It’s that time of year again when a range of Portland artists agree to open up their studios for art voyeur types to wander through and gawk, and hopefully spend a little money along the way.

I talked about it last year and am really trying to get people to go and support local art. Called Portland Open Studios, it gives you a great opportunity to see how different artists work and maybe start your collection with a personal connection.

This year there are almost 100 artists participating, including emerging talents and well-established artists from just about every media, including acrylic, ceramic, collage, drawing and colored pencil, furniture, glass, jewelry and photography.

It costs $15 and runs Oct. 11-12 for the westside and 18-19 on the eastside. Doors are open from 10 to 5. Check the website for a tour map.

See ya,
Emily

Looking for that new outfit that no one else has? Something to go with that cute skirt you just bought? Try Fashion Week. What the tube top is Fashion Week? That’s a good question since fashion is really a year-long commitment.

This annual event (from Oct. 8-12) gives independent designers a chance to introduce their spring/summer 2009 collections here in Portland in a week-long series of runway shows, this year in the Pearl.

And you thought we were a fashion backwater, all fleece and Gore-Tex. It’s actually the second-longest running fashion week on the West Coast. Just a few of the designers on hand include: In Harmony, Dimitri, Saffrona and Amai Unmei.

Best of all, the event benefits the Children’s Cancer Association and is earth friendly and sustainable from the lighting to the recycled fabric, to the organic food and transportation.

See ya,
Emily

Maybe you want to do a bit of grocery shopping while you’re here? Perhaps you wish to make a platter of raspberry tarts for the warm and solicitous reception staff? A smashing idea.

And you’re actually well situated for two of the finest specialty groceries stores in the area. If you go to Burnside and turn left, you’ll eventually run into Zupan’s. Their wine selection might be the best of any supermarket. Their produce and meat counter is also incredible.

Or maybe you’ve been pawing through the CDs at Everyday Music. In which case continue toward downtown and you’ll come to Whole Foods on Burnside. They’re known for their range of organic choices and items you’re not likely to find elsewhere.

Both should have the ingredients for those tarts. A bottle of Oregon pinot would work in a pinch, too.

See ya,
Emily

The Crystal Ballroom is awesome. Probably my favorite spot for larger shows. If you’re in town I definitely recommend seeing some music there if you can.

And then you can walk across the street to Everyday Music, which is the best record store in town and buy the CD. There’s one entire room that’s all classical music, jazz and world music. The whole other room is rock and rap. New and used.

You can get a CD from like $6 to $15 or so. And they’ve also got a lot of special stuff. Like posters, stickers, box sets and whatever. And a lot of cool vinyl, which I dig (I just got a new turntable for my birthday.) For the 5 or 10 people who still listen to cassettes they have a bunch of those too.

Later,
Keith