Six Great Things to Do This Weekend…
LEARN
Rose City Used Book Fair
Where: The Friendship Masonic Center, 5626 NE Alameda
When: Friday, June 11, 2–8 p.m.; Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Cost: $2
Tip: Get $1 off admission when you bring a can of food for the Oregon Food Bank.
Back in the 20th Century, before Al Gore invented the Internet, people used to distribute information and tell stories via archaic manuscripts called “books,” which were kind of like really long Web pages printed on sliced up trees. Get back in touch with this ancient form of communication this weekend at the Rose City Used Book Fair, where thousands of bargain and collectible titles will be on display from 33 different independent booksellers. A number of speakers will also be on hand to provide tips on how to collect and value books.
ENGAGE
PDX Flash Mob Sign-up Meeting
Where: Hawthorne Food Carts, SE 12th and Hawthorne
When: Sunday, June 13, 5–6:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Tip: Can’t dance? No problem—this isn’t an audition for Footloose or anything.
If you’ve ever dreamed of performing a choreographed dance routine to Feist's song "1,2,3,4" with a bunch of strangers in the middle of Pioneer Courthouse Square, then, damn, this is your lucky day, because that’s exactly what the performance group PDX Flash Mob is gearing up for. Show up at the Hawthorne Food Carts this Sunday to sign up and get info on the three or four short practices it will take to properly get your groove on before the big performance in September.
RELAX
Open Studios at the North Coast Seed Building
Where: North Coast Seed Building, 2127 N Albina
When: Friday, June 11, 6–10 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Tip: This event is located right off the yellow line at Interstate/Abina Station, so take the MAX and save on gas.
Portland’s thriving arts scene will be on full display this Friday as illustrators, painters, wood workers, photographers and performers open up their studios to the public at the North Coast Seed Building. Looking for something to add to your extensive collection of dogs playing poker paintings? Uh, look somewhere else.
CONSUME
TIP Cruise In and Cook Out
Where: Portland Fire Bureau Training Center, 4800 NE 122nd
When: Saturday, June 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Tip: Register to enter your own classic ride in the show for $20.
It won’t cost you a penny to kick the tires of upwards of 150 classic cars at the first annual TIP Cruise In and Cook Out. But, if you want to go to heaven, you should probably drop a few bucks on the various food and games on hand to help support the Trauma Intervention Program’s volunteer citizen crisis response team. Oh, and Santa’s watching too, so buy some raffle tickets.
PLAY
Star Wars vs. Star Trek Ride
Where: OMSI parking lot, 1945 SE Water
When: Saturday, June 12th, 7 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Tip: Organizers advise that the tom-nerdery might get a little out of hand as the evening progresses, so it’s recommended that kids participate only in the early part of the ride.
Who would win in a fight between Worf and Chewbacca? Could Han Solo outwit Captain Kirk? What does it feel like to kiss a girl? Only two of these questions will be answered this Saturday as sci-fi fans from all over the city hop on their bikes and hit hyperspeed for a costume-clad battle royale. One of the many Pedalpalooza events, this nerd-tastic war of wills is set to begin in the OMSI parking lot, then spill over onto the streets of Portland until a final victor is determined—or until somebody breaks their glasses.
EXPLORE
Songbirds of Forest Park Guided Hike
Where: Forest Park, exact meeting place TBA
When: Saturday, June 12, 7 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Cost: $10
Tip: Space is limited to just 12 people, so hurry up and register!
Get back in touch with your inner Grizzly Adams this weekend with a morning hike through Forest Park. Naturalist Amanda Darlak will be leading the way, pointing out various species of birds along the way as they serenade you with the sounds of spring.
