Portland’s Summer Free For All Continues to Be Awesome and IGGY F*CKING POP at MusicFestNW/Project Pabst!

There’s an absolutely stunning variety and number of Summer Free For All shows in August! Concerts begin at 6:30 pm and movies begin after dusk. Here are some standout concerts in my mind, since I’m into world music and jazz:

Thursday, August 3rd – Bossa Nova at the North Park Blocks

Sunday, August 6th – Members of the Portland Symphony will be at Grant Park

Wednesday, August 9th – Brazilian soul (POPgoji, who will play with DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid later in the month) at Wellington Park

Friday, August 11th – Jazz followed by the film, Hidden Figures, at Denorval Unthank Park

Sunday, August 13th – Flamenco followed by the film, The Eagle Huntress, at Glenfair Park

Thursday, August 17th – Afrojazz at McCoy Park

Saturday, August 19th – Festival Latino at Glenfair Park. Cumbia, Latin fusion, mariachi.

Monday, August 21st – Andean music at Berrydale Park

Wednesday, August 23rd – Latin jazz at Khunamokwst Park

Sunday, August 27th – Big band at Laurelhurst Park

Check out Concerts in the Park:
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/69555

Here’s the link for Movies in the Park:
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/69554

The first day of Project Pabst (formerly MusicFestNW) is going to be headlined by IGGY POP supported by, amongst others, Die Antwoord and The Last Artful, Dodgr. You bet I’ve had my ticket for months. The second day has Beck, Nas and Spoon, but I’m personally not interested so I just got a 1-day ticket for Saturday. BECAUSE IGGY!

Sunday Parkways

Sunday Parkways will be in the NE quarter on Sunday, August 20th. I’m glad these are crowded!

More info here:
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/traNsportation/58929

Shows You Don’t Want to Miss

Tough choice on Friday, August 4th. There Is No Mountain at Pioneer Square or Orquestra Pacifico Tropical at Doug Fir Lounge? You could possibly do both.

Sunday, August 6th, starting at 2pm and going until late, will be the XRay FM Block Party at the White Owl Social Club.

I’m looking forward to catching Visible Cloaks at Holocene on Wednesday, August 9th.

Thursday, August 10th, catch either Columbian phenomenon Bomba Estereo at the Crystal Ballroom or Royal Blood at the Roseland.

One of my local favorites! Phone Call will be headlining The Liquor Store on Thursday, August 17th.

Another gig for There Is No Mountain will be Monday, August 21st at The Secret Society.

It must be summer, there are so many good shows happening at once. Thursday, August 24th choose between the Secret Drum Band at the White Owl Social Club or Y La Bamba at Mississippi Studios.

Ever since I saw their blistering, impressive set at a PDX Pop Now! in 2015, I’ve been wanting to see Holy Grove again. I’ll get my wish on Friday, August 25th at the new and improved Tonic Lounge. Bonus: This humble venue has put a lot of work into their new menu, which features a huge selection of vegan food. You bet I’m wearing my stretchy pants. And it’ll be a good warm up for Project Pabst the next day!

ANOTHER wonderful/terrible conundrum on Thursday, August 31st! Are Thursdays the new Fridays? The entrancing clarinet magician, Like A Villain will play Mississippi Studios, Finnish EDM wiz Yotto will be at the Jade Club AND DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid will be doing a Brazilian mash-up with musicians POPgoji at Holocene. I need to be at all three. I might have to throw dice to make a decision.

Film

I’ll watch any movie about Native Americans. It’s embarrassing how little I know about my own background. Wolf Nor Dog will be opening Friday, August 4th at Cinema 21. Don’t forget to check out Muu-Muu’s next door for great food and drinks at great prices if you need to fuel up before or after a show.

Zeitgeist Northwest highlights German cinema every month at the Clinton Theater. Wednesday, August 9th it’s Hin und Weg.

Fermented Fruit and Grain Beverages

The S’More Stout at Base Camp Brewing is one of the top beers ever in my dark-beer-lovin’ mind. However, the Dark Times imperial stout is EVEN BETTER. During summer, I’m sad because I don’t care if it is a hundred degrees, I want the kind of stout that a spoon will stand up in and there are hardly any on tap. This made Dark Times even more welcome in my world.

On a recent and typically unplanned Hood River jaunt, I happened across Fox Tail Cider. I only had a few sips of the hard cider as I was driving, but it’s the non-alcoholic cider that is the real surprise. It’s amazing! Perfect for designated drivers – you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything. (2965 Ehrck Hill Drive, Hood River)

I’ve given you a lot to work on. Don’t forget to take some day trips to the coast and the Gorge. Get out there and embrace summer. I am this year like never before!