Dave Knows Portland

Oregon Symphony Waterfront Concert and Fireworks (3 or 4 September 2015)

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Fireworks
“Lacroix display WFC2010” by Fieldington at English Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Join the Oregon Symphony on Thursday, 3 September 2015 (rain date: Friday, 4 September) for the
Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhoods Waterfront Concert – an afternoon musical festival and concert – at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

The afternoon music festival runs from 1 PM to 6:30 PM where you’ll have an opportunity to see and listen to the OSU Steel Drum Choir, Irish Fiddler Kevin Burke, Hillsboro School District Mariachi Band ‘Una Voz,’ Stephanie Schneiderman and Tony Furtado, and other performers.

The Oregon Symphony concert starts at 7 PM and wraps up about 9:30 PM. The traditional grand finale is a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with an elaborate fireworks show, which includes shots from military cannons from the Oregon Army National Guard 218th Field Artillery.

Visit the Oregon Symphony website for more information, including the full schedule, symphony program, and a list of arts partners participating.

The concert is free! No tickets needed. Bring a picnic and low chairs or blankets for the lawn seating.

Fireworks photo credit: “Lacroix display WFC2010” by Fieldington at English Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.

Portland Weekend Amusements (28-30 August 2015)

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The fantastic Festa Italiana, Movies in the Park, Drive-in at Zidell Yards, and Support Black Restaurant Days – all weekend!

All Weekend

Drive-In at Zidell Yards

North By NorthwestNorthwest Film Center and Zidell present Drive-In at Zidell Yards each evening Thursday through Monday, August 27 through 31, 2015 at Zidell Yards (3030 SW Moody Avenue) under the Ross Island bridge

The movies:

  • Thursday (27 August 2015): Clueless
  • Friday (28 August 2015): An American Werewolf in London
  • Saturday (29 August 2015): Jurassic Park
  • Sunday (30 August 2015): North by Northwest
  • Monday (31 August 2015): Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure

Festa Italiana 2015

Festa Italiana

The 24th annual Festa Italiana tranforms Pioneer Courthouse Square into an Italian piazza Thursday through Saturday, August 27 through 29, 2015.
Arrive early to grab a table in the beer and wine garden (in my experience the beer and wine prices are very reasonable) where you’ll have an excellent view of the stage. Entertainment runs the gamut from marionettes, ballet, and opera to Sinatra tributes and of course (of course!) plenty of accordions!

Saturday-Sunday

Support Black Restaurant Days, Portland, OR!!!!

Inspired by an article about Black Restaurant Day in the San Francisco Chronicle, Portlander Bertha Pearl launched a Facebook event to bring Black Restaurant Day to Portland. The event’s page has amassed a huge list of black-owned restaurants in Portland that would otherwise not exist, and according to Pearl, August 29-30 will be Portland Black Restaurant Day.

Ongoing

Movies in the Park

Movies in Parks

Friday, August 28

Saturday, August 29

Festa Italiana (27-29 August 2015)

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Festa ItalianaThe 24th annual Festa Italiana tranforms Pioneer Courthouse Square into an Italian piazza Thursday through Saturday, August 27 through 29, 2015.

Arrive early to grab a table in the beer and wine garden (in my experience the beer and wine prices are very reasonable) where you’ll have an excellent view of the stage. Entertainment runs the gamut from marionettes, ballet, and opera to Sinatra tributes and of course (of course!) plenty of accordions!

Fantastic food, mostly Italian, will be available from several local restaurants and food carts. And of course gelato, dolce and Italian ice treats will also be available.

Admission is free. Visit Fest-Italiana.org for more details.

Portland Weekend Amusements (21-23 August 2015)

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A Timbers match is a nice way to start a weekend, and three cheers for fireworks and hot dogs! Sunday Parkways isn’t a bad way to top it off.

Friday

Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo

Portland TimbersThe Timbers (11-8-6), undefeated in August and on a two match winning streak, host Houston Dynamo (8-9-7) at Providence Park this Friday, 21 August 2015 at 8 PM.

Houston lost on the road at New England last week, while the Timbers are coming off a rare road win at Salt Lake City.

The Timbers are in 4th place in the West. Houston, in 7th, is one spot out of the playoffs and four points under the Seattle Sounders, who the Timbers travel to face next week.

Saturday

Summer Spiritsfest

Portland Saturday MarketSaturday from 11 AM to 4 PM Portland Saturday Market is throwing a booze fest!

Spiritsfest highlights local distillers who are shaking up Portland’s vibrant scene. It is all about meeting the makers of the local crafted spirits and the wonderful concoctions people can create using local spirits.

Zach’s Shack 12th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest!!

Zach's Shack8 entry fee, sign up at the Shack.
Participant space is limited so sign up early!

But there is plenty of room to come on down and cheer on your favorite wiener! (har har)

Last year the champion consumed 24 dogs in 10 minutes! Who will go home with the belt this year, and how many dogs will it take?!

MAX Orange Line Picnic and Fireworks Spectacular

Tilikum CrossingCelebrate the impending opening of the new MAX line and Tilikum Crossing at the MAX Orange Line Picnic and Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday, 22 August 2015 at Zidell Yards (3030 SW Moody Ave.).

The picnic starts at 5 PM. The fireworks begin at 9 PM. Though there will be picnic tables and benches, bring a lawn chair for the show.

Sunday

Southeast Sunday Parkways

Sunday Parkways

Make your Sunday drive a bike ride – or walk – through mostly residential streets free of car traffic, from one park to the next on the 2-way, 7-mile Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways route connecting Laurelhurst, Colonel Summers, Ivon Parks, and Sewallcrest Park.

Ongoing

Movies in the Park

Movies in Parks

Friday, August 21

Saturday, August 22

Concerts in the Park

Concerts in the Park 2015

Friday, August 21

Portland Weekend Amusements (7-9 August 2015)

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For a change of pace this summer, this weekend’s outdoor activities won’t be ruined by 100 degree temperatures. The Bite, Alberta Street Fair, Movies in the Park, and more!

All Weekend

The Bite of Oregon

The Bite of Oregon

From coast to Cascades to canyons, the Bite of Oregon is a stunning celebration of Oregon, its food, its people and its extraordinary quality of life. Come join the fun at the best summer party on the Portland waterfront and discover Oregon’s Bounty!

Saturday

Alberta Street Fair 2015

Alberta Street Fair

This well organized festival features three main stages for musical acts and more; two beer gardens and a wine garden (which parents will be glad to know permit children – you just need to be 21 or over to drink); exhibitions of bike polo and 3×3 soccer; and of course countless vendors and food purveyors.

Sunday

The People’s Preview of Tilikum Crossing

After Bridge Pedal, TriMet and the City of Portland will host an afternoon preview of the bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians. Add Tilikum Crossing to your Sunday stroll or bike ride—and get ready for your selfie with Portland’s newest icon!

Friday-Saturday-Sunday

Movies in the Park

Movies in Parks

Friday, August 7

Saturday, August 8

Sunday, August 9

Concerts in the Park

Concerts in the Park 2015

Friday, August 7

Saturday, August 8