Summer Guide 2014: Summer Events Calendar

Best Ribs in Portland | Best Imperial IPAs | Portland Parks as Metaphorical House 

Local Disc Golf Courses | Portland Lawn Games from Bocce to Quidditch | Swimming Holes

Local Outdoor Gear | The Great and Mighty Summer Super Calendar

***Tweet or Instagram a picture of yourself doing any of the activities in this calendar with the hashtag #SummeringPDX, and get a chance at winning $100 restaurant certificates or Musicfest NW tickets. Go here for the details.***

June

Wednesday, June 18

Plan your summer

Read this calendar with pen and appointment book.

Thursday, June 19

See the best play you missed in 2013

Badass Theatre Company brings back last spring's production of Invasion!, a wondrous shapeshifter that zings from lowbrow comedy to raw emotion, all the while excavating issues of national, ethnic and religious identity. Miracle Theatre, 525 SE Stark St., 236-7253, badasstheatre.org. 7:30 pm. $20.

Friday, June 20 

Get cider crunk

In its fourth year, Portland's Cider Summit moves to the Pearl. Visit with 120 cider makers from across the country and enjoy sips of 4-ounce samples—be warned: Cider gets you a lot drunker than you expect. The Fields Neighborhood Park, Northwest 10th Avenue and Overton Street, cidersummitnw.com. 2-8 pm. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Saturday, June 21

Be the dream team of geekdom

Shine up your vorpal sword: The Portland Geek Olympathon pits teams of five against each other for tests of video-game skill, comic-book knowledge and zombie-slaying ability. Winners receive Comic Con passes, gift cards and good old cash—which can be easily exchanged for Dogecoin. Opening ceremonies at Guardian Games, 345 SE Taylor St., 238-4000, pgc3.org/events/olympathon. 11 am. $5 individuals, $20 teams.

Sunday, June 22

Go performance-art speed dating

The annual Risk/Reward Festival is like a salad bar of genre-busting contemporary performance, with six West Coast artists each given 20 minutes to impress you. Four of the performers this year are from Portland, including the always visceral Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble and a new group, the Neutral Fembot Project, which will explore the mind-bending work of portraitist Cindy Sherman. Artists Repertory Theatre, 1516 SW Alder St., risk-reward.org. 5 pm. $18.

Monday, June 23

Get a banh mi, see a band

Every Monday through Labor Day, secret headliners play Southeast Division's Double Dragon in shows presented by Banana Stand Media. Double Dragon, 1235 SE Division St., 230-8340. 6 pm. Free. 21kknd. 

Tuesday, June 24

Watch the sunset from the Skidmore Bluffs

Already, the days are getting shorter. Head over to the bluffs for the best view of industrial Portland. Sunset is at 8:26 pm. Mocks Crest Park, 2206 N Skidmore St.

Wednesday, June 25

Get drunk off boxed chablis

Come slap the bag with a few dozen of your closest friends on the Tour de Franzia, a Pedalpalooza bike ride where you might just spot a few WW staffers getting silly. Sabin HydroPark, Northeast 19th Avenue and Skidmore Street. 7 pm. Free.

Thursday, June 26

Guzzle organic beer

The North American Organic Brewers Festival is a decade old. We'll drink to that. Get to the grassy North Portland park early or you'll be waiting behind lots of parents toting around their non-immunized babies in hemp slings. Overlook Park, 1599 N Fremont St., naobf.org. Noon-9 pm. Festival continues noon-9 pm Friday-Saturday and noon-5 pm Sunday. 

Friday, June 27

Meet David Sedaris at a Beaverton mall

Head to the 'burbs to hear the best-selling humorist read from Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls, his newest essay collection. Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, 228-4651. 6 pm. Free.

Saturday, June 28

Celebrate the end of Pedalpalooza at the bike fair

The annual bike fair has scaled down this year, but we know there will be beer, performances by the Sprockettes dance troupe, and plenty of freak bikes. Colonel Summers Park, Southeast 20th Avenue and Belmont Street, shift2bikes.org. 2-7 pm. Free.

Sunday, June 29

Have the run of the beer garden at the Warped Tour

You won't recognize a single band on the bill, and if you spent your youth waiting all year for Vans' annual "punk-rock summer camp" to come through town, you'll feel a bit wistful at how underwhelming it seems now—kind of like the last time you went to a Chuck E. Cheese. But hey, there's only, like, five people old enough to drink here, so chill out and enjoy a $9 cup of Miller Lite in your own private park while some Christian metalcore band grinds away in the distance. Portland Expo Center parking lot, 2060 N Marine Drive, vanswarpedtour.com. 10 am. $36. 

Monday, June 30

Learn some sad history

Drown the sadness at History Pub Monday about the Japanese and Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated during World War II and relocated to Oregon in 1942 to farm 12,000 acres of beets. McMenamins Kennedy School Theater, 5736 NE 33rd Ave., 249-3983, mcmenamins.com. 7 pm. Free.

July

Tuesday, July 1

Watch some scrambled PowerPoint presentations

Five comedians are tasked with creating silly PowerPoint presentations. At the event, the slide shows are reassigned. Thought you were going to discuss conspiracy theories? Time to talk astrology. If all goes according to plan, these will be the best worst TED Talks you've ever seen. The presenters are Bri Pruett (one of WW's Funniest Five comedians), Mike Merrill, Paul Schlesinger and Andrew Michaan. There will also be standup from Shane Torres (also one of our Funniest Five) and, apparently, a super-secret special guest. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St. 9 pm. Free.

Wednesday, July 2

Pretend to be a paleontologist 

Either you still love dinosaurs or your joy is dead. Find out for sure at Dinosaurs Unearthed, where you'll learn all sorts of new dinosaur-related theories developed from new fossil evidence. OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave., 797-4000, omsi.edu/dinosaurs. 9:30 am-7 pm. $13.

Thursday, July 3 

Take your dad to the Blues Festival.

No Robert Plant this year, but with Gregg Allman occupying the top spot, this is still one of the few festivals you can take the parents to without having to explain why everyone is sucking on pacifiers and giving each other deep head massages. Just prepare yourself for the moment when someone passes Pop a doob, which will probably happen around minute 17 of "Whipping Post." Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Southwest Naito Parkway, 282-0555. $50-$1,250. Through July 6.

Friday, July 4

Blow up a chunk of these great United States

Drive to Washington. Spend some money. Drive back to Oregon. BOOM!

Saturday, July 5

Allow Nick Cave to psychologically violate you

Rock 'n' roll's poet laureate of death, violence and degradation makes a rare Portland appearance, sleazing up the city's classiest concert hall with his Bad Seeds. Let's just hope there's no E. coli scare this weekend, as a few thousand people are going to need cold showers afterward. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 248-4335. 8 pm. $37-$76. All ages.

Sunday, July 6

Day-drink with the fiercest crowd in town

Every first Sunday of the month, Vendetta hosts a queer collective of DJs, designers and artists for a six-hour spree of drinking, dancing and sunning on the patio. Vendetta, 4306 N Williams Ave., 288-1085. 3-9 pm.

Monday, July 7

Get stoked at the library

Slide up to the Central Library's third floor for a sweet display of antique skateboards and other ephemera. Collins Gallery, Multnomah County Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave., 988-5123, multcolib.org. 10 am-8 pm. Free.

Tuesday, July 8

Pray for luck in The Book of Mormon ticket lottery

Broadway's hottest show about men who wear sacred underwear is returning to Portland for a two-week run, and tickets are (surprise!) sold out. Chances are they'll open up a lottery for $25 tickets before each performance. And if not? Hasa diga eebowai! Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., 214-1802, portland.broadway.com. Show is at 7:30 pm; lottery details TBA.

Wednesday, July 9

Catch soccer fever

Maybe you've noticed there's been a little international soccer (excuse us, football) competition happening. Head to the pop-up beer garden for the semifinals. World Cup Beer Garden, 625 NW 21st Ave. 1 pm.

Thursday, July 10 

Get the gummint out of your marriage

Stephanie Coontz talks about government involvement in our private lives—think parenthood and marriage. McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St., 223-4527, oregonhumanities.org. 6:30 pm. $10 suggested. 

Friday, July 11

Set a yoga world record

As part of the fourth annual World Domination Summit (which has nothing to do with whips and handcuffs), hundreds of yogis will converge in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record. They need at least 697 people. Flexibility not required. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., worlddominationsummit.com. 8:30 am. $15.

Saturday, July 12

Brave the throngs at one of Portland's quintessential street fairs

The Mississippi Street Fair draws about 30,000 people and 200 vendors, and this year it's turning lucky 13. Expect ribs and beer and music. Wear deodorant. North Mississippi Avenue between Fremont and Skidmore streets, mississippiave.com. 10 am-9 pm. Free.

Sunday, July 13

Watch the champs

Blazers? A nice season. Timbers? They're rounding back into form. But there's only one pro team in town that's snagged a national championship in the past year: the Portland Thorns. Cheer on the second season of your professional women's soccer team, which looks to be even better this year with the addition of 2013 FIFA World Player of the Year Nadine Angerer. They're playing the hated FC Kansas City, so bring your vuvuzela. Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., 553-5400. 2 pm. $13-$35.

Monday, July 14

Eat some brie

Sure, the big Bastille Day celebration was yesterday at Director Park, but today is the actual holiday. Also, brie is delicious.

Tuesday, July 15

Go to the pool

It's about time to cool off. Fortunately, there's free swimming today. Creston Pool, 4454 SE Powell Blvd., 823-3672. 12:30-2 pm.  It's about time to cool off. Swim for free every Tuesday at Montavilla Pool. 8219 NE Glisan St., 823-3675. 12:30-2 pm. (NOTE: Creston Pool has free swimming on Mondays, 12:30-2 pm). 

Wednesday, July 16

Splurge on Portland's most adventurous seafood

The warm and intimate Roe, WW's 2013 Restaurant of the Year, brings in prawns and caviar and fish from all over the world, making some of the best seafood this city has ever seen. Make a reservation and spring for one of the tasting menus—four courses for $70 or 10 for $100. Roe, 3113 SE Division St., 232-1566, roe-pdx.com. 5:15-9:30 pm.

Thursday, July 17 

Experience modern string music that isn't Imagine Dragons

Attend the 13th annual Northwest String Summit in North Plains to see the first of four nights of bluegrass, newgrass, pop bluegrass and funk. Horning's Hideout, 21277 NW Brunswick Canyon Road, North Plains. stringsummit.com for tickets and times. Through July 20.

Friday, July 18 

Meet the band next door

If you've just moved here, or just moved back, or suddenly developed an interest in the racket being made in your backyard, there's no easier way to orient yourself with what's going on right at this moment in Portland's internationally exalted music scene than PDX Pop Now. It's free, it's all ages and the 40-plus bands—which this year include Wampire, Blouse and Best New Band runner-up Summer Cannibals—are all local. Audio Cinema, 226 SE Madison St., pdxpopnow.com. Through July 20.

Saturday, July 19

Celebrate an ancient Shinto ritual

Mikagura is a sacred Japanese theatrical dance that probably dates back to the 14th century, and this is the first time (!) it'll be performed in the continental U.S. This event, featuring two dozen musicians and dancers performing in full ceremonial dress, is a tribute to the Portland Japanese Garden...and is happening at a church. First Congregational Church, 1126 SW Park Ave., 542-0282, japanesegarden.com. 7 pm. $12-$15.

Sunday, July 20

Celebrate a moment in Oregon film history at the drive-in 

The NW Film Center concludes its weekend of drive-in screenings at Zidell Yards—located on the South Waterfront near the Ross Island Bridge—with Stand by Me, that indelible coming-of-age classic filmed near Brownsville, Ore. Who's packing the blueberry pie? Zidell Yards, 3030 SW Moody Ave., 221-1156. 7:30 pm. $8.

Monday, July 21

Skip work and go to the Sauvie Island nude beach

Just because.

Tuesday, July 22 

Sing along to that one song by that band you used to love back in the '90s 

Like a soul-patched Nosferatu, Art Alexakis emerges from his big house way up in the West Hills to schlep across the country with his umptheenth version of Everclear and other one-to-three-hit wonders from the second Clinton administration, including Soul Asylum, Eve 6 and Spacehog. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047. 8 pm. $32 advance, $35 day of show. All ages. 

Wednesday, July 23

Drink more beer

Woooooo, Oregon's largest beer festival, woooooo. Oregon Brewers Festival, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Southwest Naito Parkway, oregonbrewfest.com. Taps open at noon. Continues through Sunday July 27. Free.

Thursday, July 24

Get in touch with the spirit of Aloha

Make the trip up to Jantzen Beach for the Hula and Craft Workshop, the first event of the Northwest Hawaiian Festival. Forgot your favorite lei? Don't worry: After today's featherwork and weaving workshops, you'll have a whole new set of island duds. Red Lion Hotel on the River, 909 N Hayden Island Drive, hawaiianfestivalpnw.com. 12:30 pm. Continues through Sunday July 27. 

Friday, July 25

Vote for the bike of the future

Teams from five cities, including Portland, have been laboring to build the ultimate bike for the urban rider. Those designs will be unveiled tonight: You'll get to see the Portland whip in person, and photos and videos of the others. Then the voting begins, with the winner moving into production. PNCA, 1241 NW Johnson St., oregonmanifest.com. 6 pm. Free.

Saturday, July 26 

Have "Nothin' but a Good Time" at Mötley Crüe's farewell tour

Wait, that was Poison? Oh well. Sleep Country Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, Wash., 360-816-7000. 7 pm. See sleepcountryamphitheater.com to buy tickets. 

Sunday, July 27 

Tube the Willamette

Swim that river you normally drive over at the fourth annual Big Float. The float once again begins at the Marquam Bridge and ends up just past the Hawthorne Bridge, where there will be food and live music on a barge. Tom McCall Bowl, Waterfront Park, thebigfloat.com. $6 before July 13, $9 after.

Monday, July 28

Tell your best jokes

Think you're funny? Bring that material to Portland's longest-running open-mic night, where comedians have been crashing and burning (and occasionally killing) for more than 12 years. Spots are three minutes, and the sign-up list is limited to 20. Boiler Room, 228 NW Davis St., 227-5441. 9 pm. 21kknd.

Tuesday, July 29

Learn about the glory days of socialism

Sip on some McMenamins brew and hear Nate Pedersen, a journalist and librarian, tell the tale of Frank T. Johns, the Oregonian who ran twice for president with the 1920s Socialist Labor Party. Pedersen will place the curious story of "Comrade Johns" within the broader context of the American socialist movement. Power Station Theater at Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, 669-8610, mcmenamins.com. 7 pm. Free.

Wednesday, July 30 

Make fashion intellectual

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art's "Fashioning Cascadia" exhibit, which explores how creativity and utility collide in the Pacific Northwest's sartorial scene. Wear your best normcore duds. Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 NW Davis St., 223-2654, museumofcontemporarycraft.org. 11 am-6 pm. $4.

Thursday, July 31

Do a little tour de farmers markets

The Southeast Farmers Market is open from 3 to 7 pm, and the Northwest Farmers Market is open from 2 to 6 pm, giving you ample time after work to laze through the city and attend both. Southeast 20th Avenue and Salmon Street; Northwest 19th Avenue and Everett Street.

August

Friday, Aug. 1 

Live your worst nightmare

The Great Horror Campout is basically an outdoor, immersive, haunted-house experience you can't escape until the sun comes up. Activities include a scavenger hunt, "voodoo rituals" and absolutely no sleep. So it's kind of like regular summer camp, except with more people in rubber masks hiding behind trees. On private property in Beavercreek. More information at greathorrorcampout.com. 

Saturday, Aug. 2

Catch cabin fever at Pickathon

There's something about seeing a band in a crowded barn that just beats seeing them in a regular ol' club. Drifting further away from its roots-music roots each year, this year's edition of Portland's biggest little festival is Pickathon's most rock-centric ever. While Angel Olsen, Julianna Barwick and Warpaint will raise goosebumps beneath the trees at the Woods Stage, acts like Parquet Courts, the Men, Mac DeMarco, Mikal Cronin and the wonderfully named Diarrhea Planet are going to keep the Galaxy Barn sweating and shaking into the early morning hours. Pendarvis Farm, 16581 SE Hagen Road, Happy Valley. Begins Aug. 1 and continues through Aug. 3. $260. All ages. 

Sunday, Aug. 3

Crack some crawfish

The third and final day of the Tualatin Crawfish Festival offers contests, a generous selection of local beers and wines, and of course, lots and lots of seafood. Stay all afternoon for vintage '50s tunes courtesy of Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts. Tualatin Commons, 8515 SW Tualatin Road, Tualatin, 692-0780, tualatincrawfishfestival.com. Begins Aug. 1.

Monday, Aug. 4 

Prepare for the inevitable rise of the machines

Learn about drone technology and its expanding use in agriculture from the CEO of HoneyComb Corporation, which specializes in drone technology for agriculture. Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd., 281-4215, omsi.edu. 7 pm. $5 suggested. 

Tuesday, Aug. 5

Visit Paris without leaving the Park Blocks

Explore The Art of the Louvre's Tuileries Garden, an international exhibition celebrating the art, design and history of the iconic Parisian park. More than 100 sculptures, paintings, photographs and drawings by both European and American artists are on display. Berets are optional but highly recommended. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave., 226-2811, portlandartmuseum.org. Open 10 am-5 pm. Through Sept. 21.

Wednesday, Aug. 6

Cheer on the same side as Sounders fans for once

This year, the MLS All-Star game comes to Providence Park, where the Americans are taking on Bayern Munich. Tickets are sold out, but has that ever stopped a true fan? Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., 553-5400. 6:30 pm. Sold out.

Thursday, Aug. 7

See Shakespeare's characters ride Vespas

Take the MAX to Hillsboro for a Federico Fellini-inspired production of Love's Labour's Lost that promises chic Italian costumes and Vespas. Maybe King Ferdinand will give you a lift back to Portland. Tom Hughes Civic Plaza, 150 E Main St., Hillsboro, 345-9590. 7:30 pm. $18.

Friday, Aug. 8

Get fatter

Up for a culinary challenge? Head down to the Bite of Oregon, a spread so big you'll probably need several days to taste everything. In addition to restaurants, there will be food carts, dessert purveyors and a few celebrity chefs in attendance. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Southwest Naito Parkway, biteoforegon.com. 11 am-10 pm. $5-$42, children 12 and under free. 

Saturday, Aug. 9

Watch Portland's coolest drum circle

In the meditative setting of a lush rose garden, kick back on the grass as the members of Portland Taiko whack the crap out of some huge drums for your listening pleasure. Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater, 400 SW Kingston Ave. 6 pm. Free.

Sunday, Aug. 10

Eat some fried plantains and West African doughnuts

For the second year, the Portland Roots Festival will feature a grip of vendors hawking Afro-centric foods (think Moroccan chicken and hush puppies), as well as plenty of artists, performers and speakers. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., pdxrootsfest.org. Noon-8 pm. Free.

Monday, Aug. 11

Play blockbuster catch-up

Take the day to catch up on all the movies you've missed while baking yourself in the Portland sun: Godzilla, 22 Jump Street, X-Men and, hell, How to Train Your Dragon 2. 

Tuesday, Aug. 12

Secretly root for the bull at the Canby Rodeo

Take in a slice of Americana and watch good ol' country boys with names like "Shotgun McGraw," "Cash Beauregard" and "Clint San Antonio" wrestle barnyard animals. Don't forget the Dippin Dots. Clackamas County Event Center, 694 NE 4th Ave., Canby, 266-1136. 7:30 pm. Through Aug. 16. A ticket to the Clackamas County Fair required to attend the rodeo. 

Wednesday, Aug. 13

Taste some next-wave wine

If all is right with the world, Enso Urban Winery is the future of wine bars. Our 2014 Bar of the Year has a roll-up garage door and eminently sippable house reds and whites for $5, and from your table you can watch 120 pounds of grapes being crushed in the backroom. They make a summer sangria, but we also recommend the full, fruity zinfandel. Enso Urban Winery, 1416 SE Stark St., 683-3676, ensowinery.com. 4-10 pm.

Thursday, Aug. 14

Drink beer on a rooftop while cheering on Kowalski

Barry Newman's 1971 car-chase cult classic Vanishing Point was the original Fast and the Furious, and thanks to the NW Film Center, now you can watch it on a downtown rooftop. Hotel deLuxe, Southwest 15th Avenue and Yamhill Street, 221-1156, nwfilm.org. 8 pm. $6-$11.

Friday, Aug. 15

Brave the Scream'n Eagle

Oaks Park is a Portland institution, so you owe it to yourself to spend a day spinning and bouncing your way through the park's many attractions—including but not limited to the Looping Thunder coaster, the rock 'n' roll-themed car ride, and those scary cage things that flip you upside down. Save the jumbo hot dogs for after the rides. 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, 233-5777, oakspark.com. Free admission, ride prices vary.

Saturday, Aug. 16

Gyrate along with the dude from Future Islands

MusicfestNW has slimmed down this year—to two days, one location and 18 bands—but within that more economic framework you can still take the pulse of the contemporary music scene. Day One headliners include mash-up magi Girl Talk and thuggish-ruggish hip-hop tag team Run the Jewels, but the must-see is synthpop dramatists Future Islands, whose singer, Samuel Herring, is a slithering, grimacing, emoting frontman from the Freddie Mercury school of onstage theatrics. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Naito Parkway, 823-2223, musicfestnw.com. $65-$300. Through Aug. 17. 

Sunday, Aug. 17

Spoon with Haim

MusicfestNW's second day finds Britt Daniel and his legendary Austin-via-Portland-via-Austin indie rockers consciously coupling with L.A.'s classic-rock-influenced sister trio Haim. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Naito Parkway, 823-2223, musicfestnw.com. $65-$300. 

Monday, Aug. 18 

See bewildered actors go on a witch hunt

Each summer, Anonymous Theatre puts on a production in which the actors audition and rehearse individually and in secrecy. They show up at the theater in street clothes and don't encounter their castmates until the first line is shouted from the house. Up this year is Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, because nothing says “mayhem” like witch trials. Gerding Theater at the Armory, 128 NW 11th Ave., theatrevertigo.org. 7 pm. $25. 

Tuesday, Aug. 19

Learn about your favorite wesen from Grimm

Fred Ruff and J. Bills, the guys at Refuge VFX, have created some of the creepiest characters on everyone's favorite Portland-shot supernatural show. McMenamins will be serving up beer and pizza while the two special-effects aces take you behind the scenes. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047, crystalballroompdx.com. 7 pm. Minor with parent or guardian. $5.

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Catch the best of the 48-Hour Film Festival

Back at the beginning of August, groups of local filmmakers raced to make short films over the course of 48 hours. You, lucky viewer, don't have to deal with the chaff: Here's the best of what they produced. Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd., 281-4215, 48hourfilm.com. Time and price TBA.

Thursday, Aug. 21

Get crazy with the Cheez-Whiz

Beck is a mopey bastard on record these days, but don't worry: In concert, he's still willing to bust out the hits (and goofball dance moves) that made him the '90s most lovable loser. Tickets are gone, so start cruising Craigslist. McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. 6:30 pm. Sold out.  

Friday, Aug. 22

Watch burlesque mavens strip to some Badalamenti

David Lynch-inspired cabaret is, to the surprise of no one, a big deal in the Pacific Northwest. Host Vera Mysteria plays the Log Lady as other burlesque and aerial performers bring Lynch to life. Star Theater, 13 NW 6th Ave., 248-4700. 8 and 10:30 pm. $15. 21kknd.

Saturday, Aug. 23

Peek behind closed doors

You've always wanted to explore the vaults and underground hallways in historic Pittock Mansion. On a Saturday-only behind-the-scenes tour, you can finally visit every floor, making a stop in Henry Pittock's own private den. 3229 NW Pittock Drive, 823-3623, pittockmansion.org. Tours run hourly 10 am-3 pm. $19. Call to reserve a spot. 

Sunday, Aug. 24

Join the Seattle-hating hordes

The Timbers take on the Sounders at home in one of the biggest soccer games of the summer. Gut that fish, Portland. Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., timbers.com. 2 pm. $40-$195.

Monday, Aug. 25

Enjoy some pirouettes in the park

The dancers of Oregon Ballet Theatre take their pointe shoes to the park for a week of alfresco public rehearsals. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., obt.org. Times vary. Free.

Tuesday, Aug. 26

Walk the red carpet for opening night of the Portland Film Festival

The fledgling film fest turns two, and the first evening features the world premieres of two movies: local project Glena and Sex Ed, a raunchy comedy starring Haley Joel Osment, that once-cute kid from The Sixth Sense. Screening locations are still in flux, but one film will play at the Crystal Ballroom and the other at the Mission Theater. A block party on Southwest Stark Street between 12th and 13th avenues follows. Info at portlandfilmfestival.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Swoon over Gael García Bernal 

Throughout the summer, Pix Patisserie has hosted free (well, with a $5 purchase) movie nights in their courtyard. Today, go watch The Motorcycle Diaries and munch on some popcorn and a few candy-colored macarons. Pix Patisserie, 2225 E Burnside St., 971-271-7166, pixpatisserie.myshopify.com. Dusk. $5.

Thursday, Aug. 28 

Strap on your stilts for Last Thursday

Put some lavender in your hair and twirl that fire, baby—they're never shutting this party down. Northeast Alberta Street between 15th and 30th avenues, lastthursdayonalberta.com. 6-9:30 pm. Free. 

Friday, Aug. 29

Cool down for free

The Portland Art Museum offers free admission on the fourth Friday of every month, and while gazing upon its collection of masterworks is neat and all, at this point of the season, the air conditioning is the real attraction. 1219 SW Park Ave., 226-2811. 5-8 pm.

Saturday, Aug. 30

Enjoy one last outdoor concert

Grab a beer and soak in the last moments of August with the Head and the Heart, a band that sounds like a picnic on the lawn. McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale. 669-8610, edgefieldconcerts.com. 6:30 pm. $35.

Sunday, Aug. 31

Jet boats!

What would Portland be without its bridges? Take a tour of the Willamette River on a freakin' jet boat and learn about the nature and architecture of Portland. Also: jet boats! Willamette Jet Boat Excursions, 1945 SE Water Ave., 231-1532. 11:25 am and 4:15 pm daily. $41 for adults, $27 for children.

September

Monday, Sept. 1

Stay home

You don't have to work because it's the ironically named Labor Day. This is summer's final gift to you.

WWeek 2015