Summer Guide 2011: Summer Events Calendar

June 17-19: Portland Pride

This year's official theme is "Make It Happen!," and the "it" is pride. Events include the Pulse dance party, Waterfront Festival, Dyke March, Pride Drag Race and Pride Parade. Headliners include Deborah Cox, Lea DeLaria and Camille Bloom. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 700 SW Naito Parkway, pridenw.org. 6-10 pm Friday, noon-9 pm Saturday, noon-6 pm Sunday.

June 18: World Naked Bike Ride

Whether protesting fossil fuels and the vulnerability of cyclists or just exercising a need to lose some threads, 10,000 people stripped down for the 2010 WNBR. Even more are expected this year. Shoes and helmets are "strongly encouraged." Southeast Water Avenue and Salmon Street, wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org. 10 pm. Free.

June 24-26: North American Organic Brewers Festival

"Saving the planet, one beer at a time," this festival combines organic beer and sustainability. The brews and ciders will be from around the world, including locals like Alameda Brewhouse and Upright Brewing Company. But there's more than just beer; there will be sustainable-product vendors, nonprofits and live music. Overlook Park, 1301 N Fremont St., naobf.org. Noon-9 pm Friday-Saturday, noon-5pm Sunday. Free. Minors admitted with parents.

June 24-26: No.Fest Music and Arts Fair

Three friends created this all encompassing festival after an attempt to fill Proper Eats Market and Cafe with the best of their friends' bands in 2008. Last year, this music and arts fair grew to include 50 bands, as well as visual arts and spoken word. Various venues in St. Johns, nofest.net.

June 26: North Portland Sunday Parkways

Eight miles of streets between Peninsula and McCoy parks will be closed to cars for five hours, with food, music and family activities in parks and on sidewalks along the route. 11 am-4 pm. See route at portlandsundayparkways.org.

June 26-Sept. 10: Summer Free For All Movies in the Park

Portland Parks and Recreation presents movies in parks across the city. Schedule at portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=52643. Free.

June 28: My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket brings its genre-bending alt-country sounds to Troutdale for the Edgefield Summer concert series. McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. 6:30 pm. $40-$43.

June 29: Alison Krauss & Union Station

Alison Krauss signed with Rounder Records when she was just 14; since then, she's won more Grammys than any other female artist (26) and has collaborated with Yo Yo Ma, James Taylor and Dolly Parton. See what the embodiment of musical success looks like when Krauss and the Union Station band bring their take on roots, country and pop to the Edgefield lawn. McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. 6:30 pm. $49-$79.

June 30-July 28: Sundown at Ecotrust

Each Thursday, Ecotrust presents an environmentally themed concert (e.g., Energy, Water and Reliable Propensity) powered entirely by a solar generator, with free music by local talent like Typhoon and Y La Bamba. 721 NW 9th Ave., ecotrust.org. 5:30-8:30 pm Thursdays. Free.

July 1-4: Waterfront Blues Festival

The second-largest blues festival in the nation, behind only Chicago, these four days will ensure you get your blues fix. Buddy Guy, Lucinda Williams, and Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears are just a few acts in the lineup. There will be fireworks over the Willamette on July 4. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 700 SW Naito Parkway, waterfrontbluesfest.org. 2-11 pm Friday, 11 am-11 pm Saturday-Sunday, 11 am-10 pm Monday. $40 four-day festival pass. 

July 2: Modest Mouse

Portland's indie kings play their first local performance since 2009 to celebrate Edgefield's 100th birthday. There will also be musical merriment throughout the grounds, historical tours, and drink tastings. McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. 6:30 pm. $44-$48.

July 4-Aug. 25: Top Down Rooftop Cinema

Cross your fingers for this one, folks. If it's a dry Portland summer—maybe knock on wood, too—the Northwest Film Center will reprise its series of great outdoor cinema. Top Down will be held six nights this summer atop the Hotel deLuxe's rooftop garage. The party starts at 8 pm, with live bands and refreshments; once sun sets, the films start. This seasons screenings include: Missile to the Moon July 4, Female July 28, Viva Las Vegas Aug. 4, The Outsiders Aug. 11, Police Story Aug. 18, and Goldfinger Aug. 25. 729 SW 15th Ave., nwfilm.org. $9.

July 5-Sept. 7: Summer Free for All Concerts in the Park

You have no excuses for a boring night this summer: Summer Free for All presents Concerts in the Park every night of the week from July to August (dates in September are reserved for rain dates). Enjoy all kinds of music, from Celtic to neo-Bohemian cabaret, throughout the summer. Various parks across Portland, see portlandonline.com/parks. All ages. Free.

July 8: Neko Case

Neko Case's sound is the oatmeal of the musical world: unadorned, but it sticks with you. Feast on her hauntingly beautiful vocals at Edgefield. McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. 6:30 pm. $35-$38.

July 15-17: Portland International Beer Festival

This event is on a "secret mission to make you a beer geek," but even if you don't end the weekend in a SNOB shirt and thick-rimmed glasses, you're still likely to find a beer you love out of the 150 different brews on offer. North Park Blocks at Northwest Park Avenue and Davis Street, seattlebeerfest.com/Index2 PIB.htm. 4-10 pm Friday, noon-10 pm Saturday, noon-7 pm Sunday. $20 advance, $25 at gate. 21+.

July 16: Portland Highland Games

Originally reserved for kings and chiefs, these crass displays of stamina settled who would be "the best man at arms." Today, it's more of a celebration of Scottish custom than a show of superiority. A one-mile kilted race, fiddling competition, dance competitions and other physical contests round out this 23-year-old tradition at Mount Hood Community College. 26000 SE Stark St., Gresham, phga.org. 8 am Saturday. $20 adults, $10 children ages 6-17.

July 18-24: Puckerfest

Sour beers can take up to three years to barrel-age, a sometimes risky venture, and for the fifth year running Belmont Station is celebrating them for one week in July. 4500 SE Stark St., 232-8538, belmont-station.com.

July 21-24: Northwest String Summit

Experience some of the best acoustic performances that the Northwest has to offer at this year's Northwest String Summit in the picturesque Horning's Hideout. This year, the Yonder Mountain String Band will play for three nights. Horning's Hideout, 21277 NW Brunswick Canyon Road, North Plains, stringsummit.com. $20-$155.

July 22: TV on the Radio

This year marked the release of what has been called TV on the Radio's most user-friendly album, Nine Types of Light, a small move away from the band's historically undefinable musical creations. McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. $34-$38.

July 22-24: PDX Pop Now! Summer Festival

Unlike festivals that charge high ticket fees or bar underage music-lovers from attending, PDX Pop Now! remains open to all ages and is completely free. Refuge PDX, 116 SE Yamhill St., pdxpopnow.com. All ages. Free.

July 22-Aug. 19: Flicks on the Bricks

For five weeks this summer, Friday night means movie night at Pioneer Courthouse Square. BYOC (bring your own chair) and snag some free popcorn as SmartPark presents five movies: Top Gun July 22, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade July 29, West Side Story Aug. 5, Despicable Me Aug. 12 and Stand by Me Aug. 19. Pioneer Courthouse Square, Southwest Morrison Street and Broadway, pcspdx.org. Fridays at dusk. Free.

July 24: Fleet Foxes

Robin Pecknold, who recently moved to Portland from Seattle, joins his band for a performance on the Edgefield lawn, where the band's signature folk sound is sure to evoke images of lands both distant and familiar. McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. $37-$38.

July 24: Los Lobos

Get your howling in order: The wolves come to the Oregon Zoo to perform with Los Lonely Boys. Los Lobos have been jamming with their current lineup for the past 30 years—proving that the pack that plays together stays together. Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Road, oregonzoo.org. $26.

July 24: Westside Sunday Parkways

Six miles of streets between Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront and Wallace parks will be closed to cars for five hours, with food, music and family activities in parks and on sidewalks along the route. 11 am-4 pm. See route at portlandsundayparkways.org.

July 28-31: Oregon Brewers Festival

From 10 Barrel Brewing to Widmer Brothers, they're all here. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, main entrance at Southwest Oak Street and Naito Parkway, oregonbrewfest.com. Noon-9 pm Thursday–Saturday, noon-7 pm Sunday. Free entry, tasting mugs $6, tastes $1-$4.

July 29: Willie Nelson

Get your bandannas ready; Willie Nelson & Family return to the Edgefield amphitheater for another round of country jams. McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. $59-$63.

July 31: IPNC Passport to Pinot

Marvel at the astonishing debauchery of tasting the wares 70 pinot noir producers (and 60 or so chefs and food artisans) at the culminating event of the International Pinot Noir celebration in McMinnville. Linfield College campus, 900 SE Baker St., McMinnville, ipnc.org. 1-4:30 pm Sunday. $150.

Aug. 5-6: Smmr Bmmr

Check your vowels at the door—you won't need them anyway, with all the fist-pounding raging bound to be had at Smmr Bmmr. This annual garage-rock festival will feature the colorfully named musical drama of King Tuff, Shannon and the Clams and Personal and the Pizzas, among others. Plan B, 1305 SE 8th Ave., dmmrbmmr.com.

Aug. 5-7: Pickathon

The city's biggest outdoor festival continues to drift away from its old-timey origins, but with headliners like Mavis Staples, Black Mountain, Grupo Fantasma and Damien Jurado, it's hard to pine for the good ol' days. Pendarvis Farm, 16581 SE Hagen Road, Happy Valley, pickathon.com. $145 for the weekend.

Aug. 6-7: Bones and Brew Festival

Over 30 brews from Oregon craft breweries, live music, a barbecue cooking contest and plenty of brisket and ribs from local restaurants for this celebration of the American barbecue, benefiting the Oregon Zoo. Northwest 14th Avenue and Flanders Street, rogue.com/events/bones-and-brew.php. 11 am-9 pm Saturday, 11 am-5 pm Sunday. $3 suggested donation.

Aug. 11: Peter Frampton

Peter Frampton settles into the zoo for the long haul: This three-hour performance includes his album Frampton Comes Alive! in its entirety, along with various highlights from the rest of his extensive canon. Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Road, oregonzoo.org. $27.50.

Aug. 12: Portland Twilight Criterium

Closed-off blocks of Old Town streets are filled with spectators, food carts and activities, such as a hand-built bike show and a beer garden, all situated in the middle of the course of this high-speed street race. Free bike parking at Northwest Park Avenue and Flanders Street. North Park Blocks, Northwest 9th Avenue and Couch Street, portlandtwilight.com. Races begin 4 pm. $25-$30.

Aug. 12-14: The Bite of Oregon

It's more about the music, wine and beer than the food, really—only restaurants with large catering operations can muster enough food and manpower for a weekend-long festival—but the annual benefit for Special Olympics Oregon is always pleasant. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 700 Southwest Naito Parkway, biteoforegon.com. $10 single day pass, $15 full weekend.

Aug. 13: Adult Soapbox Derby

Remember that childhood soapbox, built in the garage through hours of blood and sweat and with the certainty that this year would mark your crushing victory over the neighbor boy's fancier, faster model? Never happened? Then here's your chance to bring childhood racing fantasies to life in all their beer-soaked glory at the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. Mount Tabor Park, Southeast 60th Avenue and Salmon Street, soapboxracer.com. Races start at 10 am. Free to watch.

Aug. 14: Providence Bridge Pedal 

Nearly 20,000 bicyclists and pedestrians fill Willamette River bridges to support the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute. Routes from 13 to 36 miles long include the top decks of the Fremont and Marquam bridges. Southwest Salmon Street and 14th Avenue, blog.bridgepedal.com. 7 am. $25-$45.

Aug. 15-19: Paddle Oregon

Paddle 105 miles of the Willamette over five days. After each day on the river, enjoy a night of camping punctuated by speakers, entertainment and catered meals. A portion of the registration fee supports the efforts of Willamette Riverkeeper to preserve and restore the river. Event starts at Crystal Lake Boat Ramp in Corvallis, see paddleoregon.org. $535 youth, $635 adult.

Aug. 21: Freshwater Trust Portland Triathlon

Swim, bike and run courses woven in and around downtown in one of the "greenest" races in the world (according to Triathlete magazine), the Freshwater Trust Triathlon. Among the green features: bib numbers made from recycled material, local organic food at aid stations, nontoxic body marking courtesy of the Portland Society for Calligraphy, and bamboo bike racks. Tom McCall Waterfront Park between Southwest Harrison and Northwest Glisan streets, portlandtri.com. $70-$185. 13+.

Aug. 21: Portland Century

Take in eye-catching views of Portland and surrounding areas such as Bull Run, Marine Drive and the Willamette Bluff while riding routes of 40, 75 or 100 miles, with gourmet food and refreshments along the way. Ride begins at Portland State University behind Smith Memorial Student Union, Southwest Montgomery Street and Park Avenue, portlandcentury.com. Check-in times 6-9 am, depending on route. $70 adults in advance, $80 at event, $10 under age 10.

Aug. 25-27: Festa Italiana

Pioneer Courthouse Square becomes "Piazza Italia" for the 20th annual celebration of everything Italian. Events include a grape stomp, pizza toss, bocce tournament and free Italian movie night. Don't worry, they didn't forget the food, beer, wine or dancing. Southwest Morrison Street and Broadway, festaitalianaportland.shutterfly.com. 11 am-11 pm Thursday-Saturday. Free.

Aug. 26-27: Hood to Coast Relay

The world's largest relay turns 30 this year, and 15,000 runners will celebrate from Timberline Lodge to Seaside while raising money for the American Cancer Society. After the teams complete the 200-mile route, spectators can meet them in Seaside for a beach party with live music, vendor booths, giveaways and an awards ceremony (beach ball not included). See hoodtocoast.com.

Aug. 26-Sept. 5: Oregon State Fair

If corn dogs, Skee-Ball and that swinging Viking boat define your idea of a perfect summer evening, head down to Salem for the Oregon State Fair. Peruse 500 exhibits and graze 75 restaurants, or try your hand at a carnival game (good luck knocking those jars down). The 11-day event attracts so many visitors it could qualify as Oregon's second-largest city—with Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen as this year's mayor. Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th Street NE, Salem, oregonstatefair.org. 10 am-10 pm Sunday-Thursday, 10 am-11 pm Friday-Saturday. Ticket prices TBA.

Aug. 26-28: Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival

Wine, jazz and art. In Vancouver! Esther Short Park, 8th and Columbia streets, Vancouver, vancouverwinejazz.com. 4-10 pm Friday, 11 am–10 pm Saturday, 11 am–9 pm Sunday. $17-$25. 

Aug. 27: Huey Lewis and the News

Prepare to be blown away by the power of love! Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Road, oregonzoo.org/concerts. $39.

Aug. 28: Southeast Sunday Parkways

Six miles of streets between Buckman and Mount Tabor will be closed to cars for five hours, with food, music and family activities in parks and on sidewalks along the route, coinciding with the Hawthorne Street Fair. 11 am-4 pm. See route at portlandsundayparkways.org.

Sept. 1: Oregon Symphony Waterfront Concert

Join the Oregon Symphony to kick off the 2011-12 season with a free concert at Portland's Waterfront Park. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 700 SW Naito Parkway, orsymphony.org/edu/comm_neigh.aspx. 5 pm Portland Youth Philharmonic, 7 pm symphony program. Free.

Sept. 7-11: MusicfestNW

MusicFestNW is back for its 11th year as Portland's largest music festival. Following last year's two al fresco shows, the festival has added a third night at Pioneer Courthouse Square, with Iron and Wine, Explosions in the Sky, and Band of Horses headlining. Various locations throughout Portland, see musicfestnw.com. $70 all indoor shows and one show at the square, $115 all indoor shows and all three shows at the square, $250 all-access VIP pass.

Sept. 8-18: TBA Festival

From workshops by morning to impromptu galleries by night, the Time-Based Art Festival turns Portland into an all-hours exhibit of contemporary visual and performing arts. Around-the-clock contemporary art enthusiasts can choose from a bevy of festival events, from stage performances to visual installations, including the premiere of Mike Daisey's 24-hour monologue, All the hours of the day. Various locations, see pica.org/tba. $8-$25 individual events, $250 full-festival pass. All ages.

Sept. 10: John Prine

One of America's most enduring songwriters, John Prine has a career that's spanned almost four decades. Catch Prine with Ani DiFranco as he performs his poignant songs to round out Edgefield's summer concerts. McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, edgefieldconcerts.com. $42-$74.

Sept. 25: Northeast Sunday Parkways

Eight miles of streets between Woodlawn Park and Northeast Cully Boulevard will be closed to cars for five hours, with food, music and family activities in parks and on sidewalks along the route. Noon-5 pm. See route at portlandsundayparkways.org.

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