Dave Knows Portland

July 9-12: Mississippi Street Fair, NW 23rd Street A-Fair, Bastille Day, and Soccer

by Leave a Comment

A hell of a weekend is in store – summer like weather accompanies Portland’s largest street fair, one of the largest French themed festivals on the West Coast, and soccer up the wazoo – on film, on the world stage, and at PGE Park!

Mississippi Street FairMississippi Street Fair 2010

The 2010 Mississippi Avenue Street Fair takes place Saturday, July 10th from 10am until 9pm. On North Mississippi Avenue, of course. This is my favorite Portland street fair. It’s compact, only five blocks from Skidmore to Fremont, so you’re guaranteed to run into your friends amongst the 30,000 or so other festival goers. [more]

Bastille DayBastille Day Festival in the Pearl

The Fête de la Bastille commemorates the storming of the Bastille Prison on le quatorze juillet, 1789. In Portland we celebrate with the 6th Annual Portland Waiters Race, musical acts, French food and wine and a themed market, pétanque demonstrations and lessons, a singing of La Marseillaise, and a Jardin of Wine and Beer [more]

23rd Ave Street A-FairNW 23rd Avenue Street A-Fair 2010

Looks like there’s yet another event for you this Saturday, July 10th, 2010: the NW 23rd Avenue Street A-Fair takes place between Hoyt and Johnson on NW 23rd from 11am until 8pm (other events this weekend include the Mississippi Avenue Street Fair, Bastille Day in the Pearl, and several soccer options!). [more]

Soccer in PortlandSoccer Weekend in Portland – Pelada, World Cup, and the Timbers!

If you like soccer, you’re going to love this weekend. Multiple soccer related events take place Friday through Sunday in Soccer City USA . . . The film Pelada, about soccer away from the bright light and manicured field, debuts in the Rose City on Friday, July 9th at the Hollywood Theater (4122 NE Sandy). The Portland Timbers host Miami FC on Saturday (don’t miss the Timbers Army Beer, Bachelors, and History Tailgate starting at 3pm!), and Club Atlas on Sunday. And of course the World Cup Final takes place Sunday at 11:30am! [more]

July 10: Bastille Day Festival in the Pearl

by Leave a Comment

Bastille DayThe 8th Annual Bastille Day Festival takes place this Saturday, July 10th from noon until 8pm at Jamison Square Park in the Pearl District. Admission is free.

The Fête de la Bastille commemorates the storming of the Bastille Prison on le quatorze juillet, 1789. In Portland we celebrate with the 6th Annual Portland Waiters Race, musical acts, French food and wine and a themed market, pétanque demonstrations and lessons, a singing of La Marseillaise, and a Jardin of Wine and Beer (featuring Kronenbourg beers, Lillet aperitifs, and wines from Georges Duboeuf and W.J. Deautsch, including Mâcon Villages Blanc 2007, Beaujolais Villages 2007; Loire Sauvion Rosé d’Anjou 2007; and Marquis de Perlade).

I made it to this festival a few years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed the Jardin of Wine and Beer. The only problem with this fest is that it’s the same day as the Mississippi Avenue Street Fair. Fortunately Pix Patisserie (3901 D N Williams) also throws a Fête de la Bastille, and has scheduled theirs for July 17th this year – details forthcoming!

le 11 juillet: Deux Fêtes de la Bastille

by Leave a Comment

Bastille Day isn’t really until le quatorze juillet, but this Saturday, July 11th Portland hosts two celebrations at which Portlanders can sip wine and practice French. And don’t worry: both celebrations will have jardins de bière!

Bastille DayCelebrate Bastille Day 2009 with the Alliance Française de Portland at Jamison Square Park Saturday from noon to 8:00pm. Some of the highlights include:

– Main stage entertainment acts, including Zephyr (French jazz); Carol Rossio (café jazz vocalist); Eric John Kaiser (Portland’s French troubadour); Ian Clemens (traditional music from Brittany), and others.

– French-style food and wine – everything from tasty chouquette pastries from St Honoré Boulangerie, croissants from La Provence, merguez sausage sandwiches, pommes frites and other French specialties from Fenouil Restaurant, pastries from Nuvrei, and more.

– The Jardin of Wine and Beer will feature la Metéor beer, extensive wine selections from Georges Duboeuf and even French panaché (a mixture of beer and imported French limonade). And more . . .

PixMeanwhile Pix Patisserie is throwing the Third Annual Bastille Day Celebration Block Party at the North Portland location (3901 D N. Williams).

Pix’s version of the celebration includes a Mini Médoc Marathon, the Tour de Portland Gastronomical Bicycle Scavenger Hunt, a Citroën Car Show, and a lot more (seriously – check out the Pix News and Events for a full listing of bands and activities).

ofb_logoThis year’s event also supports the Oregon Food Bank – for every nonperishable food item donated guests will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win gift certificates to some of Portland’s best restaurants as well as culinary delights made right here in Oregon!

Nicolas Batum has a bloc-notes

by 1 Comment

Allez Blazers!The best rookie Frenchman in Portland Trailblazer history has a blog (bloc-note? ) for French basketball website, Basket Session.com.

In a recent post Batum writes about All-Star weekend. He shares his experience doing color commentary for the Rookie Sophomore game on Canal+, partying with Steve Nash, setting world records, and more. But despite my best efforts learning French, I’m glad that Oregonlive.com’s Tim Brown has translated the post for us at the Blazer Blog.

December 6-7: ScanFair, Radical Books, and Holiday Cheer

by 1 Comment

There are other things to do this weekend in besides drinking beer.

ScanFairThe Scandinavian Heritage Foundation‘s 24th Annual ScanFair takes place this weekend at PSU’s Smith Center. Come for the Scandinavian food, crafts, and the 53rd crowning of Oregon’s Lucia Queen of Light. Stay for the Pickled Herring Eating Contest at noon Saturday!

The fair is held at PSU, on the 3rd floor of the Smith Memorial Center (1825 SW Broadway). Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and children under 12 get in free.

From noon to 4pm Saturday the Portland IWW is hosting the 3rd Annual IWW Working Class Book Fair at Liberty Hall (311 N Ivy) from 11am-5pm.

Vendors include Laughing Horse Books, In Other Words, Tarantula Press, Eberhardt Press, Just Seeds, Malkriad@s, Olin, Red Letter Press, Great Northwest Books, Decentra Collective, Black Rose Collective, and others.

From noon to 5 Sunday the Oregon Historical Society hosts the 41st Annual Holiday Cheer event, A Celebration of Oregon Authors and Artists.

Gather for an afternoon with more than sixty Oregon authors and artists as they display, autograph, and sell their latest work at this popular event. It’s the perfect chance to get your holiday

Neighborhood Notes has more information.