Dave Knows Portland

TOAST: The Oregon Artisan Spirit Tasting (April 28-29, 2012)

by Leave a Comment

TOASTThe Oregon Distillers Guild presents the second annual T.O.A.S.T.: The Oregon Artisan Spirit Tasting this Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29, 2012 at Two World Trade Center (121 SW Salmon, Bridge Level 3, Sky Bridge Terrace) from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. both days.

Featuring more than fifty local, national, and international artisan spirit producers pouring over one hundred spirits, TOAST is the largest public tasting of craft spirits in North America.

TOAST allows small distillers to showcase their handcrafted spirits, while providing an opportunity for the public to experience the diversity and quality of craft spirits from Oregon and beyond. From Absinthe to Whiskey, virtually every spirit category will be represented.

Admission each day is $49 at the door, $40 advanced online (the coupon code is apparently “SITE”). Admission includes spirit and cocktail samples, ODG logo tasting glass, and a light buffet.

Stumptown Stories: Homer Davenport? (24-April-2012)

by Leave a Comment

Homer DavenportThe Stumptown Stories series, geared to everyone who loves this city we live in, takes place most Tuesdays at Jack London bar (basement of the Rialto, SW 4th and Alder). Free to get in, but must be 21 or over – there’s a full bar!

On Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Stumptown Stories presents Homer Daventport?

Homer Davenport (1867-1912) was one of the most successful artists Oregon has ever produced. Yet, few outside his hometown are even aware of the impact this self-described “country boy” had on society, in the transition between those eras known as The Gilded Age and The Progressive Era. His unique rural Oregon upbringing, along with a supportive and nurturing home life, equipped Davenport with the intellectual tools and the artistic skills needed to hit the ground running. He arrived on the scene during a perfect storm of technology and public sentiment. He is known for his satyrical drawings and support of Progressive Era politics.

Doors open at 7pm for this free event (21 and over only). Presentation begins at 7:30pm.

Offbeat Belly Dance Fourth Anniversary Show! (20-April-2012)

by Leave a Comment

Offbeat Belly DanceEvery third Friday of the month the Blue Monk (3341 SE Belmont) hosts the Offbeat Belly Dance collective, a club rocking, good timing, genre-defying gang of badass belly dancers.

This Friday, April 20, 2012 is no exception, and it’s an extra special show: Offbeat Belly Dance! Fun Fabulous FREE Fourth Anniversary Extravaganza!

Friends! Romans! Portlanders! Ninjas! Pirates! Miscreants! Hipsters! And all other players to be named later – Lend me your eyeballs!

Forsooth! This is a Very Special Invite to a Very Special Episode of Portland’s own Offbeat Belly Dance!

Our April show is going to be an awesome show. Why, you ask? Well, because they’re *always* awesome. Obviously! Psh… 😀

And also?

Because it’s our FOURTH ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULARRRRR! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Join Karissa, the Ringleader of Offbeat Belly Dance (pictured to the right), and the other fabulous dancers at the show Friday night.

Individually, the members of the Offbeat Belly Dance collective perform at shows throughout the Portland area, but on the 3rd Friday of the month they come together at the Blue Monk to perform in a rollicking belly dance revue. One of the things that makes it offbeat, is that the dancers choose whatever kind of music they like. Karissa tells me this has included traditional Middle Eastern music, zydeco, AC/DC, Strauss, The Pogues, hip hop, jazz, blues, Old Crow Medicine Show, the Spice Girls, and just about everything else.

The shows are free, and go from about 7pm until 9:30pm.

Visit OffbeatBellyDance.com for more information. You can also become a fan on Facebook, and follow the genre-defying, good timing gang of belly dancers in Portland OR, w/Karissa as ringmaster/carnival barker/propagandiston on Twitter at @OffbeatBelly

Photo credit: Offbeat Belly Dance

Weekend Portland Amusements (April 13-15, 2012)

by Leave a Comment

Who says April sucks?! Well, I have, but I’m wrong this weekend: Filmed by Bike, Attack of the Flix, Packy’s 50th Birthday, Criminal Craft’s book launch – and more!

Ongoing

Tulip FestTulip Festival 2012

Tulip Fest 2012 at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn kicks off Friday, March 30 and runs through Monday, April 30.

What, exactly, is a tulip fest? On weekdays it’s 40 acres of blooming tulips (and daffodils), a cafe, country store, farm equipment on display, Dutch sausages, and a gift shop. And on weekends you get all that, plus pony rides, a crafters market, Mexican food, wooden shoe making demonstrations, steam tractors, entertainment, and beer and wine! [more]

Filmed By BikeFilmed By Bike

The 10th annual Filmed by Bike film festival takes place Friday through Sunday, April 13-18, 2012 at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton).

The festival kicks off Friday night with a street party on Clinton Street in front of the theater from 5:30pm to 11:30pm. The street party includes a beer garden and entertainment – including break dancers! [more]

Friday

Criminal CraftsCriminal Crafts Book Launch

At 6pm on Friday, April 13, head to Bridge City Comics (3725 N. Mississippi) for The Official Criminal Crafts Book Launch and Signing.

“Are you feeling unlucky punk? It’s Friday the 13th, we’ve got black cats walking under ladders, dudes in ski masks spooking out the campers and me shilling my book of bad vibes and ill will. Come on down and get an autographed copy, and do some comic shopping while you are at it.” [more]

Saturday

Packy Turns 50!Packy the Pachyderm’s 50th Birthday

The Oregon Zoo‘s famous pachyderm, Packy, was born on April 14, 1962. He was the very first baby elephant to be conceived, born and to survive in a zoo in the United States.

And this Saturday, April 14, 2012, the zoo is throwing a 50th Birthday Party for Packy. [more]

Sunday

Attack of the FlixAttack of the Flix #04

Attack of the Flix, presented by Microflix, is a monthly competition for Portland filmmakers held at the Curious Comedy Theatre (5225 NE MLK). This month’s show takes place Sunday, April 15, 2012.

Submit your film if you are an Oregon or Washington filmmaker! Entries must be 10 minutes or less, and submitted on USB thumb drives encoded as AppleTV (see the FAQ for full details). [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.

Attack of the Flix #04 (15-April-2012)

by Leave a Comment

Attack of the FlixAttack of the Flix, presented by Microflix, is a monthly competition for Portland filmmakers held at the Curious Comedy Theatre (5225 NE MLK). This month’s show takes place Sunday, April 15, 2012.

Submit your film if you are an Oregon or Washington filmmaker! Entries must be 10 minutes or less, and submitted on USB thumb drives encoded as AppleTV (see the FAQ for full details).

Films are shown in the order they are submitted, and screened live on the interwebz!

Vote for your favorite flicks – the first place winner receives a golden trophy!

Admission is free (a donation bucket will be at the door). Curious Comedy Theatre is an all ages venue, and has a full bar.

This recurring show takes place every third Sunday. Visit the Microflix website and the Attack of the Flix Facebook page for more details.