OK, all, just a reminder that this year’s Top Down Film Festival is about to finish up this coming Thursday, Aug. 28.
The finale arrives in the form of “Super Argo and the Faceless Giants.” What in the world is that? Well, I don’t know exactly, but it involves a professional wrestler turned superhero/spy who fights a mad scientist who plans to kidnap the world’s best athletes to turn them into robots. I’m in.
The Top Down festival is put on by our friends at the Northwest Film and held on the rooftop of our parking garage. If you’ve never seen a movie on a garage, don’t miss this last installment. The evening also includes a live music pre-show at 8 by Will Carpenter’s Towering Trees as well as food and drink. Our grappling hero gets started at dusk (9ish).
I don’t think Emily has probably got this one circled on her calendar. But if you’re into skateboarding, BMX or freestyle motocross, doing it or just watching it, you’ll want to know about the Dew Tour.
Basically it’s all the crazy tricks and reckless behavior we expect from extreme athletes. And to see it live and in person gives you a whole new appreciation for the kind of brain ailment you need to do what they do. Especially the motocross. Insane.
There’s also other stuff to keep you busy between events, like you can get autographs from competitors, try out video games and interactive displays, and even test ride some 2009 bikes. And then on Friday Gym Class Heroes perform. (I hear their also playing Sat. at Satyricon if you miss them Friday.) Oh, it’s Aug. 21-24 at the Rose Quarter.
I’ve got to put a plug in for a place I found last week. It’s actually pretty hard to miss because it’s right downtown (across from Saucebox on Broadway), but somehow I didn’t see it till the other day. What kind of beer fan am I?
The place is called Bailey’s Taproom and I admit I got all giggly when I saw that they were serving some of my favorites from the Brew Fest. I volunteered this year for the first time, which was fun. I poured the Caldera Ginger Ale. If you came on Saturday, maybe I served you.
Anyway, Bailey’s has a nice big space with good people watching out the window and rotating taps for your tasting pleasure. If you go soon, try the Green Flash Hop Head Red. That was probably my top. Though Bridgeport’s Hop Czar was surprisingly good too.
Nah, I’ve got the cool thing to add to your agenda while you’re here. Even if you’re not bringing your bike. Which more and more people seem to be doing these days. Which is great.
It’s called Tour de Fat. It’s going to be total bike mania. People dress up, decorate their bikes and then ride around town in a big spectacle of a parade. It all wraps up with a party put on by sponsor New Belgium Beer. Fat Tire. Get it? Beer, music and food is the reward.
The whole point is to raise people’s environmental awareness, get them thinking about how a bike can become a great way to get around. But it also raises money for local charities.
So dress up and pedal yourself over to Waterfront Park on Aug. 16 and join the madness. Should be a blast. Oh and it’s free.
Ha. You owe me, Keith. I, too, learned a couple of things last week that made me quite happy as well.
1. I don’t know if you remember but I did a post awhile back lamenting the sad passing of Portland’s Nau clothing. Alas, I was not the only one and Nau really announced that they had been purchased. By a company in Santa Barbara. Good news, and good luck, Nau!
2. You know about the first Thursday artwalk downtown and the last Thursday artwalk in Alberta. But did you know there’s a first Friday artwalk? Me either! It’s sponsored by the Central Eastside Arts District and includes over 30 galleries around SE Sandy. See their site for a handy map.
The Portland Highland Games! I’m not Irish, but everyone’s is on St. Patrick’s Day, right? So everyone’s a wee bit Scottish this coming weekend at the Highland Games, seriously one of the best events.
It’s two days of “if it’s not Scottish it’s crap”. That means kilts as far as the eye can see, drummers, dancers, bagpipes and lots of throwing heavy things like poles, huge rocks, hammers and the occasional drunk.
There is also music, food, stalls selling various bits of Scottish whatnot and sponsor Mactarnahans’ Amber Ale, which is good because it’s always hot as a mother out there.
So get your brogue on and head out to Mt. Hood Community College July 18 and 19. Look for me. I’ll be the one in the plaid.
Save the Gorge Games! Wait, they’re not going anywhere. Their awesomeness is too awesome to be denied. (Emily, I haven’t seen the checkerboard building, but I love checkers so I’m with you. Hands off, developers!)
Put all that nastiness from your mind with a trip out to the gorge for the 2008 Gorge Games. What the bleep are they, you ask? It’s basically the Olympics for adrenalin junkies. There’s competition in just about every outdoor sport you can think of, including windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, skateboarding, riverboarding, mountain biking, running and kiteboarding(no biathlon though).
Events are scheduled for spots from the Cascade Locks to The Dalles on both sides of the Columbia and run from July 17-20. And it will be on Fox News, so we know that the coverage will be fair and balanced…
Here’s something cool I just learned about. If you’re into tai chi, or want to learn, head over to the North Park Blocks at 8th and Everett Tuesday or Thursday night from 6-7 p.m.
Every week classes in tai chi and qigong are held there for a suggested donation of $5 to $10. They’re open to anyone and you can apparently just show up whenever you want and join in.
There are other locations as well. Check out the web site at PDXtaichi.com. The site also has information on David Vanadia, the instructor, and background about tai chi, qigong and other related subjects.
So if you’re feeling stressed now there’s now another option rather than just a few beers and tater tots at the Low Brow Lounge. Though that’s not affected by the weather…
OK, I’m going to make a confession: I’m not a huge fan of the Rose Festival. I’ve lived in a Portland a long time. I’ve seen my share of drunken sailors come and go. Endured my share of traffic jams during parades.
Having said all that, I like that it’s part of the city. Every city should have at least one dusty century-old festival. For continuity, and to prove it has traditions. But mostly I love the dragon boats.
If you’ve never seen a dragon boat, they’re like these ornate-y dugout canoes with maybe 10 paddlers. Seeing them on the river is like spotting budding spring blossoms.
If you want to take a gander yourself, check out the races on June 7 and 8 near the Hawthorne Bridge. Teams from all over the world compete in heats of four about every 10 minutes. Wagering is optional.
Here’s some news for the healthy minded: Whole Foods just down the street from Hotel deLuxe at NW Marshall and 10th is opening a new exercise studio on its second floor.
Called Barre3, the place offers a workout that combines ballet, yoga and pilates for a unique workout. Hmm, sounds difficult. But interesting.
Barre 3 doesn’t actually officially open its doors until July 15, but you can get in for classes now. (I don’t really know what the difference is between what you can do now and what will be available when it’s “official”.)
It’s a 60-minute workout in a group setting along with personal instruction, and is designed to combined flexibility work with aerobic and strength training.
Thanks to the Neighborhood Notes blog for pointing us to this new exercise option right around the corner. If only it wasn’t so close to Cacao…
