Dave Knows Portland

Portland Weekend Amusements (6-8 November 2015)

by Leave a Comment

The Wild Bunch, books, and broadcast sports – some indoor activities for an otherwise sleepy weekend.

All Weekend

The Wild Bunch – in 70mm

The Wild BunchThe Hollywood will offer three 70mm screenings of the 1969 classic western, starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, and Robert Ryan, from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8 at 7:00pm.

THE WILD BUNCH marks the third 70mm outing for the Hollywood in 2015. Earlier this year, 70mm presentations of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY in March and Alfred Hitchcock’s VERTIGO in July were smash hits, selling out each screening. The Hollywood Theatre is proud to have brought 70mm back to Oregon in 2015. The premium film format, which reached its pinnacle in the 1960s and ’70s, features a greater aspect ratio and higher resolution than traditional 35mm film and is considered by many cinephiles to offer the best movie viewing experience available. The Hollywood Theatre is currently the only film venue in Oregon able to screen 70mm and plans to offer 70mm screenings as a regular part of its year-round programming.

Saturday

Wordstock, Portland’s Book Festival

WordstockThe festival will include author discussions and activities for readers of all ages, an extensive book fair, pop-up readings and concerts, a beverage garden and local food trucks. Wordstock is also offering a series of workshops, and tuition includes admission to the festival. The weekend of literary celebration will kick off with a special Friday night opening event, the Bookmark Ball.

Sunday

Timbers Playoffs Viewing Party at The Crystal Ballroom

Portland TimbersMLS Cup Playoffs continue Sunday as the Portland Timbers face Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Leg 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals (7pm PT, FOX Sports 1). Join us for a special playoff viewing party at the Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland for the match.

The viewing party is FREE and open to fans of all ages. Come meet Timber Joey and enter to win Timbers memorabilia. Plus, the first 200 get a free adidas Employee Store pass. Doors open at 5pm PT; kickoff is 7pm PT.

Wordstock, Portland’s Book Festival (7 November 2015)

by Leave a Comment

Wordstock

Literary Arts is relaunching Wordstock, Portland’s Book Festival this Saturday, 7 November 2015, at the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park).

The festival will include author discussions and activities for readers of all ages, an extensive book fair, pop-up readings and concerts, a beverage garden and local food trucks. Wordstock is also offering a series of workshops, and tuition includes admission to the festival. The weekend of literary celebration will kick off with a special Friday night opening event, the Bookmark Ball.

Wordstock runs from 9 AM to 6 PM. Visit the Wordstock website for more details, including ticket options.

Portland Halloween Weekend Amusements 2015

by Leave a Comment

Halloween

I’m not a huge fan of Halloween, but I have kids now, so there you go. Lots of Halloweeny things going on this weekend – a few are highlighted below!

All Weekend

Dia De Los Muertos at Portland Mercado

Portland Mercado Dia De Los MuertosVisit Portland Mercado to experience the important and festive holiday of Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. Dia de los Muertos, a holiday that originated in Mexico, is celebrated throughout Latin America to commemorate the lives of the deceased with activities we all enjoy in life: eating, drinking, music and celebrating with family and friends. We are excited to partner with community groups to honor our heritage throughout the weekend, and we hope you will join us to celebrate yours.

Friday

Squishing of the Squash

Oregon ZooThe Oregon Zoo’s annual Squishing of the Squash, in which some of the world’s largest land animals demolish some of the area’s largest pumpkins, will be held Friday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m.

The Squishing of the Squash is a precursor to the zoo’s Howloween celebration on Saturday, Oct. 31. Events on Saturday include a fun scavenger hunt that directs trick-or-treaters to easily accessible activity stations throughout the zoo where they can collect candy and prizes.

Saturday

The Great Pumpkin Event

The Great Pumpkin EventJoin Portland Farmers Market for the annual Great Pumpkin Event at PSU! An all ages pumpkin carving contest will begin at 9 am, followed by a children’s costume parade starting at Noon. Goody bags will be provided to parade participants and costumes are highly encouraged!

Halloween Family Fun at the Portland Aerial Tram

Portland Aerial Tram CarDon’t be spooked by autumn! Head down to South Waterfront and enjoy some family time at the Portland Aerial Tram. There will be arts and crafts for the kids from noon to 4 pm. Our face painter will be on duty to make your little ones scary or adorable, depending on your trick-or-treat strategy.

And you won’t need a broomstick to fly above the rooftops – take a ride on the Tram and enjoy the views!

Need more Halloweeny events?

Photo credit: Tram photo by Wikipedia user Cacophony. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Curse of the Haunted Curds – Pop-up Poutine Benefit (29 October 2015)

by Leave a Comment

Poutine

Curse of the Haunted Curds – the Brewer’s Revenge – takes place Thursday, 29 October 2015, at Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House (210 NW 11th). This pop-up poutine competition benefits Sisters of the Road.

From 11 AM to 8 PM visitors to the pub can order a special poutine sampler plate ($10 donation) featuring poutines from five chefs from area pubs (Deschutes, Fat Heads, Portland Brewing, 10 Barrel, Rogue). Each poutine features a gravy made with one of their beers, and event sponsor Face Rock Creamery‘s Vampire Slayer garlic-cheddar curds.

At 6 PM a judging panel including cheesemonger Steve Jones will decide on a winner. The “People’s Choice Award” will also be presented to the chef who received the most votes from diners who ordered the poutine sampler throughout the day.

Read the press release at Brewpublic for more details.

Portland Fermentation Festival (27 October 2015)

by Leave a Comment

Portland Fermentation Festival 2015The 6th annual Portland Fermentation Festival takes place Tuesday, 27 October 2015, at Ecotrust’s Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center (721 NW 9th) from 6 PM to 9:30 PM. .

Bring your own homemade fermented foods – everyone can share. Nothing at this food fest is for sale – it’s all about sharing tastes, and knowledge. Plus there are doors prizes, give-aways and Fermentation Festival souvenirs!

Sample pickles, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, miso, and more from 30 different amateur and professional fermenters! On the rooftop enjoy beer, hard cider, and Bingo Sandwiches.

Admission is $10 for the 7 PM to 8 PM tasting sessions, or $20 for the session plus the 6 PM expert panel tasting – visit the Portland Fermentation Festival website for advance ticket information.

Local food writer Liz Crain, co-organizer of the festival with George Winborn and David Barber, shares more details and highlights of the 2011 event at Food Lover’s Guide to Portland. There’s a nice review of the 2014 event at Cooking up a Story.