Dave Knows Portland

Weekend Amusements (February 3-5, 2012)

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You’ve probably already made your plans for Super Bowl Sunday, and that’s cool. But if you’re still looking for something to do, and especially if you don’t actually care about the game, check out my carefully curated suggestions below!

Friday-Saturday

Portland Seafood & Wine Festival 2012Portland Seafood and Wine Festival

The 2012 Portland Seafood and Wine Festival takes place this Friday and Saturday, February 3 and 4, at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE MLK Jr. Ave). This 7th annual festival is a celebration of all things Oregon, but most specifically our wonderful Oregon seafood and wines.

The exhibitor list is impressive, featuring dozens of wineries, half a dozen restaurants, several breweries, and lots more. [more]

Saturday

Timbers Army Tifo BenefitTimbers Army Tifo Benefit

A Timbers Army Tifo Benefit takes place this Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the Eagles Lodge (4904 SE Hawthorne).

Admission is a mere $5, all proceeds of which go to TA tifo. The benefit features the PDX Punk Rock Collective, Green Flag (a Portland Timbers-themed punk band), and Outer Space Heaters. [more]

Sunday

Other Things To Do in Portland on Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday is American’s biggest [mostly] secular holiday. And it’s happening this Sunday, February 5, 2012. But what about those of us who cannot tolerate American-football? Sure, we could swallow our smugness and drink bud light and eat cheese dip with the neanderthals, but that’s not the only solution:

Sunday will be a good day to enjoy parks; museums; and pubs, taverns, and bars that don’t have TVs – they’ll all be almost empty. [more]

And for even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Other Things To Do in Portland on Super Bowl Sunday (2012)

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Super Bowl Sunday is American’s biggest [mostly] secular holiday. And it’s happening this Sunday, February 5, 2012. But what about those of us who cannot tolerate American-football? Sure, we could swallow our smugness and drink bud light and eat cheese dip with the neanderthals, but that’s not the only solution:

Sunday will be a good day to enjoy parks; museums; and pubs, taverns, and bars that don’t have TVs – they’ll all be almost empty.

OMSIIt’s the first Sunday of the month, so OMSI admission is only $2! (But it will be very crowded; Heather and I visited two years ago on Super Bowl Sunday and had a great time, but were unpleasantly surprised by the crowds of kids. Apparently cheap admission prices trumps Super Bowl for many parents.)

Crowds will certainly be thinner at the Oregon Zoo, and the forecast actually looks delightful!

Bargain Hunting PDX 2012If you’re in a shopping mood, visit the Crystal Ballroom and Lola’s Room (1332 W Burnside) for Bargain Hunting 101‘s mother of all clearance sales:

Bargain Hunting is the Mother of All Clearance Sales, but what does that really mean? It means that you can expect to find some of the most unique, one of a kind, limited runs and close outs discounts from handmade indie artists and local boutiques. In other words, Bargain Hunting has highly desirable merchandise at prices you NEVER find on this type of inventory.

Celebrate SuperBach Sunday with the Bach Cantata Choir at 2 pm on Super Bowl Sunday. The concert is FREE and will be held at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, 1907 NE 45th Ave (NE Sandy & 45th). The program:

Jan Sweelinck (1562-1621): Laudate Dominum
Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703): Cantata, Es erhub sich ein Streit
Georg Phillip Telemann (1681-1767): Viola Concerto – Karen Vincent, soloist
J.S. Bach: Cantata #11, Ascension Oratorio

And of course Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside) is open.

Really, the world is your oyster if you’re free from the clutches of the NFL on Super Bowl Sunday.

Share your own Super Bowl Sunday alternative events and activities in the comments below!

National Pie Day (23-January-2012)

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American Pie CouncilMonday, January 23 is National Pie Day 2012, so declares the American Pie Council.

As part of our American heritage, this day is a perfect opportunity to pass on the love and enjoyment of pie eating and pie making to future generations. The American Pie Council® is encouraging pie lovers across the nation to throw a pie party in celebration of National Pie Day. Hosting a pie baking – and pie tasting – party for friends or coworkers, or to raise money for a favorite charity, are all delicious ways to celebrate on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. Why is National Pie Day celebrated on Jan. 23 or 1/23? Because celebrating the wholesome goodness of pie is as easy as 1-2-3.

For Portland-area pie-related events, once again the indispensable Make Me Some Pie has done the footwork: 2012 National Pie Day Rundown for Portland!

What are you doing to celebrate pie day?

Weekend Amusements (January 13-16, 2012)

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Don’t let the mid-January doldrums get to you, there are plenty of fun things to do this weekend, and Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Don’t miss PFM’s winter market on Saturday, and please peruse the lovingly curated list of events and activities below!

Friday

PortlandiaWhere to Watch Portlandia In Portland

Updated for 2012: season 2!
Don’t have a TV? Don’t have the Independent Film Channel? Watch Portlandia, if you’re into that sort of thing, at the Portland venues listed below.
Portlandia season 2 airs of Fridays, beginning on January 6, 2012. [more]

Saturday-Monday

National Park ServiceFee Free Days at Fort Vancouver

In celebration of Martin Luther King Junior Day (Monday, January 16), admission is free to all National Parks from Saturday, January 14 through Monday, January 16.

This includes Fort Vancouver! [more]

Saturday

Annual J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday BashJ.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Bash

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien‘s birthday is actually January 3rd, but the McMenamins’ 2012 J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Celebration takes place this Saturday, January 14 at the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd).

“Elves, wizards, ents, orcs and all others are welcome to join us for this celebration of one of the 20th century’s most influential authors.” [more]

107ist107ist Annual General Meeting

We are pleased to announce that we have finalized the date and location for our Annual General Membership Meeting.

The meeting will be open to current members of all ages. In addition, you are invited to bring one guest to the meeting who does not need to be a 107ist member.

Important: Because space is limited, both Members and guests must RSVP for the meeting & movie [more]

Sunday

Portland Art MuseumFree Museum Family Day Celebrating Japanese Prints

Join this lively celebration of Japanese printmaking on Free Museum Family Day. Make woodblock prints, create mini-ikebana flower arrangements and transform into fantastical Kabuki characters. Don’t miss this day of traditional and contemporary Japanese visual art, music, dance, and theater. [more]

Buckman-Kerns Brewfest 2012Buckman-Kerns Brewfest 2012

The second annual Buckman-Kerns Brewfest returns Sunday, January 15, 2012 to The East Burn (1800 E. Burnside), from noon until 8pm.

The neighborhood breweries taking part in this rare January brewfest include Buckman Village Brewery, Burnside Brewing Co., and more! [more]

Monday

Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'”

Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities.

The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President’s national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. [more]

And for even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Bash (14-January-2012)

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Annual J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday BashJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien‘s birthday is actually January 3rd, but the McMenamins’ 2012 J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Celebration takes place this Saturday, January 14 at the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd).

Elves, wizards, ents, orcs and all others are welcome to join us for this celebration of one of the 20th century’s most influential authors. We’ll have kids’ fun, live music, performances by Willamette Radio Workshop, the entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy in the Theater, Hobbit-inspired food specials and more! Come in costume to compete for prizes.

The celebration begins at 11am and the live music starts at 7pm. It’s free to get in, but organizers ask you to bring a canned food donation for the Oregon Food Bank.

Find more information, including the film schedule, visit the event page.