Editor’s Note
Welcome, November! Or, as parents of school age children call it, No School November. Between Thanksgiving, Veterans Day and teacher-in-service days, after school programs and camps are even more appreciated than usual. This month’s issue features a short roundup of options. (Be sure to check nwkidsmagazine.com for even more!) November is also the beginning of holiday events and performances. This year brings the return of many of our beloved favorites and also some new ones. Come back next month for more holiday content, festive light displays and Hanukkah events. It’s going to be a great season!
In other news:
As of this writing, the election is just two weeks away. Regardless of who may be getting your votes, locally and nationally, a collective anxiety is in the air. Bringing my 18 year old to the county elections office to register last month was a very special day, and to see her first ballot arrive in yesterday’s mail was even more exciting. We are raising generations with a lot on their plates and are all doing our best to navigate. Lean on your village, fellow parents and caregivers. We have a pretty great one around here!
We will see you around town soon and, in the meantime, may your families have a safe and peaceful autumn! Mary
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Publisher Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com
Editor/Account Manager Mary Brady mary@nwkidsmagazine.com
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2024 Holiday Events & Performances
Nov 29
Santa’s Arrival at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel
At Noon, Santa will arrive to the Salem Carousel aboard the Carousel Express Train, ready to greet all visitors. Soon after his arrival, Santa will be available for Photos from 12:30pm-5pm. Visits are always free (no photos). Carousel Keepsake Photo $15 each. Take your own photos - up to 5 shots, $5 per device. salemcarousel.org/upcomingevents
Nov 29-Jan 4
The Holiday Express at Oregon Rail Heritage Center
Climb aboard the festively decorated train, pulled by the historic Polson #2 steam locomotive, and enjoy a scenic ride along the Willamette River with Santa. It’s the perfect way to start your holiday season. Trains depart from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center Friday-Sundays. orhf.org/event/holiday-express
The Holidays are a magical time and Portland never fails to offer endless opportunities to get out and celebrate them. We’ve rounded up all of the best of the season!
Head to nwkidsmagazine.com/events to find even more!
EVENTS
Nov 30-Dec 1
Firebird and Petrushka at The Portland Ballet
Experience the wonder of Firebird and Petrushka with The Portland Ballet! With vibrant choreography set to Igor Stravinsky’s iconic scores, these captivating ballets bring to life tales of magic, love, and courage. A perfect experience for the whole family! See website for tickets and pricing. theportlandballet.org
Nov 30 & Dec 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21-24, 26-27
Cinnamon Bear
Breakfast Cruise
Cinnamon Bear and friends from Maybeland return for the 20th anniversary! The whole family will enjoy this 2-hour breakfast cruise featuring a cast of fanciful characters to entertain the kids with storytelling, music and magic. portlandspirit.com
Nov 30-Dec 29
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at NWCT
Back by popular demand, this LIVE musical adaptation of the beloved television special returns to The Judy in downtown Portland! Join Rudolph on his adventure to the Island of Misfit Toys and the North Pole, and help him save Christmas! 11am & 2:30pm showtimes. Tickets at: nwcts.org/rudolph
Dec 6-15
Annie presented by Imagine Theatre
With street-smarts and optimism, Annie is determined to find her long-lost parents. Although her search doesn’t go as planned, she outsmarts the wicked Miss Hannigan and discovers a new family with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell, and Annie’s lovable dog, Sandy. Tickets & info: imaginetheatre.org/tickets
Dec
7
Winter Faire at Cedarwood Waldorf School
Celebrate the season at Cedarwood’s Winter Faire! Enjoy crafts, activities, and our Artisan Marketplace featuring over 30 PNW vendors. Hungry? Stop by the Culinary Marketplace for bites from Portland favorites like Tamale Boy, Let’s Roll PDX, Birrieria Don Pepe, and Alchemy Sandwich Co. Fun for all ages! 12-6pm cedarwoodschool.org/winter-faire
EVENTS
Dec 8, 13 & 15
Glory of Christmas
Oregon Repertory Singers pulls all the stops (quite literally) for this year’s Glory of Christmas with legendary guest organist Jonas Nordwall, who will accompany the choir in many of the most famous arrangements of traditional carols including David Willcocks’s world-famous O Come All Ye Faithful. With ORS accompanist Naomi LaViolette, patrons will hear choir, organ, and piano (and sometimes harpsichord) for versions of great holiday classics. orsingers.org/ors/glory
Dec 12-22
Wizard of Oz -
The Musical Panto
A fun, interactive, family-friendly holiday event filled with slapstick, witty dialogue, music, dancing and a few wink-wink jokes for the adults. The production retells the classic story adding uplifting moments that will get both kids and adults cheering, laughing, and having a wonderful time. Use code - Oz - for a $2 per ticket discount! portlandpantoplayers.com
Dec 13-Jan 1
ZooZoo
Having toured everywhere from Los Angeles to New York City, Imago’s crowdpleasing ZooZoo is back in Portland, the city where it was born. This enchanting show is truly magical featuring persnickety penguins, hippos, polar bears, an acrobatic grub, and more, and the newest addition: baby birds! – tickling the imaginations of all ages. ”...a perfect first theatre experience for children!” - MommyPoppins.com imagotheatre.com
More2024Holiday Events&Performances
Nov
7-10
Disney On Ice: Magic In the Stars
Glide and dance your way into the worlds of Frozen & Encanto, and celebrate the amazing gifts that make each of us unique. Enhance your Disney On Ice show ticket with a preshow Character Experience that includes games, storytelling, crafting and interactive time with Elsa and Mirabel. Bring your personal device for photo opportunities. disneyonice.com/magic-in-the-stars
Nov 14
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns for another spectacular tour. Directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. portland5.com/keller-auditorium/ events/hip-hop-nutcracker
Nov
16-17
Disney’s Frozen in Concert
Academy Award® winner for Best Animated Feature, Disney’s Frozen follows fearless optimist Anna on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Watch as Elsa, along with her hilarious snowman companion Olaf, battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. Experience this heartwarming story on the big screen with the Oregon Symphony performing the score live. It’s dazzling fun for the entire family! orsymphony.org
Nov
29-Dec 15
Black Nativity
Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity tells the story of the Nativity from an African-American perspective through a combination of scripture, poetry, dance, and song with griot-style narration. A roof-raising, spirit-catching, musical tour-de-force that will bring you to your feet. Pure joy for the season! Bring the whole family. Make it a block party!
portland5.com/brunish-theatre/ events/black-nativity
Events&Performances
Nov 29-Dec 22
It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s A Wonderful Life is a holiday favorite for all ages! An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed. portland5.com/winningstad-theatre/ events/its-wonderful-life
Nov 30-Dec 8
Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree
For this year, you can look forward to a new Immersive Nativity set, audience sing-along, new music and dance numbers for their youth cast and so much more. singingchristmastree.org
Dec 7-8
ScanFair 2024: Nordic Christmas Market
ScanFair brings Scandinavia to Portland through traditional food and drink vendors; an entertainment program focused on cultural heritage; games, activities, and crafts; and welcoming local community organizations. nordicnorthwest.org
Dec
11
Comfort & Joy: Songs of Good Cheer
Make memories together as the Oregon Symphony creates a magical winter wonderland through classic sing-alongs and your favorite holiday music. And, just in case you forget how many fa-la-la-las are in “Deck the Hall,” lyric sheets will be provided! portland5.com/arlene-schnitzerconcert-hall/events/comfort-joysongs-good-cheer
Dec 13-15
Crafty Wonderland’s Holiday Art & Craft Market
Head to the Oregon Convention Center for Crafty Wonderland’s annual Holiday Market and knock off the rest of your shopping list with gifts made by local makers! craftywonderland.com
Dec 17-24
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® at OBT
Join Marie and her Nutcracker Prince as the mischievous Drosselmeier sends them on a magical adventure. Brave toy soldiers battle villainous mice, candy canes leap and snowflakes whirl, all to Tchaikovsky’s wonderous score – and don’t forget about a Portland Holiday favorite, Mother Ginger! obt.org/24-25-season/ nutcracker-2024
2024-25 No School Day Camps & Classes
Are you making plans for how to keep your kids busy, engaged and happy during the upcoming school breaks? Look no further! We’ve rounded up a fantastic list of options. Check their websites for the most up-to-date offerings!
Aim High Martial Arts & Events
Join Aim High for Lego, Star Wars, and Nerf & Laser Tag camps during this Thanksgiving and winter break! aimhighma.org
British Swim School of West Portland Suburbs
Dive into Confidence this winter with British Swim School! Join them for after-school lessons that build a lifetime foundation of water survival skills, safety and swim stroke development. Boost your confidence and unlock your true potential with their expert instructors. Open 7 days a week across 3 convenient locations in Beaverton and Hillsboro. britishswimschool.com/west-portlandsuburbs
Northwest Children’s Theater
Wizards, witches, elves, and giants unite at NWCT’s Wizard School! Discover new fantastic beasts, learn how to cast spells, and earn house points in this full-day camp. Wizard School combines role-playing, theater skills, and classes in Apparition, Divination, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. There are two location options: The Judy in downtown Portland and Westminster Presbyterian in NE Portland. November 25 - 27, 9am - 4pm, Ages 6 - 12. nwcts.org/wizard-school
Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Need something for your kids to do when school is out of session? Keep them busy and having fun at the MJCC with sports, swimming, gymnastics, arts and crafts, games, and more! Kids must be potty-trained. For kids ages 3-12 years old. 8:30 am - 5:30 pm November 1, 4, 11, 25, 26, 27 December 23, 27, 30 oregonjcc.org/youth-programs/ vacation-camps
Play.Fit.Fun.
What do you do with your kids on non school weekdays? Play.Fit.Fun’s Non School Day Kids Action Camp is the FUN answer! They offer half & full day camp options where your kids can play, stay active, make new friends and be well cared for and engaged. Their camps are like PE crashed into Field Day…then blended together with Team Building! playfitfun.com
The PJA Perspective
Portland Jewish Academy provides a well-rounded education infused with Jewish values that emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, social-emotional learning, and character development for kids from early childhood through 8th grade. We’ve invited writers from PJA’s middle school to join our team for a series that gives you a glimpse into thoughts and lifefrom their perspective. Explore PJA at pjaproud.org
Waiting
by Mae
Swirls and blending
All connecting in the center
Black spreading quickly and taking over
Yellow streaks sticking to the walls of my mind
Microscopic swirls of longing
And the bleeding of purple and blue
Coming together as one
Telling a striking story
To me and to you
Swatches of sadness and wanting
Portrayals of happiness and dopamine
Conjoining into one big, solid bubble of someone’s mind
Who is that someone?
Well, I’m not even quite sure
But they’re out there somewhere
Waiting for something
Someone
To paint a portrait of how they’re feeling
Raindrops
by Jack
Splashes of water in life
The calm and crazy raindrops
Knowing they will disappear
The falling and getting back up
Different, changed
The world may never know
Many parts
Rearranged
All the same
Yet different
Calm and peace
Is hearing the raindrops
Feeling them
Knowing they are different
Running down
Mae is a current 7th grader at PJA. In addition to writing, she enjoys dancing, playing guitar, and making art.
Jack is a current 7th grader at PJA. In addition to writing, he enjoys solving math problems and playing the piano.
