Blog, Oregon, Portland Travel, Upcoming Events
Event Spotlight: Portland Jazz Festival February 18-27
Bridges and Boundaries: Jewish & African Americans Playing Jazz
The 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by US Bank will be held Friday, February 18 through Sunday, February 27 at venues throughout Portland. The week-long festival will include jazz education and outreach along with a series of concerts all supporting the 2011 theme: Bridges and Boundaries: Jewish & African Americans Playing Jazz.
Among this year’s headliners:
- SFJAZZ Collective, in the world premiere of new repertoire paying homage to African American pop icon Stevie Wonder;
- NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston, performing solo piano in support of his new release, The Storyteller, and autobiography, African Rhythms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston;
- celebrated clarinetist Don Byron and his new project dedicated to the great Jewish entertainer, Mickey Katz – a reunion of the groundbreaking and virtuosic klezmer ensemble that recorded Byron’s eponymous Nonesuch album and spearheaded the klezmer revival in the 1990s;
- a special performance by The 3 Cohens, featuring siblings, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, saxophonist/clarinetist Anat Cohen, and pianist Yuval Cohen;
- famed African American violinist Regina Carter will return to Portland, presenting her newest project, Reverse Thread, which traces the musical history of African cultures, including tribes of Ugandan Jews;
- saxophonist Joshua Redman – son of African American saxophonist Dewey Redman and Jewish American dancer Renee Shedroff – leading his new project, James Farm, that includes both African American and Jewish American musicians;
- and the Portland Jazz Festival’s new Artistic & Community Ambassador, bassist Esperanza Spalding (who will lead her new Chamber Music Society in an exclusive Portland area engagement).
How to Purchase Tickets:
Portland Jazz Festival Box Office
Hours of Operation: 11am – 5pm, Monday-Thursday
Order by Phone: 503 228-5299
In Person:133 SW 2nd Avenue, Ste 420 Portland, OR 97204
Email: info@pdxjazz.com
PCPA Main Box Office
1111 SW Broadway
Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Walk up sales only
Handling charges will apply.
You may purchase tickets online, over the phone, or in person with Ticketmaster. Additional handling and convenience charges will apply.
Visit pdxjazz.org for the complete concert schedule:
What is PDX Jazz?
PDX Jazz is Portland’s jazz organization, producing the annual Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by U.S. Bank. PDX Jazz offers an array of distinguished programs throughout the year in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings boasting internationally recognized artists while supporting regional fan favorites from the Northwest, often times presented in newly configured formats.
PDX Jazz in partnership with Oregon Music News recently initiated a monthly jazz series at PDX Jazz @ Tony Starlight’s, an intimate music venue, located in northeast Portland.
The 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by US Bank will feature a series of headline concerts, jazz education and outreach, Gospel and Klezmer Brunches, and panel discussions based around this year’s theme, Bridges and Boundaries: Jewish & African Americans Playing Jazz.
Image Credit: pdxpipeline.com
In case you have missed it- the City of Tualatin, Oregon has been providing residents and visitors great musical entertainment throughout the summer!
Concerts on the Commons is a free outdoor concert series with performances every Friday night in August. The concerts begin at 6:30 PM and end around 8:30 PM. Concerts on the Commons are held on the plaza near the lake at Tualatin Commons.
Bands of all genres including rhythm and blues, contemporary jazz, big band, bluegrass, salsa, reggae have been entertaining crowds all summer. So pack a pic-nic, a blanket, bring your lawn chairs (but leave the adult beverages behind- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the Tualatin Commons.)
Make sure you catch the last 2 performances of the season:
August 20 : intervision (Pop)
August 27 Aquamiel (Salsa)
Directions to the Summer 2010 Concerts on the Commons
From I-5, take Exit 289, Tualatin-Sherwood Rd. Follow Tualatin-Sherwood Rd until turning north onto Boones Ferry Rd. Turn east onto Nyberg St and proceed to the end of the block.
Visitors seeking something out of the ordinary are urged to check out the 2010 Tualatin Crawfish Festival next weekend. The festival will take place Friday, August 13th and Saturday, August 14th in Tualatin, Oregon.
This year will mark the 60th year of the Tualatin Crawfish Festival and the The Tualatin Chamber of Commerce is proud to continue this beloved tradition. Festival organizers announced on their site: www.tualatincrawfishfestival.com they have made a few changes to make the festival better than ever.
The community parade will take place Saturday, Aug. 14th and begin at 10:00 AM. This year’s festival, presented by West Coast Bank, will feature the theme “Crawfish Fiesta!”
The Festival offers a wide variety of food, entertainment and activities for the entire family. Free admission Friday night for the classic Crawfish Cook-Off provides affordable fun for families staying close to home this summer. Saturday admission is $4 for adults; $2 for seniors over 55 and youth age 6 – 17; children between 2 – 5 receive a discounted admission of $1 and children under 2 are FREE.
Bridgeport Village is Bringing Back the Train!
Summer is in full swing and what better way to celebrate the long warm days than to spend time with the entire family. Many of our guests have been enjoying the variety of activities (many of them free) that have been happening at the shopping center. And the list of fun keeps growing!
Check out what is happening in August.
Summer Concert Series : Each Thursday through August 26 beginning at 5:30 Take in the sights and sounds of talented musicians that represent a diverse range of musical genres. These concerts also feature youth performers from the Tualatin-Tigard School District who perform before the main act.
Guests can now order to-go concert picnic menus by placing an order through Guest Services (503-968-1704) and receive a reserved table at the concert!
Storybook Playhouses Imagination Celebration through August 14: At long last the Storybook Playhouse Project will come to life in Portland this summer! This amazing project features a showcase of storybook themed playhouses designed and built by a select group of Portland’s local architects and home builders. The Playhouses are open from 11am to 6pm Monday through Sunday. Storybook Readings will take place at 11:30am, 2:30pm and 4:30pm daily.
Free Train Rides August 4-8 Due to popular demand, The Bridgeport Express Returns for a limited summer engagement. We loved the train rides around the center during the holidays! Catch a ride around The Village from 11am-5pm daily!
Camp Bridgeport Wednesdays now through August 25, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Join Radio Disney AM1640 and Bridgeport Village for dancing, games and awesome prizes! Located in Center Court.
Regal Cinemas Free Family Film Festival 10 – 11:30am every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through August 25. Enjoy popular movies for the whole family for free! Click here for more information.
Everybody knows that Bridgeport Village offers a great mix of shops, entertainment & restaurants and is only steps away from our hotel. Did you know Bridgeport Village is offering outdoor entertainment to celebrate the warm summer days ahead? Be sure to check the Bridgeport Village Event Page for the most current information on the musicians and movies listed below:
Outdoor Movie Series: Wednesday Nights July 21 & 28 and August 4 &11
Bridgeport Village is launching their first annual Outdoor Movie Series on the top floor of the parking structure! Doors open at 7pm, movies start at 9pm. Under 18 not permitted without a parent. All movies are rated PG-13.
July 21 – The Blind Side
July 28 – Big Fish
August 4 – Dirty Dancing
August 11 – Love Actually
Summer Concert Series: Thursdays July 8 through August 26 from 6:30 to 8:30pm
Youth Performers from the Tualatin-Tigard School District will perform from 5:30 -6pm before every concert.
July 8: The Beatniks & Ian Stephens, James Fogerty and Derek Harris (Tigard High) – Guitar Jazz
July 15: Hit Explosion-B’Elanna Rhodehamel (Hazelbrook) and Parker Ediger (Twality)- African Marimba
July 22: Cool-Ade- Euphony Brothers: Justin Lacey and Cole Sashkin (Tualatin High) – Singer/Guitar
July 29: GruVbox- Shaelynn Dalton (Tigard High) – Singer/Guitar
August 5: Keegan Smith and the Fam- Noah Hocker (Tigard High) and Andrew Olson (Tualtain High) – Jazz
August 12: Zuzo Blue- Rebecca McDade (Tualatin High) – Vocalist
August 19: The Retros- PDX Jazz: Kyle Monitor, Tristan Weitkamp (Tigard High) and Andrwe Olson and Hanna Dexter (Tualatin HIgh) – Jazz
August 28: Suprise Guest & Mhofu Marimba: (Deer Creek Alumni) – Marimba
Don’t Miss the 2010 Tigard Festival of Balloons: June 25, 26, 27
If you are staying with us weekend of June 25-27, you are in for a special treat! Make sure you save some time to check out the Tigard Festival of Balloons in Cook Park happening all weekend. There will be hot air balloons and so much more.
Plan to arrive VERY EARLY in the a.m. to Cook Park to experience the spectacular hot air balloons as they launch. Balloons launch from the field on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ascensions are between 5:45 AM – 6:15 AM. After that, a few balloons will be tethering until approximately 8:00 AM each day (weather and winds permitting).
Other events include: Pacific NW BBQ Association Cook-Off, Festival of Cars (Sunday); Northwest Natural Night Glow on Friday & Saturday nights; the Rogue Beer Garden, live music on the Comcast Stage; Funtastic carnival fun center, magicians, cotton candy, and a whole lot more! Be sure to visit their site to see full details.
Did you know that the Festival of Balloons is a non-profit organization raising funds for many non-profit groups in Tigard while providing a premier family event for the entire community? You can buy a 3 day-weekend pass at the gate for $7 OR you can purchase in advance a 3 day-weekend pass for $5 online at www.tigardballoon.org. This ticket is good for unlimited access to the Festival for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Kids 6 and under are free. Festival parking is available on the Tigard High School field for $5 .
Driving directions to Cook Park from The Grand Hotel in Bridgeport (via Google Maps)
2.2 mi – about 7 mins
1. Head north on SW Hazelfern Rd 102 ft
2. Turn right to stay on SW Hazelfern Rd 167 ft
3. Turn left at Lower Boones Ferry Rd 0.1 mi
4. Continue onto SW 72nd Ave 0.2 mi
5. Turn left at SW Durham Rd 1.3 mi
6. Turn left at SW 92nd Ave 0.5 mi
Bridgeport Village Recommends Relaxing and Pampering at Coldwater Creek ~ The Spa in Bridgeport Village
We love being a part of this unique and special community that attracts thousands of visitors each year. As members of the Bridgeport community, we are knowledgeable about the surrounding businesses and are happy to make recommendations to our guests to make their visit with us even better.
Many of our guests are here for special events such as weddings or reunions and/or business travel and they want to know of the best place to unwind and indulge in a little pampering after a long day. I usually recommend our indoor pool and spa of course, but sometimes a visit to Coldwater Creek ~ The Spa in Bridgeport Village will certainly do the trick! Their customers appreciate the soothing ambiance and their special attention to detail.
The spa is located across the street and around the corner from the Coldwater Creek store in Bridgeport Village…though we are just steps away, Bridgeport Village has abundant public parking. Visit the Coldwater Creek ~ The Spa Website for a list of services or call 1-503-598-0524 to set up an appointment and enjoy your experience!
Got a local business to recommend that we share with our guests? Let us know! Email us at reservations@grandhotelbridgeport.com or share your idea on our Facebook Page!
Exhibit: Michael Orwick, Valerie Sjodin and Kim Larkin
December 1, 2009 – January 27, 2010
Times: Monday – Thursday 9am – 9pm; Friday 9am – 6pm; Saturday 10am – 4pm
http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/Arts/WCAC/Events.aspx
Location: Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center – 527 E Main Street, Hillsboro
Phone: 503-615-3485
Admission: Free
Oil paintings by two of Hillsboro’s most well-known artists, Michael Orwick and Valerie Sjodin, are featured this holiday season. Orwick will exhibit his strong and colorful landscapes, many done Plein Air. Sjodin will exhibit a new series of work that explores the concept of connecting with the divine through images of the Gothic arch, the skyline and cosmos. Their works will be on display in the Main Gallery. Kim Lakin is a fiber artist who creates quilts using the same techniques as an abstract painter. Her works will be in the lower exhibition space.
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Coffee: The World in Your Cup
October 17, 2009 – January 10, 2010
Times: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
http://www.worldforestry.org/discovery-museum/special-exhibits.html
Location: World Forestry Center – 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland
Phone: 503-228-1367
Admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors (62+), $5 children (3-18), free for ages 2 and under
Whether it’s a latte, cappuccino, or just a plan Cup O’ Joe, we do love our coffee. But did you know coffee is one of the world’s most widely traded commodities? Or that caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world? Coffee: The World in Your Cup is an exhibit that explores the fascinating world behind the coffee we drink. Focusing on environmental and social impacts of the coffee industry, the exhibit recommends ways for consumers to make responsible coffee purchases at the grocery store or in a coffee shop.
-->Exhibit: This Kalapuya Land
June 18, 2009 – June 18, 2010
Times: Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
http://www.washingtoncountymuseum.org
Location: Washington County Museum – 17677 NW Springville Rd., Portland (Rock Creek Campus – Portland Community College)
Phone: 503-645-5353
Admission: Adults $3, Seniors & Children (6-17) $2. No charge on Mondays.
The Washington County Museum is pleased to welcome back its popular traveling exhibit, This Kalapuya Land, which chronicles the lives and culture of Native Americans living in the Willamette Valley. Unveiling never before seen artifacts from the museum’s collection, the exhibit explains detailed aspects of Kalapuya life including food, clothing, housing, and trading practices. Important events in tribal history such as treaties with the American Government, removal to the Grand Ronde Reservation, tribal Termination and Restoration are also illustrated.
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