Milagro Theatre Presents the North American Premiere of New Cautionary Tale

Milagro Theatre Presents the North American Premiere of New Cautionary Tale

Portland, OR. The Milagro Latino Theatre company is featuring The North American Premiere of La Segua, a cautionary tale by playwright Alberto Cañas Escalante. La Segua transports audience members to 17th Century Costa Rica where ambition, narcissism, and madness abound. Inspired by the legend of la Segua, Cañas crafts a story of two young lovers who are haunted by a ghost standing in the way of their happiness and sanity. The play runs through March 2nd at the Milagro Theatre, at 525 SE Stark Street, in Portland.

NOTE: La Segua is a Spanish Language Show with English supertitles
(Photo credit, Russell J Young)

Here’s more information about the show:

Performances are through March 2nd, 2019
Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 2 PM

TICKETS: Adult tickets are $27 in advance, $32 at the door.
Senior tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
Student/ Veteran tickets are $20 in Advance, $25 at the door.
Special Pricing: Preview tickets are $18 in advance, $22 at the door
Opening night pricing: $40 for all general admission tickets
Additional discounts for groups 15+, and welcomes Arts for All pricing.
Buy tickets: 503-236-7253 or milagro.org or https://milagro.org/event/la-segua/

At Milagro Theatre, 525 SE Stark Street, Portland

ABOUT THE PLAY
In the city of Cartago in colonial Costa Rica, a beautiful woman, Encarnación Sancho, is haunted by the spectre of La Segua, who appeared to her former suitor, driving him mad. Blaming herself, Encarnación resists starting a new relationship with a new suitor, Camilo de Aguilar, a fortune-seeking adventurer who has fallen in love with her. In La Segua, Cañas takes a hard look at Costa Rican values, including ambition, hypocrisy, and follows themes of machismo, vanity, and narcissism. A cautionary tale for all to heed.

ABOUT THE LA SEGUA LEGEND
La Segua is a Costa Rican legend designed to scare men into being loyal and staying close to home at night. As men wander home, often drunk, a patch of fog appears, and in it stands a beautiful woman, with porcelain skin, long black hair, and big dark eyes.

Charmed by her beauty and forgetful of their relationships, the men offer to accompany her home. But when they turn to look at her, their dream is really a nightmare. The beautiful woman has disappeared and has been replaced by a monster with a horse’s head, accompanied by burning red eyes and big yellow teeth, terrifying the men (sometimes to the point of killing them) and in some cases making them lose their minds.

La Segua has a variety of origin stories in Costa Rica. One version says that in colonial Cartago, a young woman fell in love with a Spanish officer who eventually left her, prompting her to wander the streets of the city forever, on the lookout for men to torment as revenge.  Another version relates that also in Cartago, the town’s most beautiful young woman was invited to a dance by a wealthy Spaniard. However, her family refused to let her attend due to his “don Juan” (term for a man who seduces women) reputation. The young woman lashed out at her mother and was punished by an otherworldly force who made it so that men would always be drawn to her because of her body but would flee when they saw her horse face.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Alberto Cañas Escalante (16 March 1920 – 14 June 2014) was Costa Rican politician, writer, intellectual, public servant, and journalist. He is considered one of the most important figures in the cultural, political, and social life of Costa Rica during the latter half of the twentieth century. Among his many achievements, he was Vice Minister of International Relations (1955–1956) and was the first Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports (1970). In 1971, he founded the National Theatre Company (Compañía Nacional de Teatro.)

He wrote La Segua in the late 1960s in an effort to reconnect and modernize myths and legends, especially his own. The play premiered as the closing performance of the First Central American Festival of Collegiate Theatre in 1971, and was revived by the National Theatre Company in 2015 in his honor after his death in 2014.

In La Segua, Cañas draws on Costa Rican folklore to criticize the country’s attitudes toward beauty, a message impactful far beyond Costa Rica and long after the play’s 1971 debut. In an epilogue to the play, Cañas explains that he wanted to play with mythology, and he found his chance while glancing through a history book. He stumbled upon the story of two women who were accused of being witches in colonial Costa Rica. In the account, Cañas saw the perfect moment for la Segua to appear. In the play, she doesn’t actually make an appearance, but her presence is alluded to and feared.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Carlos Escalante Macaya was born in Barcelona, Spain of Costa Rican parents. He studied at the University of Costa Rica in the School of Musical Arts. During his studies, in 1992, he won the “September 15” Permanent Central American Contest for his piece “Violin and Piano Sonata”. In 1995 his opera “The Two of Us”, book by Carlos Tapia, was produced at the National Lyric Company. He has written music for orchestras as well as chamber music, film scores, choral music, music for dance, and a large variety of incidental music for theatre. He moved to Cape Town, South Africa in 2000, where he completed his post-graduate studies with Maestro Peter Klatzow, a former student of famed French composer Nadia Boulanger. He currently teaches at the National Music Institute and the University of Costa in the School of Musical Arts.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Roy Antonio Arauz is a Costa Rican-American director, choreographer, and Milagro’s Producing Creative Director since 2016. Select directing credits: Anna in the Tropics (Latino Theatre Projects); The Gene Pool, The Temperamentals, The Hen Night Epiphany (Arouet); La Mariposa (Book-It, touring); My Mañana Comes(Associate Director, ArtsWest); Annie, The Music Man (Driftwood Players); The Humans (Assistant, Artists Rep); Éxodo (Co-director, Milagro). Choreography credits include: Female Hitchhikers(Consenting Adults, Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography); Annie, The Wizard of Oz (Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theatre.) He founded and was artistic director of Arouet in Seattle from 2011–2015, and is a founding member of Theatre9/12, where he was mentored by Charles Waxberg. He is a member of the Latinx Theatre Commons Steering Committee, the 2015 Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, and the 2016 Directors Lab West.
LA SEGUA
By Alberto Cañas Escalante
Original music by Carlos Escalante Macaya 
Directed by Roy Antonio Arauz

ENSEMBLE
Johanna Echavarría | Encarnación Sancho
David Cabassa | Camilo De Aguilar
Patricia Alvitez | Manuela/Petronila
Laura Di Mare | Baltasara/María Francisca
Enrique Andrade | José Manuel Sancho
Carlos Adrián Manzano | Ensemble
Marian Mendez | Ensemble
Elizabeth Vizcaíno | Ensemble

From Milagro:

The Milagro MainStage theatre company produces a full season of regional or world premieres, including one Spanish language play each year, as well as its long-running Día de Muertos signature production.

Teatro Milagro, Milagro’s touring and arts education program, presents its original bilingual plays and educational residencies to diverse and underserved communities across the nation. Milagro provides a home for Latino arts and culture at El Centro Milagro, where it enriches the local community with a variety of community engagement projects and educational programs designed to share the diversity of Latino culture.

Oregon Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Stan Foote to Retire After 2018-2019 Season

Oregon Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Stan Foote to Retire After 2018-2019 Season

Portland, OR. Stan Foote, Artistic Director of Oregon Children’s Theatre (OCT), announced his plan to retire at the end of the 2018-2019 season. Foote began working with Oregon Children’s Theatre in 1991 and was named its first Artistic Director in 2001. Across his 28-year tenure, he directed nearly 50 plays and shepherded the creation of 20 brand- new scripts based on beloved books for children and families.

These adaptations include collaborations with award-winning children’s’ authors such as Lois Lowry (The Giver) and Louis Sachar (Holes) and became a hallmark of OCT’s rise to national prominence amongst its peers.

OCT made the announcement:

Originally hired to develop OCT’s education programs, Foote is responsible for creating and shaping the company’s acclaimed Acting Academy and Young Professionals Company, as well as programs that are delivered in schools and the community. Under his artistic direction, the company has grown to be the region’s largest provider of performing arts experiences for young people.

Stan Penkin, OCT’s board president said, “Meeting Stan some eight years ago was a special moment for me,” said Penkin. “I was immediately captured by his wonderful soul, his obvious caring for children and his dedication to helping transform lives. His exceptional character, tireless spirit, and unquestionable integrity are deeply embedded in an organization that will miss his presence.”

On making his decision to retire, Foote stated, “It has been a joy and an honor to be the Artistic Director of OCT. I am grateful to the staff, board, patrons, artistic community, business partners, and my peers in the field of theatre for young audiences for embracing me, guiding me, and traveling on this creative journey with me. I am humbled by their trust and support and could not have done it without them. By the way, I see sunny beaches in my future. Salud!”

OCT’s Managing Director, Ross McKeen, expressed his admiration for Foote and his confidence in the company’s future. “Working alongside Stan as co-leaders over the past 12 years has been a gift for me. His artistic vision in this field is remarkable. More than that, he has given this company a solid foundation of guiding values and vision, particularly in his respect and care for young people and his commitment to reaching every child.”

Foote’s innumerable contributions to Oregon Children’s Theatre will be recognized at OCT’s annual evening gala on August 24, 2019, and a campaign to honor his legacy will be launched this spring. (octc.org/gala). Foote is currently directing OCT’s 20th world premiere production, The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, and will continue as Artistic Director until September 2019. At that time, Associate Artistic Director Marcella Crowson will serve as Interim Artistic Director while OCT’s Board of Directors make plans for filling the role permanently.

About Oregon Children’s Theatre:

Since 1988, Oregon Children’s Theatre has been creating extraordinary theater for young audiences. We bring great stories to life on stage, with productions distinguished by their professional polish and awe- inspiring staging. For many children, attending an OCT production is their first experience with professional performing arts.

Our work is grounded in the belief that theater and storytelling can educate, inspire, empower, and entertain in remarkable ways. Each season, we reach more than 125,000 children and families through: unforgettable theater productions that delight and inspire families and school groups; Acting Academy programs that teach the craft of theater while fostering life skills; and dynamic performances, classes, workshops, and residencies in schools and in the community that use theater and storytelling to teach and inspire.

OCT was created by Sondra Pearlman as the “Theatre for Young People” under the auspices of the Portland Civic Theatre in 1988. When Portland Civic Theatre closed its doors in 1990, Pearlman formed Oregon Children’s Theatre with the goal of providing children their first exposure to theater and the performing arts through field trip performances. Since that start, we evolved by adding family performances and robust arts education programs.

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New York Life Donates $1 Million to The Dougy Center for Grieving Children

New York Life Donates $1 Million to The Dougy Center for Grieving Children

Portland, OR. This is the largest donation in the Dougy Center’s 36-year history. Kimberly Wuepper Rudick, a local agent with New York Life Insurance Company, presented the $1 million check on February 8th. Ashleigh Gunter, The Dougy Center’s Board Chair and Brennan Wood, The Dougy Center’s Executive Director were on hand for the presentation. The grant will fund expansion of The Dougy Center’s program development trainings in the U.S. and round the world.

Based in Portland, Ore., The Dougy Center provides peer-based support programs for children, teens, young adults and their families grieving the death of a parent or sibling. 

Oregon Humane Society Launches Free Registration for Doggie Dash

Oregon Humane Society Launches Free Registration for Doggie Dash

Portland, OR. What’s the biggest event of the year for the Oregon Humane Society? The Doggie Dash. Registration opens Thursday, February 14th and is free until March 31. Doggie Dash is a Portland tradition and one of the largest gatherings of pets and people in the country.

In 2018, more than 7,000 people and thousands of pets converged on Waterfront Park for the epic celebration.

Doggie Dash is also the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Oregon Humane Society. Donations raised by Dashers help fund critical life-saving services including adoptions, veterinary care, pet behavior services, disaster response and help for abused and neglected animals.

What – Oregon Humane Society Doggie Dash

When – 7:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. run/walk, Saturday, May 11

Where – Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Naito Parkway and SW Stark

Registration – Free before March 31. Register online starting Feb. 14 – https://www.oregonhumane.org/doggiedash/

Participants can sign up for a specific wave time and have the option of a 1.5 or 2.5 mile loop. A huge pet festival with entertainment, raffles, a free pancake breakfast and activities will greet finishers. Dashers who raise $500 or more will have access to a VIP area with snacks, bag and coat check and deluxe bathroom facilities. Prizes are also available for Dashers who reach specific fundraising levels. New for 2019 – the first 100 Dashers who raise $25 will receive an adorable pair of pet-themed slippers.

Dog-less dashers, cat fans and all animal-lovers are welcome at this fun event!

Some quick facts about the Oregon Humane Society:

  • In 2018, OHS found homes for more than 12,000 pets. It was the ninth year that adoptions exceeded 11,000 and the first time 12,000 pets found their new home through OHS.
  • OHS receives no tax dollars and relies on private donations to help pets in need.
  • The OHS medical team provides free and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for thousands of pets owned by low-income families.
  • In 2018, OHS’s Second Chance program set another record by welcoming more than 8,000 pets from shelters around the region, across the country and from areas affected by disasters.
  • From Basic Manners to Reactive Rover, OHS offers dozens of pet behavior classes and workshops plus a free pet behavior helpline.
  • OHS educators reach more than 12,000 youths and about 2,000 adults annually through humane education programs.

The Oregon Humane Society is the Northwest’s oldest and largest humane society, with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. OHS receives no government funds for its adoption, education, medical and behavior programs. Visit oregonhumane.org for more information. 

Perimeter Pedaler Matt Broshat Flies Home to Minnesota After Biking 11,075 Miles for Charity

Perimeter Pedaler Matt Broshat Flies Home to Minnesota After Biking 11,075 Miles for Charity

Seattle, WA. Matt Broshat made news by pedaling the perimeter of the U.S. to raise money for his favorite charity, Young Life. On February 5th, the 26-year-old boxed up his bike and flew home to Minnesota. Matt Broshat had biked 11,075 miles, starting in August in Portland and ending in the Rose City, 176 days later. Along the way, he surpassed his fundraising goal by $5,000, raising nearly $30,000 for Young Life Capernaum. It’s a nonprofit program for students with disabilities. The money will be used to send kids to summer camp and other events.

Matt Broshat grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He quit his job at Land O’Lakes to take on the bike trip, camping and staying with volunteer hosts along the way. “I’ve been overwhelmed with the support and encouragement from thousands of people this whole entire journey. I feel like some kind of celebrity,  but in reality I am just a guy who likes bikes, a challenge and doing ministry,” he explained.

176 days and 11,075 miles later, Matt Broshat marked his arrival back to Portland with a selfie.

Matt Broshat’s route took him to Maine, Florida and San Diego, CA.

This is a photo, taken on Day 32, shows Matt overlooking Lake Michigan.

As he completed his ride, Matt Broshat made a list of experiences, writing:

“I can’t pin down a specific emotion to describe it, but there were many things running through my head:
-The risk I took to quit a job and seek an adventure of a lifetime
-The thousands of people who were part of my journey
-My friends and family who provided encouragement along the way
-The countless amount of poptarts and sardines required to make it all happen
-The overcoming of ACL surgery 1 year ago
-The prayers of many who helped to keep me safe throughout
-Those who donated to a ministry I love @younglife
-And the realization that I just biked the US perimeter!”

Matt Broshat is looking forward to time with friends and family now. You can keep up with his future plans on his website: https://www.bikerbroshat.com/.

Emergence of Her True Self is the Theme of Portland Opera’s New Production Featuring a Transgender Heroine

Emergence of Her True Self is the Theme of Portland Opera’s New Production Featuring a Transgender Heroine

Portland, OR. The opera As One tells the story of a transgender woman named Hannah, and her journey into adulthood. In this coming-of-age story, two voices—a mezzo-soprano and a baritone—share the role of the heroine as she works to resolve the discord between her self and the outside world. As One is a chamber opera for two voices and string quartet. The Portland Opera production which runs from March 22nd – March 30th features music by Laura Kaminsky and a libretto by Mark Campbell. The chamber opera also incorporates a film, directed and created by Kimberly Reed.
Here’s an interview with the creative team:

To celebrate the Portland premiere of this critically acclaimed piece, Portland Opera teamed up with award-winning photographer Gia Goodrich to commission a series of portraits and interviews featuring transgender members of Portland’s community. The gallery of portraits will be available for public viewing in the rotunda of the Antoinette Hatfield Hall (located at 1111 SW Broadway Ave., Portland, OR 97205) beginning with an opening reception on Thursday, March 7. The gallery will be open to the public Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, in addition to event nights/matinees through March 30.

Free and open to the public.

This photo from the “As I Am: Exhibition Celebrating Trans Identities” features Vivian. (Portrait by Gia Goodrich)

This photo from the “As I Am: Exhibition Celebrating Trans Identities” features Linda. (Portrait by Gia Goodrich)

This photo from the “As I Am: Exhibition Celebrating Trans Identities” features James. (Portrait by Gia Goodrich)

This photo from the “As I Am: Exhibition Celebrating Trans Identities” features Jack & Jay. (Portrait by Gia Goodrich)

Tickets for the opera start at $35. Click this link for more Portland Opera ticket information.

 

Tuality Healthcare Foundation’s “Derby Gala” Raises Over $195,000 for New Cancer Care Fund

Tuality Healthcare Foundation’s “Derby Gala” Raises Over $195,000 for New Cancer Care Fund

Hillsboro, OR. With the support of 200 guests like Adam Good and Shantel Gritsch from the Hillsboro Hops, Tuality Healthcare Foundation’s Derby Gala raised more than $195,000. The Kentucky Derby-themed event on January 28th launched the next goal of the “On the Road to Prevention” Campaign: a cancer care fund. Funds raised will provide travel and accommodation assistance for patients away from home while receiving treatment at OHSU Tuality Healthcare, and may include capital improvements and state of the art equipment investments in Tuality’s cancer care facilities. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Heather Humelbaugh, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at OHSU Tuality Healthcare and Rev. Julie Smith and Tom Smith

Pacific University Students Jasmine Kha and Carolyn Ngo

Breast Cancer Survivor, Eleanor Mills, pictured with Tuality Healthcare Foundation volunteers Sue Horton and JoAnn Lumaco

OHSU Tuality Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joe Hardman and President Lori James-Nielsen kick off the event.

OHSU Tuality Healthcare has seen an increasing number of patients traveling daily from coastal and rural communities to receive chemotherapy and radiation. With treatments lasting an average of five weeks, for some the added cost and stress of travel can mean missing appointments, preventing patients from successfully completing their care. For local patients, finding a reliable ride to and from appointments can be challenging without a support network of friends and family. Funds raised at the “Derby Gala” for a cancer care fund, as part of the “On the Road to Prevention” campaign, aim to help patients overcome these barriers to care through gas cards, taxi vouchers, lodging and meal assistance.

In 2018, the Tuality Healthcare Foundation launched goal one of the “On the Road to Prevention” campaign: the purchase of a $1 million state-of-the-art mammography van to increase access to life-saving, preventative care. To date, more than $700,000 has been raised toward the purchase of the van, and fundraising will continue until completed.

OHSU Tuality Healthcare president Lori James-Nielsen, R.N., B.S.N., M.H.A remarked, “The community’s extraordinary generosity will help our neighbors, friends, and family members access the care they need, when they need it most. This is what community is all about.” The benefit was presented by Farmington Gardens.

From Tuality Healthcare Foundation:

The Tuality Healthcare Foundation supports OHSU Tuality Healthcare by funding projects and programs that enrich the patient experience and wellness of our community. The Foundation envisions a region— from Washington County to the coast—where there is access to consistent, patient-focused, high-quality care.

 

All Classical Portland Announces Artist in Residence Program

All Classical Portland Announces Artist in Residence Program

Portland, OR. All Classical Portland, Oregon’s classical radio station, announced the inaugural Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program as part of the station’s JOY (Joyous Outreach to You/th) initiative. The program includes one Artist in Residence and one Young Artist in Residence. Lakeridge High School senior and cellist, Taylor Yoon, was selected as the first Young Artist in Residence.

Renowned pianist Hunter Noack has been selected as the first Artist in Residence.

The AIR program, which is designed to foster creative and professional growth for emerging and established performing artists, selected Hunter Noack as the Artist in Residence and Taylor Yoon as the Young Artist in Residence. Residents will have access to All Classical Portland’s world-class facilities and studio time, coupled with on-air opportunities including appearances on Thursdays @ 3, at station events, concerts and special broadcasts. The program, announced January 17th, provides residency for both a professional and a young musician, with plans to announce a poet and visual artist in the fall of 2019.

“We’re thrilled to launch our Artist in Residence program,” said Suzanne Nance, president and CEO of All Classical Portland. “Hunter Noack and Taylor Yoon are talented artists and performers who embody All Classical Portland’s mission of building community.”

Noack is a world-renowned pianist, known for his In a Landscape: Classical Music in the Wild project, an outdoor concert series involving a 9-foot concert Steinway in state and national parks, historic sites, and other spectacular locations, instead of traditional concert halls. The audience is free to wander through the landscape while listening to the live music through wireless headphones. Here’s a video about the project:


A lifelong musician, Yoon and her sisters formed a musical group called the “Yoontrio,” and have held multiple benefit concerts for various causes. Yoon was also instrumental in launching Olivenbaum, a non-profit organization that utilizes music to bring all races and nations together into peace and harmony. This past summer, the group performed in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea as part of the Lindenbaum Music Festival.Yoon is a senior at Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego.

Noack and Yoon will make their performance debut at All Classical Portland’s Lovefest Concert on February 26th at the Newark Theatre. Additional information on the program, including selection criteria, can be found on the All Classical Portland website.

From All Classical Portland:

All Classical Portland is Portland, Oregon’s classical radio station. Established in 1983, our mission is to advance knowledge of and appreciation for classical music; to build and sustain culturally vibrant local and global communities around this art form; to reflect the spirit of the Pacific Northwest; and to foster integrity, quality and innovation in all that we do. For more information, visit www.allclassical.org.

Wyden, Merkley Announce Central Oregon Non-Profit to Receive $1.1 Million Grant

Wyden, Merkley Announce Central Oregon Non-Profit to Receive $1.1 Million Grant

Washington, D.C. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that Heart of Oregon Corps, Inc. in Bend will receive a $1.1 million federal grant to help at-risk students with education and training. The U.S. Department of Labor grant will go toward the central Oregon non-profit’s YouthBuild program. YouthBuild uses pre-apprenticeships to help young people considered at risk to complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.

Heart of Oregon YouthBuild was founded in 2000.

The mission of Heart of Oregon Corps is to inspire and empower positive change in the lives of young people through jobs, education and stewardship. Our vision is to improve economic and social vitality while increasing pathways out of poverty.

The U.S. Department of Labor grant will go toward the central Oregon non-profit’s YouthBuild program. YouthBuild uses pre-apprenticeships to help young people considered at risk complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.

“This creative approach to educate and train at-risk students helps prepare them for future careers while making their communities better places to live,” Wyden said. “That’s a winning equation for the YouthBuild students and for all of Central Oregon.”

“I grew up building things and working with my hands and learned lessons that have stayed with me through my life,” Merkley said. “YouthBuild gives kids an opportunity to develop practical job skills and keep them on track to get an education. There are lots of pathways to success, and this YouthBuild grant will help provide an extremely valuable option for students in Central Oregon.”

The annoucement was made on January 30th. The $1.1 million Labor Department grant for Heart of Oregon Corps is among $85 million awarded to 81 YouthBuild programs in 32 states.

To RSVP for the information session or get more information about the program, please reach out to YouthBuild staff at 541-526-1380 or email Katie Bauer at [email protected].

2019 Portland Winter Light Festival Adding New Attractions

2019 Portland Winter Light Festival Adding New Attractions

Portland, OR. Starting on February 7th, more than 100 illuminated installations, artists, performers, interactive activities, and events will brighten the Portland cityscape for the 2019 Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF). This free annual program of the nonprofit Willamette Light Brigade is expanding to its largest footprint yet. There will be many new attractions this year including:

  • A major expansion into the Portland State University, operating as a new self-supported site with over 20 installations across multiple venues (PSU Library, Shattuck Hall, PSU Urban Plaza, and others) featuring media including fire sculpture and large-scale video mapping.

  • ASL interpretation of returning Light Science Talks (Friday and Saturday only)

  • An expanded footprint that will feature over 20 art installations in Tom McCall Waterfront Park at Salmon Springs Fountain, including: Ivan MacLean’s Mirror, Mirror on the Ball (25-foot-tall disco ball covered in 1600 mirrors), Cheryl Leontina’s Stories Under the Bridge, a documentary profiling Portland’s homeless population, and EnlighTEN by Fresh Squeezed! (touch-reactive LED light poles, originally built for Burning Man 2018)

  • Live performances by Heidi Duckler Dance, Portland Opera resident artists, Classical Revolution PDX, Rowan Francis & the Billygoat and others

  • New interactive artworks such as the Chromosphere by Christopher Condrat (an animated sphere sculpture featuring 2,400 sound-activated LEDs), and Cosmic Fire Turtle by Richard Cawley and Portal Arts Collective (cosmic turtle with fire elements)

  • A water shuttle hosted by Portland Spirit & Events will ferry guests across the river on their Crystal Dolphin yacht all evening, and feature performances by the Portland Opera.

The festival is presented by Portland General Electric (PGE) and powered by PGE renewable energy. Here’s a video about the event from last year:

Gatto della Verita by Artist Sarah Brice. Photo by Brooke Hoyer.

Silent Disco. Photo by Brook Hoyer.

Homage to Trogdor by Ivan McLean. Photo by Amy Sakuria.

The 2018 festival attracted over 142,000 attendees and generated more than $1.85 million in goods and services spending in the city of Portland, according to organizers. The Festival presented over 100 installations, 70 performers, and 12 educational speakers and workshops. PDXWLF is an activity of the local non-profit, Willamette Light Brigade.

“The Portland Winter Light Festival showcases some of Portland’s best characteristics – especially its collective creativity and ingenuity. Whether it’s the interactive high tech light installations or the magic of fire and performance, for three nights PDXWLF captures Portland’s imagination and turns our nights into a magical landscape,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler.

Drawing interest and recognition from across the region, the expanded 2019 artist roster showcases talent almost exclusively from the Pacific Northwest.  With its dazzling and unique installations and family-friendly atmosphere, the festival, now in its fourth year, has already established itself as a regional attraction for artists and visitors.

Details for the 4rd Annual Portland Winter Light Festival:

*Where: Eastbank Esplanade and OMSI grounds, west riverfront zone (Tom McCall Waterfront Park at Salmon Springs, PGE Headquarters/World Trade Center), PSU and more.

When: 6pm-11pm, February 7-9, 2019 (Thursday through Saturday nights).
Cost: Free.

How to get there: The Portland Streetcar will once again offer free rides on all routes after 5pm on every night of the event, and Portland Spirit’s Crystal Dolphin will ferry attendees across the Willamette River from Salmon Street Springs to Caruthers Landing. Most festival sites are located along TriMet stops. Parking is extremely limited. Alternate means of transit strongly recommended.

Volunteers are still needed for the big event. The application for PDXWLF volunteers can be found at www.pdxwlf.com/volunteer.

*For complete artist listings, programming, festival sites, and schedules, visit www.pdxwlf.com.

Circus Luminescence. Photo by Brianna Shade

Portland Spirit. Photo by Brooke Hoyer

Here are links to four different maps for the festival:

PDXWLF City Map

Eastside Zone

PSU Campus Zone

West Riverfront Zone

“The record-breaking attendance of last year’s festival demonstrates that the Pacific Northwest has a true desire for art, connection, and celebration during the coldest time of the year,” Willamette Light Brigade Board Member and PSU Professor Jeff Schnabel said. “The continued support of artists and attendees, year after year, serves to truly highlight what makes Portland – and this unique event – just so incredible.”

Popular festival features returning in 2019:

  • Fire, light, and sound- based artworks such as Tyler FuQua’s Psychedahlia Garden (12-foot-tall, Jurassic-sized, vibration activated flowers), F(Light) by Jen Fuller (150 hand-blown, glass “paper airplanes” suspended in midair with video mapping) and ACME’s Lite Brite Remastered (8-foot-tall interactive lite brite)

  • Light Science Talks educational series and Stories Around the Fire storytelling series

  • Participatory events such as the lantern parade, glow jam, and silent disco

  • Sustainable public transportation options including free rides on the Portland Streetcar and (new for 2019) rides across the Willamette on the Crystal Dolphin Ferry

From Portland Winter Light Festival:

The Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF) is Portland’s premier outdoor winter art event that transforms, illuminates and animates Portland’s nighttime urban landscape. The 2018 festival attracted over 142,000 attendees and drove spending of more than $1.85 million in goods and services within the city of Portland. The Festival presented over 100 installations, 70 performers, and 12 educational speakers and workshops. PDXWLF is an annual program of the local non-profit, Willamette Light Brigade. The 2019 festival will take place February 7-9, 2019 at sites throughout Portland, and is proudly presented by PGE.