Things to Do In and Around Portland This Weekend

The work week for many is finally winding down and the weekend is fast-approaching. Luckily there are a number of interesting events going on in and around Portland over the next three days. Whether your interests are wine, poetry, or even beavers, Patch has provided a list of five notable events going on in and near the city. Don’t see the weekend event you are excited for here? Comment below and spread the word!

Bloody Mary Bloc Party: Competitions and Brunch Event
Portland, May 1

According to travelportland.com, “To celebrate the the release of Kachka Horseradish Vodka in a city that loves its brunch, Kachka’s teamed up with Grand Avenue neighbors Oso Market + Bar, Dig A Pony, Bit House Saloon and Slow Bar to open their doors on a Sunday to host a Bloody Mary Bloc Party! The event begins at Kachka for your passport to five cocktails at five bars, and five bunch bites. Attendees vote for “Best Bloody Mary on Grand.” Competing bartenders will be from Oso Market + Bar, Dig A Pony, Bit House Saloon, Slow Bar and Bull in China (hosted at Kachka). “

D.I.V.A. Practice
Portland, April 29

According to travelportland.com, “Choreographer and performance artist Pepper Pepper stage dives right into your heart with a new and daring spectacle of dance, glitter and drag. For this two-weekend run, Pepper is accompanied by drag artist and duet partner Mr. E. Together they prance, twist and get fabulous to an original score by Cabiria Jones peppered with a mix of pop sensations. D.I.V.A Practice (Drag Improv Voice Action) is a performance and research project about being fabulous in the face of uncertainty while questioning the significance of drag and gender in contemporary culture.”

PDX Urban Wine Experience
Portland, May 1

According to their Facebook, “Join our Thirteen winery members of the PDX Urban Winery Association for an afternoon of wine, food and fun. Each winery will be pouring two-three wines and you will have the chance to hear about the wines from the owners and winemakers. Bottles will be available for sale and we will offer discounts on six and 12 bottle purchases. Mix and match wines from your favorite wineries for the discounts! Small plates provided by Cuisinières Catering of a Pacific Northwest Nicoise with Chilled Salmon, Farm Egg, Potato and Spring Vegetables. As well as miniature Lemon Pavlova with Strawberry and Basil. Cheese Tasting by Portland Creamery included.”

Beavers in Gresham
Gresham, April 30

According to the city website, “Beavers have been called ecosystem engineers because of their profound ability to manipulate their habitat. By 1900, beavers were nearly trapped out of the Willamette Valley, but today they are making a comeback. With them come many unique benefits and challenges. Join the City of Gresham Natural Resources Program and Greg Lewallen – whose recent work includes collaboration on the Beaver Restoration Guide Book – in a walk along Johnson Creek to look for signs of beavers and learn about their history, ecology and management. Dress for exploring off-trail in natural areas.”

PoetryMusic Concert
April 30, Wilsonville

According to the Wilsonville Public Library website, “Celebrate National Poetry Month with this incredible performance by PoetryMusic, a local chamber jazz duo performing poems set to music in a fantastic multi-media presentation. PoetryMusic is a chamber jazz duo dedicated to performing poems that have been set to music, music that has been set to poems, and music by some well known writers who were also accomplished composers. This multi-media performance includes an accompanying slide presentation with each poem projected on the screen along with photographic images so that the audience can follow the written word with the poem being sung. Following the program, they open the floor up to questions, comments and discussion.