Dave Knows Portland

Popina Swimwear Boutique Travel Showcase First Thursday (5-May-2011)

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Popina Travel ShowcasePopina Swimwear Boutique in the Pearl District (318 NW 11th) is hosting a series of travel events with the help of experts from the travel site BootsnAll.

The third Popina Swimwear Boutique Travel Showcase takes place this First Thursday, May 5, 2011 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm:

This month to celebrate Cinco de Mayo we are going to lead a discussion about visiting the Mexican Rivera. The talk will be lead by Popina owners Will and Pamela Levenson and Bootsnall staff. So come to chat travel, learn something new about the Mexican Rivera enjoy a free Kona Brewing beer, and enter to win great prizes:

*2 First Class upgrades on Alaska Airlines
*$75 travel voucher from Alaska Airlines
*An Ellington travel bag

The free beer from Kona Brewing will be the recently debuted new seasonal Koko Brown. For more details visit the Popina Swimwear website. RSVP on the Facebook Event page.

Cinco De Mayo Fiesta 2011

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Update: 2012 Cinco de Mayo details here!

Cinco De Mayo 2011Join tens of thousands this weekend at Waterfront Park between the Hawthorne and Morrison bridges to celebrate the Mexican army’s 1862 defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla:
It’s the 27th annual Portland Cinco de Mayo festival!

Sponsored by the non-profit Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association, enjoy the rides, music and dance, food and more from Wednesday, el Cinco de Mayo, through Sunday (. . . um, el Ocho de Mayo).

Luchadores! Fireworks!

This year’s festival also features Lucha Libre bouts on Saturday and Sunday, with “El Oriental”, “Hysteria”, “Mascarita Dorada”, “Mini-Alebrije”, California: “El Gato”, “Mega Boy” visiting from Mexico City and six wrestlers from Oregon.

And per tradition there will be a fireworks demonstration at 10pm on Friday.

Festival hours are 11am to 11pm. Admission is $6 if you’re 13 or older, $3 for those 6 to 12, $4 for seniors (62 and over), and kids under 6 get in free. Visit the Cinco De Mayo website for entertainment schedule, special deals, and other event details.

Cinco De Mayo Carnival from Andrew Curtis on Vimeo.

September 15: El Grito de la Independencia 2010

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Update: For 2011 information go here: El Grito y Fiestas Patrias 2011

El GritoEl Grito was the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence. The event is remembered and celebrated each year on the night of September 15. This year President Calderón of Mexico will ring the bells of the National Palace in Mexico City, and give his 2010 version of el Grito from the balcony of the palace to the assembled masses in the Plaza de la Constitución. Through out Mexico, and parts of the world with Mexican expatriate communities, similar celebrations will take place.

Celebrate Portland’s El Grito at Pioneer Courthouse Square today, September 15 2010 from 11am until late, with live music, ballet folkórico dancers, and more.

Then join the Year of the Bicentennial celebration on Thursday, September 16 2010 at City Park in Beaverton – find out more details at El Hispanic News.

August 6-8: Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana 2010

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Woodburn Fiesta MexicanaThe 47th annual Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana takes place this weekend, August 6 through 8, 2010.

The festival’s beginnings can be traced to 1964, when merchant Russell Baglien and the local Chamber of Commerce threw a small casual event at the 1/2 block library park.

After 1964, the first “Fiesta” created energy of its own. More people heard about it, more people came and today the “FIESTA” is the largest and most recognized annual event in Woodburn, as well as, the surrounding communities. The population of migrant people who came to the area to work and return to their native states has now evolved into a significant Mexican-American population; the majority are recent immigrants. Three factors worked in tandem in changing the demographics in this area or Marion County: (1) fertile soil and many crops that thrive in our climate; (2) farmers in need of expanding their agricultural products and (3) the families from the southwest who were willing to venture to the area in search of a better life. The rest is history; and each family with their own unique story on why they settled in the Woodburn area.

Today the Woodburn Fiesta features authentic food from various regions of Mexico, salsa dancing, charros, and fútbol. A Fiesta Court represents Woodburn and other communities.

The festival is held at Legion Park, and runs from noon until 11pm on Friday, 10am until11pm on Saturday, and 10am until 9pm on Sunday. Admission is only $3 for adults, $1 for those 18 and under, and infants get in free.

May 1-2: Mayday, Pancakes, Belgian Beers, Crafty Wonderland, Cinco de Mayo, and the Timbers

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Wow, what a weekend in Portland! Below is the list of activities I will not be participating in this weekend because, goddamnit, I’ll be out of town.

Saturday

Interstate Farmers MarketMarket Day – Pancakes in the Park

The Interstate Farmers Market invites us to their first ever fundraiser: Market Day – Pancakes in the Park, on Saturday, May 1st from 9am until noon. [more]

May Day 2010May Day 2010

The May Day March and Rally: Jobs for All! Immigrants’ Rights Are Workers’ Rights takes place Saturday, May 1st. The Portland May Day Coalition is made up of grassroots community organizations, labor unions, faith communities, and individuals. Festivities begin at SW Park and Salmon downtown, with 11am entertainment and sign-making, a noon rally, and 1pm march. [more]

CheersCheers to Belgian Beers 2010

The 4th Annual Cheers to Belgian Beers takes place this Saturday, May 1st at Hopworks Urban Brewery’s upper parking lot (2944 SE Powell). The fest starts at noon and goes until 9pm (so arrive early and then jump on the 9 bus to take you downtown in time for the 7pm Timbers vs. Puntarenas FC friendly!). [more]

TimbersTimbers vs. Puntarenas

On Saturday, one of Costa Rica’s top clubs visits the Northwest. Puntarenas recently finished its 2009-10 Clausura season, falling in the quarterfinal round of the postseason. Since its founding in 2004, the club has quickly become a perennial contender, reaching the semifinals in five of the last 10 tournament seasons. Last winter, Puntarenas reached the championship match of the 2009-10 Apertura season. It has also competed in the CONCACAF Champions League. [more]

Saturday and Sunday

Crafty WonderlandCrafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale

The Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 1st and 2nd at the Convention Center (777 NE MLK Jr – exhibit hall D), 11am-5pm both days. [more]

Cinco de MayoCinco de Mayo Fiesta 2010

The 26th annual Portland Cinco de Mayo festival, held at Waterfront Park between the Hawthorne and Morrison bridges, is sponsored by the non-profit Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association. Enjoy the rides, music and dance, and food all weekend, and on Wednesday, el Cinco de Mayo.

The festival starts Saturday and runs through Wednesday, May 5th (closed Monday and Tuesday, May 3rd and 4th). [more]