Portland, OR. As Oregon reopens, one activity Oregonians are eagerly anticipating is the return of concerts and live music. The Portland nonprofit, Friends of Noise is a local organization making a return of live music possible, and accessible for anybody who wants to get involved. It provides sound equipment to performers, hosting free age-inclusive shows, and helping creative youth navigate the local music scene. Now starting its summer 2021 season, the nonprofit has a fresh slate of performances and events to bring the joy of communal music experiences back to Portland youth, including a dance battle, hip hop cypher performance, and multiple outdoor concert events for youth artists.
Friends of Noise provides programs, workshops, and other professional development opportunities for teens and young adults to gain experience with sound equipment, and performing so they are more prepared to navigate the music industry.
An integral core foundation to Friends of Noise is the belief that getting young performers and audience members involved in music is essential to the growth of the local and global music community.
The nonprofit offers a variety of services to support Portland’s musically-oriented youth, including professional development workshops providing skills for involvement in the music industry, paid opportunities for youth musicians to perform, and offering sound equipment services for independent, youth-organized concerts, teaching those interested how to operate such equipment and offering youth paid opportunities for work with sound technology. According to Friends of Noise executive director André Middleton, the nonprofit’s mission is to “facilitate healing and growth in the community” for Portland youth artists, with a focus on BIPOC individuals.
Middleton admits that the COVID-19 pandemic was difficult for Friends Of Noise, with the nonprofit completely halting operations like most other businesses at its start. However, the organization still found ways to utilize its services mid-pandemic to further its commitment to justice by providing sound equipment to local Black Lives Matter protests and marches to “lift up the voices of the unheard.” Friends of Noise even helped host a BLM protest event on labor day 2020 in Portland’s Cathedral Park, providing and setting up sound equipment for speakers.
Middleton says that his organization’s greatest challenge of the pandemic has been the recruitment of new youth performers and sound technicians to work with, stating that reconnecting with the musical youth of Portland is the current “highest priority” for Friends of Noise. Thankfully, they were still able to support independent young musicians of Portland through the pandemic by recording isolated performances in various Portland music venues from a wide range of talented youth, editing them, and uploading these performances to the Friends of Noise Youtube channel as part of their “Friends of Noise TV” series.
Here’s a video from ‘Friends of Noise TV’:
Behind the scenes photo depicting the filming of a live performance by Arietta Ward/”Mz. Etta” at Jack London Revue for the Friends of Noise TV YouTube concert series.
Middleton says what he was most excited for about the return of live music, but for Friends of Noise, concerts have been back for a while as they have done sound equipment for and hosted a series of concerts for youth artists in parks around Portland, following COVID safety procedures such that youth could still gather, connecting to both music and one another, safely. He is most eagerly anticipating the Friends of Noise Summer Jam being held for free at Oregon Contemporary on July 11th from 6-10pm, where the organization will be hosting a variety of talented young performers. Middleton also noted that he is currently working with a youth graphic designer in a paid opportunity to create a poster for the event, highlighting his organization’s commitment to uplifting creative youth and getting them involved in as many ways as possible.
Middleton hopes support for Friends of Noise will take off this summer in comparison to last year, as the organization has its eyes set on a large, yet important project— the creation of a free, youth-led, all-ages, all-inclusive space for performances, music, workshops. and creativity as part of public housing in Northeast Portland. He expressed disappointment in the fact that Portland currently has no all-ages, youth-inclusive concert spaces, and hopes to change that by saving the organization’s funds and donations to establish the community center.
More information about Friends of Noise can be found at the nonprofit’s website, friendsofnoise.org. Here, supporters of FON’s mission can find times and locations for all of the organization’s upcoming events mentioned in this article and many more. Further, readers can donate funds through the website via posted PayPal, Venmo, and Cashapp to help make André Middleton’s dream of an youth led and focused, all-inclusive community concert center a reality— one which places the importance of creative expression above alcohol sales.
Portland, OR. Visitors are flocking to Portland area attractions like the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. As of June 25th, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, face masks are required within indoor spaces and many people are still opting for masks in busy parks. Portland Parks & Recreation is reopening spaces as allowed by Oregon Health Authority. Visitors are still required, under the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, to maintain 6 feet of physical distance between others and not assemble in groups larger than 10 people at any park. Concerts in the Park, Movies in the Park, Washington Park Summer Festival, and Portland World Soccer Tournament are canceled this summer. But there are still appealing options.
Rose Garden hours are from 7:30 A.M.-9:00 P.M
Here’s a list of what’s open in Portland parks:
Portland Park ASSET
STATUS
Archery range
Open
Athletic/sport fields
Closed
Basketball courts
Closed
Boat launch/docks
Open – stay 6 feet apart; no groups above 10.
Community centers (including arts centers, pools, and recreation activities)
Closed – All PP&R recreation activities are canceled through through September 2020. This date is subject to change. For refund information, please visit portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/756846.
Closed – Concerts in the Park, Movies in the Park, Washington Park Summer Festival, and Portland World Soccer Tournament are canceled this summer. For more information, please visit portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/759204.
Disc Golf
Open – stay 6 feet apart; no groups above 10; do not share discs.
Dog off-leash areas
Open – stay 6 feet apart; no groups above 10.
Drinking fountains
Open
Fitness equipment
Closed
Fountains (interactive and decorative)
Closed – Interactive fountains and decorative fountains will remain off throughout the summer. Drinking fountains are open.
Free Lunch + Play
Open – Portland Parks & Recreation is planning to operate our Free Lunch + Play program this summer. Access to nutritious food has proven to be one of the highest needs in our community during this public health crisis. Please visit portlandoregon.gov/parks/lunch.
Golf Courses
Open – clubhouses are closed, except for restrooms. Food and beverage are limited and available for take-out only. For more information, visit portlandoregon.gov/parks/63560.
Parking areas and roads
Most parking areas, park roads, and gates are closed to help reduce crowding. See list below for details.
Permitted picnics and weddings with 25 or fewer people approved when Multnomah County enters Phase I – estimated on June 12, 2020. This date is subject to change.
Pick-up and organized sport games
Closed
Picnic sites
Open – stay 6 feet apart; no groups above 10.
Playgrounds and play areas
Closed
Pools
Closed – All PP&R recreation activities are canceled through through September 2020. This date is subject to change. For refund information, please visit portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/756846.
Poet’s Beach and River Swimming
Open – stay 6 feet apart; no groups above 10. Please be aware of water safety and information on posted signage. There are no lifeguards present. More information is available at portlandoregon.gov/parks/73880. Entering the water is not allowed at Kelley Point Park.
Public gardens
Most are open; however, gardens operated by our partners or third parties may be closed. Please call your destination before visiting.
Restrooms
Open – cleaned once per day
Skateparks
Open – stay 6 feet apart; no groups above 10.
Tennis courts (outdoor)
Open – No groups. Singles only. Each player must bring their own marked tennis balls. The Portland Tennis Center remains closed alongside our community centers. Read more at portlandoregon.gov/parks/52167.
Trails and natural areas
Open – stay 6 feet apart; no groups above 10. Some sites have one-way trail markers.
Splash pads
Closed – Splash pads and interactive fountains will remain off throughout the summer.
Weddings/ceremonies
Weddings with 25 or fewer people approved when Multnomah County enters Phase I – estimated on June 12, 2020. This date is subject to change.
Outdoor tennis courts are open at Willamette Park in SW Portland.
Dog off-leash areas are open, but visitors must stay 6 feet apart; no groups above 10.
Some private nonprofit parks, like the Japanese Garden, require face masks for indoor activities.
Among the new safety adjustments are timed entry admissions, one-way routes through the Garden, and limiting the number of people in spaces.
Multnomah County has provided educational materials to remind park-goers of safety tips.
SUMMER FREE FOR ALL Portland Parks & Recreation is operating the Free Lunch + Play program this summer, which started on Monday, June 22nd. Access to nutritious food has proven to be one of the highest needs in our community during this public health crisis. PP&R and our partners will play an important role in keeping kids healthy this summer.For more information, please visit portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/759204.
People who are exhibiting symptoms of any illness should stay home and refrain from using any PP&R facility.
Follow CDC guidelines and wash your hands before and after you visit a park, trail, or natural area, or any other public space.
Follow CDC physical distancing recommendations and keep 6 feet from others at all times, including interacting with other park visitors and PP&R staff. If you can’t maintain that distance, find another location or come back another time.
Be prepared for limited access to public restrooms and no operating water fountains.
While on trails, announce your presence to others and step aside to let others pass.
Our community’s parks system provides our neighbors with many opportunities to improve their mental and physical health during this public health emergency. However, please understand that we will need the assistance and compliance of the entire community with these actions. Let’s work together to slow the spread of this virus and save lives.
HOW YOU CAN HELP PP&R suggests that people who feel sick with cold or flu symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with others. If you have health concerns or questions, please contact your regular doctor. Everyone must take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially to protect those who are more vulnerable. The Oregon Health Authority also recommends the following steps you can take to prevent the spread of flu, the common cold, and COVID-19:
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that you frequently touch.
If you are traveling overseas, check for the latest COVID-19 Travel Alerts and follow the CDC’s Travelers’ Health guidance: guidance at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
Stay informed about the virus Please check the following resources below for updates about COVID-19 in Oregon and Multnomah County. For additional resources, call 211.
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SUMMER FREE FOR ALL
