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DO: Pick It Up, Portland! Citywide Cleanup Party
A summer morning spent commiserating with friends and neighbors over a shared love of our fair city? The 10th annual Pick It Up, Portland! citywide cleanup exists to create cleaner neighborhoods, parks and public spaces while celebrating a Portland tradition that’s been bringing communities together for a decade. Cleanup supplies are provided, plus complimentary snacks and drinks to keep you energized. Bonus: Every location will also host a raffle with a prize basket featuring goodies from local artisans. Locations vary, solve.org/portland.10 am Wednesday, Aug. 12.
HEAR: Piano Push Play: Jason Buchanan
Piano Push Play’s delightful citywide distribution of public pianos (aka piano season) also features a full slate of performances by a half dozen talented musicians. For the uninitiated, Piano Push Play is the beloved org that restores old pianos and transforms them into musical works of art. The instruments then make their way into the wild outdoors, welcoming anyone to play an impromptu concert, but singling out a few dates for larger concert moments, such as an Aug. 13 performance by Jason Buchanan. Sellwood Riverfront Park, Southeast Spokane Street and Oaks Park Way, pianopushplay.com. 6:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 13. Free.
SEE: Original Practice Shakespeare Festival Presents Julius Caesar
Political drama, onstage? In this economy, day and age? Sure, why not. We could all use a bit of new media dissociation. Original Practice Shakespeare Festival’s production of Julius Caesar will deliver just that. OPS Fest’s actors have no idea what character they will play until the audience casts the show one hour prior to curtain—that’s how this thing works. Arrive early to cast the play at 8 pm and watch the creation take shape at 9. Picnics and leashed dogs are welcome. Washington Park, 4033 SW Canyon Road, opsfest.org. 8 pm Friday, Aug. 14. Free.
GO: Belmont Library Grand Opening
Portland’s library renaissance is in full bloom, and the reopening parties have been some of this year’s most exciting community events. Belmont’s new facility will be yet another summer fun day for the whole family to become reacquainted with the new and improved library while enjoying live music, complimentary snacks, and a body-rocking dance party. Ain’t no party like a library party cuz a library party has books. Clock it. Belmont Library, 1038 SE César E. Chávez Blvd., multcolib.org. 10 am Saturday, Aug. 15. Free.
GO: Summer Shred
Summer Shred, a free, volunteer-supported annual fest, has an MO of promoting Portland’s local rock and metal scene and ensuring that live music remains accessible to fans of all types. Beyond the fest, Summer Shred is an org supporting local musicians. Cruise through to hear your new favorite metal band shred live while keeping the spirit of live rock alive for future generations. Central Eastside Industrial District, Southeast 2nd Avenue and Morrison Street, summershredpdx.com. Noon Saturday, Aug. 15. Free. All ages.
SEE: Portland Adult Soapbox Derby
If you’ve yet to experience the Portland tradition that is our Adult Soapbox Derby, make this the year to witness this particular jewel on Portland’s whimsical crown. More than 40 racers will speed down Mount Tabor in their impressively campy/kitschy DIY creations while 7,000 of your friends and neighbors from all quadrants scream, cheer and dance in celebration. Mt. Tabor Park, Southeast 60th Avenue and Salmon Street, soapboxracer.org. 10 am Saturday, Aug. 15. Free. All ages.
HEAR: Kernside Serenade
The Curbside Serenade series has proliferated throughout public spaces with all manner of performance. This Kernside variation (a collaboration with the Kernside Business Association and Gorges Brewing) is a Third Sunday event that brings deftly curated musical lineups to the neighborhood. The block party vibes of summer are prevalent. This month’s sesh features Rando, Complimentary Colors and Big Spender. Rainbow Road, Southeast 28th Avenue and Ankeny Street, curbsideserenade.org. 1 pm Sunday, Aug. 16. Free. All ages.
SEE: The Breeders
Attention, baby Xers and elder millennial baby-doll alt-rock devotees: Last Splash turns 30 this year. To celebrate, the record has been remastered for the first time, using the original analog tape that was only recently rediscovered in the Warner Bros. archive. And the new record features two unreleased tracks from the original 1993 recording sessions. Here’s your chance to see and hear those mystery tracks, as well as material from all five of their studio albums, live. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., thesquarepdx.org. 7 pm Tuesday, Aug. 18. $64. All ages.
