If you’ve got a mom in your life, you’re likely thinking up cool ways to spend time together this weekend. And even if you don’t, we’ve got a fine list of varied events from garden and flower shows to a zombie-type circus, to steam engine train rides. Skip the brunch lines and do something different this year.
Portland Jewish Music Festival opening weekend
The Eastside Jewish Commons is hosting a weekend of concerts and dances, lectures and more. Friday promises world-class flamenco from guitarist Brenna McDonald. Saturday combines flamenco and Mizrachi with Espacio Flamenco and dancers. Sunday offers a lecture on the Jews of the Maghred (north Africa) and Mizrachi Sephardic music concert. See the website for a completely schedule. The festival continues through May 18.
Opening weekend various times Friday-Sunday, May 9-11, EJC, 2420 N.E. Sandy Blvd.; some events are free;
events.humanitix.com/portland-jewish-music-festival.
The camas flower was a vital food source in Native culture, often the second most traded food after salmon. Oregonian file photo. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Camas Festival (McMinnville)
This festival is hosted by Linfield University and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and celebrates the cultural, ecological and artistic significance of the camas flower. The flower was a vital food source, often the second most traded food after salmon, and is still celebrated in traditional ceremonies and feasts. The festival includes tours (weather permitting) through the camas patches on campus, an Indigenous creators market, speakers, and an exhibit of native basket weaving.
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, Linfield University campus, 900 S.E. Baker St., McMinnville; free; linfield.edu/camasfest.
The Outta Hand Puppet Slam
Enjoy a raucous evening of short puppetry pieces, hosted by Portland’s Randy Knickers (Bill Holznagel). The night will feature a variety of different puppetry styles, like tabletop, marionettes, and shadow puppets, along with prize giveaways, and surprise guests. This is an adult evening, with performances not meant for children.
7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 9-10, Chapel Theatre, 4107 S.E. Harrison St., Milwaukie; $22 advance, $25 at door; chapeltheatremilwaukie.com.
Can you feel the beat? Cascadia Composers celebrate percussion instruments. Getty Images. Getty Images
Found Sound: Music for Percussion and Found Objects
Percussion instruments are the oldest kind of musical instruments dating back to sounds made by the earliest humans. Cascadia Composers celebrates percussion with works by member composers and promises an evening of “glorious noise.”
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, Old Madeleine Church, 3123 N.E. 24th Ave.; admission $10-$30; cascadiacomposers.org/upcoming
Paranormal Cirque performs at Clackamas Town Center.Photo by Brianna Nichole
Paranormal Cirque
What if zombies had a circus? Well, this aerial group takes a dark turn where circus art meets haunted house at Clackamas Town Center. No one younger than 17 will be admitted without adult supervision. The material in the show is rated R. No one younger than 13 is allowed at all. If you were looking for some creepy fun in May, this is your show.
7:30 p.m. Friday, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 9-12, Clackamas Town Center, 12000 S.E. 82nd Ave., Happy Valley; adult tickets start at $30; paranormalcirque.com.
Want to see some cute lambs this weekend? We've got the event for you. Oregonian file photo. LC- THE OREGONIAN
Lamb-a-palooza (Rickreall)
It’s lamb season! And this vineyard offers a family-friendly event spotlighting its husbandry program and spring wine releases. Head to the small town west of Salem for a day of petting adorable lambs, learning about their care, guided nature walks, curated wine flights, and a kids arts and crafts station.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, Johan Vineyards, 4285 Pacific Highway, N. Rickreall; $30 for adults 21 and older, free for ages 20 and younger; johanvineyards.com.
The Oregon Rail Heritage Center celebrate National Train Day. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves/The Oregonian
National Train Day
Does anyone in the family love trains? The Oregon Rail Heritage Center offers a full day of steam locomotives, history, and family fun honoring National Train Day. Take a ride on the Polson #2 steam train and tour for nearly an hour along the scenic Willamette River to Oaks Park and back.
Various timed rides 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 10, departing from Oregon Rail Heritage Center, 2250 S.E. Water Ave.; tickets $30-$40 (ages 2 and younger can ride free on adult laps); orhf.org
Columbia Gorge Wine Festival
Head to the Columbia River Gorge for a day of wine tasting, cheese, chocolate and visual art. Live musicians will also provide the tunes throughout the day. Tickets include an etched wine glass and five drink tokens so you can sample from the 15 wineries expected to participate in the event. All ages welcome.
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, May 10, Hood River County Fairgrounds, 3020 Wyeast Road, Odell; $30 in advance, $35 at door; non drinkers $10; hrcef.org.
Scotland’s Tannahill Weavers
This traditional Celtic music band is in its 54th year and stops in the metro area this weekend for a night of instrumentals, topical songs, original ballads, and lullabies. The show is all-ages and should be fun for any Celtic music lover.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10, Winona Grange, 8340 S.W. Seneca St., Tualatin; tickets $15-$35; tickettomato.com/event.
“Swingin’ into Spring!”
Miz Kitty’s Parlour takes to the stage at the Mission Theater this weekend for a night of music, comedy, live painting, juggling, sassiness and surprises. Featured acts include Seattle’s Casey MacGill, Portland’s own Leapin’ Louie, James Mason, Annie Vergnetti, and others. Ages 18 and older only.
7 p.m. Saturday, May 10, Mission Theater, 1624 N.W. Glisan St.; $25 advance, $30 at door; etix.com/ticket.
Reigning Roses Walk
Rose Haven, the Portland day shelter and community center, provides services to women, children, and marginalized genders experiencing homelessness and poverty. This Mother’s Day take a walk with mom and help raise money for the services Rose Haven provides. The walk is actually free, but donations go directly to help others.
10 a.m. Sunday, May 11, beginning at The Eleanor, 1605 N.W. Everett St., more info is included when you register; makeitreign.org/event/reigning-roses.
Spend some time with mom at Edgefield this Sunday.Kathleen Nyberg/ McMenamins
Mother Earth Plant Sale & Eco Fair
Is mom all about gardening? Head to Troutdale for McMenamins Edgefield’s day of plant sales and gardening supplies, expert talks, live music, local food, and family activities. Some events require tickets.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 11, Edgefield, 2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale; details and schedule; mcmenamins.com/events.
The Lan Su Chinese Garden. Oregonian file photo. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Lan Su Chinese Garden Mother’s Day
Celebrate all the moms with a day filled with beautiful plants, creativity and cultural experiences at the Lan Su Chinese Garden. There will be hands-on activities, blooming peonies, henna painting, and a tea tasting (advance reservations recommended).
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at the garden, 239 N.W. Everett St.; $20 advance, $25 at gate, tea tasting $59; lansugarden.org/things-to-do.
The Lullaby Project
Feeling a bit down? How about a night of specially created lullabies to sooth your soul? This community concert is held in partnership with the Oregon Symphony and features personal lullabies that local singers/songwriters have created for their own children. The concert helps support families facing housing insecurity and other challenging situations.
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, Alberta Rose Theater, 3000 N. Alberta St.; tickets $10; orsymphony.org/productions.
- If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
— Rosemarie Stein
503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com
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