Portland Spoke – The Official Blog of Travel Portland – Travel Portland's Staff Blog

I’m excited to share my first blog post with you as the new Marketing Assistant at Travel Portland! I admit I’ve been busy learning names, finding the elusive office supply room and getting lost amid the offices, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t taken the time to explore what downtown Portland has to offer as I get acquainted with my new working environment.

People love the many large, well-known entertainment options in downtown: delicious meals at award-winning restaurants, soaking up a room-size modern painting at the Portland Art Museum, or running along the expanse of Tom McCall Waterfront Park. However, downtown Portland isn’t all about “big” adventures. During my recent lunch hours, I’ve enjoyed some of the “little gems” that make Portland shine … and I wanted to share them with you. (more…)

Sometimes, the winter weather in Portland can be a bit … dicey.  Fortunately for us, we have a great arts scene that provides some cozy distractions, from festivals (the Jazz Festival and the Portland International Film Festival are on right now) to season-long offerings from companies like the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony and White Bird Dance.

Now through the end of March, downtown Portland’s performing arts organizations have teamed up to provide a break from the winter doldrums with a 2-for-1 offer on select performances.  Shows include STOMP, Alvin Ailey Dance, and a piece from Oregon writer Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  In addition, local restaurants and retailers are providing dining, shopping and parking discounts to showcase the full downtown Portland experience.

These deals are open to locals and visitors, so check out the details at downtownportland.org.

One of my favorite things about Portland is all the public art. The sculptures, murals and installations can turn a pleasant walk through downtown into a treasure hunt. When the Transit Mall was renovated in 2009, I was blown away by the great new pieces (mixed with plenty of classics, like the statue made famous in the “Expose yourself to art” poster).

So I was thrilled to get to work on a new guide to public art in the central city, which Travel Portland produced in partnership with the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

Free copies are available at the Visitor Information Center in Pioneer Courthouse Square, or you can download the PDF. The guide includes a map to more than 100 artworks, including all 36 pieces on the Transit Mall.

Check it out, and take yourself on a treasure hunt through the streets of Portland!

Here’s the scene Wednesday afternoon at Pioneer Courthouse Square, which is hosting the Holiday Ale Festival through Sunday.

This year’s event, expected to draw 17,500 beer lovers, will include more than 50 bold (and colorfully named) winter ales. Among the varieties I’m eager to sample: BridgePort’s Old Knucklehead (a big stretch, I concede) and Hopworks’ Kentucky Christmas.

See you there.

For a full list of downtown events, pop-up shops and more, visit the Downtown Portland website.

Here it is, November already! And that sets me to thinking about holiday gatherings, about homemade cranberry sauce and Hood River’s own Tofurky … and about finding a few special gifts for a few special people.

Thankfully, it’s also time for our pop-up shops to sprout downtown. Alongside Portland Saturday Market, these collectives of local artists, artisans and fashion designers help holiday shoppers find carefully crafted gifts for everyone on our list. Here’s a look at this year’s crop, which opened on Tuesday:

• A favorite indie emporium, Crafty Wonderland, showcases the work of more than 80 local artists in jewelry, clothing, art and housewares. Have some fun with their wacky holiday photo booth! (802 S.W. 10th) (more…)

Bright new (energy-efficient) lights came on in downtown Portland’s cultural district today with the grand re-opening of Portland State University’s renovated Lincoln Hall.  Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and PSU President Wim Wiewel presided over the ribbon cutting in the 465-seat venue that will host national and regional dance, theater and music companies such as White Bird’s Uncaged dance series, Friends of Chamber Music, NW Dance Project and PSU’s own symphony and theater programs.  There’s already a buzz around town about PSU’s world-renowned opera program’s presentation of Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene” next spring.  (Note to theatergoers – there  are excellent venues such as Higgins bar nearby for deconstructing the evening over a post-performance pint!) (more…)

September is my favorite month in Portland.  The weather’s warm, the streets are busy and activities are in full swing.  Here are a few of the things I’m looking forward to experiencing:

See

Robert Crumb, Illustrated Book of Genesis: It took five years and 200 drawings for artist Robert Crumb to illustrate the 50 chapters of Genesis.  Portland Art Museum’s exhibit runs through Sept. 19.

Long Day’s Journey Into Night: A collaboration between the Artists Repertory Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company, this American classic stars William Hurt.  The show has been extended through the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

PICA’s Time Based Art: Ten days of performances and parties kick off with a collaboration between the Oregon Symphony and Rufus Wainright.

Shop

Compassion Coupons: From now through September, customers can print coupons for discounts at downtown shops and restaurants and New Avenues for Youth will benefit.  For every redeemed coupon, New Avenues receives $5 to help fund their outreach programs.

Fashion’s Night Out: On Sept. 10, Downtown Portland retailers throw open their doors for fashion shows, exclusive appearances, samples and giveaways.  Director Park is the headquarters for this event, which includes free evening parking at SmartPark’s 10th and Yamhill garage.

Art in the Pearl/Pearl Sidewalk Sale: The Pearl’s the place to be on Labor Day weekend, when artists take over the Park Blocks and vendors take over the sidewalks.  Bring your credit cards and good walking shoes for this three-day event.

Savor

Tasty n Sons: From the legendary folks at Toro Bravo, this restaurant in North Portland packs them in for brunch.  Starting Sept. 9, they’ll bring ‘em in for dinner, too.  A warm-weather bonus?  The roll up garage-style door at the front of the restaurant.

Pinot: “An American Brasserie” featuring beer, wine (yes, there is more than just Pinot Noir on the menu) and eats from the Pacific Northwest.  This newly opened downtown restaurant opens early and closes late.

Hair of the Dog: This legendary brewing company has finally opened a public brewpub.  Their website hasn’t been updated, but the Oregonian wrote a preview in April.

Artists Rep's Todd Van Voris and Stephanie Mulligan on their way to visit the home of Cate Blanchett, co-artistic director of Sydney Theatre Company. Photo courtesy of OregonLive.com.

Every year Portland has an unbeatable arts season but this year we get a really special treat.  No, we get a really amazing show with top actors.  Every time Artists Repertory Theatre brings William Hurt to Portland for a performance it is a special treat but this time ART has taken one of the classic American plays, Long Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill, and brought continents together.  Australia’s Robyn Nevin is joining Hurt and one of Portland’s favorites, Todd Van Voris, for this special production at the Newmark Theatre.

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For the past three weeks, I’ve been tasting my way through town as part of Dining Month Portland.  This month-long event features 50 restaurants serving up three-course dinners for only $25.  Patrons can enjoy meals any day of the week — no coupon required!

So far, I’ve sampled the orange cardamom crème brûlée at Gracie’s, drooled over the halibut offered at The Original and look forward to tonight’s dinner at Oba with lip-smacking anticipation.  With restaurants dishing up delights all over the city, there’s probably a participating restaurant near your hotel or home.  Reservations aren’t required but they are recommended.  Visit DiningMonthPortland.com for a full list of restaurants and their tasty treats.