Winningstad Theatre

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Like a cross between a copper candelabra and a four-way candy dish, they stand every couple of blocks downtown and tend to puzzle newcomers. (read more) Can I drink it? Hell yes! Those are Benson Bubblers, pushing up fresh drinking water for the masses since 1917. The iconic fountains—52 in all, plus 74 one-bowl variations—are a reminder of what makes Portland’s downtown lovable. While it’s still the center of political and financial power, it remains a livable place where you can find quiet street corners (sometimes a little too quiet for a major city) and, yes, a free sip of water. To get the lay of the land, gaze down from the 30th floor of the U.S. Bancorp Tower (lovingly dubbed “Big Pink”) during happy hour at Portland City Grill (111 SW 5th Ave., 450-0030, portlandcitygrill.com). Downtown’s heart beats at Pioneer Courthouse Square (Southwest 6th Avenue and Morrison Street). Culture-heads and foodies should make for the South Park Blocks, home to the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave., 226-2811, portlandartmuseum.org) and the Portland Farmers Market (Southwest Park Avenue between Harrison and Montgomery Streets, portlandfarmersmarket.org) every Saturday from March 21 to Dec. 19. And for the terminally lazy, the MAX Green Line opens this fall, connecting Portland State University and Old Town’s Union Station. —James Pitkin

• Heathman Restaurant and Bar Food
• Portland Farmers Market Food
• Ben & Jerry's Food
• Artists Repertory Theatre Stage
• Winningstad Theatre Stage
• West End Theater Stage
• Oregon Children's Theatre Young Professionals Studio Theatre Stage
• Portland Actors Conservatory Stage
• The Firehouse Theatre Stage
• CLOSED Veganopolis Outdoors
• Pine Street Bistro Live Music
• Alessandro's CLOSED Live Music
• Alexander's CLOSED Live Music
• Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Live Music
• ArtBar & Bistro Live Music

Events Today

Saturday November 21

STAGE

Rumpelstiltskin

This tale told in puppetry of what befalls a maiden who cuts a deal with a dwarf to spin straw into gold will make you chuckle if you’re an adult and enthrall your children enough to keep them in their seats. The Grimms fairy tale has a couple of scary moments that might make kids 5 and younger grab an adult’s elbow. But Tears of Joy puppeteers Aaron Lathrop and Kathleen Reid are strong performers who carry the show with a combination of clever accents and energy. Make sure to arrive early enough so your kids can cut out paper puppets in the lobby. And plan to stay after the show so your children can ask questions of the oh-so-patient puppeteers. HENRY AND BEN STERN. Winningstad Theatre, Portland Center for Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway., 248-4335. 7:30 pm Friday, Nov. 13; 11 am Saturdays, 2 and 4 pm Sundays. Closes Nov. 29. $14-$16.

Meet Your _______

[SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION] Super Project Lab's super-fun series of improvised sketches inspired by stories told by notable Portlanders returns for one weekend. "Notable" is maybe too strong a term: Friday it's "Meet Your Mad Men" with Jerry Ketel and Kelly Baker, and Saturday is "Meet Your Critic" with Oregonian music writer Ryan White and yours truly. A teaser: my stories all involve emus. BEN WATERHOUSE. Winningstad Theatre, Portland Center for Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway., superprojectlab.com. 8 pm Friday-Saturday, Nov. 20-21. $12.

Upcoming Events

Sunday November 22

STAGE

Rumpelstiltskin

This tale told in puppetry of what befalls a maiden who cuts a deal with a dwarf to spin straw into gold will make you chuckle if you’re an adult and enthrall your children enough to keep them in their seats. The Grimms fairy tale has a couple of scary moments that might make kids 5 and younger grab an adult’s elbow. But Tears of Joy puppeteers Aaron Lathrop and Kathleen Reid are strong performers who carry the show with a combination of clever accents and energy. Make sure to arrive early enough so your kids can cut out paper puppets in the lobby. And plan to stay after the show so your children can ask questions of the oh-so-patient puppeteers. HENRY AND BEN STERN. Winningstad Theatre, Portland Center for Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway., 248-4335. 7:30 pm Friday, Nov. 13; 11 am Saturdays, 2 and 4 pm Sundays. Closes Nov. 29. $14-$16.

Saturday November 28

Puppetz Vs. People

Comedysportz and Tears of Joy Theatre go head to head in the annual improv puppeteering bash. Winningstad Theatre, Portland Center for Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway., 248-0557. 8 pm Saturday, Nov. 28. $14-$16.