latina

Pioneer Courthouse Square Noon Tunes
Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon
July 24th – Echo Helstrom
July 29th – Derby
July 31th – The Dimes
August 5th – Justin Klump
August 7th – Dirty Martini
August 12th – I & I Reggae

OTHER CONCERTS
Washington Park Amphitheater Stage – Friday, August 1, 6:30 PM
Metro Dancers Under the Summer Sky (classical to contemporary dance)

Laurelhurst Park (SE 35 & Oak) – Saturday, August 23, 5:30 PM
Providence Stage Band (40s big band)

Mt Scott Park (SE 72 & Harold) – Saturday, August 23
Family Festival, 2:00 PM
Oregon Symphony, 7:00 PM

August 28 – Waterfront Park (SW Naito Pkwy)
Portland Youth Philharmonic, 5:00 PM
Oregon Symphony, 7:00 PM Read More

Share the Carpath, I Mean Bikeroad

I know there’s nothing a blogger can say to change the minds and attitudes of those out there everyday on bikes and in c Read More

Poop Free Yards at Last!

Raise your hand if you hate cleaning up dog poop! I think I see a lot of hands out there. Well, have no fear, one local Read More

Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival

Stevenson, WA is one of my favorite destinations on the gorge. Not only is it home to my favorite Northwest brewery, Walking Man, but it hosts a great little pickin’ fest every summer. The 2008 Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival runs July 24-27th on the Stevenson fair grounds. I’ve been to some larger, more expensive bluegrass fests, but I now prefer a more intimate setting like Stevenson. As is the custom, the pickin’ extends way beyond the stage, with musicians from around the region trading songs all night around campsite lanterns.

This year’s festival has a great lineup of local and national acts: Peter Rowan, Bryan Bowers, Tony Furtado, Dan Crary, John Reischman and the Jaybirds, Molly Atkins and Martin Stevens, Ida Viper (hey Russ!), Praire Flyer, Runaway Train, Rural Delivery, Dr. Corn, Foghorn, The Buckles, etc.

It should be a great time! On-site camping will be available, as well as food, music and art vendors. Single day or weekend passes are available. For more information, visit the festival website.

Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival
July 24-27, 2008
Stevenson, Washington
website Read More