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Portland Entertainment, Arts & Culture
Wherever you go in Portland, you're never far from an art house cinema,
performance space or gallery. You're never more than five minutes from a brewpub
or gourmet coffee shop, and always just a puddle's jump away from a farmers'
market, park or garden. It's easy to find your way around Portland's vibrant
arts and cultural scene. Below is a snapshot of Portland arts and cultural
hotspots by neighborhood.
CULTURAL HOTSPOTS BY NEIGHBORHOOD
Cultural District/DowntownPearl District/Northwest
Southeast
North/Northeast
ATTRACTIONS
For information on attractions, including the zoo,
children's museum,
area parks,
, the Portland Art Museum, see the
Directory of Attractions.
ON STAGE
Directory of Performing Arts OrganizationsCalendar of Events
ON THE TABLE
Get fresh with Northwest cuisine, inspired by the bounty and beauty of the
region. The
Dining Guide serves up the dish on Portland's food, wine and
microbrews. For more information on culinary tourism in Oregon,
visit
www.culinarytourism.org.
Music & Dance
Blues and jazz, rock and reggae, folk and funk, swing and salsa. Check out
Portland's music and dance venues.
Cascade Blues Association
Creative Music Guild
Jazz Society of Oregon
Dancing in Portland
Viscount Ballroom
PORTLAND CULTURAL TOURS:
Culture & Heritage Brochure SeriesThe culture and heritage of Portland are reflected in the diverse ethnic backgrounds of its citizens. Learn more about the contributions of Hispanic, Chinese, Japanese, African American and other groups to Portland's culture here, or pick up a brochure at the visitors center in Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland.
CULTURAL CASCADES
Explore the Cultural Cascades -- an artistically rich region encompassing Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle and Tacoma, Wash.; and Portland and Eugene, Ore. -- at www.culturalcascades.com.
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CULTURAL DISTRICT
In the heart of downtown Portland, you can explore some of the city's major institutions for the fine and performing arts.
Downtown Art Gallery Association - A guide to art galleries
in downtown Portland.Portland Art Museum - One of the 25 largest museums in the country, with impressive touring exhibitions and permanent collections, including the centers for Northwest and Native American Art.
Portland Center for the Performing Arts - A complex of venues hosting eight resident companies as well as touring musical acts, lecturers and comedians.
Oregon Historical Society - A collection of more than 85,000 artifacts, an extensive research library and myriad education programs illustrate Oregon's history. Grand reopening in September 2003.
Northwest Film Center - Year-round programming, including classes, screenings and lectures. Presents the Portland International Film Festival each February.
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PEARL DISTRICT/ NORTHWEST
The Pearl District is a former industrial shell now housing a continually
emerging collection of art galleries, loft apartments, boutiques, restaurants
and performance spaces. A little farther west is the more established polish of
Nob Hill, or "Northwest," with its boutiques, cafes and various theater
offerings.
Artists Repertory Theatre - A professional theater company dedicated
to challenging artists and audiences with plays of depth and vibrancy
in an intimate environment.BodyVox - Dance company with a well-honed combination of theatricality, beauty and humor.
Portland Classical Chinese Garden - An urban oasis of pavilions, rocks, plants and walkways surrounding an 8,000-square-foot pond.
Coho Productions and Stark Raving Theatre - Northwest neighbors offering more experimental works and late-night shows.
First Thursday Gallery Walk - Join the street party every first Thursday of the month in the Pearl District, Old Town/Chinatown and downtown for gallery receptions introducing new work.
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA) - Curating exhibits and performances by some of the world's most important and talked-about artists, including many right here in Portland.
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SOUTHEAST
More hippie than haute, the Southeast scene is endlessly eclectic. Hawthorne
Boulevard and Belmont Street feature storefronts and dining spots
that are quirky, colorful and inviting.
Bagdad Theater - Built in 1927, this ornate movie palace is just one of Portland's view 'n' brew theaters, lovingly restored by the McMenamin brothers. Grab a microbrew, pizza and catch a movie for around $10.
Imago Theatre - This company is best known for its production FROGZ, whose creature/actors slink, slither and saunter across the stage.
Miracle Theatre - The Northwest's premier Hispanic arts and culture organization.
Profile Theater Project - Dedicated to exploring the work of a major playwright each season.
Triangle Productions - Avant-garde and mainstream plays and musicals, plus the Pride Series, which more directly explores gay themes.
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NORTH/NORTHEAST
Northeast Alberta and Broadway streets are home to the majority of this area's galleries, clothing boutiques, and restaurants serving everything from soul food to vegan delights.
African Cuisine - Several Ethiopian restaurants can be found in this area of Portland, including sometimes-local celeb Danny Glover's favorite, Queen of Sheba. Use the Willamette Week's Food Finder to explore your options.
Alberta Arts District - Another emerging center of creativity in Portland -- Northeast Alberta Street -- buzzes with activity on the last Thursday of each month during the aptly named "Last Thursday" art walk. Galleries, clothing boutiques and cafes dot this constantly evolving area.
Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center - A community-based arts center focused on culturally diverse programming.
Jackson Art - A gallery featuring contemporary Native art and antiques, including baskets, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, blankets, beadwork and more.
Kennedy School - Circa 1912 schoolhouse-turned-hotel/restaurant/movie theater/bar/performance space.
Onda Studio & Gallery - Onda Arte Latina showcases home decor, clothing, accessories, gifts, sculpture, paintings, prints, ceramics, jewelry and more from Ecuador, Cuba, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Guatemala and other places south.
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COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Click below for arts events at the following area colleges and
universities:
Portland State University Fine and Performing Arts
Reed College
University of Portland
Warner Pacific College
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SPORTS
Along with great amateur sports taking place across the city of Portland, you can see the Portland Trailblazers, an NBA franchise play all winter long. The franchise has a long history of putting a competitive team on the court. The Rose Garden Arena, which is where they play their home games, is a world class facility. You can take the whole family for a wonderful bit of athletic entertainment.
- Portland Beavers Baseball -- http://www.pgepark.com/beavers/
- Portland Trailblzers Basketball -- http://www.nba.com/blazers/
- Portland Winterhawks Hockey -- http://www.winterhawks.com/
- Portland Timbers Soccer -- http://www.pgepark.com/timbers/
- Portland Hood to Coast Relay -- http://www.hoodtocoast.com/
- Portland International Raceway -- http://www.portlandraceway.com/
- Portland Horseracing -- http://www.portlandmeadows.com/
For more information about the local sports scene check out www.portlandsports.org/guide.html.