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HEAR: Audrey Luna Soprano Masterclass
Audrey Luna, the Grammy Award–winning soprano, will deliver a masterclass in the art of vocal performance with students from Lewis & Clark and Portland State University, as well as a lecture on the business of singing. This event is open to all those who yearn for the high notes, the power pipes, as well as those interested in the logistics of the business that promotes such refined talents. Evans Auditorium at Lewis & Clark College, 615 S Palatine Hill Road, pdx.edu. 3–6 pm Wednesday, Nov. 4. Free. All ages.
GO: Live Wire: Dessa, Mac Barnett, Ed Park, and Mx. Dahlia Belle
This Book Fest/Free First Thursday mashup is a glorious exhibition of the Portland Art Museum’s new era of expansive programming. Featuring poet and rapper Dessa, bestselling children’s author Mac Barnett, Pulitzer Prize finalist Ed Park, and Portland comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle doing pop-up performances throughout PAM’s galleries, the event culminates with a seated, ticketed Live Wire taping hosted by Luke Burbank, with announcer Elena Passarello. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave., livewireradio.org. 4:30–9 pm Thursday, Nov. 5. Pop-ups free, Live Wire show $15+.
FORAGE: Mushroom Identification Hike
Have a bit of a fall fantasy frolic before the rain strips the last of these delicious colors from our landscape with a mushroom identification hike through Forest Park. This autumnal forest bath is not for mushroom plucking, but rather for learning about the various fungi of our region—so that, when you are in forager mode, your understanding of mushroom characteristics, seasonal patterns, and safe foraging practices will be relatively honed. Germantown Trailhead, Northwest Leif Erikson Drive, forestparkconservancy.org. 10 am–noon Friday, Nov. 6. Free.
PARTY: Frybread Fest
Rather than pregaming Christmas in the retail landscape, celebrate the beginning of Native American Heritage Month at Frybread Fest, the annual cultural event that heralds the month with a colorful, daylong celebration featuring Native vendors, music, food, performances and traditional demonstrations like basket weaving and hide tanning. You can even join in a drum circle with Turquoise Pride. Director Park, 815 SW Park Ave., downtownpdxactivations.com. 11 am–7 pm Saturday, Nov. 7. Free.
GO: The Pancakes and Booze Art Show
Pancakes and Booze, now in its 15th year, comes through Portland again for a night of underground emerging artists, cutting-edge works in varying media, avant-garde genre-bending and, of course, free pancakes. Expect to check out work by more than 75 contributors, and come prepared to find some new wall candy by your new favorite artist. Also come prepared to absolutely demolish at least one stack of buttermilk cakes. Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE 39th Ave., pancakesandbooze.com/portland. 8 pm–midnight Saturday, Nov. 7. $17+. 21+.
CELEBRATE: Diwali Festival
The South Asian multifaith Festival of Lights, Diwali, is similar in scale and vibe to the West’s New Year’s: Renewal, family, food and celebration are its central themes. Northwest Children’s Theater brings the annual festivities back to The Judy this year, inviting attendees to create a beautiful rangoli (traditional floor art), make a Diwali lantern, learn a diya (lamp) dance, and enjoy all manner of Indian culinary treats. The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts, 1000 SW Broadway, nwcts.org. 11 am–1 pm Sunday, Nov. 8. Free, suggested $10 donation per family.
TRIP: Psychedelics and the Reimagining of Aging
It’s not news that aging looks different for every generation, and our contemporary generation of golden agers—like J.Lo , for example—has shifted long-held ideas around what growing older looks, feels and lives like. Aging and, you guessed it, psychedelics are the hot topics of this conversation, which is produced by the Psychedelic Society. Free your mind, and your skin and hormones, etc., etc., will follow. Or something like that. No micro- or macro-dosing necessary. Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St., albertarosetheatre.com. 7 pm Monday, Nov. 9. $31. All ages with guardian.
OOH & AAH: Stimson Lumber Tree Arrival
Feel like participating in an uplifting tradition that brings all your neighbors together in your city’s proverbial living room just to marvel at what will soon be a breathtakingly festooned, towering evergreen monument to the Northwest holiday season? Do you ever just want to sip hot cocoa and swoon over the intoxicating perfume of a freshly chopped pine? Of course you do. And this is probably your best chance—at least until the lighting ceremony on Nov. 27, which is equally Portland core. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., thesquarepdx.org. 9–10:30 am Tuesday, Nov. 10. Free.
