Dave Knows Portland

Archives for May 2012

Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 4 #7: Humanity on Wheels

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Humanity on Wheels: An Evening of Mass Transit Tales!Kick Ass Oregon History is the latest series of podcasts from the enthusiastic historians behind ORHistory.com.

And volume 4 #7 just dropped: Humanity on Wheels.

In which we learn never to give alcohol to a bus.

Live at the Jack London Bar.

And don’t miss the photos of this unforgettable night at the Jack London Bar on Facebook. Humanity on Wheels was co-sponsored by our sister-blog, TriMet Diaries!

The brains behind this Kick Ass project are the crack hustlers of Oregon History Doug Kenck-Crispin and Andy Lindberg. Doug is a graduate student studying Public History and Pacific Northwest History at PSU, and Andy, though a Portland native, is currently working as an actor in New York City. Doug does most of the research and writing for the podcasts with input from Andy, who voices the broadcasts with a thespian’s flair.

With the Kick Ass Oregon History podcast they plan to cover just the good stuff: Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll and Earth Shattering, Devastating Destruction.

Ultimately, our goal is to take Oregon History out of the hallowed halls of the academy, get folks excited and enthused about this shared history, and get them out into the state, digging it and experiencing it. Get them to embrace it, and get their boots muddy in the process. It’s all OUR History; nobody owns it.

Visit ORHistory.com and stay tuned to @Oregon_History on Twitter for further details on specific episodes and the series. Catch up on missed episodes at the Kick Ass Oregon History archives.

Norwegian Constitution Day Celebration and Parade (17-May-2012)

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Join the Grieg Lodge Sons of Norway at the Norse Hall (111 NE 11th) for a celebration and parade commemorating Norway’s Constitution Day on May 17, 2012.

EVERYONE MOST WELCOME!! – Alle er hjertelig Velkommen!!

May Seventeenth, “Syttende Mai” (set-na-my), is Norway’s most important holiday. On this date in 1814, with the signing of the Norwegian Constitution, Norway was declared an independent country.

Admission to the celebration is free! Visit the Oslo Lounge, inside the Norse Hall, for authentic Norwegian food, music and dance performances, and other activities. Doors open at 4pm. The Grand Flag Parade starts at 6pm rain or shine, and features traditional costumes, Norwegian fjord horses, vintage cars, marching bands and more!

After the parade, back at the Norse Hall, Little Leikarringen performs, followed by a special Lapskaus Cabaret, a lively stew of Norwegian theater, music, comedy and dance. Performing in our cabaret will be local Norwegians with traditional and specially commissioned pieces.

And you won’t want to miss the Centennial NorskArts Fair, Local artists/artisans of all things Norwegian & Nordic will have booths and demonstrations of both fine arts and traditional/contemporary crafts on May 16 & 17.

Visit the Norse Hall website for more details.

Kenton Street Fair (20-May-2012)

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Kenton Street Fair 2012The 3rd annual Kenton Street Fair takes place Sunday, May 20, 2012 in the heart of Kenton, on N. Denver between Schofield and Willis, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Kenton Fair is an annual celebration of diverse and engaged communities aimed at promoting local growth and a sustainable future for Historic Kenton.

The music lineup for the fair is impressive – and need two stages and several bars to contain it.

Additionally there is a kids stage and activities for the kids.

Don’t miss the Coaster Car Race – I have not yet witnessed it myself, but it looks a bit like a short track soap box derby race.

And of course there will be local craft vendors – over 70, and lots of food too, and tons of fun!

Visit the Kenton Business Association event website and the Facebook page for more details.

Stumptown Stories: Bestiary of the Beaver State (15-May-2012)

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The Jack London BarThe Stumptown Stories series, geared to everyone who loves this city we live in, takes place most Tuesdays at Jack London bar (basement of the Rialto, SW 4th and Alder). Free to get in, but must be 21 or over – there’s a full bar!

This Tuesday, May 15, 2012 join Kick Ass Oregon History‘s resident historian Doug Kenck-Crispin as he presents a Bestiary of the Beaver State and a silent film about a dog who walked a long way.

(My guess is the silent film is about Bobbie the Wonder Dog, whose story you may recall from Kick Ass Oregon History podcast volume 2, episode 1).

Doors open at 5pm for this free event (21 and over only). Presentation begins at 7:30pm.

Rose City Used Book Fair (May 18-19, 2012)

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Rose City Book FairThe 2012 Rose City Used Book Fair takes place Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19 at The Double Tree Lloyd Center (1000 NE Multnomah). The fair runs from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is only $2, or $1 with a can of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

This unpretentious book fair is sponsored by the Portland Area Used Booksellers’ Association, and features thousands of books from independent booksellers from Portland and beyond. Over forty exhibitors will be displaying and selling used books, bargain books, collectible books, prints, and ephemera. In addition experts will be on hand for appraisals, several seminars are scheduled, and there will be door prizes.

Visit the fair website and Facebook page for more details, including a map and list of exhibitors.