The Portland Art Museum has a fantastic exhibit going on: China Design Now. China is growing fast, everyone’s talking about it, and the exhibit explores the fascinating art that is being created during its rapid growth. The amazing design, architecture, paintings, and multi-media pieces give you some sense of how the Chinese themselves feel about and are reacting to the major changes going on around them.
Here’s what I’d do: Head over to Chinatown early in the day, tuck into the fabulous dim sum at Fong Chong’s (the chicken hum bao’s my favorite), walk off your lunch at the Chinese Gardens, then head over to the museum. If you go on December 1, there will be a docent to guide you through the exhibit. I might end the day with a cocktail and potstickers at Dragonfish’s fantastic happy hour, but that’s just me.
It’s seems like it’s supposed to be time to put away our sunglasses and dig out our rain shells until next spring. But then this event comes along, and it’s all about skin, and showing it off.
Did you know we have a regional tattoo magazine? If you have a tattoo, you might. If you have more than one, chances are even better. It’s NW Tattoo Magazine, and it, or at least the guys who founded it, is behind the Portland Tattoo Expo (happened this past weekend).
This Portland event is also sponsored by Oregon Ink. There will be more than 200 artist and vendor booths and 300 artists from all over the country.
Even if you’re not jonesing for a tattoo of your own, you’ve got to come check it out, especially if you missed the Portland Art Museum exhibition. It will blow your mind to see what they can do. And, who knows, maybe you’ll leave with a “souvenir.”
This is where I should probably just link to Keith’s previous post from last year. I wait for MusicFest NW. I don’t know how many times Keith and I have mentioned it in our posts. I should search to see. That and the Brewer’s Fest. The festival has just gotten better every year. The last couple of years I checked the lineup early and bought a handful of the CDs from the bands I hadn’t heard of, which I also did this year.
Among these acts I’d say I’m most eager to see The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. I really like the CD and it seems like a sound that would be great live. The same with Portual. The Man. But maybe the worst name for a band ever, or least since The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
There are something like 18 venues participating this year. I don’t know if that’s the most but it just seems like an incredible number. How many other performance venues can there be in Portland?
For $60 you get a wristband that gets you into every show for three days at all those venues. It’s like a larger, real-life version of what you do on iTunes anyway.
As the name may suggest, it’s art, and it’s in the Pearl. How is it different from the plethora of other art festivals around town? Here’s how: First… OK, it’s really not that different, but art festivals are fun, and what’s wrong with that?
The thing that is so great about these events, in my opinion, is that there’s so much to see. I’m not much into carnival rides or petting zoos these days, so give me a little painting, a little sculpture, something new and a “why didn’t I think of that?” and I’m a happy woman.
The event takes place on Labor Day weekend in the Northwest Park Blocks: food, music, theater, hands-on activities for kids and adults in the Education Pavilion, and a whole lot of art. And what’s wrong with that?
Discovered a great store this past weekend. If you dig music, and also want to rack up some good karma points, this is a good spot for you.
We headed out to SE Hawthorne last Saturday (had a great breakfast at the Bread and Ink Café ― if you haven’t been to the waffle window I just don’t know what to say to you). Down the street is Global Exchange. That store rocks! Everything is imported, fair trade. And it smells great in there.
But the best part is the instruments. They have these cool drums from Indonesia, bells from Ghana, and these noisemaker things from Peru. We bought a recycled tin thumb piano from Burkina Faso and cruised down the street, plinking away, celebrating our find and our good karma.
I’m going to write another post about movies. I know that this is the second in a row about movies and we really do have more going on in Portland, but the weather has been decidedly lousy.
Anyway, we, because Keith is with me on this, have to speak up one more time (until the next time) about what has to be the premier movie event in our fair city. I’m talking of course about the Portland International Film Festival.
It’s the biggie, and they’ve got an absolute United Nations of movies to keep you occupied till your eyes fall out of your head. The trip gets under way on Feb. 9 and doesn’t land until the 25th. So get cracking.
Maybe music is your bag. Maybe movies are your bag. Maybe movies about music is your bag. If so, you’re one lucky cineaste. We’re right near the end of the NW Film Center’s Reel Music Festival.
I have to give credit to Keith. He got me to go. I’ve already seen a couple over the last two weeks. Exodus has been the highlight so far. About Bob Marley. And I don’t even like reggae.
The series has been great so far, but it’s almost over (only runs till Jan. 31)! Check their calendar. Maybe you’ll find a last minute show that grabs you.
Where do we live anyway, Minnesota? What is it with this weather? Blizzards? I thought the globe was supposed to be warming. Anyway, if you’re like me and you’ve still got shopping to do, may I remind you about NW 23rd.
If you’ve stayed at Hotel deLuxe before you’ve no doubt wandered around NW 23rd, but I’d say it’s probably the best shopping in the city if you’re looking for a special, one-of-a-kind something.
It’s outside, but you can warm up in all the boutiques while you search for everything from shoes to accessories to lingerie to beauty items. OK, there are a few chain stores, too (Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Urban Outfitters).
Here’s one I can’t vouch for yet as I think they’re new, but I applaud the ambition of the Irvington Artisan Market.
If you read this blog, you’ve already discerned from the stuff I tend to write about that I love me some art. In my experiences, it’s just a great way to exercise your senses, both in creating it and in experiencing it.
So I think it’s great when some enterprising grassroots group has the wherewithal to organize themselves to show and sell their work. This particular effort, which has a nice little blog with artist profiles, plans to include all kinds of handmade stuff, from jewelry, to apparel to home décor. It’s not too early to think Christmas presents…
Last year my friends at the Oregon College of Art and Craft gave me a bad time about not letting people know far enough in advance about their holiday sale. So…
So this year I’m giving the shout out nearly weeks early so people can empty their penny jars, liquefy their assets (what’s left after recent Wall Street goings-on) or harvest an organ. Whatever they need to do.
Seriously though, if you have any art-loving people in your circle of friends and family this is the best place to do your shopping. Some incredible student and alumni art is on offer. Or you can point those buying for you to the event.
It takes place at OCAC from Nov. 28-30. But my recommendation is to get there at 7 p.m. on the 28th when the doors open. Happy hunting.
The Portland Art Museum has a fantastic exhibit going on: China Design Now. China is growing fast, everyone’s talking about it, and the exhibit explores the fascinating art that is being created during its rapid growth. The amazing design, architecture, paintings, and multi-media pieces give you some sense of how the Chinese themselves feel about and are reacting to the major changes going on around them.
It’s seems like it’s supposed to be time to put away our sunglasses and dig out our rain shells until next spring. But then this event comes along, and it’s all about skin, and showing it off.
