Dave Knows Portland

Sign Up Now: Old Timey Bars Kick Ass Bus Tour (14-November-2013)

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Kick Ass Oregon HistoryDon’t miss the Kick Ass Oregon History Old Timey Bars Kick Ass Bus Tour coming up on November 14, 2013.

Inspired by the recent Old Timey Bars podcast and taking a page from last summer’s Portland Bar Double Decker Bus Tour, the Old Timey Bars Kick Ass Bus Tour begins at the kick ass Jack London Bar, where after priming the Kick Ass Oregon History’s inimitable resident historian Doug Kenck-Crispin will guide us lucky ticket holders onto the Cascadia Cruiser for the tour.

Lucky tourers will:

  • Visit some famous Portland “Ghost Bars” – places that were once thriving, shit kicking palaces of drunkenness, but are no more.
  • Take a field trip to Eastside Distilling, and get a in person distiller’s tour and learn how they make Burnside Bourbon! [It’s like when your fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Snotgrass, took you to the Franz Bakery – but this place has booze!]
  • Get a chance to visit some current Old Timey Bars that just haven’t changed that much in the past few decades – and as we drink in these establishments, we will revel in our own form of “Historic Preservation.”

I’ve already signed up, $30 gets you on board too. Visit OrHistory.com, the home of Kick Ass Oregon History for more details and registration info.

Portland Weekend Amusements (June 28-30, 2013)

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The first really warm weekend of the year is upon us, so of course: beer. Portland’s summer seems to have begun a bit early this year – the 4th of July isn’t until next week!

Friday

Back Row Picture Show: The Octagon

Back Row Picture Show

The Back Row Picture Show (tag line: Lights! Camera! Disappointment. We make bad movies worse.) takes place every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at the East Bank Saloon (727 SE Grand).

Hosted by Jessica Lea DeNardo and Jay Mackin, Back Row Picture Show is a comedy spectacle where cult movies of questionable origin are screened and insulted – MST3K for the low brow Portland bar crowd.

This week’s film is The Octagon.

All Weekend

North American Organic Brewers Festival

North American Organic Brewers FestivalThe 2013 North American Organic Brewers Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 27 through 30, at Overlook Park in North Portland (N. Fremont and Interstate).

Over the years this has become one of my favorite local beer festivals. Over 60 organic beers and ciders will be available this year, and you’ll find food and vendors, live music, and plenty of shade under the big trees.

Admission is free, but tasting requires a $6 reusable cornstarch glass and $1 beer tokens for tastes. Get a dollar off your tasting mug by showing a validated TriMet ticket (the Yellow Line stops right at the park!), a ticket from the on-site bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank. Kids are welcome with parents.

Sunday

Astronomy Day 2013

OMSICelebrating Astronomy Day, OMSI presents a full day of all things celestial, with opportunity for starry-eyed guests to learn little-known facts about the universe, constellations, stars and planets. Space travel and the fascinating realities of life on the space station are expected hot topics as Silverton-born, astronaut Don Pettit, Ph.D., is the featured guest and speaker. Astronomy Day activities are free and open to the public.

The fun goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Dr. Pettit, who’s been a part of three space flights and lived on the International Space Station for over five months, speaks at 11:30 a.m. Visit the event webpage for more details.

For more weekend events and activities, follow me on twitter, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Back Row Picture Show: The Octagon (June 28, 2013)

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Back Row Picture ShowThe Back Row Picture Show (tag line: Lights! Camera! Disappointment. We make bad movies worse.) takes place every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at the East Bank Saloon (727 SE Grand).

Hosted by Jessica Lea DeNardo and Jay Mackin, Back Row Picture Show is a comedy spectacle where cult movies of questionable origin are screened and insulted – it’s like MST3K for the low brow Portland bar crowd.

This week’s film is The Octagon.

Chuck Norris leads a one-man panty-raid on a terrorist ninja summer camp in…The Octagon!
Joining Jess and Jay this week will be guest-riffer Aaron Hall, expert on all things MMA and Chuck Norris.

Admission is free. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m. Follow @BackRowPDX on Twitter and visit the Facebook page for more details.

The Great Flood of 1894 (18-June-2013)

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Kick Ass Oregon HistoryJoin the Kick Ass Oregon History crew on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 for their 2nd Year Anniversary Party at the Jack London Bar (529 SW 4th) – and a presentation on the Great Flood of 1894, when the Willamette reached its all time Portland high water mark.

It was two years ago that Terry, who runs the show at The JLB, approached The Resident Historian and said, “I Googled Danford Balch and your podcast came up. So, do you want to come down to my new/ old timey bar and talk about The Hanging Danford Balch?” (Cause Terry is IRL all geeked out on Danford Balch) And The Resident Historian responded with a resounding “Fuck Yeah!!” This seems like something we should celebrate, yeah?

There will be booze, and cake of course! The edification and fun begins at 7:30 p.m. Entry is free. Visit OrHistory.com for more details.

Portland Weekend Amusements (June 14-16, 2013)

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Welcome, once again, to your weekend itinerary. I can’t think of any better way to spend a weekend than with books, pride, and a good old fashioned pagan festival (with beer garden!).

Friday-Saturday

Rose City Used Book Sale

Rose City Book FairThe 2013 Rose City Used Book Fair takes place Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15 at The Double Tree Lloyd Center (1000 NE Multnomah). The fair runs from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is only $2, or $1 with a can of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

Sponsored by the Portland Area Used Booksellers’ Association, this unpretentious book fair features thousands of books from independent booksellers from Portland and beyond. Over forty exhibitors will be displaying and selling used books, bargain books, collectible books, prints, and ephemera. Experts will be on hand for appraisals, several seminars are scheduled, and there are door prizes.

Visit the fair website and Facebook page for more details, including a map and list of exhibitors.

Saturday-Sunday

Portland Pride Festival & Parade

Pride NorthwestPortland’s official LGBTQ Pride Parade and Festival, Portland Pride, takes place Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 2013.

The Portland Pride Parade takes place Sunday, June 16 downtown – kicking off at 11:00 a.m.

The Waterfront Festival Saturday and Sunday at entertainers, vendors, and more at Tom McCall Waterfront Park along Naito Parkway in Downtown Portland between SW Pine and the Morrison Bridge.

Find more information at the official site and the Facebook page.

Sunday

Portland Scandinavian Midsummer Festival at Oaks Park

Scandinavian Midsummer FestivalThe 85th annual Portland Scandinavian Midsummer Festival takes place Saturday, June 15, 2013 at Oaks Park.

Midsummer in Scandinavia’s northern climate is the biggest coming out celebration of the year and everyone is invited. At Portland’s Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, it is a celebration of fertile fields, warmer and longer days with games, dancing, food, Scandinavian crafts and of course the raising of the Maypole.

Scandinavian roots are not required to celebrate at this summer solstice festival. As all people of Nordic descent know, it’s always a fun, family friendly and important day no matter your personal traditions.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for kids (6-12), and $15 for families (2 adults, 2 kids). Enjoy food and crafts, entertainment on two stages, and a beer garden. The Maypole will be raised at 1 p.m.

For more weekend events and activities, follow me on twitter, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.