Portland, OR. As war erupts in Ukraine, the Red Cross is vowing continued support for the at-risk families in the region. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been on the ground for years, delivering urgent assistance — food, fuel for heating, medical supplies, and support for housing — to those living close to the line of contact in eastern Ukraine. The Red Cross also supports U.S. Military families in the area.
The International Red Cross is boots on the ground helping those who are injured in Ukraine.
The combination of cold temperatures, COVID-19 and chronic uncertainty made basic needs a challenge in recent years. Red Cross teams now in Ukraine will continue their work to repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities with medicines and equipment, and support families with food and hygiene items.
Women and children walk in eastern Slovakia after fleeing the conflict in neighboring Ukraine. Peter Lazar / AFP
“We already see the immediate consequences for civilians, with the latest intensification triggering new displacement,” International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer said, noting that residents have already endured eight years of conflict. “Now I fear increased suffering, with the potential of massive casualty numbers and extensive destruction of civilian objects like water and electricity plants, as well as mass displacement, trauma, family separation, and missing persons,” Maurer said.
The Role of the American Red Cross
In line with its work supporting military families, the American Red Cross is sending 30 trained staff to Europe to support the emergency communication needs of US military members. The Red Cross Hero Care Network is a Congressionally-chartered program that connects service members and their families in times of need.
Red Crossers are also distributing comfort kits, containing hygiene items and other necessities to service members and U.S. State Department staff.
Blood Services
At this time, the American Red Cross is not shipping blood products to Ukraine. The American Red Cross does not ship blood products outside the U.S. without a specific request from the U.S. Department of State, from the United Nations, or unless we have a request from affected Red Cross or Red Crescent societies abroad. (Donations of
International Humanitarian Law
ICRC called on authorities to adhere to international humanitarian law and to protect civilians and infrastructure delivering essential services, including power and water facilities, schools and hospitals. Maurer requested protection for humanitarian action so that aid actors like the Ukrainian Red Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the wider Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement can maintain access to civilians.
Assistance Contacting Family
Those unable to get in touch with US citizens missing in Ukraine or Russia should contact the US Department of State Overseas Citizen Services Office online or at 1-888-407-4747.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Another nonprofit is also planning outreach and asking for donations.
From Mercy Corps:
Mercy Corps is deeply concerned about the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine and the surrounding area that is now unfolding, and threatening many lives and livelihoods. We see risks of food shortages and huge numbers of women, men, and children forced to flee from their homes. The destruction of infrastructures like hospitals and health services could lead to a rapid spread of diseases, including COVID-19.
Mercy Corps is mobilizing a team to the region to assess where help is most needed. We anticipate providing emergency cash assistance as well as supporting local organizations that know their community needs best. Mercy Corps provided humanitarian assistance in Ukraine following the 2014 conflict, helping over 200,000 people with emergency cash, food, water, and sanitation supplies.
All over the world, Mercy Corps works alongside communities to help families affected by disasters, conflict, and climate change. Your gift today to our Humanitarian Response Fund can help us meet the immediate needs of those facing crises like the current catastrophe in Ukraine, and in 40+ countries across the globe, working to build a future where everyone can prosper.
Over the last five years, we have spent 86% of our resources on programs that help people in need. Charity watchdog groups give us their highest ratings for accountability, transparency and efficiency.
Portland, Ore. The arts, students, stable housing and small businesses were some of the causes that received support from the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) through the pandemic. The Foundation announced that from 2020 through 2021, it distributed more than $560 million in charitable support to more than 4,000 nonprofits and 6,000 students in Oregon. The funds were aimed at addressing disparities, increasing community resilience, and improving lives for thousands of Oregonians. Click here for a link to the 2021 OCF report.
“Oregon Community Foundation is in a unique position to address great needs facing people across our state,” said Sonia Worcel, Chief Community Impact Officer. “Moving into 2022, we’re listening to what matters most to Oregonians and working towards a healthier, more resilient Oregon.”
Informed by OCF research, including input from community nonprofits, OCF will focus 2022 grantmaking on impact areas identified as most urgent for communities as they rebuild from the myriad crises of the last two years. Priority focus will be given to key areas of impact including arts and culture, childcare and education, climate resiliency, housing stability, entrepreneurism and more.
The Foundation reports it will work to address needs and inequities facing under-resourced, rural and marginalized communities, which were exacerbated in recent years. “By prioritizing resources to communities facing the greatest disparities we will help strengthen all Oregonians,” said Niyati Desai, Director of Community Engagement, Oregon Community Foundation.
OCF has adapted its community grant making to create greater funding flexibility in 2022. “We aim to remain flexible to help meet community needs and evolve our grantmaking with new learnings as we work towards recovery and rebuilding,” said John Chang, Senior Program Officer, Oregon Community Foundation. Through the 2022 Community Grants Program nonprofits can apply for grants to now support general operations, capital improvements, capacity building and programs. 2021 Highlights In 2021, OCF deployed substantial support to communities across Oregon, amounting to more than $334 million in grants including $60 million in donor advised fund grants to nonprofits.
A key highlight of 2021 was OCF’s lead role with the Community Rebuilding Fund. In partnership with Meyer Memorial Trust, Ford Family Foundation and American Red Cross, this fund enables relationships between thousands of donors and nonprofits to deliver critical services and support to communities recovering and rebuilding from the ravage of the 2020 wildfires.
“The recovery and rebuilding process will take years. Together – and with generous support from committed partners – Oregon will recover and flourish again,” said Sonia Worcel, Chief Community Impact Officer, Oregon Community Foundation. “We’re incredibly grateful to the many nonprofits on the frontline helping our neighbors rebuild their homes and their lives.” Learn more at: www.oregoncf.org/rebuilding.
OCF also served in a statewide leadership capacity as the fiscal steward of critical public and state funding through additional key public-private initiatives.
Summer Learning – in mid-March, the State of Oregon allocated millions to support summer learning and enrichment for children.
OCF partnered with the state and successfully deployed $41.2 million in state-funded summer education and early childhood learning grants throughout all 36 Oregon counties. “Given the crises over the last year, Summer was a critical time to nurture and mentor children in our state,” said Max Williams, President and CEO, Oregon Community Foundation. “OCF was proud to deliver much-needed support to disproportionately impacted families and communities in Oregon.”
From Oregon Community Foundation:
OCF’s grant-making prioritized support to organizations responding to specific needs of children and families from Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and other communities of color, immigrant/refugee communities, children from low-income families, children with disabilities, and children living in under-resourced rural communities.
Learn more at: https://oregoncf.org/community-impact/research/k-12-summer-learning-2021/.
Project Turnkey was a state-funded grant program to help local entities acquire hotels and motels for emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. “Project Turnkey is an example of one strategic response in a continuum of needed services and approaches to create housing stability for more Oregonians,” said Megan Loeb, Program Officer, Housing, Oregon Community Foundation. OCF served as the administrator for Project Turnkey. In total, 19 properties were acquired by local nonprofit organizations, cities, and counties through this innovative project, yielding a 20 percent increase in the state’s supply of emergency year-round shelter beds.
“OCF continues to focus on strategic housing solutions and innovative partnerships to help more of our neighbors secure longterm housing. For example, we’re looking at low-interest loans to community development corporations to build more affordable housing and grants to support innovative projects to expedite the creation of affordable housing. We know it’s going to take all sectors – working in partnership – to resolve Oregon’s complex housing crisis.” Learn more at: https://oregoncf.org/communityimpact/research/oregons-project-turnkey-report-to-the-oregon-state-legislature/.
Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) works with donors and volunteers to award grants and scholarships to every county in Oregon. From 2020 to 2021, OCF distributed more than $560 million, supporting more than 4,000 nonprofits and 6,000 students. With OCF, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create charitable funds that meet the needs of diverse communities statewide. Since its founding in 1973, OCF has distributed more than $2 billion toward advancing its mission to improve lives for all Oregonians. For more information, please visit: oregoncf.org.
Portland, OR. A young man from Tigard is inspiring others with a fundraising drive for Meals on Wheels People (MOWP). Cooper Hammond started with a coffee stand in his neighborhood last fall and raised $500. This month, he kicked his efforts into high gear in the Multnomah Village. In partnership with PDXPOP! and Nossa Familia Coffee, Cooper’s Coffee stand served coffee and treats outside the Meals on Wheels People offices; MOWP helps older adults facing food insecurity and social isolation. Cooper raised nearly $7,500 from day-of sales and donations, bringing his fundraising tally close to $8,000. Anyone can give back—no matter their age, explained Cooper, “If you give back to the world, you can make it a better place.”
After learning about MOWP while visiting his local Green Zebra grocery store during Donate Dinner, Cooper decided to launch the coffee stand.
Cooper Hammond poses for a photo with his parents, Dave and Terri.
Cooper Hammond with a dog named Cooper.
Growing up in a family that values giving back to its community, Cooper adopted an annual tradition of creatively supporting a new charitable organization every holiday season. Over the most recent holiday season, Meals on Wheels People was the beneficiary of Cooper’s giving heart—and emerging business acumen.
Through the month of February, Cooper’s fundraiser lives on at cooperscoffee.org. Visit the website to make a donation, or order Cooper’s limited-edition popcorn or coffee courtesy of PDXPOP! and Nossa Familia Coffee. Proceeds benefit homebound older adults in our community through Meals on Wheels People programs.
Portland, OR. The nonprofit called p:ear is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and offering pre-pandemic mentoring services. Over the pandemic, the organization continued serving homeless youth with new programs including many outdoor activities.
p:ear builds positive relationships with youth experiencing homelessness, ages 15 to 25, through education, art, recreation, and job training.
Since 2002, p:ear has mentored over 5,200 youth and provided over 320,000 hours of engaging programs.
p:ear has identified a strong model for working with homeless youth: assist them to recognize themselves as capable people while providing supportive mentoring and opportunities for growth.
Below is a video about the nonprofit’s art and music programs and its impact on the Portland community.
Administrators recall challenging moments on their Facebook page, but also many positive memories.
1. Trip to the Oregon Coast
2. Visit to a local farm
3. Macrame workshop with @threerosesmacrame
4. Hiking along the coast
5. Mural making with @pdxjramirez
6. Mural collaboration with @eyedrawp
7. Creating a custom bike for our Gala auction
8. Screen printing with @mamakanani
9. Virtual reality workshop
To learn more and support the programs, visit pearmentor.org.
February marks the 20th anniversary of the day p:ear first opened its doors and here’s a bit of history
From p:ear:
Time has flown by, and we are so proud of how far p:ear has come.
How did it all start?
After the loss of our jobs at the now-defunct Salvation Army Greenhouse, a brave call from a Nokia flip phone; and the acquisition of a floor of an abandoned building, this vision, this place, opened in February 2002 with the aim to build strong relationships with homeless youth to affirm their personal worth and to help them create more personally meaningful lives.
What we couldn’t have envisioned was the community that showed up alongside us to move this dream forward and beyond anything we could have imagined. p:ear is built and sustained by a community of creators, dreamers, fighters, leaders, financiers; a community willing to take risks, to redefine themselves and their lives because of a shared belief in the futures and value of these young people.
Stay tuned for more opportunities – events, campaigns, memory sharing, and more – to help us celebrate our 20th anniversary year!
Portland, OR. The nonprofit Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) brings executives and peers together to provide community and networking experiences. The organization is educating people about the importance of supporting local nonprofits, explaining, “As the COVID-19 crisis continues to take its toll on communities around the world, those organizations play a critical role in the relief efforts today and going forward as people navigate their way through the fallout.”
“With social distancing measures in place, many of the traditional channels for nonprofits have gone away,” says Roslyn Payne, chair of the board of directors of UpMetrics. “They can’t have events. They can’t afford mailings. How do they get their message out, keep their team together and still build capacity to service the needs within the community, both short and long term?”
Payne Family Foundation encourages supporters to give.
Both nonprofits and their supporters can continue to rebuild relationships. As our community looks to give back during the crisis, here are several “takeaways” from the Payne Family Foundation:
Set measurable goals. Help an organization break down its mission into a few measurable objectives. Engage the organization, stakeholders, and donors to drive alignment on those goals. “Frequently, goal setting becomes a critical element to achieve ‘success’ and the process by itself can be very helpful to everyone,” says Drew Payne.
Identify a time frame. To achieve the goals, expectations should be realistic. “There needs to be an understanding of the challenges that organizations have in trying to meet the goals,” says Drew. “It is the journey that hopefully results in progress. This is critical to get ahead.” Keep in mind that the path toward success will not always be straight and may take much longer than expected.
Take an iterative approach. “The theory of change model with short- and long-term goals translates into an operating plan that will probably demonstrate that the theory is correct, or needs to be modified,” says Drew Payne. “The organization and funders need to have ongoing, open communication lines with a ‘honest’ lens for review.” Applying a theory of change model inherently comes with risk. Remember that it’s ok to fail.
Interpret the data. “Every nonprofit that I have worked with cares about the mission,” says Drew Payne. “Few, however, have the infrastructure and data support teams required to effectively leverage real-time information to drive interventions at scale.” Data and the capacity to leverage information is required for sustainability and scale. Groups like YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have used UpMetrics data to show financial supporters and school boards who are evaluating cost cuts the importance of their afterschool activities. Having the data to back up the mission is critical so that organizations can report to potential and existing donors about their impact.
Tell compelling stories. One of the best ways organizations can engage their funders, donors, and stakeholders during these difficult times is through compelling stories. It can help people understand how they can help an organization make an impact and empower people to take action.
“Trying to get the stories out to as broad of an audience as can be accessed is critical to these groups because they are just getting crushed,” says Roslyn Payne. “We have to have a sense of trust in working together in all of this because it’s not an easy road ahead of us. And a critical element of success going forward will be these community groups.”
Portland, OR. The Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF) kicked off its biggest festival to date with a full roster of over 100 works of art. It’s running through February 12th at dozens of locations throughout Portland. (Here’s a link to an interactive Google map to help you find the installations.) It’s the seventh year of the community-wide event. Last year, instead of large gatherings along the waterfront, PDXWLF worked to keep people socially distant because of the pandemic. In 2022, the festival is more robust.
“Over the past two years of the pandemic, Portlanders have shown that they care about community, celebration, and each other. Now more than ever it feels important to put your mask on and go out and safely rediscover our city,” says Portland Winter Light Festival Executive Director Alisha Sullivan. “We are incredibly proud to be one of the very few activities that provided free, in-person opportunities to safely interact with art in 2020 and 2021, and we look forward to doing so again in 2022.”
An installation in Director’s Park features a menagerie of land and sea creatures from the mind of @Mike Bennett Art on display in the heart of downtown. The entire zoo is covered in color-changing lighting that responses to weather patterns.
This year’s festival includes a festival anchor point at the World Trade Center and a 24-foot orca whale at Salmon Springs.
Pioneer Courthouse Square is an anchor location operating on weekends, 6 pm – 10 pm on Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th.
Planned highlights include: ● The return of Helianthus Enorme by Fez BeGaetz, a 25’ tall sunflower with 3,500 pixels of programmable LEDs ● Large-scale building projections by lighting art Mark Johns and Craig Winslow ● Participation from students at Leodis V. McDaniel School Skyline K-8, Portland State University, University of Oregon, and local children from the Lents neighborhood ● Virror, a 6’ tall LED wall with a 3-D scanning sensor that acts as a “virtual mirror” ● Bioluminescent Beasts, a light-reactive installation by popular local artist Mike Bennett
● ‘Green Fuse’, a multimedia art experience from CymaSpace combining music and sound-responsive LED lights strips to benefit both Deaf and hearing people ● An illuminated bike ride, roller disco night, four evenings of Silent Disco dances, and many more opportunities for attendee participation ● Installations all over Portland including in Tigard, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie and Hayden Island
From Portland Winter Light Festival 2022:
What: Portland Winter Light Festival 2022 When: February 4 – 12, 2022 Where: At sites throughout Portland, with anchor locations at Pioneer Courthouse Square, World Trade Center and Electric Blocks (Anchor locations will only be operating on weekends, 6pm – 10pm Friday and Saturday nights, February 5 – 6 and 11 – 12.) Citywide maps available on website. Google Map here. Cost: FREE About the Portland Winter Light Festival The Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF) is Portland’s premier outdoor winter art activity that transforms, illuminates and animates Portland’s nighttime urban landscape. The mission of the Portland Winter Light Festival is to build community by bringing art and technology to inclusive audiences while invigorating Portland in the winter. This not-for-profit activity is funded by support from individual donors, and corporate sponsors and is powered by PGE Green Future renewable power. Support is provided by Presenting Sponsor PGE, the City of Portland, Downtown Portland (a collaborative project between Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, the Portland Business Alliance, and the City of Portland), Here Oregon, Northern Illumination Company, TriMet, Portland Streetcar, NECA IBEW Local 48, the Oregon Cultural Trust and many
more. Venue Partners include Pioneer Courthouse Square, the World Trade Center, and the Electric Blocks. To donate, visit www.pdxwlf.com/donate. Founded in 2016 by the Willamette Light Brigade, the festival has established itself as a premier regional attraction for artists and visitors due to dazzling and dynamic digital art installations,
In 2022 the festival is taking place entirely in open-air and outdoor spaces, allowing for plenty of social distancing and minimizing crowds. Attendees should still expect to follow all state and federal COVID-19 guidelines. See our COVID-19 guidelines page for more information.
As always, PDXWLF is an all-ages, free event! If you want to contribute, consider signing up as a Volunteer or Donating today.
Our mission is to build community by bringing cutting-edge art and technology to diverse audiences while invigorating the city of Portland in winter.
In order to safely reflect our current pandemic reality, the 6th edition of this tradition is being held as a series of outdoor art exhibitions throughout Portland.
The Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF) is a city-wide, vibrant outdoor arts festival held at the height of winter, when there are few free cultural events taking place in the city, and builds community through collaboration between organizations, businesses, artists, and guests.
The 2020 festival hosted over 210,000 visitors and presented nearly 200 public art installations, performances, and workshops, all free of charge.
The Willamette Light Brigade (WLB) founded PDXWLF in an effort to propel forward its mission of connecting community and enriching the public realm through artful lighting. The Festival began as a coalescence of ideas in 2016, and was spearheaded by Portland State University Professor of Architecture Jeff Schnabel, Lighting Designer and Artistic Director Chris Herring, and former Technical Director Jean Margaret Thomas. The three were separately inspired by dynamic winter light festivals around the world such as France’s Fête des Lumières and Sydney’s Vivid. The organiziation is currently led by Executive Director Alisha Sullivan.
Portland, OR. Stride for Seniors is back in-person at Portland International Raceway on April 16th, 2022. Stride for Seniors is a family-friendly 1.9-mile walk to raise money to support homebound seniors experiencing food insecurity and social isolation. Last year the benefit for Meals on Wheels People was modified for social distancing because of the pandemic; there were six different neighborhood routes and a drive-through registration option.
The walk is a family-friendly walk to raise money to support homebound older adults experiencing food insecurity and social isolation. In 2022, organizers are encouraging people to, “Team up, walk, and fundraise.”
More than 5,600 volunteers annually to help serve and deliver meals.
“Safe and consistent access to nutritious food is more than just a basic human right,” says Andrew Over, Regence’s regional vice president of Business and Community Relations. “Food security can have far-reaching impacts on the overall health and wellbeing of our communities.” Organizers say during the pandemic there has been even more need for the free meal delivery service for seniors. Here’s a video about the program:
According to Meals on Wheels People, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a physical and emotional toll on Americans over the last year, and these lasting impacts have been felt most acutely by older adults. Higher mortality rates, disruptions to daily routines, prolonged isolation from friends and family, as well as technology barriers have intensified feelings of loneliness and mental health concerns among this age group.
For 50 years, Meals on Wheels People has been meeting the social and nutritional needs of older adults in our community. The nonprofit serves nutritious meals at dozen of dining centers in Multnomah, Washington, and Clark counties and volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels and friendly visits to homebound elderly. Several centers offer ethnic menus.
From Meals on Wheels People:
HOW TO REQUEST MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE
Click “Get Meals” and complete the form:
Get Meals OR Call 503.736.6325 in Multnomah and Washington counties; 866.788.6325 in Clark County, Washington.
Please request meals only when you are ready to receive them. We cannot deliver meals if you are not at home.
Please make sure the intended recipient knows you are requesting meals for him/her.
If you have questions about this request you should call: 503-736-6325
We serve seniors who live in Multnomah or Washington counties in Oregon or Clark County in Washington
The cost of each meal is $7.39. Diners over the age of 60 are asked to contribute what they can afford.
Meals are delivered Monday through Thursday
Clients must be at home to receive meals, meals will not be left.
Meals on Wheels volunteers have received background checks and training prior to delivery.
Stride for Seniors is a family-friendly 1.9-mile walk to raise money to support homebound seniors experiencing food insecurity and social isolation. Stride for Seniors is back in-person at Portland International Raceway. The health and safety of our supporters, staff and volunteers is our top priority. We will communicate any safety precautions prior to the event. Help us reach our goal of $450,000 by registering today! Click here to view step-by-step instructions for registration. Questions? Contact [email protected]
Meals on Wheels People was founded in 1969 by three caring women, Jean Wade, Martha Shull and Cay Kreiger, who saw a need in the community that was not being met. They gathered in the basement of the Lincoln Street Methodist Church in February 1970 to serve a hot lunch to about a dozen seniors and then delivered 14 Meals on Wheels on paper plates wrapped in newspaper.
Portland, OR. After two years of virtual and porch-side events, the Rose Festival will be returning to in-person events for 2022. The Portland Rose Festival has announced that many of the signature events, including CityFair, the Grand Floral Parade, and the Starlight Parade, will return in 2022. Portland Rose Festival CEO Jeff Curtis explained. “The Rose Festival is happy to be part of Portland’s comeback story, featuring all three of our parades starting with the CareOregon Starlight Parade.” (Above is the 2021 Queen’s Coronation Washington Park Amphitheater and the crowning of Queen Lily.)
For Rose Festival 2020, people made their own front yard floats.
Now the Grand Floral Parade will be back as is the crown jewel of the annual Rose Festival.
Gearing up now, the 2022 Rose Festival Court presented by Unitus Community Credit Union is taking shape. Community Interviews took place via Zoom on February 5, 2022. Individual students were assigned break-out rooms with a panel of community volunteers conducting the interviews. Portland Public Schools will offer their student body a chance to cast their votes which count as 50% toward the final tally.
Students who successfully completed the interviews and are now eligible for Court, include 15 juniors and 25 seniors, vying for the 15 princess positions and the crown of Queen of Rosaria. The selected Rose Festival Princesses will be announced on weekdays beginning February 28.
Junior and senior girls from class 4A to 6A schools in the tri-county area who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and 20 hours of verifiable community service are eligible. Candidates represent the 13 Portland Public Schools as well as Metro East, including Clackamas and East Multnomah counties and Metro West, representing Washington County schools.
Each selected Princess of the 2022 Rose Festival Court receives a $3,500 scholarship generously provided by The Randall Group.
The 2022 Portland Rose Festival Queen will be crowned at the Queen’s Coronation presented by Unitus Community Credit Union June 10, 2022
2022 Rose Festival Court Finalists & Announcement Dates
Portland, OR. After two years online, the Portland Arts & Lectures series resumed in-person events on January 27th. Author Cathy Park Hong was featured at a Literary Arts lecture held at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Cathy Park Hong was born to Korean immigrants in 1976 and raised in a bilingual home. Her book, Minor Feelings, explores Asian American identity through essays. Hong was honored by Time Magazine.
Portland Arts & Lectures will host Brit Bennett on February 17th and will offer remote live-streaming into the remaining Portland Arts & Lectures events this Spring.
Below are more Portland Arts & Lectures events:
Mira Jacob on March 10 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for the culminating event of Everybody Reads, Multnomah County Library’s community reading program, followed by our Oregon Book Awards Ceremony on April 25 at Portland Center Stage, then back to the Concert Hall for Verselandia on April 28.
Lectures in February and May.
Wednesdays, February 9–March 16, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | Guide: Kesha Ajose Fisher
Wednesday, Feb. 9: One Page Wednesday—February 6:30–8:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | FREE | Register in advance Here is an opportunity to share or listen to one page of work in progress from talented writers from everywhere. Come with a single page of work and sign up to read—or come to listen and prepare to be inspired! Hosted by Jessica Meza-Torres. This month’s featured reader is Amy Baskin.
Monday, Feb. 14: 2022 Oregon Literary Fellowships announced Oregon Literary Fellowships are intended to help Oregon writers initiate, develop, or complete literary projects in poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, drama (including scripts for television and film), and young readers literature. The 2022 Oregon Literary Fellowships will be announced via email and on our website on Monday, February 14, 2022.
Thursday, Feb. 17: Slamlandia 7:00–9:00 p.m. (sign ups at 6:30 p.m.) | Online via Zoom | FREE | Register in advance Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work.
Thursday, Feb. 17: Portland Arts & Lectures: Brit Bennett 7:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Single tickets: $29 This event is part of our Portland Arts & Lectures 2021/22 season. Our 2021–22 season is sold out but limited tickets have been made available to this lecture.
Sunday, Feb. 20: February BIPOC Writers Workshop Searching for a space to create new work with fellow BIPOC writers? A variety of prompts will be presented as avenues for generating and sharing new work in an informal setting. Open to BIPOC writers at all levels writing in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. Sunday, February 20, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | Instructor: Jacqueline Fitzgerald
Tuesday, Feb. 22: Writing Class | Nature Writing Now: Intensive Together, we will consider some historical and contemporary nature writing in order to learn how the genre has changed over time alongside our cultural conceptions of self and nature.
Tuesday, February 22–April 26, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Online via Zoom | Instructor: Daniela Molnar
Wednesday, Feb. 23: Writing Class | Poetry of Place This class will focus on how poetry stems from, evokes, or creates place. A place can be imaginary, material, or a combination of the two; most often, it is the latter.
Wednesdays, February 23–March 30, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Online via Zoom | Instructor: Daniela Molnar
The Archive Project features the most sought-after recordings from our Portland Arts & Lectures series, Portland Book Festival, and other community events, from over 37 years of presenting.
Each week, new lectures are available to stream for free. Episodes also air every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. (Pacific) on OPB Radio.
At Literary Arts, we believe in the power of stories to inspire, create empathy, and bridge divides. Your support allows readers and writers of all ages and backgrounds to experience the power of storytelling. DONATE NOW Since 1984, Literary Arts has built a community around books and storytelling, and the essential ideas that they raise. Our programs create opportunities for audiences of all ages and walks of life to engage with stories. Join us and explore our programming in concert halls, in classrooms, in our community space, in high schools, and on the radio.
Portland, OR. Oregon Ballet Theater (OBT) has announced it will take a uniquely Portland approach to the month of love with the premiere of Ben Stevenson’s Dracula. It’s based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 gothic novel of the same title. (Photo credit, Kat Luber courtesy Tulsa Ballet). The music is by Franz Liszt and will be performed live by the OBT Orchestra.
Set in the 1800s, the story follows Count Dracula’s fascination with his lawyer’s fiancée, Mina, after losing his beloved wife, Elizabeth, to suicide.
Ben Stevenson, the choreographer of this ballet, has created dozens of full-length ballets for companies in the U.S. and abroad. To create Dracula, Stevenson used the format of the great story ballets of the 19th century.
Here’s more information from OBT:
Dissatisfied with his bevy of undead brides, Count Dracula fixates on Svetlana, a young girl on the cusp of engagement, to satiate his thirst for fresh blood. Abducted by Dracula’s faithful henchman Renfield, Svetlana is dragged away to the Count’s castle from where she may never escape but for the heroism of her true love, Frederick.
• Please note the that OBT Box Office is currently unavailable for walk-up sales at our Bancroft studio location. • All patrons are required to show proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of the performance. Details HERE
Purchase with confidence! Our priority is the health and safety of our patrons. We recognize that it may be difficult to plan during these uncertain times, that’s why we have adjusted our exchange and refund policies on future programming that may be impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Read MORE.
About Oregon Ballet Theatre:
OBT is the largest professional ballet company in Oregon, employing nearly 200 people and attracting artists from around the globe with our reputation for excellence. The company is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet, with a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres from some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today. Our mission is dedicated to the vitality of, and access to, world-class ballet performance and training in our region.
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