Category: Entertainment

Portland Entertainment

blackberry-crispOkay it’s time to get moving on some out-of-this-world Portland entertainment!  I want some fun – I’ve had way too much time with the kids over Easter!  So let’s get looking on what’s on the Portland entertainment scene the next few days!

Happy hour sure sounds good to me and I was delighted to learn that one of our favorite hangouts – Rae’s Lakeview Lounge – again was voted best happy hour in the city.  I’m off there.  With or without Daniel, but hopefully with.  I absolutely LOVE the Pesto and Points and I cannot leave that place without the blackberry crisp – yum!

A few days ago was Record Store Day.  I decided to give it a miss – I went last year and it was mobbed.  This was the seventh one and Daniel said it was really a lot of fun.  But he’s the kind of guy who really likes throngs, music and being there right when all the new releases come out.  For me, I’d rather hang at Rae’s and munch on my blackberry crisp – that’s true, classic, authentic, Portland entertainment at its best!

Safari Here We Come!

tanzaniaIt’s definitely time for a vacation.  I need to do something different.  Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on your perspective! – we can’t take the kids with us.  There is a new rule in their school that one has to pay a fee if taking them out unless they are sick.

When I realized it was just Daniel and me taking the vacation I started to look into plans that involved something a bit out of the ordinary.  First, I investigated extreme water sports (being a lover of water).  But then I decided Daniel would hate it and, in the end, I would probably be too scared to actually do it myself!  Then I thought about hand-gliding but I realized that would excite me for about 5 minutes and then what?  And that’s when I came to the realization that Daniel and I should really take this opportunity to travel to some exotic place and go on Safari.

I started looking online and read about a group of students that toured the southern tip of the Dark Continent in South Africa in an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of African culture. It really  looked fun actually, with students even walking with penguins!  But Daniel said that he’d already been to South Africa and wanted to do something different.

Daniel said he really liked the idea of Tanzania and that he’s always wanted to go there anyway.  So we’re going to start thinking about booking in the next few weeks.  Watch this space for details of our adventure!

Portland International Film Festival

BelleI was so glad we made it to the 37th Portland International Film Festival.  There was so much I wanted to see (I didn’t get to it all) and it’s such a great cultural happening.  I mean there was no way I was going to get to see even a fraction of the 128 movies being screened, but still, I was definitely putting the event on my Portland calendar for the week!  I even got to the opening night with Daniel on 6th February and made him watch the English period drama, Belle.  He thought it was “okay.”  I thought it was spectacular. What he did enjoy a lot however was the opening night party.  No surprises there I guess!

I dunno.  Call me old-fashioned or something but I really like the idea of going to the movies like we used to, back in the olden days.  We would dress up and get excited for a night at the Odeon.  A lot has changed since then given the ease of movie access.  So when a film festival appears on the Portland calendar, I sure will make the most of it!

Portland Entertainment – The Boat Show

boatsThe annual 2014 Portland Boat Show – in its 54th year – included a large variety of categories.  Some examples were: runabouts, behemoths, car-toppers and more.  Really there was something for everyone and my husband came home salivating.   At least that’s all he came home with.  He knows the state of our bank account!

Oh, that and some stories from the show.  He told me that people were selling used boats at the show – something that they had started only a year ago.  And then there was the whole promotion of using renewable energy for boat design.  Apparently we know anyway (well I didn’t but Daniel did!) that boats that run on gas are real energy suckers although that might change soon.  Boats might soon come with solar panels and at the show, Solar Tracker 360 – a local company – came and explained how this would work.

I know how much Daniel dreams of owning a boat.  And I understand it, truly I do, especially living in Portland boasting the Pacific Ocean and the stunning lakes and rivers.  But right now we just don’t have the capital.  I hope though, someday, his dream comes true, but for now, he can just admire the boats at the show and I can just take the kids for Sunday trips on the region’s rivers.

Portland Happenings for Christmas

aleOkay so what are we going to be doing for Christmas?  Of course the usual stuff of trees and presents.  But what about activities?    We have long holidays for the kids and so it’s about time I started scouring the papers for Portland happenings for all the family.

The first thing I thought that might be of interest was the Tuba Christmas.  There’s going more over 225 tuba players rocking away at the Pioneer Courthouse Square.  It’s not exactly my kind of thing but a lot of the neighbors are going and so Jayden will have a ton of friends there.  As I always say, if my kids are having fun, then it’ll be relaxing for me and Daniel. And who knows?  I might even get a bit of a cultural education along the way.  Plus, it’s free!

I told Daniel I’d go with him to the Holiday Ale Festival if he comes along – strictly for a laugh – to the Ugly Christmas Sweater knitting event.  Not so sure he’ll stick to his side of the bargain, but, truthfully I’m secretly looking forward to the annual ale celebration.  Featuring over 50 winter ales I think I’m going to try the Spiced Unicorn Milk ale from Stone Brewing, California.  Definitely sounds different. It’s only $30 and you get a free beer mug.

That should keep us busy for a while.  Or, if not busy, at least inebriated enough not to know the difference!  Here’s to a very merry Christmas!  Be sure to share your photos!