For 110 Years Portland Parks Feature Free Summer Concerts

For 110 Years Portland Parks Feature Free Summer Concerts

by | Jun 18, 2016 | Features, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Portland, OR. It’s a musical tradition over 110 years in the making and Concerts in the Park offer something for everyone. The Rose City’s best and brightest, like Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts, entertain outside for free. From classical to rhythm & blues, musicians have been entrancing audiences in Portland parks since 1901. The concerts take place in July and August, so grab your calendar and check out all the dates below. (Photo credit, Portland Parks)

Today’s crowds flock to Portland parks citywide for the revelry, with over forty thousand people attending 65 concerts offered in 2015. The events are supported by partnerships with neighborhood associations and local sponsors.

Today’s crowds flock to Portland parks citywide for the revelry, with over forty thousand people attending 65 concerts offered in 2015. The events are supported by partnerships with neighborhood associations and local sponsors.

Here’s a list of all the free summer concerts in the parks.

ALL CONCERTS BEGIN AT 6:30 PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Pack a picnic dinner or dine with our vendors, bring a blanket or chairs, and spend time with family and friends at a live concert performance.

MONDAYS
SELLWOOD RIVERFRONT PARK  •  SE Spokane & Oaks Pkwy   •  Transit #70, #99
Monday, July 11 Keegan Smith (Original urban Americana)
Monday, July 18 Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys (Western swing and honkey tonk)
Monday, July 25 Edna Vazquez  (Velvety, Latin pop with folkloric roots) 
Monday, Aug 1 Karen Lovely (Award-winning contemporary blues)
Monday, Aug 8 Windermere Stellar presents:
Quarterflash (Energetic 80’s rock music)
DENORVAL UNTHANK PARK  •  510 N Shaver St  •  5:30 PM  •  Transit #44, #4
Monday, July 11 Grupo Condor (Performs “Legends of Mexico”)  
Monday, Aug 15 Obo Addy’s Legacy Project (Interactive, dance and rhythms from Ghana)

TUESDAYS
MT TABOR PARK  •  SE 69th & Taylor St  •  Transit #15
Tuesday, July 5 World’s Finest (Americana, ska, and jam)
Tuesday, July 12 The Strange Tones (Surf tinged blues with a James Bond twist)
Tuesday, July 19 Ken DeRouchie Band (Muddy nominated blues)
Tuesday, July 26 Pure Vida (High energy salsa and timba)
COLUMBIA PARK ANNEX  •  N Woolsey & Willamette Blvd  •  Transit #75
Tuesday, July 5 Scott Pemberton Quartet (Classic rock, jazz, psychedelia and everything in between)
Tuesday, July 12 Dirty Revival (Soul, funk, and hip-hop)
Tuesday, July 19 The Student Loan String Band (Pacific Northwest “jamgrass”)
KENTON PARK  •  N Kilpatrick & Delaware Ave  •  Transit #4, yellow
Tuesday, July 26 The Dusu Mali Band (Improvisational African jazz)
Tuesday, Aug 2 Ian McFeron (Bluesy-Americana, folk-rock ‘n’ roll)
Tuesday, Aug 9 Northwest Blues Explosion (Funky, danceable blues and R&B)
MCCOY PARK  •  N Fiske & Trenton St  •  Transit #4
Tuesday, Aug 16 POPgogi (Soul meets Brazilian beats)
Tuesday, Aug 23 New Columbia Campus Partners presents:
Dina y los Rumberos (Vibrant, energetic Cuban music)
FERNHILL PARK  •  NE 37th, North of Ainsworth St  •  Transit #75, #72
Tuesday, Aug 2 National Night Out
Concordia Neighborhood Association presents:
The Wanderlust Orchestra (Rip-roaring cabaret)

WEDNESDAYS
DAWSON PARK  •  N Stanton & Williams Ave  •  Transit #4, #24, #44
Wednesday, July 6 Legacy Emanuel Medical Center presents:
Soul Vaccination (The Northwest’s premier funk and soul band)
Wednesday, July 13 Hank Shreve Band (Rockin’ blues and soulful originals)
Wednesday, July 20 Sabroso (Latin to funk and everything between)
Wednesday, July 27 Andy Stokes (Traditional R&B)
WILLAMETTE PARK  •  SW Macadam & Nebraska St  •  Transit #35, #36,#43
Wednesday, July 6 National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) presents:
Freak Mountain Ramblers (Home brewed mountain rock ‘n’ roll)
Wednesday, July 13 Malea & The Tourists (PDX’s Dynamic swing, pop, variety band)
Wednesday, July 20 The Back Alley String Band (Bluegrass, Americana and original acoustic music)
Wednesday, July 27 Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) presents:
Reggie Houston’s Box of Chocolates (Fine sax with strings attached)
VENTURA PARK  •  SE 113th & Stark St  •  Transit #20, blue
Wednesday, Aug 3 Barn Door Slammers (Western swing and hillbilly jazz)
Wednesday, Aug 10 Tracy Fordice Band (Original, soulful rock)
Wednesday, Aug 17 Wamba (World Beat, African jazz, Afrobeat)
Wednesday, Aug 24 Son de Cuba (Latin, African, and jazz rhythms)

THURSDAYS
WALLACE PARK  •  NW 25th & Raleigh St  •  Transit #15, #18
Thursday, July 7 SELCO Community Credit Union presents:
Castletown (Energetic Celtic folk rock)
Thursday, July 14 Geno Michaels & Soul City (Neo-Soul, R&B, funk)
Thursday, July 21 SELCO Community Credit Union presents:
Caleb Klauder (Americana, honky tonk)
GLENHAVEN PARK  •  NE 82nd & Siskiyou St  •  Transit #72
Thursday, July 7 Sam Bam Boo (Caribbean grooves and tropical rhythms)  
Thursday, July 14 Tony Ozier & the Doo Doo Funk All Stars (Funk and beats galore)
Thursday, July 21 Too Loose Cajun Zydeco Band (Louisiana dance tunes)
BERRYDALE PARK  •  SE 92nd & Taylor St  •  Transit #15, Green
Thursday, Aug 11 Sapphire Health Services presents:
Samsel (Harmonious indie rock)
Thursday, Aug 18 University of Western States presents:
The Libertine Bells (Hot, vintage swing)
Thursday, Aug 25 The Rose City Kings (Muddy award-;winning blues)
COUCH PARK  •  NW 20th & Glisan St  •  Transit #77
Thursday, Aug 11 Folsom (Fun-loving, classic Americana)
Thursday, Aug 18 Tezeta (Funky soul and jazz inspired by Ethiopia’s golden age)

FRIDAYS
FERNHILL PARK  •  NE 37th, North of Ainsworth St  •  Transit #75, #72
Friday, July 8 Vacasa presents:
Tony Starlight (Music, laughter, Sinatra to the ‘80s)
Friday, July 15 The Quick & Easy Boys (Harmonious indie rock)
Friday, July 22 LaRhonda Steele (Irresistible soul music)
Friday, July 29 Mariachi Viva Mexico (The premier mariachi band in the Northwest)  
LOVEJOY FOUNTAIN PARK  •  SW 3rd & Harrison  •  Transit #35, #54, Green, Yellow
Friday, July 22 Jujuba (Danceable Nigerian Afrobeat)
Friday, July 29 The Shanghai Woolies (Hot jazz-age pop)

INDEPENDENT CONCERTS
Saturday, July 30 Cathedral Park • 6:00 PM Portland Festival Symphony
Sunday, July 31 Laurelhurst Park • 6:00 PM Portland Festival Symphony
Wednesday, Aug 3 Willamette Park • 5:30 PM NCNM & OHSU presents:
South Portland Health & Safety Fair
Friday, Aug 5 South Park Blocks • 6:30 PM National Night Out
Downtown Neighborhood Association presents:
Pa’Lante (Fiery salsa & Afro-Cuban rhythms)
Saturday, Aug 6 Peninsula Park • 6:00 PM Portland Festival Symphony
Sunday, Aug 7 Grant Park • 6:00 PM Portland Festival Symphony
Sunday, Aug 14 Washington Park • 6:00 PM Portland Festival Symphony
Sunday, Aug 28 Laurelhurst Park  •  6:00 PM Providence Stage Band

FOOD VENDORS
Aladdin Cafe Fernhill Park
Atlas Scoops Sellwood Park
Bi-Partisan Cafe Mt. Tabor Park
Mad Dogs Sellwood, Wallace, Couch, Mt Tabor, Cathedral, Laurelhurst, Lovejoy, Grant, and Peninsula Park
Bassotto Gelateria Kenton Park,  Columbia Annex
Island Daydream Shave Ice Wallace, Couch, McCoy, Dawson, and Fernhill Park
My Mamma’s Gumbo Sellwood, Columbia Annex, Dawson, McCoy, and Berrydale Park
Nia Water Beverage Catering Laurelhurst, Peninsula, Cathedral, and Grant Park
Po’Shines Kenton Park
Portland Ice Cream Company Mt Tabor, Berrydale, Willamette, Ventura, Lovejoy, Cathedral, Laurelhurst, Peninsula, Grant, and Washington Park
Ross Island Grocery & Cafe Willamette Park
Pip’s Original Doughnuts Glenhaven Park
The Village Crepery Wallace Park, Fernhill Park
Tortilleria y Tienda de Leon’s Fernhill, Ventura, Sellwood, and Glenhaven Park
The Whole Bowl Mt. Tabor Park
  • If you need a sign language interpreter or FM loop amplifier, please contact 503-823-4333, or 711 (TRS) at least ten (10) business days in advance of the performance. Information about PP&R programs and services is available online for those needing a voice synthesis – PortlandParks.org.
  • Alcoholic beverages for personal consumption are permitted only during Concerts in the Park events.
  • All dogs must be on a leash.
  • All parks and natural areas are smoke and tobacco free zones.
40th Anniversary of Special Olympics Oregon Celebrated at the BITE

40th Anniversary of Special Olympics Oregon Celebrated at the BITE

by | Aug 12, 2012 | Events, Features, Fundraisers | 1 comment

Portland, August 11th.  The Bite of Oregon is a celebration of Oregon, its food, its people and quality of life. With hundreds of restaurant and dozens of breweries and wineries  represented, the Special Olympics Oregon benefit attracts food fans by the thousands.

Sizzling seafood paella was a hit.

Sizzling seafood paella was a hit.

"The Usual Suspects" Entertaine the crowd. It's the band of Police Chief, Mike Reed.

“The Usual Suspects” entertain the crowd. It’s the band of Police Chief, Mike Reed.

Viewed as a foodie’s dream come true, the Gerry Frank’s Oregon Chef’s table is an opportunity to experience small gourmet bites from some of the top chefs from around the state.

Eddy Gonzales, Chef Shyam Dausoa from Chez Dodo and Sala Kannan were serving Dholl Puri and Portobello Bury - a Mushroom Curry with Lentil Fritters served Chutney & Pickled Vegetables.

Eddy Gonzales, Chef Shyam Dausoa from Chez Dodo and Sala Kannan were serving Dholl Puri and Portobello Bury – a Mushroom Curry with Lentil Fritters served Chutney & Pickled Vegetables.

Chef Chris Carriker from the Gilt Club served up Grilled Pork Belly Skewer with Kohlrabi Slaw, Fried Peanuts and Cilantro and Lamb Meatballs with Fresh Chickpea Relish, Goat Cheese & Herbs.

Chef Chris Carriker from the Gilt Club served up Grilled Pork Belly Skewer with Kohlrabi Slaw, Fried Peanuts and Cilantro and Lamb Meatballs with Fresh Chickpea Relish, Goat Cheese & Herbs.

Lilie Boni, Henry Car and Elizabeth Kennedy from Brix Tavern served Smoked Grilled Local Salmon Brochettes with Heirloom Tomatoes & Rocket Pesto.

Lilie Boni, Henry Car and Elizabeth Kennedy from Brix Tavern served
Smoked Grilled Local Salmon Brochettes with Heirloom Tomatoes & Rocket Pesto.

B. O'Shea, Chef Aaron Gerra, Pamela McConnell, Chef Aaron Guerra CEC, DM - ACF Portland Culinary Team Member with the Oregon Blueberry Commission served Fresh Oregon Blueberries Foster w/ Hand Dipped Ice Cream, Balsamic Reduction.

B. O’Shea, Chef Aaron Gerra, Pamela McConnell, Chef Aaron Guerra CEC, DM – ACF Portland Culinary Team Member with the Oregon Blueberry Commission
served Fresh Oregon Blueberries Foster w/ Hand Dipped Ice Cream, Balsamic Reduction.

Mike Adams from Adams Rib Smokehouse tends the BBQ.

Mike Adams from Adam’s Rib Smokehouse tends the BBQ.

On Friday, August 12th and Saturday, August 13th, the popular Iron Chef Oregon competitions presented by NW Natural return. Watch talented Oregon Chefs battle it out to see whose cuisine will reign supreme!

At the popular Iron Chef Oregon competitions, presented by NW Natural,  talented Oregon Chefs battled it out to see whose cuisine reigned supreme.

Lucy Willis from Lucy's Tropical Juice

Lucy Willis from Lucy’s Tropical Juice sold fruit smoothies.

Volunteers Isabel Klein and PJ Hummult were two of hundreds pitched in at the benefit for Oregon Special Olympics.

Volunteers Isabel Klein and PJ Hummelt were two of hundreds who pitched in at the benefit for Oregon Special Olympics.

Oregon Brewers were out in force.

Oregon Brewers were out in force.

Ice Cream served up by volunteers was popular with the kids.

Ice cream served up by volunteers, including members of the National Charity League Genevieve and Mariel Klein, was a hit with the kids.

 

Soul Vaccination, the popular fund and soul band, performed for music lovers.

Soul Vaccination, the popular fund and soul band, performed for music lovers.

About Special Olympics Oregon

Here in Oregon, while Special Olympics Oregon serves more than 10,000 participants throughout the state, nearly 70,000 people with intellectual disabilities could benefit from participating in Special Olympics. Still growing, Special Olympics Oregon is efficiently expanding programs to get closer and closer to serving every individual with intellectual disabilities that qualifies to participate in Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Oregon offers training and competition opportunities in 14 different Olympic-style sports. There are three sports seasons throughout the year, with statewide competitions and training in winter, summer and fall.

The nonprofit is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a bang!