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The Armory’s Fuhrman & Wolf
Photo by Christine Dong.
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ARTS GUIDE
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AIR & FINER THINGS 7 FRESH Weekend Script Apparently, Merideth Kaye Clarke’s long list of talents include planning a perfect weekend.
8 CHANGING DIRECTION: WOMEN IN CHARGE Ladies Leading
Portland Center Stage at The Armory ushers in a new era with two women at the helm. Managing Director Cynthia Fuhrman and Artistic Director Marissa Wolf discuss their respective pasts, presents, and futures.
CALENDAR 12 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER Artslandia Portland Arts Guide With the dark days of winter come bright stages throughout the city and an abundance of opportunities to revel in the joy of the season.
29 PSG AFTER DARK & OPENING NIGHT OF PIPPIN AND THE COLOR PURPLE Seen on the Scene
Catch a glimpse of who’s who at fabulous arts events.
30 TOP 10 ARTISAN SHOPS FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS The A list
Remember the good old days of handmade delights? Bring them back this holiday season with a visit to our favorite shops for artsy and crafty gifting.
FOUND&MADE. Photo by Joy Lockerby.
FIND YOUR ART: 45th Parallel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Artists Repertory Theatre. . . 16, 18, 24, 28 Bag&Baggage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 24 Boom Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 20, 24 Broadway Rose Theatre. . . . . . . . 16, 18, 24 Classical Ballet Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Echo Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Friends of Chamber Music. . . . . . 13, 15, 24 Jefferson Dancers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Lakewood Theatre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 24 Literary Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 28 Metropolitan Youth Symphony. . . . . . 12–13 Milagro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Northwest Children’s Theater. . . . . . 25, 28 NW Film Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 21 Oregon Ballet Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Oregon Children’s Theatre. . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Oregon Historical Society. . . . . . . . . . 19, 28
Oregon Repertory Singers . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Oregon Symphony. . . . . . 13, 15, 21, 22–23 Portland Art Museum. . . . . . . . . . 19–21, 28 Portland Center Stage at The Armory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 18, 24 Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Portland Opera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Portland Playhouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Portland Revels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 26
Portland Story Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 28 Portland Symphonic Girlchoir. . . . . . . 22, 27 Portland State University Choirs. . . . 13–14 Portland State University Opera. . . . 15, 22 Profile Theatre. . . . . . . . . . . . 17–18, 24, 28 Shaking The Tree Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 15, 22 White Bird Dance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
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T H E AT R E • D A N C E • M U LT I M E D I A MUSIC • FILM
SALT. PHOTO: BRYONY JACKSON
Great concerts for the holidays!
DISNEY IN CONCERT: MAGICAL GOSPEL CHRISTMAS MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
BIG BAND AND BEETHOVEN: NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION
NOVEMBER 24 & 25, 2018
DECEMBER 7,8 & 9, 2018
DECEMBER 30 & 31, 2018
The magic of Disney comes to life in this multimedia showpiece featuring music from the scores of Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, The Lion King, and more.
Join the region’s premier gospel singers and the Oregon Symphony for an evening that’s sure to have you on your feet, clapping and shouting, celebrating the true spirit of the season.
What finer way to ring in the New Year than with Duke Ellington’s delightfully cheeky twist on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, followed by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
orsymphony.org 503-228-1353 your official source for symphony tickets MOVING MUSIC FORWARD
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THE PUBLISHER
#ArtslandiaWasHere @artslandia
letter from
@artslandia
To spread the good word about @LiteraryArts' Portland Book Festival, we partnered with historic @John_Helmer_Haberdasher on a storefront installation promoting this incredible event. #pdxbookfestival Christine Dong, Sharon Martell, Misty Tompoles, Cynthia Fuhrman, Marissa Wolf, Sara Chavis, Claudie Fisher, and Nancy Wright. Photo by Kristen Seidman.
THIS IS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR. The festive gatherings of friends and family, the comfort of tradition, and the simple pleasure of drinking cocoa fireside nourish my soul, especially in perilous times like these. We are due for a dose of hope and good cheer, which brings me to our cover story. Behold, we bring you tidings of progress: the two leading ladies of Portland Center Stage at The Armory.
You’ll also find in these pages a bounty of arts and culture offerings to fill your heart with the holiday spirit, bring a smile to your face, and provide a muchneeded reprieve from the 24-hour news cycle.
Swing by @mercantileportland this week to see a special La Traviata costume window display curated by @PortlandOpera's Costume Director, Christine A. Richardson. #costumedesigner #pdxarts @artandaboutpdx
It is with tremendous admiration and respect that I thank Managing Director Cynthia Fuhrman and new Artistic Director Marissa Wolf for sitting down with Artslandia to discuss their roles as the ladies leading the largest regional theater in Portland. We appreciate their candor in discussing the challenges of rising through the ranks and look forward to the thrilling new chapter these two brilliant and revered women will write for performing arts in Portland.
Here are a few suggestions for holiday laughs: • Twist your Dickens, Portland Center Stage at The Armory (page 18). • It’s a Wonderful Life, Artists Repertory Theatre (page 28). • Longing Lasts Longer, Boom Arts (page 20). • A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol, Broadway Rose (page 16 & 18).
PUBLISHER + FOUNDER
Co-Artistic Director Jamey Hampton warming up his leg and his computer before the BloodyVox show tonight. @bodyvox @artslandia #artandaboutpdx #BloodyVox #pdxdance
Misty Tompoles
Follow us on social for more highlights and giveaways. Don’t forget to tag #Artslandia and #ArtslandiaWasHere on your event photos for the chance to be featured!
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N O V / / D EC 2018
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Artslandia Arts Guide is published by Rampant Creative, Inc. ©2018 Rampant Creative, Inc. All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher. Rampant Creative, Inc. /Artslandia Magazine 6637 SE Milwaukie Ave. #207, Portland, OR 97202
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fresh air
& FINER THINGS You may have seen MERIDETH KAYE CLARK in Portland Center Stage's Winter Song at The Armory; in her solo concert, Joni Mitchell's Blue; or with her favorite singer, Susannah Mars, in Happy Days Are Here Again: The Music of Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @meridethkaye and her website, meridethkayeclark.com.
FRIDAY
Ardiri Winery photo courtesy of Dan H. All other photos courtesy of Merideth Kaye Clark.
BERKELEY PARK I love to wind down from a long week with a visit to this enchanted SE Portland park tucked away in tall trees. I've been here with the kids, watched local performers play softball, and even enjoyed an outdoor yoga class.
THE COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER
CLOUD CITY ICE CREAM
Off to the Community Music Center for rehearsal! The Center, in a remodeled firehouse built in 1912, is run by Portland Parks and Rec. Practice rooms are available six days a week for only $2 for two hours!
I scream, you scream! No matter the season, this is my absolute favorite place for a treat. Try the dark chocolate salted caramel. YUM!
SUNDAY
SATURDAY
ARDIRI WINERY & VINEYARD REED COLLEGE CANYON
FIRST CUP COFFEEHOUSE Wake up! I like to start the day at my favorite coffee shop. First Cup has the best bagels in Portland, an always-rotating gallery wall, fantastic coffee, and a patio for people- and dog-watching.
After practice, it’s time for more fresh air! The beautiful, 28-acre canyon that runs through the Reed campus is spectacular for a hike, bike ride, or a little peace and quiet.
While I generally prefer a quiet Sunday, I’ve been known to head out to the tasting room at Ardiri in Cornelius, Oregon, from time to time. It’s the perfect place to relax and sip wine with friends!
Do your weekend plans make for the perfect arts and culture itinerary? Visit artslandia.com /weekend-script-itinerary-form to share your weekend script.
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CHANGING DIRECTION women in charge By Marty Hughley. Photos by Christine Dong.
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n 1988, when the Oregon Shakespeare Festival agreed to open a northern branch in Portland, one of the staff members sent to launch the project was a young PR and marketing whiz named Cynthia Fuhrman. In 2017, after holding various positions within that company—which spun-off in 1994 as Portland Center Stage—and at other organizations, Fuhrman became Managing Director of PCS. In the late summer of 2018, a young director and play-development specialist named Marissa Wolf left Kansas City Rep to replace Chris Coleman as Portland Center Stage’s Artistic Director. Together, Fuhrman and Wolf will lead what has become one of the most prominent regional theaters in the country into its fourth decade. Shortly after Wolf’s arrival, they each sat down with Artslandia to talk about how they arrived at this point and where they’re ready to take things. The following is excerpted from those conversations.
Artistic Director MARISSA WOLF
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WHAT DREW YOU TO THEATER AND TO THE KIND OF WORK YOU DO? CYNTHIA FUHRMAN: When I was in high school, I had a teacher who took us to OSF on a field trip; that was the first professional theater I’d ever seen. Then, I went to college in London and saw tons of theater there. The summer I finished my master’s degree, at Southern Oregon State College, I was living in Ashland, didn’t have a job, and had no clue what I wanted to do. The way I occupied myself that summer was going to different park talks at the festival where they’d have staff members outside the Lizzy (the Elizabethan) talk about what they do. There was a guy talking about writing press releases, working with the press when they visited, occasionally teaching a class about Shakespeare. I thought, “I could do all those things.” Even though I’d been a theater fan, it never occurred to me there were jobs in theater other than being an actor or making costumes. He mentioned that he was moving at the end of the summer, and I thought, “Oh! Job opening!” MARISSA WOLF: It goes back to when I was 3 years old, and I saw Goldilocks and the Three Bears performed for a children’s theater in Connecticut. My parents tell me that I was completely riveted; I barely blinked. And that, after the play, I cried because it was over. Then, in what I think was my early director coming out, I made my mom act it out with me over and over. She tells me that I kept saying, “That’s not the right line!” All of my earliest memories are of me knowing I would be in theater. Like a lot of directors and producers, I started as an actor, because that’s what you see and what you think theater is at first. I just consumed as much theater as I could—read, watched, did a lot of plays in my public schools. It wasn’t until college that I realized I was a director. That was a powerful time, learning to look at, shape, and question a whole world onstage, instead of just one character. Even as a young person, the questions of why this is relevant, why must this be told onstage now, felt immediate to me. I felt frustrated as an actor, feeling like I wasn’t positioned in the room to ask that question. I am so much a new-play director. I love to bring a playwright’s work to life, to honor what’s on the page and make it live and breathe in the room. I find that collaboration exhilarating, as the playwright and director work together to make the play sing. HAS THEATER BEEN A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOU AS A WOMAN? I started working in theater 36 years ago. Looking back at the first eight or nine years, I think it was not friendly to women. Even though my first boss in Ashland was a
woman, the powers she reported to were all men. It was the ‘80s, and I think there still was a lot of sexism: Men rule; women are pretty. I don’t think I was ever disrespected for what I could do in my job, but it was very much a male-run organization. That was partly the times. I left to go to StageWest, in Massachusetts, and the Artistic Director there was Gregory Boyd, one of the most prominent Artistic Directors ousted in the past year—he was running the Alley Theater in Houston—because of #MeToo. In 1988, while I was working at StageWest, a group of staff, both men and women, met with the board to complain about his leadership. We didn’t have the language then. People didn’t say things like “toxic environment,” “sexual harassment.” But it was not a pleasant place to work; people felt uncomfortable, threatened. And in those days, nobody knew how to respond. It was just, “Well, we’ll talk to him.” Then six months later, he gets one of the top jobs in the country, and he’s there for 32 years. So that’s the kind of environment I started in, but I think that’s changed radically over time—although there are still things to change. Of the LORT (League of Resident Theaters) companies— and we’re one of those—two years ago, 14 percent were led by women Artistic Directors. As of now, that’s 38 percent, and it’s changing almost daily. There’s a generation that’s starting to retire, so there are lots of openings. So it’s interesting to me to think about how the field is going to change now that we’re seeing not only more women in leadership but also the generational change that we’re finally making room for. What kind of energy are they going to fuel each other with? I will say that when I was starting out, trying to figure out how to build a career, with the goal of being an Artistic Director at a LORT theater, I looked around the country and felt a bit demoralized by the lack of female leadership. And that number (of Artistic Directors) shrinks way down when you talk about women with children. I knew I wanted a kid, and I have one now. I spent a lot of time thinking about it, asking questions, and seeking mentorship and models. Now, I’m proud to be part of this cohort of new female leadership across the country. We’ve all been talking to each other for 10 years. It’s a really powerful, thrilling moment to look at each other—across the nation—and say, “Now, let’s do this together.” ARTSLANDIA.COM
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“ I t’s a really powerful, thrilling moment to look at each other—across the nation—and say, ‘Now, let’s do this together.’” —MW WHEN DID YOU START TO SEE RUNNING A COMPANY AS BOTH A GOAL AND A POSSIBILITY?
Overlooking the Mezzanine and Main Lobby of The Armory from the third floor office balcony. Photo by Uwe Schneider.
I remember Liz Huddle, who ran PCS its first four years, was the first person who told me, “You should run a theater.” When we split off from OSF, we were on skeleton staff. My last year in that stint there, my title was Director of Marketing & Communications/Dramaturge & Literary Manager. I think Liz saw someone who was an administrator and had a business mind but also had a strong connection to the work that goes onstage. My reaction at the time was, “I don’t want to run a theater!” Because the management side, I felt, was so removed from the art—dealing with money, donors, contracts. What I loved about doing the marketing and public relations was that I felt those were the administrators who were closest to the art, dealing with the artists to try to interpret for the public what they were trying to do. Later, when I was at Seattle Rep, my mentor there, Ben Moore, approached the Managing Director job as more of a producer, and I began to see that you could do that job without losing the connection. But it was only about four years ago that I began to think, “Maybe…” “I’ll give Chris credit. After Greg Phillips left in about 2009, we didn’t have a Managing Director, and Chris was the sole head of the organization. He had to rely on us as a team, and I started diving in with him more on bigger-picture strategy,
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Managing Director CYNTHIA FUHRMAN
“ I started diving in with him more on bigger-picture strategy, planning and ideas, and I realized that’s a great way to support artists.” —CF planning and ideas, and I realized that’s a great way to support artists as well. AN ARTISTIC DIRECTOR HAS TO WEAR A LOT OF HATS––DIRECTOR, MANAGER, FUNDRAISER, PLAY WHISPERER, INSPIRATIONAL LEADER... WHICH OF THOSE ROLES FEEL NATURAL TO YOU, AND WHICH ARE MORE OF A STRETCH? The body of work I’ve done in my career has been deeply linked to being inside institutions, companies. I find that directing and producing are tightly wedded. As a leader in a company, you get to put your money where your mouth is to say “This matters.”
I cut my teeth at Berkeley Rep as a directing fellow, and not only was I assistant directing every project but was also assistant to the Artistic Director, who was my mentor, Tony Taccone. Seeing that balance from within felt really exciting—seeing what a theater company can be doing in its community and what conversations it can be lifting nationally. As for what I have to put more thought into, I think right now it’s how do I open up an expansiveness to meet the size and scope of this company and take care of the company on every level—staff, art onstage, board, donors, community.”
WHAT WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS THE CURRENT IDENTITY OF PCS, AND HOW DO YOU SEE THAT CHANGING? From the moment I came out to start interviewing here, it was obvious to me that PCS is already living its mission to inspire communities—with the excellent art onstage, innovation of programming, audience engagement, education and community programs, the way the building feels completely alive and abuzz during JAW (Just Add Water). And I think the building is a celebration of what the theater is in the community. I love that it’s in the heart of the city, that you don’t have to have a car to get here. It’s a fully living creature here. Where it’ll go…? I’m excited to build on what is here and create the next chapter with Cynthia, to continue to work toward PCS as a place where all Portlanders feel they belong. . ARTSLANDIA.COM
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NOVEMBER 11 // ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL
VIVA ITALIA!
Metropolitan Youth Symphony
VIVA ITALIA! As Music Director Rául Gómez and MYS musicians prepare for a 2019 summer residency in Italy, they open the season with an evening that includes Italian inspirations by Tchaikovsky and Berlioz, and Italian classics from Rossini and Ponchielli. The concert also marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration with Fear No Music’s Young Composers Project to showcase local student composers.
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Photo by Sheepscot Creative.
FEATURED SHOW:
MU S I C
portland M US IC
THROUGH NOVEMBER 4
FESTIVAL BEETHOVEN: PACIFICA QUARTET Friends of Chamber Music, Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU Recognized for its virtuosity, exuberant performance style, and daring repertory choices, the Pacifica Quartet has gained international stature over the past two decades as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today. focm.org NOVEMBER 2–10
LA TRAVIATA
NOVEMBER 3–5
PETRUSHKA Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall The tale of Petrushka comes to life with exhilarating stage creations by Doug Fitch, weaving together themes of love, loneliness, and brutality, all set against the hustle and bustle of St. Petersburg’s Shrovetide Fair. orsymphony.org NOVEMBER 8
TCHAIKOVSKY V. DRAKE Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
A poignant portrait of love and loss à Paris. A crown jewel of grand opera, La Traviata tells the story of the brilliant and beautiful Parisian courtesan Violetta Valéry as she falls deeply in love with Alfredo Germont. Haunted by her reputation and illness, Violetta navigates sexual politics and confronts societal expectations as she braves the most broken of hearts. portlandopera.org NOVEMBER 3 & 4
NOVEMBER 9
SCOTTISH SYMPHONY NO. 3 The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Skyview Concert Hall Experience the return of local piano virtuoso Dimitri Zhgenti in Khachaturian’s exciting and dramatic Piano Concerto. Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 features the styles of Scottish folk music, providing gorgeous brass chorales within the majestic string sections. vancouversymphony.org
TH E ATE R
C U LT U R E
ARTS GUIDE
Classical music meets hip-hop in this symphonic mashup from visionary composer and conductor Steve Hackman. Three vocalists and a rap artist join the Oregon Symphony to meld Tchaikovsky’s triumphant Symphony No. 5 with more than a dozen Drake hits, including Hold On, We’re Going Home, and Started from the Bottom, creating a musical journey that seamlessly bridges two artists separated by more than a century. orsymphony.org
Portland Opera, Keller Auditorium
DANCE
C2: TWO CONCERTS, ONE EVENING 45th Parallel, The Old Church The first of this double bill is Autumn Music. Virtuosity is in the air with the debut of the Arcturus Quintet, featuring American masterworks for winds by Jennifer Higdon, Irving Fine, and Samuel Barber. The second concert is Fascinating Rhythms by The Gemini Project, Portland’s newest
percussion ensemble, performing music by Steve Reich and Andy Akiho. 45thparallelpdx.org NOVEMBER 9 & 11
GENDER BENDER Portland State University Choirs, First United Methodist Church This sometimes serious, sometimes humorous concert of music contemplating gender and sexual identity as they relate to choir features the world premiere of a new work by award-winning composer Gerald Gurss, the conductor of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. The program also includes The Legend of the Walled-In Woman by Eriks Esenvalds and works traditionally sung by men’s and women’s choruses. psuchoir.com NOVEMBER 10
REMEMBERING THE PAST Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir, First United Methodist Church The Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir kicks off their season with a retrospective on 25 years of education, music making, and friendships. They’ll perform favorites from the program’s history and the classical choral repertoire as they celebrate their quarter-century anniversary. orsingers.org NOVEMBER 11
VIVA ITALIA! Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall As Music Director Rául Gómez and MYS musicians prepare for a 2019 summer residency in
Italy, they open the season with an evening that includes Italian inspirations by Tchaikovsky and Berlioz, and Italian classics from Rossini and Ponchielli. The concert also marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration with Fear No Music’s Young Composers Project to showcase local student composers. playmys.org NOVEMBER 11
PIRATES! Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Ahoy, matey! Pack your bags for another swashbuckling musical adventure with the Oregon Symphony’s merry band of pirates, including music from Hook, Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more! Norman Huynh conducts this Kids Series concert. Aargh! orsymphony.org NOVEMBER 14
PYXIS QUARTET LOVES BEER 45th Parallel, Lagunitas Taproom Pyxis String Quartet makes its PDX “debut” with a program of politically inspired music by Michael Daugherty (Sing Sing J. Edgar Hoover), Michael Gilbertson (Mother Chords), and Philip Glass (String Quartet No. 3). Admission includes the concert, two drinks, and yummy food by Exuberance Catering. 45thparallelpdx.org
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PSU Chamber Choir, 2017. Photo by Paige Baker.
FEATURED SHOW:
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GENDER BENDER This sometimes serious, sometimes humorous concert of music contemplating gender and sexual identity as they relate to choir features the world premiere of a new work by award-winning composer Gerald Gurss, the conductor of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. The program also includes The Legend of the Walled-In Woman by Eriks Esenvalds and works traditionally sung by men’s and women’s choruses.
psuchoir.com
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NOVEMBER 9 & 11 // FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
GENDER BENDER
Portland State University Choirs
n ovem b er calendar NOVEMBER 16
NOVEMBER 18
POULENC & FRIENDS
VSO GOES BACK TO THE MOVIES
Portland State University Opera, Lincoln Recital Hall It’s wall-to-wall Poulenc in this marathon of masterworks for voice, strings, winds, piano, and chorus. Students, faculty, and guest artists perform music by Poulenc, Erik Satie, Emmanuel Chabrier, Claude Debussy, and others. An engaging narrative will guide you through Poulenc’s middle years, and you’ll leave humming cabaret songs of the era. This event is part of PSU Opera’s Poulenc @ PSU series, which features music by French composer Francis Poulenc and his contemporaries, and celebrates the poetry, painting, and theater created in early 20 th-century Paris. pdx.edu/music NOVEMBER 16 & 17
LITERARY INSPIRATIONS Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, First United Methodist Church & Reynolds High School Performing Arts Center The PCSO welcomes cellist and recording artist Allison Eldredge. She is a recipient of the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant and has been named Young Artist of the Year by Musical America. Eldredge will perform the Grammy Award-winning Tales of Hemingway Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, recently written by American composer Michael Daugherty, followed by delightful literary-inspired musical creations featuring the orchestra. columbiasymphony.org NOVEMBER 17–19
BEETHOVEN’S “EMPEROR” Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall With some of the most magnificent and sublime themes in the repertoire, Beethoven’s forward-looking “Emperor” is perhaps the pinnacle of his creative output. Bruckner’s massive Symphony No. 7, from its profound metaphysical depths to its exultantly sensuous heights, is likewise nothing short of monumental. orsymphony.org
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Kiggins Theatre The VSO Goes Back to the Movies features a silent film and live chamber music accompaniment with Rodney Sauer. vancouversymphony.org NOVEMBER 24 & 25
DISNEY IN CONCERT: MAGICAL MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall The magic of Disney comes to life in this multimedia showpiece featuring music from the scores of Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, The Lion King, and more. orsymphony.org NOVEMBER 29
MJ NEW QUARTET
Friends of Chamber Music, The Old Church Led by jazz pianist Darrell Grant, the MJ New Quartet pays homage to the introspective elegance and sophisticated soundscape of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), while creating a distinctly new sound with their unique blend of classical and jazz. focm.org NOVEMBER 30–DECEMBER 9
THE BREASTS OF TIRESIAS Portland State University Opera, Lincoln Studio Theater, PSU A man gives birth to 40,049 babies in a single day in Francis Poulenc’s gender-bending, surrealist opera, based on the play by Guillaume Apollinaire. It’s a farce with a serious theme: How to rebuild France after the devastation of World War I? This event is part of PSU Opera’s Poulenc @ PSU series, which features music by French composer Francis Poulenc and his contemporaries, and celebrates the poetry, painting, and theater created in early 20 th-century Paris. pdx.edu/music
Don't miss Oregon Ballet Theatre’s 15 th annual performance of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® at the Keller Auditorium, December 8–26. ARTSLANDIA.COM
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NOVEMBER 10
THROUGH NOVEMBER 3
SOAR FUNDRAISING EVENT
___THE WOLF
Jefferson Dancers, BodyVox Dance Center
Shaking the Tree Theatre
This is the first chance to see this year’s new company perform at a public event. The annual fall fundraiser is parent-run effort to support the Jefferson Dancers and raise funds for the spring trip. This year, the dancers will go on an international tour in Aix-en-Provence and Paris, France, where they will perform and take classes with French dance students, participating in a cultural exchange on tour. jeffersondancers.org NOVEMBER 14
TANGUEROS DEL SUR White Bird Dance, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall World-renowned tango dancer and choreographer Natalia Hills leads an exquisite 16-member ensemble of tango artists in Romper el Piso (Break the Floor) as the company showcases intricate footwork, partnering, sensuality, and drama of the classic tango. whitebird.org NOVEMBER 23–D EC EMB E R 2
PORTLAND’S SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE Jefferson Dancers, Keller Auditorium For several years the Jefferson Dancers have been invited to perform with local choirs and the cast in Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree performances. This two-hour musical production showcases both contemporary and traditional holiday music performed by over 350 adult and youth choir voices, dance numbers from the Jefferson Dancers, and special numbers by local actors and musicians. singingchristmastree.org
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_____ the wolf is a visual and auditory exploration of desire, longing, and miscommunication of the sexes through the fairy-tale lens. Inspired by Charles Perrault’s Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (Little Red Riding Hood), _____ the wolf invites the audience to go on a forest walk, happen in on five living dioramas, and ask “what if?” shaking-the-tree.com THROUGH NOVEMBER 4
SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS Artists Repertory Theatre, Alder Stage Tired of not living their “best life,” six broken individuals gather at a wellness center in the middle of the woods for a weeklong silent retreat to breathe and reset. As the voice from an omniscient guru drones on in broken self-help speech, the attendees struggle to find their inner calm while awkwardly combating their mental and physical desires. Over the course of five days, the group inexpertly attempts to navigate through hurt feelings, crippling faux pas, and exposed vulnerabilities to reach enlightenment. Absurdly funny and profoundly poignant, Small Mouth Sounds encourages us all to put down the phone and just be in the moment. artistsrep.org THROUGH NOVEMBER 11
ALEBRIJES! Milagro, Milagro Theatre Once upon a time, a man, Pedro Linares Lopez, falls deathly ill. In his waking fever dream, he arrives in a forest, and the landscape slowly morphs into a flurry of hybrid creatures. As he escapes their noise, they scream one word: “Alebrijes!” This year’s Día de Muertos performance brings the mysterious tale of the alebrijes to our main stage, where puppetry and mythology abound. milagro.org
THROUGH NOVEMBER 11
NOVEMBER 2–11
A LIFE
THE TRUTH PROJECT
Portland Center Stage at The Armory, Ellyn Bye Studio
Echo Theater
Nate Martin is hopelessly single. When his most recent breakup, another in a lifelong string of ill-fated matches, casts him into a funk, he turns to the only source of wisdom he trusts: the stars. Poring over astrological charts, he obsessively questions his past and his place in the cosmos. But in Adam Bock's wickedly funny, insightful, and disarming new play, the answer he receives, when it comes, is shockingly obvious–– and totally unpredictable. pcs.org THROUGH NOVEMBER 18
ELLA ENCHANTED
What truths do we hold dear? In an increasingly polarized society, what are the common truths we share? Continuing in the Echo tradition, this is ensemble-created work, exploring what truths we consider essential. The Truth Project is a collection of works by performing artists exploring the overlap of circus arts, dance, narrative, and physical theater to explore themes of social justice. This show is a collaboration between artists from a broad range of ages, performing disciplines, lived experiences, and abilities. echotheaterpdx.org
Oregon Children’s Theatre, Newmark Theatre
NOVEMBER 2–DECEMBER 9
Ella of Frell is anything but ordinary. At birth, she was enchanted by a foolish fairy’s spell: the “gift” of obedience. For the rest of her life she must obey any command she is given, no matter how absurd or dangerous. At 15, Ella sets out on a quest to reverse the spell and break the curse forever. A fairy-tale musical full of nasty ogres, evil stepsisters, and––if she has time––a handsome prince! octc.org
Lakewood Theatre
NOVEMBER 2
URBAN TELLERS® IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE SPECIAL EDITION Portland Story Theater, The Old Church The increasingly acerbic, anti-immigrant sentiment running rampant in our own community and around the world has convinced Portland Story Theater that now is the perfect time to celebrate and support immigrants and refugees by hearing their stories. These Urban Tellers® narratives enrich our community by helping us realize the humanity we share. pdxstorytheater.org
INHERIT THE WIND Based on the famous Scopes Monkey Trial about a high school educator's choice to teach evolution in the classroom, Inherit the Wind explores threats to learning and intellectual freedom in a dramatic courtroom retelling. lakewood-center.org NOVEMBER 17
LAKEWOOD IN CITY LIGHTS Lakewood Theatre, Portland Sentinel Hotel Kick off the holiday season with performances, dinner, and an auction to fundraise for Rising Stars and their education programs. The location will be at the downtown Portland Sentinel Hotel again this year. lakewood-center.org NOVEMBER 21–DECEMBER 23
A 1940S RADIO CHRISTMAS CAROL Broadway Rose Theatre Company, New Stage Auditorium Step back in time to Christmas Eve, 1943, as the Feddington Players present A Christmas Carol live on-air. After an endless stream
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DECEMBER 9 // ARTISTS REPERTORY THEATRE, MORRISON STAGE
LISA KRON IN CONVERSATION Profile Theatre
FEATURED SHOW:
Kron’s visit coincides with the mainstage production of her play In The Wake. A funny, passionate, and searing story with timely political and social relevance.
profiletheatre.org
ARTSLANDIA.COM
Lisa Kron. Photo by Joan Marcus.
LISA KRON IN CONVERSATION Playwright, comedian, and solo-performer Lisa Kron is traveling to Portland for a weeklong residency and public conversation. Perhaps best known as the Tony Award-winning writer of Fun Home, this exciting artist will share insight into her creative career and perform some of her writing. The vibrant conversation will be facilitated by Artistic Director, Josh Hecht. Catered reception and book signing to follow.
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it represents: love, loss, family, solitude, renewal, and friendship. pcs.org NOVEMBER 25–DECEMBER 30
EVERYBODY Artists Repertory Theatre, Alder Stage Death tells Everybody that their time is up. But Everybody doesn’t want to greet Death alone, so Everybody seeks the company of their friends Stuff, Kinship, Friendship, Cousinship, and Love to make the trip bearable. From the scintillating mind that brought you An Octoroon, Everybody is an audacious riff on the 15th-century morality play Everyman. Nine brave actors will play a multitude of roles with their characters chosen by lottery onstage every night––with a possible 120 combinations––as they fight to cheat Death. artistsrep.org NOVEMBER 27–DECEMBER 23
THE SECOND CITY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL: TWIST YOUR DICKENS
Experience Tangueros Del Sur, November 14, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Photo by Ximena Ambrosioni.
continued from page 16
of interruptions, technical snafus, and theatrical missteps threaten to tank the broadcast, the company improvises a film noir spin on the classic Dickens tale. Sprinkled with swing arrangements of Christmas standards and original songs in the period style, A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol is the festive comedy to sweeten your holiday season. broadwayrose.org
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Portland Center Stage at The Armory, U.S. Bank Main Stage
NOVEMBER 24–DECEMBER 30
A CHRISTMAS MEMORY Portland Center Stage at The Armory, Ellyn Bye Studio A Christmas Memory is an autobiographical recollection of Truman Capote’s rural Alabama boyhood. This tiny gem of a holiday story offers an unforgettable portrait of an odd but enduring friendship between two innocent souls, “one young and one old,” and their shared memories of beloved holiday rituals. To accompany this tale, the brilliant singer Merideth Kaye Clark (Fiddler on the Roof and The Last Five Years, both at The Armory, and the national tour of Wicked) and Director Brandon Woolley created Winter Song, an original presentation of favorite songs that celebrate winter and all
A complete sendup of the holiday classic, this adult comedy is adorned with the improvisational genius of the legendary comedy troupe The Second City. Twist includes zany holiday sketches and uproarious improv based on audience participation––it’s never the same show twice! It has become a Portland favorite and returns for the holidays in 2018. As the show’s fans know, the comedy whizzes from The Second City update the show every year. So come back for your favorite moments, and enjoy the new surprises in store. pcs.org NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 1
LONGING LASTS LONGER & OTHER WORKS Boom Arts, Imago Theatre Boom Arts presents a one-weekend-only return engagement by electric performance art icon Penny
Arcade at Imago Theatre, featuring two encore performances of the show you loved last season, Longing Lasts Longer, plus two new works-inprogress. Portlanders called Longing Lasts Longer, Penny's internationally acclaimed critique of the post-gentrification landscape, “Fun… Thoughtful… Irreverent.” Come find out what the fuss was about––and bring your friends! boomarts.org NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 16
IN THE WAKE Profile Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre, Morrison Stage It’s Thanksgiving of 2000, and the presidential election still has not been decided. Ellen insists that her friends and family don’t understand how bad the situation really is. But no one—not her loving partner, Danny, nor the passionate Amy, nor the brutally pragmatic and world-weary Judy––can make Ellen see the blind spot at the center of her own politics and emotional life. A funny, passionate, and ultimately searing play that illuminates assumptions that lie at the heart of the American character—and the blind spots that mask us from ourselves. profiletheatre.org NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 23
BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE Bag&Baggage, The Vault Theater Usher in the holidays with a classic romantic comedy filled with magic, charm, and just a little touch of witchcraft! John Van Druten’s 1950 play inspired the hugely popular film, starring Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart, and one of the most popular television shows in history, Bewitched. bagnbaggage.org C U LT U R E
THROUGH NOVEMBER 5
45TH NORTHWEST FILMMAKERS’ FESTIVAL NW Film Center, Whitsell Auditorium The Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival is the Northwest’s
n ovem b er calendar
premiere showcase of new work by leading regional filmmakers. This annual touchstone event brings artists and audiences together for a community celebration including current northwest film exhibition and the Northwest Filmmakers’ Summit. Annually, Northwest Fest draws more than 400 entries from Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. nwfilm.org THROUGH JANUARY 13
POETIC IMAGINATION IN JAPANESE ART Portland Art Museum Drawn from one of the finest private collections in North America, the paintings and calligraphy in Poetic Imagination span from the eighth through the 20th century and represent courtly, Buddhist, and literati spheres of artistic activity. Most of them are
unveiled to the public for the first time here. portlandartmuseum.org THROUGH JANUARY 27
WE. CONSTRUCT. MARVELS. BETWEEN. MONUMENTS. Portland Art Museum We. Construct. Marvels. Between. Monuments. is a dynamic, artist-led exhibition series that invites a range of emerging and established voices to ask questions about how the Museum can become more artist-centered and inclusive in its practices and more critically engaged with a broader array of emerging and established artists in the region. portlandartmuseum.org THROUGH FEBRUARY 10
APEX: AVANTIKA BAWA Portland Art Museum APEX presents a new body of work by Portland-based artist
SHOES THAT MAKE SHINE.
THROUGH MARCH 17
Avantika Bawa. Looking at a singular Portland architectural structure, she presents her ongoing series of drawings, prints, and large panel paintings of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. portlandartmuseum.org
PORTLAND PSYCHEDELIC: MUSIC AND CULTURE IN THE ROSE CITY AND BEYOND, 1966–1972 Oregon Historical Society Portland served as a common West Coast stop for touring bands in the 1960s and 1970s, with a number of nationally known musicians playing shows in the Rose City. Local music thrived at the same time, centered on psychedelic coffeehouses across Portland. Featuring posters, handbills, autographs, and other memorabilia representing bands including The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and Buffalo Springfield, Portland Psychedelic includes over 100 objects recently donated to the Oregon Historical Society Research Library by donor Peter Glazer. ohs.org
THROUGH FEBRUARY 24
MEMORY UNEARTHED: THE LODZ GHETTO PHOTOGRAPHS OF HENRYK ROSS Portland Art Museum Together, Memory Unearthed at the Portland Art Museum and the Last Journey of the Jews of the Lodz Ghetto at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education will offer an extraordinarily rare glimpse of life inside the Lodz Ghetto through the lens of Polish Jewish photojournalist Henryk Ross (1910–1991). portlandartmuseum.org
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NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 1 // IMAGO THEATRE
LONGING LASTS LONGER
& OTHER WORKS Boom Arts
LONGING LASTS LONGER & OTHER WORKS Boom Arts presents a oneweekend-only return engagement by electric performance art icon Penny Arcade at Imago Theatre, featuring two encore performances of the show you loved last season, Longing Lasts Longer, plus two new works-in-progress. Portlanders called Longing Lasts Longer, Penny's internationally acclaimed critique of the post-gentrification landscape, “Fun… Thoughtful… Irreverent.” Come find out what the fuss was about—and bring your friends!
boomarts.org
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Penny Arcade. Photo by Steven Menendez.
FEATURED SHOW:
n ovem b er calendar
THROUGH APRIL 28
MODERN AMERICAN REALISM Portland Art Museum A selection of treasured artworks from the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Modern American Realism includes 44 paintings and sculptures from the 1910s to the 1980s that encompass the range of what can broadly be called modern realism, from sociopolitical to psychological, from satirical to surrealist. portlandartmuseum.org THROUGH JUNE 9
CCNA: NOT FRAGILE
underscore the power of traditional iconography, craft bold social statements, and reflect the beauty, vulnerability, and transformative power of glass. portlandartmuseum.org THROUGH AUGUST
PICTURING OREGON Portland Art Museum In conjunction with the Museum’s 125th anniversary, Picturing Oregon offers an extraordinary opportunity to reflect on the importance of place and to celebrate the incredible geographic diversity of Oregon and the artists whose work it inspired. portlandartmuseum.org
42 FRESH FILM NORTHWEST ND
NW Film Center, Whitsell Auditorium Fresh Film Northwest is a juried survey of work by up-and-coming teen filmmakers living in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and British Columbia. Now in its 42nd year, the festival recognizes individual talent, showcases model examples of how film arts can be taught in schools, and engages all of us in helping to build the Northwest regional youth media community of 13- to 19-year-olds. nwfilm.org NOVEMBER 6
THE CAPITOL STEPS
Portland Art Museum Not Fragile features artists from across the Pacific Northwest who use glass in innovative ways to impart messages of strength, resilience, and insubordination. In this exhibition, artists
NOVEMBER 3
Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Download the Artslandia App to have all these listings in the palm of your hand.
Portland Opera’s performance of Orphée et Eurydice. Portland Opera is a recipient of Oregon Cultural Trust funds. Photo courtesy of Portland Opera.
It’s election night, and no matter who is winning or what is in the fake news, you can bet The Capitol Steps will lampoon both sides
of the political spectrum with equal parts wit and foolishness. What more would you expect from the group that puts the “mock” in Democracy? orsymphony.org NOVEMBER 10
PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL Literary Arts, Portland Art Museum & Neighboring Venues This daylong event features author discussions, pop-up readings, writing workshops for youth and adults, children’s storytime, an extensive book fair, local food trucks, and more. The 2018 Festival will feature more than 80 authors, including Elizabeth Acevedo, Mac Barnett, H.W. Brands, Patrick deWitt, Lauren Groff, Tom Hanks, Abbi Jacobson, Rachel Kushner, Jonathan Lethem, Eileen Myles, Tommy Orange, Gregory Pardlo, and Luis Alberto Urrea. literary-arts.org
TOGETHER, WE FUND 1,500+ CULTURAL NONPROFITS IN OREGON. THAT MEANS MORE OPERA. Oregonians have a unique opportunity to fund cultural activities in the state and double their impact for free - with the cultural tax credit. Make sure you are claiming yours. Doing so takes three simple steps that do so much for Oregon. Talk to your CPA, or learn more at (503) 986-0088 or CulturalTrust.org.
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M U S IC
DANCE
THEATER
portland M US IC
THROUGH DECEMBER 9
THE BREASTS OF TIRESIAS Portland State University Opera, Lincoln Studio Theater, PSU SEE PAGE 15 for full description. pdx.edu/music DECEMBER 1
JINGLE BEAR FAMILY CONCERT: ONE LITTLE CANDLE Portland Symphonic Girlchoir, Zion Lutheran Church This musical celebration is guaranteed to get your family in the holiday spirit, sparkling with PSG young artists presenting delightful Girlchoir favorites such as Heavenly Aeroplane, Sing Hodie, Noel, Seussical, and Deck the Hall For All. girlchoir.com DECEMBER 1–3
RACHMANINOFF’S SYMPHONIC DANCES Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Rachmaninoff’s suite of Symphonic Dances is a kaleidoscopic display of colorful rhythms and gorgeous melodies. James Ehnes returns to perform William Walton’s virtuosic Violin Concerto, written for the legendary Jascha Heifetz. orsymphony.org DECEMBER 7–9
GOSPEL CHRISTMAS 20TH ANNIVERSARY Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall It’s the 20th anniversary of Gospel Christmas, the tradition that just 22
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CULTURE
ARTS GUIDE
gets bigger and better, year after year! Join the region’s premier gospel singers and the Oregon Symphony for an evening that’s sure to have you on your feet, clapping and shouting, celebrating the true spirit of the season. orsymphony.org DECEMBER 8 & 9
HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Skyview Concert Hall The VSO presents holiday favorites in partnership with Columbia Dance Company. Share in their merriment and cheer through musical celebration, elegant dance, and holiday spirit. vancouversymphony.org DECEMBER 13
CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall The gravity-defying movements and choreography of these aerialists, acrobats, dancers, and jugglers have captivated audiences around the globe, so the Oregon Symphony invited them to present their spectacular holiday show. A wonderful treat for the whole family. orsymphony.org DECEMBER 14–22
THE CHRISTMAS REVELS HIGHLAND VOYAGE: A SCOTTISH CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE Portland Revels, Newmark Theatre The show a Revels patron has declared “the best Christmas celebration in the known universe,” journeys to Scotland this year to celebrate the season
with ancient traditions of song, dance, ritual, and story. The lineup includes sword dancing and choreography with guest artist Francis Attanasio, the evocative Abbotts Bromley Horn Dance, a hilarious Mummer’s Play, a band of traditional instruments with special guest fiddler Kevin Carr and piper Elias Alexander, the Revels Adult and Children’s Choruses, audience singalongs, and more. portlandrevels.org DECEMBER 15
HOLIDAY CONCERT: TOMORROW SHALL BE MY DANCING DAY Portland Symphonic Girlchoir, Zion Lutheran Church The captivating voices of the Portland Symphonic Girlchoir present signature songs from 30 seasons including Bist Du Bei Mir, Hope For Resolution, and the first song Girlchoir performed in 1989: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day. Recent favorites Still I Rise, Stars Do Tell, and Peace in the Desert will also be featured. girlchoir.com DECEMBER 15 & 16
TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN CONCERT Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Tim Burton’s fantastical tale of the Pumpkin King, Oogie Boogie, and Sandy Claws comes to life on the big screen, complete with Danny Elfman’s film score performed live to picture. With costumes encouraged, it’s the perfect outing to get you ready for Christmas! orsymphony.org
DECEMBER 17
COMFORT AND JOY: A CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Light holiday classics, a very merry singalong, and seasonal favorites make for a jubilant evening shared with friends and the Oregon Symphony. orsymphony.org DECEMBER 30 & 31
BIG BAND AND BEETHOVEN: NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall What finer way to ring in the New Year than with Duke Ellington’s delightfully cheeky twist on Tchaikovsky’s classic, followed by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and its glorious Ode to Joy? A little bit smart, a little bit sassy, and thoroughly exhilarating. orsymphony.org DECEMBER 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT Portland Symphonic Girlchoir, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Ring in the New Year with PSG and guests performers. All proceeds benefit Trinity’s Outreach Ministries, pathways that transform hearts of worship into hands of service by building relationships with our neighbors in need and by partnering with them to create a healthy, just, peaceful, and sustainable neighborhood and world. girlchoir.com
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DECEMBER 7–9 // ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL
GOSPEL CHRISTMAS 20TH ANNIVERSARY Oregon Symphony
GOSPEL CHRISTMAS It’s the 20th anniversary of Gospel Christmas, the tradition that just gets bigger and better, year after year! Join the region’s premier gospel singers and the Oregon Symphony for an evening that’s sure to have you on your feet, clapping and shouting, celebrating the true spirit of the season.
orsymphony.org
Saeeda Wright. Photo by Jonathan Lange.
FEATURED SHOW:
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DECEMBER 31
THROUGH DECEMBER 16
COUNTDOWN TO 2019!
IN THE WAKE
Friends of Chamber Music, The Old Church
Profile Theatre, Artist's Repertory Theatre, Morrison Stage
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Friends of Chamber Music and The Florestan Trio! This hourlong concert will include special guests Kevin Walsh and pianist John Strege, followed by a dessert and Champagne reception. focm.org
SEE PAGE 18 for full description. profiletheatre.org THROUGH DECEMBER 23
A 1940S RADIO CHRISTMAS CAROL
Broadway Rose Theatre Company, New Stage Auditorium
D A NC E
SEE PAGE 16 & 18 for full description. broadwayrose.org
DECEMBER 8–26
GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER®
THROUGH DECEMBER 23
THE SECOND CITY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL: TWIST YOUR DICKENS
Oregon Ballet Theatre, Keller Auditorium This December, join OBT for the 15th annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. Set to Tchaikovsky’s brilliant score, Balanchine’s classic adaptation is playful, exciting, and breathtakingly beautiful. Join Marie as her toy nutcracker comes to life and takes her on a magical adventure––one with an evil Mouse King, swirling snowflakes, and the radiant Sugar Plum Fairy. Don’t miss this chance to share in one of Portland’s most beloved and inspiring holiday traditions. obt.org
Portland Center Stage at The Armory, U.S. Bank Main Stage SEE PAGE 18 for full description. pcs.org THROUGH DECEMBER 23
BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE Bag&Baggage, The Vault Theater SEE PAGE 18 for full description. bagnbaggage.org Pyxis String Quartet makes its PDX “debut” with Pyxis Quartet Loves Beer, November 14, at the Lagunitas Taproom. Photo by Ashley Courter.
Classical Ballet Academy, Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU A Christmas Carol is a spectacular dance adaptation of Charles Dickens' most well-known story. This high-energy show, based on the original Broadway musical, showcases dancers from Classical Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional, Contemporary, Modern, and Jazz Programs. classicalballet.net
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A CHRISTMAS MEMORY Portland Center Stage at The Armory, Ellyn Bye Studio
DECEMBER 13 & 14
A CHRISTMAS CAROL CONTEMPORARY DANCE PERFORMANCE
THROUGH DECEMBER 30
DECEMBER 15 & 16
THE NUTCRACKER Classical Ballet Academy, Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU A delightful ballet for the entire family, The Nutcracker is the perfect way to introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical dance. Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, brilliant dancing, costumes, sets, and choreography, come together to create a magical storybook world. The Nutcracker follows Clara and her beloved nutcracker on a magical Christmas Eve journey. The two survive a raging battle between a horde of roguish rats and toy soldiers. They experience the wintry beauty of the snow forest and its dancing snowflakes. They
later savor an array of delights in the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy oversees a celebration with dancing confections from around the world. classicalballet.net T H E AT E R
THROUGH DECEMBER 1
LONGING LASTS LONGER & OTHER WORKS Boom Arts, Imago Theatre SEE PAGE 20 for full description. boomarts.org THROUGH DECEMBER 9
INHERIT THE WIND Lakewood Theatre SEE PAGE 16 for full description. lakewood-center.org
SEE PAGE 18 for full description. pcs.org THROUGH DECEMBER 30
EVERYBODY Artists Repertory Theatre, Alder Stage SEE PAGE 18 for full description. artistsrep.org DECEMBER 1–30
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Portland Playhouse, Hampton Opera Center Join Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghostly spirits who visit on Christmas Eve and guide the grumpy miser through a redemptive and transformative journey toward friendship and love. Hopeful, musical, and above all, fun! portlandplayhouse.org
DECEMBER 8–JANUARY 6
MARY POPPINS
Northwest Children’s Theater
Chrissy Kelly-Pettit in Mary Poppins, 2014. Photo by David Kinder.
FEATURED SHOW: MARY POPPINS “Winds in the east, mist coming in, like somethin’ brewin’ and bout to begin...” The beloved flying nanny returns to the NWCT stage in this magical adaptation of the classic film turned Broadway musical hit. Filled with memorable songs, soaring dance numbers, and spoonfuls of imagination, Mary Poppins is the perfect way to spend “a jolly holiday!”
nwcts.org ARTSLANDIA.COM
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DECEMBER 14–22 // NEWMARK THEATRE
THE CHRISTMAS REVELS
HIGHLAND VOYAGE: A SCOTTISH CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE
Portland Revels
THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: HIGHLAND VOYAGE: A SCOTTISH CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE The show a Revels patron has declared “the best Christmas celebration in the known universe,” journeys to Scotland this year to celebrate the season with ancient traditions of song, dance, ritual, and story. The lineup includes sword dancing and choreography with guest artist Francis Attanasio, the evocative Abbotts Bromley Horn Dance, a hilarious Mummer’s Play, a band of traditional instruments with special guest fiddler Kevin Carr and piper Elias Alexander, the Revels Adult and Children’s Choruses, audience singalongs, and more.
portlandrevels.org
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The Christmas Revels 2017, Nordic Lights. Photo by Jenny Graham.
FEATURED SHOW:
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DECEMBER 15 // ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
HOLIDAY CONCERT:
TOMORROW SHALL BE MY DANCING DAY
Portland Symphonic Girlchoir
HOLIDAY CONCERT: TOMORROW SHALL BE MY DANCING DAY The captivating voices of the Portland Symphonic Girlchoir present signature songs from 30 seasons including Bist Du Bei Mir, Hope For Resolution, and the first song Girlchoir performed in 1989: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day. Recent favorites Still I Rise, Stars Do Tell, and Peace in the Desert will also be featured.
girlchoir.com
ARTSLANDIA.COM
Photo by Andie Petkus.
FEATURED SHOW:
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c a l e n d a r d e c e m ber musical hit. Filled with memorable songs, soaring dance numbers, and spoonfuls of imagination, Mary Poppins is the perfect way to spend “a jolly holiday!” nwcts.org C U LT U R E
THROUGH JANUARY 13
POETIC IMAGINATION IN JAPANESE ART Portland Art Museum SEE PAGE 19 for full description. portlandartmuseum.org THROUGH JANUARY 27
WE. CONSTRUCT. MARVELS. BETWEEN. MONUMENTS. Portland Art Museum SEE PAGE 19 for full description. portlandartmuseum.org THROUGH FEBRUARY 10
APEX: AVANTIKA BAWA Portland Art Museum SEE PAGE 19 for full description. portlandartmuseum.org Oregon Symphony's Cirque de la Symphonie, December 13, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
DECEMB ER 6–30
DE CE M BE R 7
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
URBAN TELLERS®
Artists Repertory Theatre, Northwest Children's Theater The beloved holiday staple comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast with the story of George Bailey. George grew up in picturesque Bedford Falls but dreams of leaving the small town behind to see the world. Obligations and unforeseen circumstances get in the way of his aspirations, and he is tied to his hometown forever as he takes over the Building & Loan from his father and his uncle. When a terrible mistake leaves George on the verge of disaster, he considers ending his life on Christmas Eve until he meets a fateful friend named Clarence. Made complete by your favorite local talent and an onstage foley artist, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is a fun, heartwarming delight for the whole family. artistsrep.org
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Portland Story Theater, The Old Church Each Urban Tellers® show delivers compelling, personal stories from people of all walks of life. It’s an intimate experience that builds empathy from the inside out through the real, true stories of our urban community. Through our personal stories, Urban Tellers® strives to show that we are all one family, sharing the human experience. Funny. Touching. Often surprising. pdxstorytheater.org DE CE M BE R 8– J ANUARY 6
MARY POPPINS Northwest Children’s Theater “Winds in the east, mist coming in, like somethin’ brewin’ and bout to begin...” The beloved flying nanny returns to the NWCT stage in this magical adaptation of the classic film turned Broadway
THROUGH FEBRUARY 24
MEMORY UNEARTHED: THE LODZ GHETTO PHOTOGRAPHS OF HENRYK ROSS Portland Art Museum SEE PAGE 19 for full description. portlandartmuseum.org THROUGH MARCH 17
PORTLAND PSYCHEDELIC: MUSIC AND CULTURE IN THE ROSE CITY AND BEYOND, 1966–1972 Oregon Historical Society SEE PAGE 19 for full description. ohs.org THROUGH APRIL 28
MODERN AMERICAN REALISM Portland Art Museum SEE PAGE 21 for full description. portlandartmuseum.org THROUGH JUNE 9
CCNA: NOT FRAGILE Portland Art Museum SEE PAGE 21 for full description. portlandartmuseum.org
THROUGH AUGUST
PICTURING OREGON Portland Art Museum SEE PAGE 21 for full description. portlandartmuseum.org DECEMBER 4
TARA WESTOVER Literary Arts, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Tara Westover’s first book is Educated: A Memoir, a number one New York Times best-seller, which USA Today praised as “living proof that some people are flat-out, boots-alwayslaced-up indomitable… a heartbreaking, heartwarming, best-in-years memoir about striding beyond the limitations of birth and environment into a better life.” literary-arts.org DECEMBER 9
LISA KRON IN CONVERSATION Profile Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre, Morrison Stage Playwright, comedian, and soloperformer Lisa Kron is traveling to Portland for a weeklong residency and public conversation. Perhaps best known as the Tony Awardwinning writer of Fun Home, this exciting artist will share insight into her creative career and perform some of her writing. The vibrant conversation will be facilitated by Artistic Director, Josh Hecht. Catered reception and book signing to follow. profiletheatre.org DECEMBER 10
THE MOTH MAINSTAGE Literary Arts, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Literary Arts and The Moth are bringing a new lineup of storytellers to Portland. Each Moth Mainstage show features five storytellers who developed their true stories with help from The Moth's directors. This extraordinary performance will sell out quickly, so reserve your seats early and experience unforgettable stories told live! literary-arts.org
SEEN on the scene PSG After Dark & Opening night of Pippin and The Color Purple
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EVENTS: PSG AFTER DARK The Portland Symphonic Girlchoir hit the courts of the Racquet Club to benefit their award-winning organization, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this season. (Photo 1) PIPPIN Lakewood Theatre opened their 66th season with Pippin, the extraordinarily timeless tale from composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell). The production, directed by Paul Angelo with musical direction by Valery Saul and choreography by Erin Shannon, brought down the house! (Photos 2 & 3) THE COLOR PURPLE Artslandia’s Media Director Chris Porras so loved Portland Center Stage at The Armory’s production of The Color Purple that he broke his show attendance record! Timothy Douglas directed this powerful, Tony Award-winning musical with a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel, and blues led by Music Director Darius Smith. (Photos 4 & 5) View more photos at ARTSLANDIA.COM
Roberta Jackson (Co-conductor of PSG), Jenn Baker (Board Chair of PSG), and Deb Burgess (Co-conductor of PSG). Photo by Misty Tompoles.
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BEST
dressed
LEFT: Attendees of the opening night of Pippin. RIGHT: Cast of Pippin. Photos by Max McDermott.
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LEFT: Cast of The Color Purple. RIGHT: Chris Porras (Media Director of Artslandia) and Maiesha McQueen (Sofia in The Color Purple). Photos by Simone Fischer.
Don’t forget to tag @artslandia and #ArtslandiaWasHere for the chance to be featured! ARTSLANDIA.COM
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t o p 1 0 a r t i s a n a l sh op s
TOP 10 ARTISANAL SHOPS F O R H O L I D AY G I F T S
FOUND&MADE Swoon over the
handmade and artisan pieces of joy, inspired by the wanderings of a stylist and her woodwhispering craftsman husband. Check out their website if you miss the pop-up shop inside Perican Bing.
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318 SW TAYLOR ST, PORTLAND (503) 206-4631 // ARTISTICPORTLAND.COM
1620 SE CLAYBOURNE ST #106A, PORTLAND (503) 206-6757 // THEFOUNDANDMADE.COM
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REDUX Choose from a dizzying array of
handmade, local, and indie designer jewelry, accessories, and art from over 300 artisans and companies. There’s also a gallery portion of the boutique that features local artists and is open for the Eastside’s First Friday Art Walk.
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811 E BURNSIDE ST #116, PORTLAND (503) 231-7336 // REDUXPDX.COM
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SEVEN SISTERS Also among the sisterhood of creative folks at in the 811 building is this shop committed to supporting small, women-owned businesses and predominantly stocked with lines by female designers and makers.
PRESENTS OF MIND Get lost in pun-filled cards, meme-tastic shirts, and seriously fun socks in this unique and highly rated family-owned shop that’s been delivering distinctly Portland baubles and threads since 1989.
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TENDER LOVING EMPIRE What began
with a couple’s vision of sharing their friends’ artistic and musical creations has become a thriving indie record label and gift shop with five locations supporting over 300 artists.
NW 23RD, HAWTHORNE, BRIDGEPORT VILLAGE, DOWNTOWN’S WEST END & PDX // TENDERLOVINGEMPIRE.COM 30
ARTSLANDIA.COM
TILDE This modern lifestyle shop and art
gallery is a wonderland for fans of lovely, purposeful design. Their wares are made by small makers near and far, with bursts of color, clean lines, and a story behind every item that they’re happy to share.
7919 SE 13TH AVE, PORTLAND (503) 234-9600 // TILDESHOP.COM
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DARLING DISTRACTION This carefully curated boutique invites you to come get distracted by darling things. And, seriously, it’s ok if you leave with only gifts for yourself. 1524 NE ALBERTA ST, PORTLAND (971) 279-2943 // DARLINGDISTRACTION.COM
3633 SE HAWTHORNE BLVD, PORTLAND (503) 230-7740 // PRESENTSOFMIND.TV
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MEMENTO PDX This friendly neighborhood shop on Hawthorne carries Portland-made Queen Bee bags, characters from Studio Ghibli, and an eclectic mix of locally made jewelry, art, cards, t-shirts, and photography, plus the amazing Pacifica candle and fragrance line. 3707 SE HAWTHORNE BLVD, PORTLAND (503) 235-1257 // MEMENTOPDX.COM
811 E BURNSIDE ST #110, PORTLAND (717) 478-3702 // SEVENSISTERSPDX.COM
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ARTISTIC PORTLAND This community of diverse local artists reflects the legendary, rich, and thriving Portland art scene. Find an eclectic variety of quirky and fun fine art and craft items at their centrally located Downtown shop.
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CRAFTY WONDERLAND No list of destinations for artisanal gifts would be complete without the year-round brick and mortar outpost of the mega craft market held semi-annually, including December 8–9, at the Oregon Convention Center. 808 SW 10TH AVE, PORTLAND (503) 224-9097 // CRAFTYWONDERLAND.COM
PHOTOS: 1: Joy Lockerby. 2: Tamara Goldsmith. 3: Nicholas Peter Wilson. 4: Kim K. 5: Courtesy of Tender Loving Empire. 6: Courtesy of Artistic Portland. 7: Jeff Nunziata. 8: Stephen Funk Photography. 9: Ellen McNerney. 10: Courtesy of Crafty Wonderland.
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HOLIDAYS AT THE ARMORY! Nov. 24 – Dec. 30
Nov. 27 – Dec. 23
Portland Center Stage at
pcs.org
Season Superstars
Pictured: (Top) Leif Norby and Merideth Kaye Clark in A Christmas Memory - paired with - Winter Song. Photo by Kate Szrom; (Bottom) Lauren Modica in Twist Your Dickens. Photo by Patrick Weishampel.
Love your jewelry Maloy’s Jewelry has been a downtown Portland tradition for over 30 years, with one of the finest selections of fully restored jewelry on the West Coast. A glittering jewel box full of treasures from all the most beautiful periods of jewelry design, you will find everything from Edwardian engagement rings to Art Nouveau pendants, Victorian lockets to Art Deco earrings. We also have a full staff of expert bench jewelers right on site, so we can work our restoration or redesign magic on your own family heirlooms. With vintage treasures in every price range, an exceptional
M-F 10am to 5:30pm Sat 11am to 5pm 717 SW 10th Ave Portland, OR 97205 503.223.4720 www.maloys.com
memento of your trip is always in reach. Come visit with our friendly staff and explore cases brimming with delights. Conveniently located on both the MAX and streetcar lines.