Dave Knows Portland

Drive-In at Zidell Yards (27-31 August 2015)

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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.

Sure, you can drive, but consider bicycling or taking the streetcar or the 35 – Macadam – bring a chair or a blanket! Gates open at 7 PM, movies start at dusk. Food carts will be selling refreshments.

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

The entrance to Zidell Yards (3030 SW Moody Ave) is a few blocks north of the streetcar stop at the base of the aerial tram. Admission is $8 – outside food and drink not permitted. Sound will be broadcast over FM radio and outdoor speakers.

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 (14-16 August 2015)

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An amazing Portland weekend is afoot: multiple beer fests (include one of my favorites)j, street fairs (including one of the biggest), and even a rare weekend History Pub for good measure.

All Weekend

North American Organic Brewers FestivalNorth American Organic Brewers Festival

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.

Saturday

Seaport Celebration 2015Port of Portland Seaport Celebration

Come join the fun on the waterfront at THE family-friendly event of the summer! On Saturday, August 15, the Port of Portland’s Terminal 4 will open up to the public for a unique opportunity to go inside the fences of a working marine terminal that is normally closed to the public. Best of all, parking and admission are free!

Timbers ArmyTimbers Army Block Party

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.

Multnomah Days

This year’s fair, which runs through the heart of Multnomah Village on Southwest Capitol Highway, will feature more than 100 vendors who are every bit as eclectic as the Village itself. Booths will be open from roughly 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

PDX Adult Soap Box Derby 2015

PDX Adult Soap Box Derby

Once a year a brave group of racers convene on the daunting slopes of Mt. Tabor to test their metal to their mettle. These pages are dedicated to all those who have spilled their blood, or even worse, spilled their BEER. We thank the community and our beloved volcano for allowing us to tickle her spine.

Sunday

History Pub: A History of the Bagdad Theater: Hawthorne’s ‘Oasis of Entertainment’

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.

Mighty Mites Session Beer FestHawthorne Street Fair, The Mighty Mites Session Fest

[V]endors will populate the street from 31st to 38th, there will be two beer gardens . . . , kids activities at 35th, music at the stage at 34th, and more. The Bazi Bierbrasserie (1522 SE 32nd Ave) beer garden is 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.

India Fest 2015India Festival

Bring your friends and family and come to Pioneer Courthouse Square for a free taste of Indian Culture! Get ready to experience a day of back-to-back dances, musical performances, and food from Portland’s finest Indian restaurants.

Ongoing

Movies in the Park

Movies in Parks

Friday, August 14

Saturday, August 15

Sunday, August 16

Concerts in the Park

Concerts in the Park 2015

Friday, August 14

Sunday, August 16

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

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Almost Real Camel for the BagDad Theater (Sunday Oregonian, 2 January 1927)

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.