Portland Spoke – The Official Blog of Travel Portland

Erin Morgenstern

For years, people have been saying “the book is dead.” If that’s so, why are there so many books about vampires and zombies these days? Perhaps the book is undead — a relentless, immortal beast, only interested in only one thing: brains.

Unlikely, yes. But just look at how Portland’s Wordstock Festival (Oct. 11-14) has not only survived, but thrived, in recent years. Founded in 2005, it’s grown into the biggest celebration of literature in the Pacific Northwest, and one of the largest annual book events in the country. (more…)

Photo: Rich Grant

Our CFO, Ron Melton, passed along an engaging blog post by Rich Grant, a former colleague from Visit Denver who recaps a wide-ranging trip to Oregon and locates the soul of Portland in the “three B’s, which this ‘city of roses’ can claim above any other American urban center: beer, bicycles and bookstores.”

Even the name of Rich’s blog – Walking and Drinking Beer — feels just right for Portland. Which brings to mind two things:

1. Oh, how Rich suffers for his art.

2. Ron: Any way to get him on our payroll?

Some exciting news from The Biggest Little City: Pre-production work is underway on a film version of The Motel Life, the first book by Portland musician and writer Willy Vlautin, a Reno native.

Vlautin’s novels, which have drawn comparisons to Steinbeck and Carver, are like his songs: plainspoken yet lyrical, heartbreaking but hopeful.

You can catch Vlautin and his Richmond Fontaine bandmates in Portland on April 14 at the Doug Fir.

Vlautin’s other novels include Lean on Pete – a finalist for this year’s Oregon Book Awards — and Northline.

Halberstam's book teems with richly drawn personalities, including former Trail Blazers Maurice Lucas, who passed away Sunday, and Bill Walton.

Spirit of 77, the buzzed-about watering hole that celebrates the Portland Trail Blazers’ 1977 NBA title, is more than just a sports bar; it’s a cool place that’s been embraced by foodies and designers alike.

Likewise, The Breaks of the Game – acclaimed author David Halberstam’s recounting of the Blazers’ post-championship hangover — is more than just a sports book.

In it, Halberstam serves up a rich portrait of a team, a city and American culture, touching on issues of race, class, money and power. I highly recommend it.

In other words: Get thee to Powell’s. And once you’ve worked up a thirst, check out Spirit of 77, located across the street from the Oregon Convention Center.

Richmond Fontaine frontman Willy Vlautin's third novel will be released April 13. Image: vivianjohnson.com

For your reading pleasure: Willamette Week has a nice profile of Portland musician and writer Willy Vlautin. The piece includes an excerpt from Vlautin’s latest book, Lean on Pete, which will be released April 13.

For another preview, check out this cool video, which features music by Willy’s Richmond Fontaine bandmates.

Here’s a promotional video for Lean on Pete, the forthcoming novel by Willy Vlautin, the frontman for Richmond Fontaine, my favorite Portland band.

The book, which will be released stateside on April 13, has already picked up some good notices in Europe. “Vlautin’s characters . . . become a sketchbook of America,” writes the Sunday Herald. “There’s music in the stark writing, the urban clamour of Portland giving way to the keening twang of the open spaces.”

Lean on Pete is Vlautin’s third novel, following The Motel Life and Northline.

My favorite Portland band, Richmond Fontaine, got a nice write-up in The New Yorker, which calls them “one of the finest proponents of what is sometimes called alt-country but is more properly described as woozy roots music.” 

Put another way: Their live shows are, as my friend AJ says, “transcendent.”

Semantics aside, the band will celebrate the release of its newest record, We Used to Think the Freeway Sounded Like a River, on Dec. 11 (tonight) at Dante’s.

Can’t make the show? Check out the video above. Or, for another view into singer/songwriter Willy Vlautin‘s spare, gritty storytelling style, pick up his acclaimed novels, The Motel Life and Northline. (A third, Lean on Pete, is expected this spring.)

At first glance, while Wordstock’s name is a play on the famous musical festival of yore, Portland’s annual literary weekend, coming up Oct. 10-11, doesn’t seem to have a lot in common with that seminal event. But, as The Oregonian’s overview of the lineup reveals, a few writerly rock stars will be on hand:

Headliners include Sherman Alexie, Ethan Canin, Dan Chaon, Richard Dawkins, Pete Dexter, James Ellroy, Julia Glass, Jacquelyn Mitchard and Jeannette Walls.

In addition to familiar names like Alexie, Dawkins and Ellroy, an array of lesser-known authors will be reading and lecturing at Wordstock. The perfect way to get to know them is by checking out the official Wordstock blog.

Heck, there’s even some real rock ‘n’ roll, with Storm Large performing at the Literary Feast benefit for teachers on Oct. 9.

Similarity to its namesake aside, Wordstock is a favorite Portland event that brings established authors, aspiring writers and readers together for a long weekend of interaction and entertainment.

Favor to ask: If you’re planning to go to the Pendleton Round-Up, held the first full week of September, please raise a glass for me to the memory of George Fletcher, Jackson Sundown and Jonathan E. Lee Spain.

If you aren’t able to go (or sadly, like me, have never gone), console yourself with Last Go Round, Ken Kesey and Ken Babbs’ merry account of these mythical figures from the 1911 Round-Up.