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.

Later,
Keith

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.

Later,
Emily (& Keith)

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.

See ya,
Emily

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).

I recommend some spicy Thai for lunch.

Stay warm,
Emily

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…

See ya,
Emily

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.

See ya,
Emily

I’m here to talk movies today. A week of movies. Though I guess I should say “films.” You’re not likely to see Ashton Kutcher or what’s her name from “Sex in the City” in these (she has too many names; I can never remember.).

This is the NW Film Center’s 35th Annual NW Film and Video Festival, which bills itself as a “showcase of new work by regional media artists.” This year, from Nov. 7-15, it will show 44 feature, short and documentary films made by people from Oregon, Washington, B.C., Montana and Idaho.

Everything is chosen by a panel that in the past has included names like Gus Van Sant, Matt Groening and Todd Haynes. Big hitters. So it should be a tad different than your multiplex fare. But too hip to serve popcorn? Let’s hope not.

See ya,
Emily

Hey, it’s that time of year again word nerds. Wordstock. If you’ve been, you know the delights of a few days devoted to books and writers. If you haven’t been before, pull yourself away from “Weeds,” Season 2 and get yourself over to the Convention Center.

This year it runs from Nov. 7-9 and still offers its bounty of activities, from the book fair, to readings and workshops, to something called the Night of Literary Feasts. Not exactly sure what that is but it sounds delicious.

And I would read the list of visiting authors for you, but the Internet isn’t big enough to support that size of post. Highlights in my, um, book include Andre Dubus III, Ehud Havazelet and local Lee Montgomery.

Check out the web site for the full meal deal.

Later,
Emily

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