Category: Entertainment

Community, Entertainment, Food and Drink

AYCO Unleashing Roots Gala

On September 28th, the African Youth & Community Organization (AYCO) will host the Unleashing Roots fundraising gala in their new Dream Center building at 2110 SE 82nd Avenue. The immigrant and refugee support nonprofit is seeking sponsors for the event and selling individual tickets to people interested in supporting this organization. The Thursday afternoon event begins at 3 p.m. and features Oregon Senator Kayse Jama as the keynote speaker.

AYCO purchased its new building in January 2023. However, the wedge-shaped structure sat mostly vacant since its construction, never finding a primary tenant. Consequentially, it lacks sufficient demising walls and doesn’t meet the organization’s needs. Funds from this gala will support the tenant improvements planned for the space and further the group’s goals of creating a cultural hub in the Montavilla Community. However, the event is more than just a platform to support AYCO’s array of services for immigrant communities across the metro area. The gala is an opportunity to examine the past years of accomplishments and look at the group’s path forward. “Unleashing Roots is an occasion to reflect on our journey and celebrate the remarkable achievements we have made together. We transformed setbacks into stepping stones, turning a long-empty shell of a building into a beacon of hope for our community,” wrote the Executive Director of AYCO Jamal Dar.

Individuals wishing to attend the Unleashing Roots gala can purchase a ticket for $65.00 at https://aycoworld.nationbuilder.com/unleashing_roots, and businesses wanting to provide support can contribute at several levels that offer benefits that can include tickets or whole tables at the event. AYCO also accepts donations year-round at the organization’s website. With a successful fundraising campaign, the building could soon transform into the youth activity center and cultural services hub envisioned for this site.

By

Jacob Loeb

Community, Entertainment, Food and Drink

Aug 13 Carnival at SE 79th Plaza

This Sunday, Montavilla’s Street Plaza will host a Carnival popup from noon to 5 p.m. This all-ages community event is a fundraiser for yet another neighborhood event, Nightmare on Taylor Street, occurring on Halloween. Organizers have an assortment of kid-friendly activities planned for the August 13th Carnival at SE 79th Avenue and Stark Street. For the adults, sponsor Threshold Brewing will serve up beer while future Taylor Street business La Osita will also partake in the festivities, selling burritos to hungry participants.

Carnival activities include variations of traditional carny games, raffles, face painting, clowns, photo ops, and dancing. Each child attending receives three tickets to use on the games. They can choose from a water-gun-based challenge where participants take aim at balls placed inside castle windows. People can test their dexterity at two ring toss stations or by popping balloons with a well-thrown dart. Local businesses donated items, services, and gift certificates to raffle off to lucky winners. Two face painters will apply their craft, and a roaming Tarot card reader will attempt to peek into people’s futures. Clown Michael O’Neill from Nomadic Theater brings physical comedy to the event, while dance team Izohnny provides graceful motion.

This weekend’s donations and carnival earnings will support the Montavilla Halloween tradition of Nightmare on Taylor Street. Tim Marino, who goes by Mr. Timmy Tumbles when coordinating community events, has led an effort to unify the neighborhood through an annual scary holiday celebration. On October 31st, Marino and his neighbors close SE Taylor Street from 76th to 80th Avenue, creating a kid-friendly and adult-entertaining day of activities. It is a safe and scary space with elaborate decorations and activities. Marino is happy to contribute hours of his time to make this event possible. Decoration storage costs thousands, and candy can top $700 each year. In most years, the cost was manageable. However, last year’s snowstorm destroyed tents used for the event, and other theming expenses took the project over budget, requiring community support.

Carny Games
Monstavilla Shirt for Order at event
Photo Op sword board

The annual block party began in 2016, taking inspiration from the existing Halloween celebrations occurring at the Taylor Court Grocery store. “Mel and Earl used to have the kids come in with their Halloween costumes, take photos, and create a community board for everyone to see,” said Marino. “I wanted to keep their tradition alive, providing a safe place for the community to come together.” Mel Hafsos and Errol Carlson owned the historic grocery near SE 80th and Taylor. They closed the store during the pandemic, and both passed away over the last few years. Their former store will soon reopen as La Osita restaurant. Thanks to the efforts of residents on SE Taylor Street, that community tradition continues for all of Montavilla. It has reached crowds of 1100 people and even attracted hundreds during inclement weather like last year’s Halloween rainstorm.

Tim Marino adores Halloween and enjoys how it brings people together regardless of their divisions. For him and the residents around Taylor Street, this is the magical holiday they look forward to each year. “It’s the only time someone can go from being absolutely frightened, then laugh about it in the blink of an eye. [That’s] why the kids look forward to coming back every year,” explained Marino. He hopes everyone will enjoy Sunday’s carnival that pays homage to this year’s Nightmare on Taylor Street theme, Kreepy Karnival. People not interested or able to attend the carnival can donate to the Halloween event through Venmo and PayPal.

By

Jacob Loeb

Images in this article provided by Tim Marino

Community, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink

Night Market Returns with Daytime Hours

After a three-year hiatus, the Jade International Night Market will return on Saturday, August 19th. The free event will take place within the Portland Community College (PCC) Southeast campus at 2305 SE 82nd Avenue from 1 to 9 p.m. Unlike other years, planners concentrated a two-evening event into a single day, creating an opportunity for more family-focused programming and accommodating a diversity of schedules.

The Jade International Night Market began in 2014, spanning four consecutive Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Fubonn Shopping Center parking lot. “From what I’ve been told was a huge success. So many people came out that they had to find another partner for space,” explained Jade District Community Development Manager Alisa Kajikawa. At the time, event coordinators estimated nearly 20,000 people attended the four-weekend markets. Jade District‘s Night Market moved to the PCC SE Campus the following year and consolidated the event dates to just two Saturday evenings in August from 5 to 10 p.m. The annual event kept the same cadence and location through 2019. After that, the pandemic halted gatherings, and the program lost its inertia.

The Jade International Night Market will return on a single date in 2023 for its seventh year. “Capacity-wise, we decided one day would be better for PCC and our planning, but also wanting to make it longer so that it could be a full-day event,” said Kajikawa. The format change has not dissuaded participation. Over 100 food vendors, retailers, and organizations have signed up for booths. Groups from all over Portland will participate, renting booths at this outdoor event. Kajikawa explained that the Night Market is a district promotion, so they provided subsidies for Jade District businesses to encourage local participation.

Onsite parking is free but limited. Walking, biking, and public transit are recommended for people visiting the Jade International Night Market. The number 72 bus and the FX 2 lines converge on this location. Outside of securing parking in the PCC parking lot, early attendance will improve an attendee’s chance of picking up several free items. To bolster the family attractions, guests can receive free face painting and balloon art from 1 to 5 p.m. During that same time, Portland Nursery will make supplies available to paint a small pot hosting one of 500 free plants. The Jade District will hand out 5000 paper fans from the information booth to keep people cool in the daytime heat. Kajikawa cautioned that all free activities and items are limited to supplies on hand and will probably run out before 5 p.m. 

Event organizers intend to make this year’s Market appealing to a broader range of attendees. The Night Market will be an alcohol and tobacco free event focused on food, crafts, information, and entertainment. The extended hours should allow more people to cycle through the booths without the crowding of previous Markets. Interested people should check the list of confirmed vendors below to plan their visit, noting that they can now eat both lunch and dinner thanks to the extended event.

By

Jacob Loeb

Images used in this article were provided courtesy of the Jade District

2023 Jade International Night Market Vendors

  • BBTEA JARS
  • A Pinch Of Magic Designs
  • All Burn Wax
  • Amza Superfoods
  • Art by Jenn
  • Beaverton Charburger
  • Big Dipper Art studio
  • BOBABLASTIC
  • Cambodian American Community of Oregon
  • Chan’s
  • Chinese Friendship Association of Portland
  • Chutneys Indian cuisine
  • City of Portland
  • City of Portland and Multnomah County Health Department
  • City of Portland, Bureau of Planning & Sustainability
  • Coco Donuts
  • Cosmic Monkey Comics
  • Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck
  • Crafts by Fina
  • Culture club fashion LLc
  • Da Grub Shack
  • Damsel in Defense
  • Edible Art by Natsuko
  • El Inka
  • Flood Safe Columbia River
  • Friends of Trees
  • Goldendale Boutique
  • Hacienda CDC
  • Hap Restaurant Inc
  • Henna by Rashmi
  • heo makes
  • Hestmark Designs
  • Hibisbloom
  • HNH Floristry
  • Hoi Phu Huynh
  • Homra Kid
  • ISLAND KRAFT & KU’ULEIS
  • Jade’s Teriyaki Sauce
  • Jasmine Giftshop
  • JAX JEWELRY BAR
  • JIAHE STUDIO
  • Kalo Kitchen
  • Kinder Toys USA
  • Kona Ice of North Clackamas
  • Kura Sushi
  • Lakota Bows & Arrows
  • League of Women Voters of Portland
  • Lonnie Bowden of New York Life
  • LTY Designs
  • Luna’s gems
  • Lupitas Mexican food
  • LV Kitchen
  • Mangosteen Ceramics
  • Metro – Parks and Nature
  • Mixteca PDX
  • Mojo Crepes LLC
  • Montavilla Farmers Market
  • Mspazhang
  • Multnomah County Elections Division
  • Multnomah County Library
  • My Teatime Dreams
  • Noodle Point
  • Olivo Liquidations
  • Ooh! What’s This?
  • Oregon Department of Human Services
  • Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
  • Parks and Recreation: Urban Forestry
  • pdx lost and found
  • Philippine Market
  • Pomo Snow Cones
  • Portland Parks and Recreation
  • Portland Water Bureau
  • Portlandia Fortune Tellers
  • Potato Desk
  • Red Robe Tea House
  • Rice Thief LLC
  • Rooted by Plant Mamis
  • Sandy’s Myanmar Cuisine
  • Sao Noi
  • Sarah and Hareld
  • SAV: handmade goods
  • Seattle and Saigon
  • Seeds of joy
  • Shane Reaney Studios
  • Shop Amrapali & Salon Amrapali
  • Shop Halo Halo
  • Sloan Creations
  • SmileGiver LLC
  • STAR Voting for Oregon P-011
  • State of Oregon DHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management
  • Sweet Day
  • Thai Fresh
  • The Herb Shed
  • The Kalat House LLC
  • Urban fried fry bread
  • Verizon
  • Wreckognize Apparel & Streetwear
  • Yoonique Pho&Grill
      Community, Entertainment, Event

      Return of Montavilla Movie Nights

      Starting this Wednesday, Montavilla Movie Nights return with free outdoor screenings in the Plaza at the corner of SE Stark Street and 79th Avenue. The monthly events began around dusk at 8 p.m., and people are encouraged to bring their own chair, blanket, or cushion.

      The summertime event is organized by the Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA) and sponsored by Mr Plywood and Adventist Health. The three film series offers a new movie on the last Wednesday night of the month for July, August, and September. The July 26th event will feature the 1999 comedy Galaxy Quest. Then on August 30th, attendees can view the 1996 film Kingpin. The summer fun concludes with the 1979 movie Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, featuring the Ramones, on September 27th.

      Event organizers encourage people to arrive early to order food and drink items from area businesses before finding a spot in the SE 79th Avenue Plaza. The Academy Theater across the street will sell concessions to Plaza viewers wanting the complete movie experience. Threshold Brewing & Blending will sell beer for people to enjoy while they watch. Montavilla Movie Nights is in its second season, and its continued popularity could bolster its return in subsequent years. As the sun sets on the last Wednesday of the month, consider heading to the Plaza for some free community-based entertainment. 

      By

      Jacob Loeb

      Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the METBA board.

      Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

      Community, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink

      10th Montavilla Street Fair Sunday July 30th

      Next Sunday, July 30th, Montavilla will celebrate its tenth street fair with music, food, beer, and over 140 vendor booths. The event will close SE Stark Street to vehicle traffic from SE 82nd to 76th Avenues, welcoming attendees to stroll the roadway between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. People can sample regional brews at four different beer gardens and listen to a wide range of music performed on three stages. Last year marked the return of the community gathering after a pandemic pause, and now event organizers expect crowds to meet or exceed the 2019 attendance level.

      Image courtesy event organizer Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA)

      The Montavilla Street Fair had modest beginnings when it launched in 2011. Instead of closing the main street, organizers set up the booths on several side streets and parking lots north of SE Stark. It rained that day but had respectable attendance, including Mayor Sam Adams. The mostly annual event continued expanding, growing into a city-wide attraction in 2019 that brought 15,000 people into Montavilla’s historic downtown. After a two-year Covid hiatus, it returned slightly smaller but still attracting substantial crowds. This year, organizers have positions for more booths than last year but still sold out ahead of the registration deadline. There is a sizable wait list for vendors looking for space, and all signs point to a larger event with an increased community turnout.

      People interested in attending should plan on a fair amount of walking, first from their parking spot and then along the 1,500 feet of booths on SE Stark Street. Attendees able to walk, bike, or take transit to the site should allow for easier street parking in the neighborhood. Band schedules and vendor lists are available at the METBA.org website but expect this article to update with additional information on the day of the event.

      Update: The street fair exceeded expectations with an estimated 16,000 people in attendance. Many businesses participating in the event reported selling thorough supplies and record setting sales for the fair.

      By

      Jacob Loeb

      Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the METBA board and will work in a booth at this event.

      Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

      Community, Entertainment, Event

      Free Festival of Brass Bands July 23

      Next weekend, on July 22nd and 23rd, HONK! PDX will host its first festival of brass bands at two locations in SE Portland. Next Saturday, festivities will run from noon to 7 p.m. at Revolution Hall field and then transition to three Montavilla venues for a Sunday celebration. HONK! bands draw inspiration from Klezmer, Balkan-Romani music, Brazilian Samba, Afrobeat and Highlife, Punk, Funk, Hip Hop, and the New Orleans second-line tradition. Area residents and visitors to Montavilla Town can enjoy free music in the SE 79th Avenue and Stark Street plaza from 12:30 to 6 p.m. However, more music will kick off a block away at Milwaukie Lumber from 1 to 6 p.m., followed by a Beer Bunker hosted stage starting at 3 p.m. until closing. The final event features an Open Jam where organizers encourage the audience to join the festival, playing their own instruments.

      Article images courtesy HONK! PDX

      HONK! PDX positions itself as a free celebration of community, collaboration, and creative expression dedicated to creating a community of inclusion. It is an all-volunteer organization fiscally sponsored by SE Uplift. This style of event began in Massachusetts in 2008 as an activist street band festival, later expanding to New York, Detroit, Seattle, Austin, Brazil, Australia, and now Portland. Organizers designed the multi-day musical celebration to be accessible, representing various ages and abilities. Anyone who wants to bring an instrument and play can join pick-up bands throughout the festival.

      HONK! PDX is seeking volunteers to help out during the festival. Event coordinators ask that interested participants fill out the sign-up sheet at the HONK! PDX Volunteer site. This free event does not need advanced tickets, and children are welcome. More information is available on the event website honkpdx.org.

      By

      Jacob Loeb

      Community, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink

      Thursday Micro Farmers Market Returns July 6

      This Thursday, the weekly Montavilla Farmers Market returns to the SE Stark Street and 79th Avenue Plaza for a mid-week micro farmers market. As it did last year, the market features a sampling of farm-direct products, live music performances, and the popular beer garden open to the public from 4 to 7 p.m. People can enjoy the outdoor gathering every Thursday night until September 28th. The July 6th opening day celebration will include live jazz music from Tyler Waltner Trio and a unique collaboration between Kulfi PDX and Threshold Brewing and Blending. Six vendors will sell farm-direct fruits, vegetables, frozen kulfi, ice pops, baked goods, and fresh flowers.

      This second Thursdays on the Plaza market season is supported by the Portland Events and Film Office’s Community Event grant program. It encourages neighborhood weeknight interaction and brings people into the community. Shoppers with SNAP and EBT Cash benefits can use and match their funds to buy vendor products. The market’s EBT-match program doubles funds for up to $20 of benefits for shoppers at the Sunday and Thursday markets. Additionally, kids ages 2-12 will receive $3 in Power of Produce (POP) Bucks to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. Thanks to a SE Uplift community grant, this program encourages kids to shop for their own food while eating more fresh produce. Visit the market’s info booth for details.

      By

      Jacob Loeb

      Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

      Community, Entertainment, Event

      Free Public Events Focused on Mt. Tabor Park

      Beginning in March, Montavilla Jazz and Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble (PJCE) will host informative events revealing Mt. Tabor’s history in relationship to marginalized communities and examining its current influence. Three composers will use these events to create new musical works performed at the 2023 Montavilla Jazz Festival’s free public concert held in Mt. Tabor Park on September 1st, 2023. The three-part series is titled Views of an Urban Volcano and is free to attend with advanced registration.

      Views of an Urban Volcano will take place Sunday, March 5th, at 2 p.m. at the Oregon Historical Society, Saturday, March 18th, at 4 p.m. at Taborspace’s Copeland Commons, and Saturday, April 15th, at 10:30 a.m. in Mt. Tabor Park. The composers, currently being selected through a panel review process, will attend each event to build a shared understanding of this iconic park’s role in the city. They will use those experiences to craft musical pieces that the 12-member PJCE group performs at the 10th Annual Montavilla Jazz Festival. Community participation is needed to feed this creative process. The organizers encourage people to register now to reserve free tickets to the events.

      Views of an Urban Volcano: A discussion on Mt. Tabor Park
      March 5th, 2023, 2–3:30 pm at Oregon Historical Society
      1200 SW Park Avenue

      The event features a panel discussion on the history and impacts of Mt. Tabor Park from the perspectives of Portland’s Chinese, Black, and Indigenous communities from 1896–2020. Light refreshments will be available. Panelists include Hap Pritchard, Board Member, Friends of Mt. Tabor Park; David Harrelson, Cultural Resources Department manager and member of The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; Darrell Millner, Professor Emeritus of Black Studies at Portland State University; and Dr. Marie Wong, Professor Emerita, Seattle University Institute of Public Service, Asian Studies, and Public Affairs.

      Views of an Urban Volcano: Community Forum
      March 18th, 2023, 4–5 pm at Taborspace’s Copeland Commons
      5441 SE Belmont Street

      An open forum for lovers of Mt. Tabor Park to share their own stories about its significance with the composers. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the selected composers and project leads and contribute to the community-driven creative process.

      Views of an Urban Volcano: Guided Tour of Mt. Tabor Park
      April 15, 2023, at 10:30 am at Mt. Tabor Park Visitor Center
      SE Salmon Way and SE Park Drive

      Led by Friends of Mt Tabor Park, this 90-minute guided tour of the park will begin at the Mt. Tabor Visitor Center and highlight historical and cultural points of interest and the park’s impressive vistas. Participants should dress for the weather and bring their questions.

      Views of an Urban Volcano is presented in partnership with Friends of Mt. Tabor Park and the Oregon Historical Society with support from Oregon Cultural Trust and Regional Arts and Culture Council.

      By

      Jacob Loeb

      Bar, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink, Montavilla

      Montavilla’s Saturday Winter Celebration

      Two events will attract visitors to Montavilla’s commercial corridors this Saturday evening. Winter Wassail along NE Glisan Street features festive beverages, snacks, carolers, and holiday lighting. Participating stores and restaurants between 82nd and 68th Avenues will remain open for last-minute holiday gifts and festivities. People are invited to Wassail (Go from location to location caroling and/or drinking in merriment) on Glisan from 4 to 8 p.m. this December 17th.

      Promotional image provide by event coordinators

      That same night, SE Stark Street businesses will host the Montavilla Soiree & Pub Crawl from 6 to 9 p.m. The Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) organized this winter celebration in the historic downtown to support neighborhood businesses as they enjoy the best parts of the colder months.

      Promotional image provide by event coordinators

      Drinkers, shoppers, and anyone looking for a fun Saturday night can explore the collection of holiday-themed cocktails, food specials, live music, and late-night last-minute shopping in one big evening event. No matter where you reside, some part of Montavilla will have an activity to warm your spirit on a cold night.

      These are some of the participating businesses on Glisan Street:

      These are some of the participating businesses on Stark Street:

      Rahabs Sisters will be collecting gloves, hats, jackets, blankets, and tents. Drop off locations will be Union Rose and Wink Vintage.

      By

      Jacob Loeb

      Disclosure: The author if this article serves on the Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA) board. METBA sponsors some of these events.

      Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink, Infrastructure

      A SE Division Party on Saturday

      TriMet will host a grand opening celebration for the new FX2-Division bus line this Saturday. Activities will span three festival locations in SE Portland and Gresham. Each site features entertainment, prize giveaways, and food vendors. Attendees can take unlimited free rides on the new articulated FX buses along the route between noon and 6 p.m. on September 17th. The new service begins regular operation on Sunday the 18th, offering high-capacity and fast bus service along Division Street. Montavilla residents should arrive to the event at the SE 82nd and Division stop near Portland Community College, located at 2305 SE 82nd Avenue.

      Raimore Construction partnered with TriMet for this Grand Opening Celebration. The construction company is the prime contractor for TriMet’s Division Transit Project. As a minority-owned firm, this project represents the largest contract awarded to a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Oregon. It is a notable success for the City’s Inclusive Contracting initiatives.

      Raimore Construction President Jeff Moreland speaking, TriMet Interim General Manager Sam Desue, Jr and Division Transit Project Director Michael Kiser left. April 3, 2021

      TriMet posted full schedules for each event location on its website. Guests are encouraged to take the bus between each celebration site at OMSI Station, PCC Station, and the Gresham Farmers’ Market. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to a giant “paint-by-numbers” mural project. Event coordinators placed sections of the mural project at each of the three event sites. Cascade Behavioral Health building on SE 42nd and Division will host the completed public art project.

      Attendees should plan a long day exploring SE Division Street and experiencing the new FX bus service. Drivers in the area should anticipate a change in bus operation beginning tomorrow as the new extended transit platforms go into service with more frequent service. Bus riders not attending the events should plan for higher than usual usage of the number 2 bus route. However, the new higher-capacity vehicles should accommodate the surge in demand.

      By

      Jacob Loeb

      Title images courtesy of TriMet

      Disclosure: The author of this article servers on the Board for a group partnering with TriMet on this event.

      Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.