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GO: Black History Festival NW
For its eighth annual celebration, Black History Festival NW leans into this year’s national theme for Black History Month: “African Americans and Labor.” BHFNW hopes to emphasize that Black history is American history by uplifting and highlighting the laborers and pillars within our own PDX community. Whether it be donating, supporting Black-owned businesses, volunteering, or attending one of the festival’s many cool events (like a Black history game show, a scavenger hunt, and a flash mob)—there are plenty of ways to help BHFNW celebrate Black History month all month long. Various locations across Portland, worldstagetheatre.org/bhfnw. Through Monday, March 3. Prices vary.
JAM: Caught Dead Handed
Anyone know where we might find an OK bar around here? No? Erm, well, how about the “Most OKest Bar” in Portland, Oregon? Ah, yes, the Starday Tavern…that tracks. This evening, visit the highly acclaimed “Most OKest Bar” in PDX, and have an equally OK time jamming out with Caught Dead Handed: a Portland-based Grateful Dead tribute band. They go on at 5:30 pm, right in time for happy hour, and there’s no cover. Sounds pretty dang OK to us. Starday Tavern, 6517 SE Foster Road, 971-888-4001, stardaytavern.com. 5:30 pm Wednesday, Feb. 5. Free.
EAT: Dumpling Week
We hope you got your fill of wieners last week…because starting Friday, there’s only one doughy delicacy on PDX’s menu. Back for its 11th year running, The Oregonian’s Dumpling Week has become a cozy February tradition here in Portland. This year, 50-plus different local restaurants are boilin’, steamin’, fryin’, and servin’ up a slew of inventive dumpling specials. There’s Buffalo Shrimp Dumplings, Curry Cloud Dumplings, “Super Bowl-inspired” Chili Cheddar Dumplings, chorizo empanadas…OK, yeah, some creations seem more, erm, dumplingish than others, but hey, what do we know? Various locations across Portland, dumpling-week.com. Friday, Feb. 7–Saturday, Feb. 15. Prices vary.
LAUGH: Leave Your Troubles at the Door
Easier said than done, we know. But at this completely improvised standup comedy showcase, you quite literally have to Leave Your Troubles at the Door…or, in a box before the show, rather. Upon arrival, you and your fellow audience members will anonymously write down your troubles, place them in said box, and then leave it up to comedians like Kristin Rowan, Colin Mattox, Robby Sherman and Katie Nguyen to make you feel better about them. Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th Ave., 503-841-6734, funhouselounge.com. 10 pm Friday, Feb. 7. $12–$15. 21+.
GO: Portland Night Market
This weekend, pregame Valentine’s Day at the Portland Night Market’s “Lucky in Love” celebration. Sip on heart-adorned champagne flutes, discover epic eats, go on a blind date with a book, enjoy live music, photo-op at interactive art installations, and score the perfect V-Day gift for your partner from one of 200-plus local vendors. Oh, and for all my bad-handwriting-havers out there: The Portland Society for Calligraphy has your V-Day card covered at its free name-writing pop-up. Trust us. Portland Night Market, 100 SE Alder St., pdxnm.com. 4–11 pm Friday–Saturday, Feb. 7–Feb. 8. Free.
GO: Portland Winter Light Festival
Portland, it’s time to light up! No, not like that. We mean it’s time for the 10th annual Portland Winter Light Festival—a celebration that sheds some much-needed light upon our city’s wintry gloom each year. The 2025 theme, “A Light for Tomorrow: A Technicolor Future,” explores how light, creativity and innovation shape the future. In addition to the always-awesome art installations, kinetic fire sculptures, and interactive tech—we’ll also see a pop-up Glow Bar, an illuminated bike ride, and a lantern procession. Various locations across Portland, pdxwlf.com. 6–10 pm Friday, Feb. 7–Saturday, Feb. 15. Free.
GO: River Pig Super Bowl Party
If the previously teased “Super Bowl-inspired” dumplings especially piqued your interest: This is probably the event you’ve been waiting for. This weekend, hit up River Pig Saloon for all your Super Bowl Sunday needs: drink specials, Super Bowl squares, a live DJ (@motazmusic), plus the chance to win NFL signed jerseys throughout the game. Space is limited, so just make sure to email River Pig in advance for a reservation. River Pig Saloon, 529 NW 13th Ave., 971-266-8897, riverpigsaloon.com. 3 pm Sunday, Feb. 9. Free.
Got an event tip? Email shannon@wweek.com.