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Posts Tagged ‘Walters Cultural Arts Center’

The 12 Days of Christmas

Posted on: December 12th, 2012 by Angie Marsh No Comments

While Washington County may not have a live partridge in a pear tree, there are enough holiday events and features here to fill the days in the countdown to Christmas. Here are suggestions:

Catch the train for a ride around Bridgeport Village!

Wednesday, Dec. 12: All aboard the Bridgeport Village holiday express train!
This 35-passenger, solar-operated holiday train runs daily between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. around the perimeter of the 27-acre outdoor shopping center in Tigard. Catch a free ride to travel from one store to the next (such as Finnegan’s Toys) or to a restaurant or the cinemas. Through December 21st.

Thursday, Dec. 13: Tea Time
Enjoy a cup of Christmas tea and treats during lunchtime at this festive high tea at Tea’s Me in Hillsboro. Just call ahead for reservations.

Friday, Dec. 14: Christmas on Broadway
Broadway Rose Theatre Company presents this holiday musical revue, which promises to deliver “Christmas magic.”

Saturday, Dec. 15: Winter Solstice Celebration
Mark the solstice with this concert in Hillsboro by a well-known Celtic duo.

Sunday, Dec. 16: Eat Breakfast with Santa
Enjoy an elaborate early morning buffet at Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, where the bearded celebrity himself will be welcoming kids and posing for photos.

Monday, Dec. 17: Tastes the Wines of Christmas
Enjoy both festive wines and live holiday performances by Bag&Baggage actors–a winning combination!

Tuesday, Dec. 18: Village Gallery of Arts Holiday Show
This show offers unique, handcrafted gifts made locally.

Wednesday, Dec. 19: Entertain Kids at The Velveteen Rabbit
This puppet adaptation of the classic book is geared for attendees of all ages. Showtime is 2 p.m. at the Venetian Theatre in Hillsboro.

Thursday, Dec. 20: “A Christmas Carol” Gone Mad
If you’re ready for antics, “The Farndale Avenue Town Women’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of a Christmas Carol” production is just what’s needed for Christmas comic relief.

Friday, Dec. 21: The Sounds of Handel’s Messiah
Multiple choirs are converging for this choral production of the classic, at 7:30 p.m. in Hillsboro.

Saturday, Dec. 22: A ‘Nunsense’ Christmas Musical
“Nuncrackers” is the Hillsboro Artists’ Regional Theatre nuns’ performance of new, humorous holiday songs.

Sunday, Dec. 23: “Narnia” Live
Enjoy a musical production of C.S. Lewis’ classic “Narnia“, performed in Forest Grove.

Monday, Dec. 24: Santa’s Last Stop
This is the final day to see Santa; he’ll be at Sleighbells in Sherwood, Washington Square and Cedar Hills Crossing.

We wish you the happiest of holidays!

 

Halloween Happenings

Posted on: October 11th, 2012 by Angie Marsh No Comments

Now is the time to plan which festive events to check out during Halloween weekend, which we’re deeming as Saturday, Oct. 26 through Wednesday, Oct. 31. Washington County has all kinds of spoooooky options, including:

Halloween Flicks
Oct. 19-22; Oct. 26-31
Joy Cinema, Tigard

Joy Cinema in Tigard, will screen classic monster movies. On the schedule are Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Oct. 19-22) and a “Halloween Spooktacular” featuring two hours of “wild, monstrous” clips and previews and a screening of the zombie classic, Night of the Living Dead.  (Admission is $4, all shows on Monday are $1; shows starting after 8 p.m. are for guests ages 21 and older.)

Costumes at Grand Lodge

Live it up in costume at the Grand Lodge! Photo by Nathan Malone

Halloween Dance Party with Big Mama Gayle & Her Sugar Daddies
Friday, Oct. 26
McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove

Dress in costume and come to this free, all-ages show by this band that combines cabaret, theatre and rock ‘n’ roll. The show begins at 7 p.m. and dancing is welcomed, as is staying overnight in a hotel room.

Halloween Dance Ball with Soundstage Rhythm Orchestra
Friday, Oct. 26
Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro

Soundstage Rhythm Orchestra is Portland’s largest dance and performance orchestra. Their repertoire will have attendees on their feet. Come in costume and dance the night away!  Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show.

Pumpkin Fest
Saturday, Oct. 27
Conestoga Aquatic Center, Beaverton

Participants can wear costumes and bring swimsuits and watch ‘Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ in the pool. Out of water, enjoy a pumpkin museum, play bingo, participate in a pumpkin walk and enter the coloring contest. Prizes will be awarded. All this fun is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and cost is $6 per child (adults are free).

Spooktacular
Saturday, Oct. 27
Jenkins Estate, Beaverton

This “not so spooky” carnival is aimed at children 10 and younger, and takes place in the stable of the historic Jenkins Estate. The fun includes: carnival games, prizes, crafts, face painting, and a hayride to select a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. The fun is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost is $7 per child.

Halloween Costume Dance
Saturday, Oct. 27
Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, Hillsboro

Come dressed in your finest costume to dance to live tribal-jazz-jam music by Vivid Curve. This all-ages, free event begins at 7 p.m., and there will be food and drink specials.

JUST ADDED: Hallowine
Sunday, Oct. 28, 6-10 p.m.
Primrose and Tumbleweeds, Hillsboro

Enjoy a “spookily delicious” wine and food tasting at this fun Halloween-themed event for adults. Come in costume (prizes will be awarded), sample Oregon wines, have your fortunes told and hear scary stories from renowned storyteller Batya Podos. Tickets are $35 per person/$60 per couple.

Street of Treats
Sunday, Oct. 28
Bridgeport Village, Tigard

This Halloween festival features witches, tractor rides and a costume contest as Radio Disney joins in the fun, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Nighttime Corn Maze: Baggenstos Farm, Sherwood
Nighttime Corn Maze: Lake View Farms, North Plains

Come if you dare to enter a corn maze in the dark on a Friday or Saturday night–just be sure to bring a flashlight!
At Baggenstos, visitors this year make their way through an Obama/Romney maze(!) Plan on about 45 minutes to make it through the maze, which closes at 9:30 p.m.
At Lake View Farms, you have until 10 p.m. to wander through the corn maze.

Trick-or-Treating
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Grand Lodge, Forest Grove

Enjoy wandering the halls and collecting candy for free. The treating takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Trick-or-Treating
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Bridgeport Village, Tigard

Ghosts and goblins gather to collect treats from the stores. The fun is from 4 to 6 p.m.

…and all 10 pumpkin patches in Washington County run through the end of October!

 

Renaissance and Artisan Pursuits

Posted on: April 27th, 2012 by Angie Marsh No Comments

Here ye, here ye: there is lore in this county that nary a person should miss.

Translation: the beginning of May marks several events in Washington County for renaissance and artisan pursuits. So enjoy everything from juggling to jewelry–this is the time to take it all in.

Step back in time for the Faire in the Grove May 5-6.

Faire in the Grove
Saturday, May 5 & Sunday, May 6, 2012
McMenamins Grand Lodge – Forest Grove

Experience the Middle Ages and the Renaissance at this annual free event, put on by Pacific University’s History Department. The Grand Lodge front lawn is transformed into “Fairegrove,” a medieval village containing medieval actors, armored fighters, musicians, singers and dancers, and performances and demonstrations including: combat, dance, blacksmithing, archery, weaving, storytelling, juggling, cooking, book binding and strolling music. Participatory activities include: lawn games, Norse hat making, wax seal making, beer drinking and more. Storytellers will have featured performances on a Children’s Stage.Items for sale include: hooded cloaks, jewelry and costumes, and food will be available as well. Event details.

Oregon Renaissance Band Concert
Friday, May 11
Walters Cultural Arts Center – Hillsboro

Enjoy the concert “All Creatures Now are Merry Minded” by the Oregon Renaissance Band–which features animal-themed music. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and advance tickets are $15; day-of tickets are $17. Event details.

Artisan Craft Fair
Saturday, May 12 & Sunday, May 13
Jenkins Estate – Beaverton

Meet local artisans and find unique keepsakes and gifts at this special free event. Items for sale range from handcrafted garden art to jewelry. This fair runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., as does a native plant sale and Barefoot Quilt Festival on the grounds of the Jenkins Estate. Event details.

Adults Spring Break: Ideas

Posted on: March 9th, 2012 by Angie Marsh 1 Comment

In all the talk about how to entertain kids during spring break, there’s one thing adults will need: a break from spring break. Luckily, in Oregon’s Washington County, March is the time for some exciting events and destinations where there’s not a video arcade in sight:

Live Music at the Grand Lodge – Forest Grove

Enjoy live bluegrass for free by the Northwest band Polecat on Saturday, March 24 at 7 p.m. The five-person band blend also blends the styles of country, celtic, rock, and world music into their sound. If you really need time away, stay the night at the Grand Lodge as well. More.

Treetop & Zipline Exploration at Tree to Tree Adventure Park – Gaston

Tree to Tree is a playground in the trees featuring aerial ropes courses, zip lines and tree top obstacles–and it opens for the season on Friday, March 23. Experience the thrills of moving from platform to platform (tree to tree) via wobbly bridges, tightropes, ziplines and more. Tree to Tree is located adjacent to Hagg Lake, and there are area picnic spots and nature trails. Open every day through November; reservations are required and can be made by emailing or calling the park. More.

Science Pub Event – Hillsboro

The OMSI-sponsored Science Pub has an interesting topic for the Monday, March 26 event at the Venetian Theatre: “I Dig Your Bones – Adventures in Forensic Anthropology.” Featured speaker Dr. Veronica “Nici” Vance is a Forensic Scientist for the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory, and will explain how skeletal remains are discovered, recovered and analyzed for identification purposes. There’s a $5 cover at the door; talk starts at 7 p.m. More.

More Live Bluegrass Music – Hillsboro

Grammy-winning bluegrass duo Jay Ungar and Molly Mason return to the Walters Cultural Arts Center for a show Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance. Food and wine are sold pre-show and during intermission by local restaurant Earth Oven Pizza. More.

North Willamette Wine Trail Weekend – throughout Washington County

Learn about pruning a trellis while sampling wine at A Blooming Hill Vineyard during the Wine Trail Weekend.

Plan now to explore 24 neighboring wineries on both Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, as part of the annual North Willamette Wine Trail Weekend. Guests are treated to complimentary wine tastings, pairings, entertainment and activities at all of the participating wineries. Taste a new release, reserve label or a barrel tastings while enjoying specially paired samples. Each Wine Trail visitor will receive a complimentary logo wine glass, a reusable canvas wine tote (for all your purchases) and coupons and discounts for partner restaurants, hotels and wineries. Even the designate driver will receive a gift.
Activities include:

• Enjoy stainless tank tastings while learning about pruning a Henry Trellis at A Blooming Hill Vineyard

• Side-by-side comparative tastings of Wine and Sake with the same food pairings at SakeOne with Abbey Creek Vineyard

• Picnic-style new release tastings at ADEA Wine Company

• Super-tuscan style blending trials at Apolloni Vineyards with focaccia tastings by Sundial Specialty Baking

• Taste from Gresser Vineyard and Provincial Vineyards at Smith Berry Barn

• Explore the world of Pinot Gris at Kramer Vineyards and compare a sparkling, barrel fermented and no oak Pinot Gris

• Graft your own grape vine to take home at Plum Hill Vineyards

These are a sample of what the weekend includes. Advance tickets are required; single-day tickets are available for Sunday. More.

Experience the Diversity of Oregon’s Washington County

Posted on: March 2nd, 2012 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

The Walters Cultural Arts Center is home to many culturally diverse performances.

Did you know that Oregon’s Washington County is the most culturally diverse county in the state? What does that mean for you, the visitor? It means you can experience a range of diverse cultural experiences and festivals, without having to renew your passport or leave the country.

Celebrate the Hindi spring festival, Holi (also known as Festival of Colors) at the Rang Barse ~ Holi Party at the Washington County Fair Complex (March 10; $15 for adults/$10 for children).

Each August, SakéOne (820 Elm St., Forest Grove), an American owned-and-operated saké brewery, hosts a Pacific Rim Festival (August 25; admission $5), celebrating the music, food, art (and saké) of Japan, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest.

This year marks the second annual International Celebration (July 28, 2012 at the Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex, located at the intersection of 158th and Walker Rd.) which celebrates cultures from around the world through song, dance, arts and crafts and more.

Celebrate the luck o’ the Irish year round at the Winona Grange (8340 SW Seneca St.; Tualatin) with the “First Friday Live Irish Music and Dance” (the first Friday of each month; $10 for adults/$5 for students and 65+). These monthly events are produced by S and A Irish Entertainment, which also hosts Celtic concerts each month.

The Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center, located in downtown Hillsboro, is home to a host of cultural music events. From spoken word events to dance and live music, the center features entertainment from around the world. Coming up is “Sampradaya: Traditions from Temple to Theater,” classical Bharatanatyam dance incorporating chants from ancient scriptures and the music and rhythm of ancient India (7:30 p.m., March 9; $20 in advance/$25 the day of show).

In April, the center will host the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra, which will be performing the music of Italy, including works from venerable composer Raffaele Calace as well as Italian classics, such as Feniculi-Fenicula (7:30 p.m., April 6; $15 in advance/$17 day of show). For a complete list of upcoming events at the Walters Cultural Arts Center, visit their website.

Film buffs may want to check out Joy Theater (11959 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard), which shows Hindi and South Indian hit films. To learn more about this unique theater, read this blog post from  November 2010.

Finally, visitors can dine on some of the most authentic and exotic food from around the world, without having to leave the country. Beaverton has been praised for its variety of Korean restaurants, boasting some of the most acclaimed spots in the Greater Portland region!  If curry, masala and tandoori are your favorite flavors, try one of the area’s hottest Indian restaurants, also known as some of the best eateries in the area. Oregon’s Washington County also has a German, Mediterranean and Vietnamese restaurants, just to name a few of the many types of cuisine served here.

This is a sampling of the many experiences you can have here in Oregon’s Washington County.  Visit our website or our event calendar, updated weekly, for ideas of places to see, play and eat while visiting.

March/April Events Calendar

Posted on: February 23rd, 2012 by Angie Marsh No Comments

Now is the time to select which coming events fit your viewing bill. Numerous live musical performances and theater productions are some of the highlights in Oregon’s Washington County slated for March and April.


PERFORMANCE

Pendulum Aerial Arts, known for its stunning visuals and technical aerial ability, offers the performance “Up, Up and Away!” at the French American School that will include a piece inspired by the musical Chicago (8500 NW Johnson St., Portland; April 20-22, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; $15).

EXHIBITIONS

The Washington County Museum (17677 NW Springville Rd., Portland, on the Portland Community College Rock Creek campus) presents “Snapshots!” (through April 21; $3), a retrospective of Washington County’s history told through photographs ranging from the late 19th century to the Roaring Twenties.

LIVE MUSIC

Bottom Line Duo will perform in Hillsboro on April 20.

It’s “21st Century Parlor Music” performed by the Bottom Line Duo (bass and cello) at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center (527 E. Main St., Hillsboro; April 20, 7:30 p.m.; $20).

Enjoy a daylong celebration of the 90th birthday of McMenamins Grand Lodge (3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove; March 3). There will be live music beginning at 4 p.m., as well as coffee samples, a free showing of the movie “The Princess Bride,” kids’ activities and special distillery, wine and beer tastings, along with food specials.

It’s “Dance, Dance, Dance!” by the Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra with tango music and more (21945 NW Wagon Way, Hillsboro; March 2; 8 p.m.; $5-8)

The Beaverton Symphony Orchestra presents its spring concert, featuring pieces by Schumann (3300 SW Murray Blvd., Beaverton; March 9-11; $10).

LIVE THEATER

Enjoy a comedy of errors about a six-foot invisible rabbit with Beaverton Civic Theatre’s “Harvey” (12375 SW 5th St., Beaverton; February 24-March 11, $5-$15).

Theatre in the Grove is presenting the family comedy “Over the Tavern” (February 24-March 11; $12-14), which takes place in 1950s New York in the religious household of a six-person family.

Enjoy a performance of “Robin Hood – The Musical” (multiple locations, Feb. 24-March 18, $12), which is a family-oriented, unique retelling of the classic by local group Mask and Mirror.

Professional Theater company Bag&Baggage presents “Romeo and Juliet” at the Venetian Theatre (253 E. Main St., Hillsboro; March 2-18, 7:30 p.m.; $25). This version, known as “R&J” is text-based Shakespeare with a twist, and described as a “play within a play.”

Watch the popular comedy performance “Rumors” by Hillsboro Artists’ Repertory Theatre (HART), a Neil Simon play that had a long Broadway run (185 E. Washington St., Hillsboro; March 16-April 1, 2 and 7:30 p.m. shows; $10-14).

The award-winning Broadway Rose Theatre Company (12850 SW Grant Ave., Tigard) presents “The Andrews Brothers,” (April 19-May 13, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; $40), a musical comedy set in 1943 in the South Pacific when an Andrews Sisters scheduled performance goes sideways.

For a complete list of art and culture events and performances in Oregon’s Washington County, including community performing arts groups, visit the Event Calendar.

January/February Arts Calendar

Posted on: January 6th, 2012 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

The new year begins with a slate of worthy cultural exhibits, live musical performances, spoken word and theater productions. The following are some of the highlights of happenings in Oregon’s Washington County for January and February.

 

Snapshots! at the Washington County Museum through April 21

EXHIBITIONS

The Washington County Museum (17677 NW Springville Rd., Portland, on the Portland Community College Rock Creek campus) presents “Snapshots!” (through April 21; $3),  a retrospective of Washington County’s history told through photographs ranging from the late 19th century to the Roaring Twenties.

LIVE MUSIC

Traditional Irish music takes center stage at the Winona Grange (8340 SW Seneca St., Tualatin) with upcoming 2nd Saturday Celtic Community Concerts featuring Molly’s Revenge (January 14, 7:30 p.m.; $15) and Laurence Nugent (February 11, 7:30 p.m.; $15).

Up-and-coming jazz band Blue Cranes will be performing at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center (527 E. Main St., Hillsboro; January 20, 7:30 p.m.; $12 in advance, $14 day of show). The band’s style has been described as “walking a thin line between improvisation and catchiness.”

Enjoy an evening of koto (a traditional Japanese stringed instrument) as East meets West with Mitsuki Dazai & Friends at the  Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center (527 E. Main St., Hillsboro; February 3, 7:30 p.m.; $15 in advance, $17 day of show).

Pacific University Performing Arts Series presents the Good Lovelies (Pacific University, Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove; February 4, 7:30 p.m.; $22), an all-female trio from Canada performing an upbeat combination of pop, folk and western swing.

LIVE THEATER

The the acclaimed, award-winning Broadway Rose Theatre Company (12850 SW Grant Ave., Tigard) presents a one-night-only performance of an original work, titled “Sing Now or Forever Hold Your Peace,” (January 14, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; $40), a delightful evening of tales and songs from Broadway Rose’s 20-year history.

Broadway Rose also is presenting a staged reading of the colorful musical, “Oil Change the Musical Comedy” (January 20-21, 7:30 p.m.; January 22, 2 p.m.; $10), a family-friendly musical featuring 18 original songs ranging from rock, county and blues to rap, Latin and love ballads, all accompanied by a live band.

The 2012 Season of Great Escapes officially starts with Broadway Rose’s country music revue, “Pump Boys and Dinettes” (February 2 – March; $20-35), in a tale of friendship, romance and heartbreak.

Professional Theater company Bag&Baggage presents “Love Letters” at the Venetian Theatre (253 E. Main St., Hillsboro; February 13-14, 7:30 p.m.; $25). Back by popular demand, the performance is an exploration of two characters’ lives as they read aloud love letters they’ve written to each other over the course of their lives.

Portland-born artist Mark Rothko is the subject of January's Spoken Word series at the Walters Cultural Arts Center

SPOKEN WORD

The Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center (527 E. Main St., Hillsboro) features a spoken word discussion about  Portland-born and internationally acclaimed artist Mark Rothko (January 17, 7 p.m.; $12 in advance, $14 day of show). Caroline Kim, of the Portland Art Museum, will provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at Rothko and his work.

On February 21, local historian Richard Engeman will present an illustrated history of Oregon with 49 illustrations in 49 minutes at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center (January 20, 7 p.m.; free).

For a complete list of art and culture events and performances in Oregon’s Washington County, including community performing arts groups, visit the Event Calendar.

Surviving Winter Break: Escape to Oregon’s Washington County

Posted on: December 9th, 2011 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

Let’s face it, by the time winter rolls around, we’re ready for a break, and if you have kids-especially teenagers–you know they are chomping at the bit to get out of the house. Why wait until summer for a weekend or week-long getaway? Winter is a fabulous time to venture to Oregon’s Washington County.  The following is quick look at what’s going on this season:

Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals

FOR ARTS & CULTURE BUFFS: ‘Tis the season for arts and culture to take the spotlight, from performing arts to art exhibitions.  

  • Local professional theatre companies Bag&Baggage and Broadway Rose offer a year-round slate of productions, including special holiday-themed performances.
  • The Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center has a strong performing arts calendar featuring a diverse array of musical performances, spoken word and poetry readings.
  • Through April 12, 2012, the Washington County Museum is home to its latest exhibit, Snapshot!, an impressive and extensive collection of photography equipment, objects depicting home and farm life and numerous historic images.
  • Print Arts Northwest has a calendar of several different art exhibitions with varying themes, featuring established and up-and-coming artists from the Pacific Northwest.

See the complete list of performing arts companies and venues, art galleries and museums and historical sites in Washington County.

FOR TEEN SPORTS FANS: See the brightest high school athletes compete in the annual basketball tournament and slam dunk contest.

Watch the college and NBA stars of tomorrow duke it out on the basketball courts when the annual Les Schwab Invitational hits the court December 26-30. This year’s tournament features the top basketball teams in Oregon and welcomes nationally ranked teams Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA), Yates High School (Houston, TX) and Riverside Academy (New Orleans, LA).

Great Blue Heron (Photo: Ed Bustya)

FOR WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS: Catch a glimpse, or take a photo of wildlife and birds as they “winter” in Oregon. 

Not all birds fly south for the winter. Various species prefer to stay in the peaceful nature preserves of Washington County. Heron, geese, eagles, hawks, pheasants, quail, chickadees, wrens, and the occasional seagull, along with beavers, otters, coyote and deer, can be spotted in various locations throughout the area. Best places to view wildlife are the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (TRNWR), Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve and Tualatin Hills Nature Park, to name a few.  See what common, uncommon and rare species of birds and more can be found with the TRWNR’s handy Watchable Wildlife guide (PDF).

 

 

FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY: The family that plays together will find a host of winter-fun activities in Oregon’s Washington County.

It may be a challenge to find activities that will entertain teens, while inspiring adults.  Try these family-friendly ideas on for size:

Countless hours of activities and a multitude of attractions are waiting to be explored in Oregon’s Washington County.  The question isn’t what can you do in Washington County? It’s when can you get here?

 

Related Articles:  

 

Lots of Live Music

Posted on: October 12th, 2011 by Angie Marsh No Comments

The talent, sounds and range of upcoming live music performances are impressive; choose the show that sings to your taste to head out to this week:

Midnight Serenaders
Friday, Oct. 14 – Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro
The Midnight Serenaders is a six-person Jazz Age swing band that performs classic tunes from the 1920s and 30s as well as their original songs. They’re known equally for their fast numbers, sultry and risque blues, and beautifully harmonized ballads. Band members’ instruments include: a Hawaiian steel guitar, ukulele, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, trumpet and upright bass. See this all come together in their 7:30 p.m. show; tickets are $12 in advance. More info.

Naomi LaViolette w/Michele Van Kleef
Friday, Oct. 14 – McMenamins Grand Lodge Garage Door Theater, Forest Grove
Naomi LaViolette is a songwriter, pianist and vocalist who is often compared to Sarah MacLachlan for her strong vocals and soulful performances. She is pairing with Michele Van Kleef, who was in the former popular Portland band Calobo with the current Decemberists bass player. This is a free, all-ages show that begins at 7 p.m. More info.

Megan Wade
Saturday, Oct. 15 – Black Bird Coffee & Tea, Sherwood
Megan sings and plays guitar in what’s described as a “pop and country” fashion. Presented by Sherwood Foundation for the Arts, this coffeehouse series of concerts also features a special concert coffee menu. Music begins at 7 p.m. and admission is $5 at the door. More info.

John Bunzow
Saturday, Oct. 15 – McMenamins Grand Lodge Garage Door Theater
John Bunzow infuses roots rock and blues, and writes his material to pair with his fierce guitar playing. This is a 7 p.m. show that is free and for all ages. More info.

Bingo
Sunday, Oct. 16 – McMenamins Grand Lodge Garage Door Theater
Enjoy some good ol’ American folk music combining rock, blues, jazz, gospel and bluegrass for the artist Bingo to offer up a unique sound with hints of John Lennon and Jerry Garcia. This all-ages free show is at 5 p.m. More info.

For more upcoming events in Oregon’s Washington County, go to our calendar

Art Shows Galore

Posted on: March 22nd, 2011 by Angie Marsh No Comments

The talent of local artists is being curated on walls throughout Washington County galleries; here are the current shows:

Glass artist Kathy Steele's work is featured at A Framer's Touch in Forest Grove.

Glass artist Kathy Steele's work is featured at 'A Framer's Touch' in Forest Grove.

The Works of Kathy Steele
A Framer’s Touch – Forest Grove
runs through March 31st
Oregon artist Kathy Steele creates one-of-a-kind  fused glass art pieces.  She uses shape and color to form both functional and whimsical works.

Valley Art Exhibit
Valley Art – Forest Grove
runs through April 30th
This exhibit showcases pastels by local artists Amanda Houston and Michael Fisher, as well as ceramic raku pottery by Barbara Hertel.