Featured Events in Portland in September, 2024(December Updated)

Labor Day Weekend 2024 is set to be a spectacular event in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon. From August 30th to September 2nd, the city will come alive with a plethora of activities and festivities that celebrate the contributions of workers to the community. The event, held at various venues throughout Portland, promises to be an unforgettable experience for all in attendance. With a rich history of honoring labor and industry, this weekend serves as a fitting tribute to the hardworking individuals who have helped shape the city into the bustling metropolis it is today. Whether one is a local or a visitor, Labor Day Weekend 2024 in Portland is not to be missed.

Portland’s premier pop culture event Don’t miss out on Portland’s premier pop culture event this September! Rose City Comic Con is a fun, family-friendly 3-Day celebration of comics, gaming, sci-fi, cosplay, anime, fantasy, and every fandom in between! Information Source: Rose City Comic Con | expotobi

In the Fall Equinox, we invite you to witness Nene's journey finding that there is much celebration to be had as well as honoring our grief CICLOS - Puppet Show by Slow Blink Puppet Collective Join us for a magic afternoon at Wapato Island Farm on Sat Sep 21 2024 at 3 pm. 'Ciclos' by the Slow Blink Puppet Collective is a story that follows Nene, a young boy, grappling with the grief and suffering in the world. Through Nene's connection to his recent ancestor, Abuela, she guides him on journeys through different land bases meeting many different creatures to help remind him that he is not alone. Abuela helps Nene remember that through these web of relationships, that there is much celebration to be had as well as honoring our grief as sacred. Slow Blink Puppet Collective created the story and all the puppets that will be used for this performance. At Wapato Island Farm, please note that the bathroom which is compost is not ADA accessible. Please consider our other show at the Side Yard Farm which is fully ADA accessible. Otherwise we can prioritize someone who has ADA needs with parking and access the field where the performance will take place. There will be signs and parking help to direct folks to the right place. This show is a BYO chairs or picnic blankets. We will have sourdough bread made there, as there is an outdoor oven, with aioli in the Bread and Puppet theater tradition to offer with no charge and there will be some herbal mocktails that will be for sale. Slow Blink Puppet Collective came together in 2018. Their first performance, Areito, was planned to happen on the Spring Equinox of 2020 and had to be cancelled because of COVID. In December of 2023 part of their members reunited and started to work on a new idea: CICLOS. Get ready to be transported into a world of magic and wonder as the puppets come to life in the open day at the farm. Don't miss out on this unique and unforgettable experience! Information Source: Slow Blink Puppets Collective | eventbrite

Welcome to The V Word Premiere at Living Room Theaters! The groundbreaking new docuseries about vegan chefs revamping their cultural cuisines to be fully plant based. Join us for a night of celebration and get a sneak peek at the first 2 episodes featuring the chefs from Portland's own Obon Shokudo + Ben & Esther's before they go live on the streaming platform: Waterbear Network. We'll be doing a live Q&A with the main characters and show creator, and you'll be entered in a raffle to win a $50 gift card for each of our featured restaurants! Please arrive by 6:45pm to secure your seats in the theater :) Information Source: El Astrál Studios | eventbrite

Self Tape Master Class with Alex Draper Come join us for an exclusive Self Tape Master Class with the talented Alex Draper! This event is a must for anyone looking to enhance their audition skills and learn from a seasoned professional. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to refine your self-taping techniques and get valuable insights from Alex Draper himself. The event will be held at the Warwickshire County Cricket Club, so mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience! Introducing Self Tape Masterclass that would be extremely beneficial for performers of all ability’s. My name is Alex Draper and I star as Billy Hopkins in the BBC school drama series, Phoenix Rise - available on BBC iPlayer. I am currently acting on Eastenders, shooting a comedy/ horror feature film, to be released on Amazon and my previous screen acting experience is extensive. I trained at the Bafta Award Winning Television Workshop, Nottingham, and have been filming professionally from a very young age. I was also recently nominated for a Royal Television Society (RTS) award (Breakthrough Screen. The workshop sessions last for 2 hours and cover 3 key areas: 1. The Technical Side – this will cover lighting, positioning, equipment, etc. 2. Scripts - this will cover interpreting the sides, reading in problems, sound, etc. 3. The Acting Side – this will cover character work for screen & practice, practice, practice! This session is suitable for those aged under 16. Information Source: Wilkins Casting Ltd | eventbrite

OR - Portland - Shooting Camp Athletes will need to bring their notebooks for a 30-minute classroom session, followed by 90 minutes on-court. At this pop-up clinic, athletes will have an opportunity to dive deep into shooting science both in the classroom and on court. It's hard to improve at anything that we don't understand, so the goal of this clinic is to provide athletes with a holistic understanding of the ideal movements that the best shooters in the world use, and the reasons why they work. Beyond that, athletes will learn what their own shot feels like--what is okay, and what may need adjustment. If we can get them there, the reps they take on their own will be twice as valuable as they are now. By registering for this event, you are agreeing to the Terms & Conditions. Information Source: BriAnna Joy Garza | eventbrite

Witness the highly anticipated event, "Hard Man soft boy: The Return to Portland!" taking place at the prestigious New Well Studio in Portland on September 1, 2024. Immerse yourself in this unique performance that promises to captivate audiences with its blend of strength and vulnerability. Secure your tickets for just $15 and experience a one-of-a-kind artistic journey unlike any other.

Join us for a Hybrid Collage Night on the first Sunday of the month from 5-7pm in person; and 5-6pm virtually. For in-person attendees, collage materials are provided, including magazines, paper, glue-sticks and scissors . For Virtual Attendees, the first 45 mins or so will be open collage with occasional prompts, followed by a Show & Tell. If this is your first time attending collage night, you can register here. The link for the zoom event will be sent out the day of the Event; and for in-person attendees, please keep in mind that Masks are required for in-person attendance. Find more about the IPRC’s Covid Policy here. Information Source: Independent Publishing Resource Center | eventbrite

Dynamic, Fun & Innovative Improv Class for All Levels, in Portland Maine. Since Fall of 2022! *THE COST ($200) IS FOR ALL 6 CLASSES TOTAL, NOT PER EACH CLASS. YOU CAN JUST CHOOSE THE FIRST DATE SEPT 3. YOU ARE GOOD FOR ALL 6 CLASSES* CLASSES ARE 7:00-9:00PM Bringing supportive, innovative, dynamic and engaging improvisation classes to Portland Maine, since Fall of 2022. Students of all levels and backgrounds can become proficient improvisers and experience the magic of writing, acting and creating right in the moment, using the knowledge, instincts and playfulness we all carry around with us all the time. We use lively, playful and constantly evolving warmup games and scene variations, getting into the various tools of improv- emotional connection, characters, physicality, space & object work, mimicry, accessing innate language knowledge, genres & more. This 6-week class also includes a GRAD IMPROV SHOW, after the last class, where students may invite friends & family to see them performing some of their most fun & entertaining scene variations in local Portland venue, up on the stage . Teacher Adam Groppman is a Boston native and Portland resident who came up in Los Angeles' comedy scene as a standup comedian who went through and graduated from the famed Second City's LA Conservatory Program, took classes at LA's UCB and Bang Comedy Theater, and at SF's Bay Area Theater Sports. His sketch group Sketch Armstrong won distinction in various variety shows, full lengths sketch shows and at festivals including LA's Comedy Central Stage, The Comedy Cocktail Show, SF SketchFest, Sacramento All Sketch, UCB Theater LA and the Montreal JFL and HBO Aspen festivals. Adam loves being in Portland and is excited to bring the transformative joy of improv to enthusiastic Portlanders. CLASSES ARE 7:00-9:00PM *THE COST ($200) IS FOR ALL 6 CLASSES TOTAL, NOT PER EACH CLASS. YOU CAN JUST CHOOSE THE FIRST DATE, SEPT 3. Information Source: Laffter Effects | eventbrite

Nerdy, queer, fantastic. - The Seattle Times Doors at 7:00 | Show at 8:00 PG-17 Free parking is available in the lot across the street until full. Hear ye, hear ye! The hit off-Broadway comedy show sashays its way to Portland! Witness the high-fantasy, high-heeled, high-rolling hilarity as three drag queens play the legendary tabletop game of Dungeons and Dragons LIVE.Dungeon Master comedian Paul Curry and improvisational musician Carson Cutter will lead our Queens through a brand new storytelling adventure, with danger, snark, and audience participation around every precarious corner. Experience the adventure, or fail your quest, at Dungeons and Drag Queens! Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at 8:00pm. Alberta Abbey 126 NE Alberta Street, Portland OR 97211 Information Source: The Abbey | eventbrite

Begin your painting journey with popular, versatile acrylics! In this two-week course, September 9 & 16, you will learn the fundamentals of working with acrylic paint by exploring the classical technique of still life painting. We will cover color theory, perspective, and composition while working from in-studio still life sets. Still life painting is the perfect subject matter for those who are just starting their journey in the acrylic medium, and for those who are looking to further develop their own style of painting. About the instructor: Hannah Carroll is a Portland-based artist and educator with a passion for acrylic painting. Originally from Salem, MA, she grew up finding her inspiration from the wonderfully unique community that surrounded her, and went off to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art from Salem State University. As an educator, Hannah strives to equip her students with the tools and confidence to pursue art without bounds, and the knowledge that everyone can create something truly beautiful. Information Source: Factory 3 Makerspace | eventbrite

A Woven Journey: From Yarn to Table Runner In this 2-day weekend workshop, handweavers Margaret B. Russell and Betsy Martin will guide the beginning weaver, or weaver who would like a refresher, through all the steps to create a handwoven table runner. Students will weave with a naturally colored cotton and add linen accent colors of their choice. Use of a 4-shaft table loom, weaving tools, and materials are included in the cost. About the instructors: Margaret B. Russell is a self-taught handweaver with over 40 years of experience, a weaving teacher for close to 30 years, and a lifetime appreciation of making items by hand. She grew up in a home where, what could be handmade, was handmade. From clothing to furnishings, there were always constant examples that spoke to filling a need but also to the pure satisfaction of making something, anything yourself. Margaret’s early exposure to making set a lifelong path for her and through her teaching she likes to help others realize all the possibilities we have within us to create. Betsy Martin is passionate about many of the fiber arts, but these days her primary focus is on weaving and teaching. Her weaving experience spans nearly three decades during which she has shared her love of “all things fibery” with hundreds of students. Betsy has studied with several of the weaving greats of this era – Deborah Chandler, Jason Collingwood, and Tom Knisley – but she is quick to credit the women of her family for instilling an early and abiding love of textiles. Information Source: Factory 3 Makerspace | eventbrite

In this two-day class, September 18 & 25 , 6-9 pm, you’ll be provided expert instruction to start work on a full-color embroidery piece. If you’ve never threaded a needle, or are a beginner looking for a little guidance, we’ll go over how to use a hoop, select threads and fabrics, transfer a design to your fabric, use a variety of stitching techniques, and finish a hoop in a couple of different ways. A hoop and all needed tools and materials will be provided. Some homework is recommended, but not required, between sessions. About the instructor: Dan Toomre is a textile artist from Redmond, Washington, who got his degree in Textiles and Fashion from Maine College of Art and Design. He's now pursuing his teaching degree, also from MECA&D. He creates functional pieces intended to be frequently used and loved, and delights in teaching others textile-related skills. Dan specializes in embroidery, mending, and quilting, and sews much of his own clothing. He believes that having the power to make and customize your own possessions is invaluable. Information Source: Factory 3 Makerspace | eventbrite

Join us for the Blue Sky + Converge 45 Book Launch where creativity and inspiration collide under the open sky! Welcome to the book launch event co-hosted by Blue Sky, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts and Converge 45. We’re so excited to host this end-of-summer, rooftop celebration, featuring food, beverages, music, book signings, and perhaps a few other surprises. This special occasion will showcase the debut of the 2023-24 edition of the Blue Sky Yearbook along with the 2023 Social Forms: Art as Global Citizenship catalog from Converge 45's latest triennial program. These two publications beautifully capture the heart of the Portland art scene and are important additions to any art-lover’s collection. Save the date for a memorable evening embracing art, culture, and community. Come out to support the work of these two incredible organizations and the artists and communities they celebrate. See you there! Information Source: Converge 45 | eventbrite

In the Fall Equinox, we invite you to witness Nene's journey finding that there is much celebration to be had as well as honoring our grief CICLOS - Puppet Show by Slow Blink Puppet Collective Join us for a magic afternoon at Side Yard Farm and Kitchen on Sun Sept 22 of 2024 at 1 pm . 'Ciclos' by the Slow Blink Puppet Collective is a story that follows Nene, a young boy, grappling with the grief and suffering in the world. Through Nene's connection to his recent ancestor, Abuela, she guides him on journeys through different land bases meeting many different creatures to help remind him that he is not alone. Abuela helps Nene remember that through these web of relationships, that there is much celebration to be had as well as honoring our grief as sacred. Slow Blink Puppet Collective created the story and all the puppets that will be used for this performance. Some voices will be in Spanish. Bar opens at 1 pm show will start at 2 pm - (no outside alcohol will be allowed and bags might be checked, this is a safety meassure) This show is a BYO chairs or picnic blankets. Side Yard Farm will be selling beer, wine, non alcoholic drinks and a farmy vegetaian focaccia - pizza (GF & Vegan options will be available). Parking at the event: in front of side yard farm, but once parking is full, please park on Ne Killingsworth & 48th and walk 1 block north on 48th until you reach the side yard farm nature path (there's signage). Please do not park on ne 48th (too small/no sidewalks). We encourage people to bike or carpool. Side Yard Farm & Kitchen is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event space. If you need accommodation or would like to discuss your needs, please contact thesideyardpdx@gmail.com. The farm is wheelchair accessible with a separate gate entrance located close to the event area, we also have an ADA restroom available. The farm has a large back lawn area (where most events take place), gravel driveway that has accessible parking and the farm aisles have wood chips. Our staff is happy to help assist if needed. FYO: there is a bee hive on site close to where audience will be. Slow Blink Puppet Collective came together in 2018. Their first performance, Areito, was planned to happen on the Spring Equinox of 2020 and had to be cancelled because of COVID. In December of 2023 part of their members reunited and started to work on a new idea: CICLOS. Get ready to be transported into a world of magic and wonder as the puppets come to life in the open day at the farm. Don't miss out on this unique and unforgettable experience! Information Source: Slow Blink Puppets Collective | eventbrite

Derek Frank Band Live at Alberta Street Pub Come join us for a night of fantastic music with the Derek Frank Band at the Alberta Street Pub! Get ready to groove to their amazing tunes and enjoy a great atmosphere. This in-person event is not to be missed. Grab your friends and make it a night to remember! Date: September 24th, 2024 Time: 7:00pm Location: Alberta Street Pub Derek Frank has shared the stage with such icons as Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani, and Shakira (among many others) as a sideman bassist. In the downtime on these gigs, he discovered a private music world inspired by the cultural debris of his 1970s childhood. Years ago, the bassist-composer began to write the kind of music he used to hear on 1970s TV and movies. Today, Derek is leaning into the solo artist side of his career with his third solo album, Origin Story, released March 25, 2024 on all streaming platforms with a 2-disc vinyl version plus bonus live tracks available in May. Origin Story boasts Derek’s strongest instrumental jazz-funk compositions to date. “I used to love the music in Dirty Harry movies, and in the Wonder Woman and The Incredible Hulk television series,” the LA-based artist says. “When I finally found my voice as a solo artist, I decided to make that kind of music along with jazz and funk as the main influences.” Derek and his handpicked five (sometimes seven)-piece band blend funk, blues, soul, jazz, southern rock, and seventies soundtrack music into a genre all their own. Derek’s compositions feature tight arrangements, slinky grooves, telepathic band interplay, and restrained virtuosity where chops are implied but not flaunted. His solo work has garnered critical acclaim from such taste-making outlets as Bass Magazine, American Songwriter Magazine, Bass Player Magazine, Music Connection Magazine, “Everyone Loves Guitar Podcast,” and “The Bass Shed Podcast”. He’s earned favorable comparisons to Lettuce, Vulfpeck, Cory Wong, Snarky Puppy, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Karl Denson (who guests on Origin Story), and John Scofield. Previously, Derek has released Let The Games Begin (2009), and the aptly-titled Eleven Years Later (2020). Derek has fond memories of growing up in Pittsburgh, watching 1970s TV and movies, and 1980s MTV. He discovered his love for the bass when he first picked one up off the wall of a music store while he was waiting for a guitar lesson. Derek later formally studied bass, and eventually moved to Los Angeles to be a professional musician. Since then, Derek has emerged one of the most in demand touring and studio bassists in Los Angeles. He has worked with a “who’s-who” of A-list artists, including the aforementioned Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Shakira, Kelly Clarkson, Air Supply, Aly & AJ, Victoria Justice, Dancing With the Stars, Daniel Powter, Palaye Royale, Mindi Abair, The Boneshakers, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, and countless others. As the title implies, Origin Story is an instrumental homage to his roots in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “I often reminisce about my childhood, thinking of the David Byrne lyric: ‘How did I get here?,’” Derek says. “The songs on this album loosely sketch experiences of my early years, before I discovered my calling and current profession as a bass player.” In what’s become a tradition with Derek’s solo records, he opens the 8-song album up with the funky, 1970s cop chase song, “Demon On Wheels,” replete with wah wah bass. The name is pinched from the late 1960s cartoon Speed Racer, and the monster jam features Las Vegas’s Fat City Horns. The percolating 16th notes on “The Yinzer” tastefully touch on Jaco Pastorius, but the overall compositional structure nods to the work of Karl Denson (The Greyboy Allstars, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, the Rolling Stones) who makes a cameo on the track. The slippery fusion funk of “Paperboy Blues” recalls Head Hunters-era Herbie Hancock, and features abstract Jimmy Herring-like jazz guitar melodies. Derek’s handpicked quintet features guitarist Joshua Ray Gooch (Derek’s longtime bandmate with Shania Twain), keyboardist Carey Frank (Social Distortion, Tedeschi Trucks Band), drummer Randy Cooke (Smashmouth, Brit Floyd), and percussionist Demian Arriaga (Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers). Also joining the party is keyboardist Matt Rohde (Jane’s Addiction, The Chicks), guitarist Anthony King (Buffy Sainte-Marie), The Fat City Horns, and guitarist Brent Mason, widely-regarded as one to the top 10 session guitarists of all time. Origin Story, and Derek’s previous album, were both produced by multiple Grammy award-winning producer Jim Scott (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tom Petty, Wilco, Sting) at his vibey, all-analog PLYRZ Recording Studio. Up next, catch Derek and his band performing in sweaty nightclubs, at jazz & jam band festivals, and wherever live groove music is showcased. You can also see Derek rolling through town with major artists at a theater or arena near you—he’ll continue pulling double duty. “I feel grateful to have my day job,” he says. “But now I am also focusing on using my bass playing in service of my own music.” ### Information Source: eventbrite

✨ ✨ ✨ Full spectrum tarot painting! No matter your experience in watercolor or tarot, i believe in everyone's ability to access and express your own internal visions. We will play and learn together. Come in for a magical night of brews and tarot! ✨ ticket includes: 🌙 mini tarot reading 🍺 beer of your choice 🎨 watercolor supplies + Step-by-step instruction to paint 2 postcards ✨ Arrive early for parking and tarot reading. ✨ 🌙 ✨ Jes (allthepronounsplz!) is a full time dreamer whose passion is celebrating the inherent creativity in us all. Lately, the kids in her life have inspired her to let go and let watercolor. See what she's up to on Instagram @yallsart ✨ Kari (they) has been reading Tarot for friends, family, and clients for 20 years. As a daily practice, they use it to set daily intentions and reflect on every day happenings through the Universe's lens. Kari's greatest desire is to feel whole, seen, and safe while offering the same to those around them. You can see more on IG @babetriarch 🌙 Information Source: Jes Schrock | eventbrite

$17 ADV + $20 DAY OF // 21+ // ALL SALES FINAL, NO REFUNDS “Invigorating”, “brilliant”, and “charismatic” are just a slew of the adjectives used todescribe Tropa Magica. “The East L.A. duo made a name for themselves by combiningalternative, grunge, and psychedelic rock with cumbia” -Spin magazine. Having toured nationally and on multiple southwest and west coast tours, they have supportedestablished acts such as Bomba Estereo, Molotov, and comedian Felipe Esparza. The band hasboldly and successfully taken on larger LA stages at venues such as The Microsoft Theater, ElRey Theater and The Hollywood Palladium. In 2018 and 2019 Tropa Magica performed at So-Cal festival favorites Desert Daze andTropicalia. At the end of 2019 the band self released a limited edition 7inch vinyl EP “SmellsLike Cumbia” featuring Nirvana songs as cumbia renditions. Despite the pandemic, 2020 has been a fruitful year for the band. They wrote and recorded thetheme song for comedian Felipe Esparza’s new Netflix special and collaborated with thenotorious Foo’s Gone Wild on the “Foo Files Cumbia” track released earlier this year. The bandhas partnered up as ambassadors with 805/Firestone Beer and is sponsored by Fender guitarsand Ernie Ball. Their sophomore LP “Tripiando Al Infinito En Mi Recamara” has garnished appraisal by musiccritics: “...the psychedelic cumbia-punk that David and Rene Pacheco have pieced together over adecade as Tropa Magica has coalesced into something sublime on their sophomore album”-Grimy Goods “they’ve spread their wings sonically while losing none of the charisma that made them a hotitem at festivals...Tropa Magica’s new album, while born in East L.A., will truly be a child of theworld.” -Buzzbands LA (To learn a bit more) Tropa Magica has a short documentary that introduces the band nationallyon the well known media and news company “BESE”. Information Source: Lollipop Shoppe | eventbrite

$20 suggested donations** The project is led by Heidi Duckler, Artistic Director of HDD/NW and renowned choreographer. Duckler has created more than 500 original site-specific, interdisciplinary works that encourage civic engagement and shed new light on historical sites. Duckler will collaborate with six dance artists who represent a range of cultural backgrounds, mirroring the rich diversity of the downtown Portland community. Three site-specific dance works inspired by Anna Halprin’s improvisational choreographic techniques and Lawrence Halprin’s architectural designs, will begin at The Source, continuing on to Lovejoy Fountain, Pettygrove Park, and culminating at the Ira Keller Fountain. This project highlights the ongoing relevance of Lawrence Halprin’s land-use principles as Oregon grapples with the dual challenges of protecting its natural areas. These issues are particularly poignant as they align with modern governance issues surrounding climate justice. Beyond honoring Anna Halprin’s legacy as a revolutionary modern dance choreographer, incorporating dance into Lawrence Halprin’s spaces enables HDD/NW to tackle complex issues such as urban development, climate change, and conservation effectively. Dance promotes a shared experience among audience members, nurturing a collective spirit and mutual understanding. This communal atmosphere can help communities confront and collaboratively navigate through challenging and sensitive issues. Information Source: Heidi Duckler Dance/Northwest | eventbrite