Archives for August 2015

History Pub: A History of the Bagdad Theater: Hawthorne’s ‘Oasis of Entertainment’ (16 August 2015)

August 13, 2015 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

McMenamins Historian Tim Hills presents A History of the Bagdad Theater: Hawthorne’s Oasis of Entertainment on Sunday, 16 August 2015 at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne) at 11 AM until noon.

From “Her Big Night” on January 14, 1927, to “Fantastic Four” that’s playing tonight, the Bagdad Theater has endeared itself to generations of Portlanders, and endured the colossal volatility of the movie industry over the past 88 years.

Few expenses were spared and a church and cider mill were sacrificed to create this Eastside movie palace, dubbed an “Oasis of Entertainment.” Capitalized by the deep pockets of Universal Studios, the Bagdad was called “a triumph of artistry and craftsmanship.” In 1927, it stood as the city’s largest theater outside of downtown.

This event is part of the Hawthorne Street Fair, which will be happening outside the theater all day.

This History Pub is all ages and free. Doors open at 10:30 AM.

Timbers Army Block Party (15 August 2015)

August 12, 2015 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The 2nd annual Timbers Army Block Party takes place Saturday, 15 August 2015 in front of the Fanladen (1633 SW Alder) between 16th and 17th.

Of course there’s a big tent for shade – and a beer and cider garden (21 and over, $4 beers for 107ist members), in addition to food vendors, a bouncy castle for the kids, music, games, and more.

At 7 PM watch the Timbers face Real Salt Lake on one of the multiple outdoor screens.

All proceeds benefit the 107ist Community Fund.

North American Organic Brewers Festival (13-16 August 2015)

August 12, 2015 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The 2015 North American Organic Brewers Festival (NAOBF) takes place Thursday through Sunday (August 13-16 August) at Overlook Park (N Fremont and Interstate).

One of my favorite Portland beer fests celebrates its 11th year with more than 60 organic beers, ciders – and even some meads and braggots – from 35 breweries. Live music, food and vendors; and activities for the kids make this festival one of the most family friendly beer fests of the summer.

Take the Yellow Line MAX to the fest – get off at the Overlook Park station (festival organizers encourage bicycling too, but drunk bicycling is dumb).

The NAOBF is a cash only event! Admission is free but to sample beers you have to buy a $7 cup. Sample tokens are $1 each. The hours are noon to 9 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; noon to 5 PM on Sunday.

Hawthorne Street Fair, The Mighty Mites Session Fest (16 August 2015)

August 12, 2015 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

The Hawthorne Street Fair takes place Saturday, 16 August 2015, from 11 AM to 7 PM.

This one hasn’t always been my favorite – they didn’t used to close the street so you still had Hawthorne’s voluminous auto traffic to put up with – I understand this year that Hawthorne Boulevard will be closed, from about 30th to 39th (though I see nothing about the 14 bus line detour this would require on TriMet.com, so stay tuned!).

In any case vendors will populate the street from 31st to 38th, there will be two beer gardens (one at Bazi on 32nd and the other at the Hophouse on 41st), kids activities at 35th, music at the stage at 34th, and more.

And about that Bazi Bierbrasserie (1522 SE 32nd Ave) beer garden? It’s also the 4th Annual The Mighty Mites Session Fest, an all-ages friendly outdoor beer garden featuring a special cocktail, outdoor games, and food vendors. Find more details, including prices and beer and cider list, at BaziPDX.com.

Might be a fun one! We’re planning on going this year. Heather and I last attended this one in 2009, when the SE Sunday Parkways fell on the same day (as it has a number of years), though it does not this year. It did not suck.

Stumptown Stories Presents: Burnside Vice (11 August 2015)

August 9, 2015 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Join Kick Ass Oregon History’s Resident Historian Doug Kenck-Crispin and JB Fisher, co-author of Portland on the Take as they present the next edition of Stumptown Stories Presents: Burnside Vice – 7 PM on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Jack London bar (basement of the Rialto, SW 4th and Alder).

JB Fisher will take you on a virtual walking tour of Burnside’s vice-ridden past in the 1940s and 50s. He’ll tell you about the card rooms and taverns, the whorehouses, the bad hotels, and he’ll throw in some juicy stories about the crooked dealings that went down in the district back in the day.

Doug Kenck-Crispin has been working on the public art project in the new Innovative Housing project at the old Erickson’s Saloon building. With the help of others, he has archived more photos (many from private collections) of this storied establishment than have been gathered in at least a generation. He’ll show them ALL to you – many never before publicly presented – as well as photos of the project, and a few “new” stories that he was able to drag up.

Stumptown Stories, batshit crazy stories from the murkiest, weirdest, and nuttiest corners of Portland history, takes place the second Tuesday of every month at Jack London bar (basement of the Rialto, SW 4th and Alder).

Admission is usually (including this month) free. Doors open at 7 PM, 21 an over only.

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