I can’t resist a photo of my beloved Elmo – it has nothing to do with this blog post!

If you don’t know Portland, you might assume February to be a boring month. There’s more than enough fun to go around! I can’t even partake in as much as I would like because I’ve just started a new job and my volunteer training for WomenStrength has begun. Both endeavors are going well so far, but I am oversaturated with new information! Come April, when my volunteer training is done, hopefully I’ll be settled into my job as well.

Featured Events

Portland International Film Festival

Thursday, February 9th through Saturday, February 25th. Various locations.
It’s the 40th PIFF! There’s a wide variety of films playing every day and this event is so popular I can’t even find a volunteer shift. A Portland institution and your chance to see rare gems. There are also many family friendly films.

https://nwfilm.org/festivals/piff40/

Portland Jazz Festival

Thursday, February 16th through Sunday, February 26th. Various locations.
Most people don’t know that there are a ton of free shows during the jazz festival! So go ahead and indulge your curiosity!

http://pdxjazz.com/pdx-jazz-festival/

Shows You Don’t Want to Miss

Believe You Me on its normal 2nd Friday – February 10th at The Liquor Store.

Tuesday, February 14th catch The Last Artful, Dodgr amidst other great performers at Holocene. Doug Fir also has “Under the Covers” and it’s always very popular, so book now.

Sinless, Tender Age and Souvenir Driver on Thursday, February 16th at The Liquor Store.

Friday, February 17th is a Beyonce Versus Drake tribute night, “Drunk in Love,” at Holocene. The Lower 48 also headline Doug Fir Lounge, and if you’ve never seen them before, you should definitely check them out.

My friends love Life During Wartime, a Talking Heads tribute band, and they’ll be playing at The Goodfoot on Saturday, February 18th.

Dreckig, amongst others, on Tuesday, February 21st at The Liquor Store.

Snap!, the 90s dance night, is at Holocene on Friday, February 24th. Also on this day is flight at The Liquor Store, a night that features both local and headliner DJ’s of the house/techno persuasion.

Tuesday, February 28th is the new album release for locals Visible Cloaks at Holocene. I was so impressed at a local techno showcase last year, I’ve been excited for a chance to see them perform again.

You Haven’t Been There Yet?

Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen (835 SW 2nd Avenue) is a jovial downtown spot that has a perpetual line outside. I was happy that when I went today at 11am, there was no wait. I had vegan tofu pho and spring rolls. The food was pretty good, but nothing to really write home about.

The 1905 (830 N Shaver Street) is a place I’ve been meaning to visit for months. If you’re a small business wondering if following people on Instagram is a good marketing choice, well, it got me in the door. It’s a bit overpriced for what it is, although their pizza is indeed delicious. I had some cocktails, which all missed the mark for me a bit. Some element was always too overpowering. But the real draw is the music line up. They have tons of live music, mostly jazz, as well as DJ sets. We listened to two sets by Chance Hayden and it was excellent.