PDX Parent April 2024

Arts THE ISSUE

10 painting classes for kids

13 shows for the whole family

The perks of an arts membership

We heart art

As a parent, you know you shouldn’t play favorites with your kids. I feel the same way about the issues of PDX Parent. I hate to play favorites. But if I had to pick one favorite, it’s probably this one — our annual Arts issue.

As a kid, I loved to draw, paint and create. And a love of the arts and finding creative outlets is something I’ve tried to encourage with my own kids from a young age. From the time they were babies, we frequented musical storytimes and messy art places, stocked up on supplies at local art stores, and attended Oregon Symphony shows for kids. While my son and daughter are firmly in the big kid category, we still do a lot of those things, which is probably why they love making graphic novels and movies, chose to learn how to play instruments and are obsessed with Hamilton. And in this issue, we’ve got plenty of ways you can also encourage a love of the arts in your kids — whether your family becomes season subscribers with a local performing arts company (an easy way to see Hamilton next spring!), sees a single kid-friendly show, partakes in a baby music class or finds an art class for kids. We also give picks for watercolor sets for kids of all ages and profile Portland musician extraordinaire, Aaron Nigel Smith.

Another reason to love this issue. Our Art Director Tiffany Howard did a little design refresh to make the magazine look even better. We’ve also added some new columns to our Play Room section and revamped our Field Trip column. We’re always looking for ways to make the magazine better because it’s an honor to be able to help you, our fellow PDX parents, get information you need to know (like what sex ed is like for middle schoolers these days!) as well as have fun with your kids.

A big thanks to Laurel Coughlin of Mountain Laurel Photo for this adorable photo of two kiddos getting creative! Coughlin has been a nanny for about eight years, and she used to take care of these two littles. That experience of nannying helps Coughlin, who is also a new mom, when she is taking family portraits. “I know how to put little ones at ease, how to get down on their level and experience the world with them playfully,” she says.  “And also how to connect with parents in an easy, comfortable way. Wild child energy doesn’t faze me — bring it on!” See more of her beautiful work at mountainlaurelphoto.com and on Instagram @mountainlaurelphoto.pdx.

for the long days and short years

PDX Parent

P.O. Box 13660

Portland, OR 97213-0660

Phone: 503-460-2774

Publisher

Jill Weisensee, 503-460-2774 publisher@pdxparent.com

Editor

Denise Castañon, 503-922-0893 denise.castanon@pdxparent.com

Managing Editor

Tiffany Hill tiffany.hill@pdxparent.com

Art Director

Tiffany Howard tiffany.howard@pdxparent.com

Web Content Coordinator

Meg Asby meg.asby@pdxparent.com

E-newsletter Editor

Anne King anne.king@pdxparent.com

Westside Account Executive

Lauren Wylie, 503-331-8184 lauren.wylie@pdxparent.com

Eastside and Vancouver Account Executive Alice Schulz, 971-236-4037 alice.schulz@pdxparent.com

Digital Ad Manager/Calendar Editor/ Distribution Coordinator Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com

Accountant

Kelli Bagby

Truly Bookkeeping, Inc.

Vice President of Operations

Rose Caudillo operations@pdxparent.com

For distribution issues, e-mail us at distribution@pdxparent.com

For calendar submissions, e-mail us at calendar@pdxparent.com

PDX Parent is published monthly (except July) by Northwest Parent, LLC., and is copyright 2021 Northwest Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. PDX Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA metropolitan area. PDX Parent reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised herein. PDX Parent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender expression, sex or sexual orientation.

Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, Northwest Parent, LLC., and its agents and employees cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of any information contained herein. The contents of PDX Parent and its website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment.

DENISE CASTAÑON

2023

2023

2023

2023

Ask Dr. Baynham: Ear Piercing

Q: My 11-year-old has been asking nonstop to get her ears pierced. What should I consider when looking at piercing studios? And what type of after care do you recommend?

A: Ear piercing can be a fun and exciting milestone for kids. Cleanliness is key when thinking about both the piercing studio and after care to reduce the risk of infection. Pro tip: Several providers at Metropolitan Pediatrics perform ear piercing across all of our locations, so that you can feel assured that your child is in a safe and clean environment.

When looking at piercing studios, call ahead and ask questions. You want to be sure the person doing the piercing has clean hands, wears a new pair of disposable surgical gloves, and is using sterile equipment that is either single use and disposable, or can be sterilized between clients. (At Metro, we use a piercing “gun” and single-use disposable, sterile earring cassettes.)

For after care, clean the piercing site twice daily with an overthe-counter antibacterial spray such as Bactine Max. You should help your child or remind them to gently rotate the earrings once

a day for the first week or two. And make sure your kid doesn’t go swimming for two weeks after the piercing to help reduce risk of infection.

The piercing studs stay in for six weeks and then your child can change them to their preferred earrings. Gold, medical plastic or titanium are good materials to look for to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Avoid nickel as it commonly causes allergic contact dermatitis. I recommend wearing some type of earring for the first six months to ensure the holes stay open.

This is such a fun procedure for me to do because the kids are excited and so proud of themselves when they overcome their fear of how much it may hurt. I tell kids it’s like a shot, except they get a beautiful, sparkly earring afterward! A little bling goes a long way.

Pediatrician, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and mom of two, Allison Baynham, M.D., knows what it takes to raise healthy, resilient children. Come bond, share your struggles and team with her for great care at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Tigard.

Gear Guide: Watercolors for Kids

From toddler to teen, we list great watercolor sets for your artist. And a staff pick means we’ve tested and loved this particular item!

Ooly Lil’ Watercolor Paint Pods This set of 36 comes from the makers of Chunkies paint sticks. Pro tip: The colors are washable, making this a great set for toddlers and preschoolers. $16. At Hammer and Jacks, 6406 SE Foster Rd., hammerandjacks.com

Prang Washable Watercolor Set of 16 This semi-moist set provides vibrant and rich colors for a great price. Great for budding elementary-school-aged artists. (Bonus: Prang also makes a metallic-color set of eight for $4.39!) $5.70. At I’ve Been Framed, 4950 SE Foster Rd., ivebeenframedpdx.com

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Studio Set of 24 If you’ve got a tween or teen who is a serious artist, they need a serious paint set. These rich pigments let your artist’s skills shine. Includes a detachable lid and palette. $56. At Blick, 1115 NW Glisan St. and 2710 Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton. dickblick.com.

— Denise Castañon

Good Deeds: Positively Kind

The world could always use a little more kindness and positivity. That was the exact thought Ruthie Matinko-Wald had when co-founding Positive Charge! PDX in 2016. “In a nutshell, we amplify kindness by bringing people together to transform kindness into action, making positive impacts on a collective scale,” says Matinko-Wald.

The work of the volunteer-run nonprofit is two fold: Positive Charge! creates and facilitates its own projects and offers volunteering staffing opportunities for other partner organizations like Meals on Wheels, Blanchet House or the Kindness Farm in Southeast.

One of its oldest initiatives is Two Can Tuesday. Neighbors in Southwest leave canned goods and hygiene supplies for volunteers to pick up and drop off at food banks. “For people who don’t have a (Two Can Tuesday) route in their neighborhood, we also have collection bins in a variety of neighborhood libraries and stores — and we’re looking for appropriate business partner sites.” (Email twocantuesday@gmail.com for more info.)

Another kid-friendly opportunity is Positive Charge! PDX’s Compassion Through Literature. The nonprofit has partnered with 25 neighbors, from Newberg to Gresham, who have Little Free Libraries to ensure each location has diverse book offerings. Matinko-Wald says it’s a great way for families to pass along their favorite books, and the organization is hoping to create book swap events and build more little libraries.

“Most of our offerings are intergenerational,” says Matinko-Wald. “We strive to be all-inclusive. We love kids and value the role we play in introducing the young to the joy of philanthropy.”

Visit PositiveChargePDX.org to learn more and get involved. — Tiffany Hill

Dad 101: Partner Support

I’m a first-time dad, learning each day how to parent my son. The newborn phase was challenging: The middleof-the-night feedings, crying fits, and the worry of whether or not he was still breathing. Eight months in, I feel more prepared for the unexpected (looking at you blowouts). One thing that hasn’t changed — supporting my partner.

I couldn’t carry our baby nor produce milk to feed him, but I can share in caring for him. With that as my mantra, finding ways to support my baby and my wife feel natural and apparent.

A passive skill my partner and I apply to parenthood is taking care of each other, in turn taking care of our baby. When I come home from work, I shift into dad mode — playing with him, reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?, doing silly voices like my best Christopher Walken impression, and putting him into his pajamas.

I am also the diaper changer. Not all of them, but a lot of them. (And this coming from a person who struggled to pick up my dog’s poop after we first adopted her.) Pro tip: Breathe through your mouth.

Join Positive Charge! PDX on April 7 when volunteers will be on hand to gather toys and bedding for shelter pets — and make them out of upcycled fabrics. Positivechargepdx.org/furry-friends.

These little things enable me to enjoy the time I spend with my son and give my wife some baby-free downtime. What made this easier was asking and anticipating what my wife needs before or when it is needed, like refilling her water bottle or making dinner while she nurses our son.

Studies have shown that mothers who receive support during pregnancy and postpartum benefit from lower stress levels; and babies get a boost to their cognitive development. While it’s nice to have science on my side, caring for my family simply feels like the right thing to do.

Matt Tuohy is a first-time dad living with his wife, son and dog in NE Portland. Outside of spending time with family, Matt enjoys exploring the outdoors as a nature photographer. Follow along as he learns on the job.

Bookshelf: Battle Prep

This school year, young readers across the state engaged in a beloved school tradition: Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB). This month, Kim Tano and Madeline Shier, the children’s book buyers at Powell’s City of Books, share four of their favorite OBOB reads for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. Look for these titles at the Burnside, Hawthorne or Cedar Hills Powell’s locations, or order online at powells.com

Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina

Chau

Marshmallow & Jordan is a middle reader graphic novel about a girl named Jordan, the star player of her school’s basketball team — until an accident leaves her paralyzed from the waist down. Jordan soon befriends a kindred spirit, an injured elephant named Marshmallow, and together they explore new sports for Jordan to play. Beautiful illustrations and wonderful character development make this a great selection for OBOB’s third through fifth grade division.

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Marlene loves books, her cool Tia Ruby and hanging out with her best friend, Camila. Her mother thinks she should only focus on school and “growing up,” which partly means spending time every weekend to straighten her hair. Once Marlene embraces her authentic self and her natural curls, she finds happiness. Frizzy is a compelling story about family and self-identity, and makes a great pick for third through fifth grade division readers.

Daughter of the Deep by

Rick Riordan Riordan

(Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles) delves into a more modern “myth” than his usual in his first standalone. Ana Dakkar, descendant of Captain Nemo, is a freshman at the famed Harding-Pencroft Marine Academy. When tragedy strikes, she and her friends (a diverse cast that highlights Riordan’s commitment to representation in fiction), may be the only ones who can save the day! On the OBOB sixth through eighth grade list.

Mom’s The Boss: The Music-Literacy Connection

“Singing and music play a crucial role in addressing the trend of lagging language skills (in young children),” says Emily Cadiz, a former teacher and the founder and CEO of Finnegan the Dragon, a new education curriculum for preschool-age children. “Song accentuates essential elements such as onset sounds, onset rhymes, and functional language. It helps with motor mapping for speech. It transcends literacy levels and language barriers. Plus … it’s just plain fun."

Finnegan the Dragon is a character-driven program that utilizes both on-screen interactive games and songs, and off-screen

Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy by Jonathan Hill

Tommy Tomkins is definitely a 100% real, human middle schooler and not a lizard boy named Booger Lizk’t whose family fled their underground home to live amongst the humans. Even being an absolutely 100% real, human boy, it’s hard to fit in, and Booger — I mean, Tommy — is a bit of a loner until he befriends Dung Tran and meets his Vietnamese American immigrant family. There are certainly no parallels between the lives of Dung Tran and Tommy Tomkins, but Booger Lizk’t feels his experience echoed in Dung. If only he could tell him the truth! This graphic novel is a wonderful read for the OBOB sixth through eighth grade division.

elements to emphasize speech, language and pre-reading skills.

“I came up with the idea for Finnegan after I suffered a traumatic brain injury in the classroom and struggled for over a year to reacquire the ability to put thoughts into words,” says Cadiz, the mother of 18-, 22- and 24-year-old daughters.

She used melodic intonation therapy during her recovery and it made her curious about whether music could help with the fundamental language and speech skills that lay the groundwork for academic success in children. It also prompted her to enroll at Portland State University for a Master’s in Inclusive Music.

MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS

DISNEY-HYPERION PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS

Pro Tips: Preventing Child Abuse

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We asked Lindsay Spaulding, the prevention health coordinator at CARES Northwest for some tips parents can use to start talking about child abuse prevention with their kids.

Start early “Child abuse prevention is something parents can begin from the moment their child is born,” says Spaulding. He notes that building a strong, safe and trusting relationship with your child is critical to prevent child abuse.

Model consent “Parents can work to prevent child abuse with young children by role modeling and talking about consent, healthy boundaries and body safety,” says Spaulding. Let kids know that their body is their own and should be respected, even by adults — and that they should respect others’ bodies as well. That might mean they don’t have to give Grandma a hug if they don’t want to — and that you as a parent respect that. Allowing them to say no also teaches them to show respect when they hear “no” from someone else, says Spaulding.

Give concrete rules “Some of these rules can be that private parts are private, that secrets about bodies are not OK, and that if something happens to our body or someone else’s body that makes us feel uncomfortable or unsafe, we tell an adult,” says Spaulding.

Check the boundaries “At CARES Northwest, we talk with parents, caregivers, and educators about looking for boundary manipulations — an adult or adolescent crossing the appropriate physical, emotional, and social boundaries between adults and kids,” says Spaulding. “Boundary manipulation can look like an adult standing too close behind kids, an adolescent asking a younger child to keep secrets, or an adult giving gifts or special attention to one

Finnegan the Dragon was her thesis project and it’s currently at 20 Head Start sites in the Portland area.

“It's imperative that we recognize the integral role of music in education and provide it with the prominence it deserves,” says Cadiz. Find out more at finngeanthedragon. com. — D.C.

child.” Spaulding also notes that parents should make sure to consider context, like if the adult is from another cultural background that does not maintain the same level of personal space.

Get help Spaulding encourages parents to call the Oregon Department of Human Services child abuse hotline at 855503-SAFE (7233) if they suspect a child is being abused. And to visit youtube.com/@caresnwprevention for more information on healthy body boundary conversations. — D.C.

PHOTOS

Secure your spot and save today at

Established in 1997, Art World School is a skill based Fine Art school that offers the following programs:

• Different individual classes for all ages/levels Mondays - Saturdays

• After School Program

• Camps on Saturdays, No School Days, Spring Camp, Summer Camp, Winter Camp

• Before Care Program starting 2024 -2025 School Year

• One-on-one and private classes

• Fine Art Drawing/Painting, Clay/Pottery, Arts & Crafts, Calligraphy, Digital Art

• In person or Online Classes

503-590-5518

18335 NW West Union Rd.

Suite 5-E, Portland, OR 97229

Schooldirector@artworldschool.com www.artworldschool.com

• Birthday Parties

• Trial class offered for new students

SING - DANCE - ACT

Ages 5-18 GAIN CONFIDENCE

HAVE FUN!

MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER CAMPS

Ages 8-10 Jul 22nd-26th Aug 5th-9th

Ages 5-7 Aug 5th-9th

Scan for more information:

spotlightmusicaltheatre.com

June 24 - August 23 |

Ages: 3-12 | 9am-3pm

Early and aftercare available

SUMMER CAMPS

2 Months of Summer Fun! Explore French, it’s fun without prerequisites!

Lego Robotics, Drumming, Science, Movie Making, Baking, Dancing, Yoga and More!

Lunches prepared by our own chef and snacks are included.

SING, PLAY, EXPLORE, LEARN, AND LAUGH

International Leadership Academy French School-PreK-5th Grade 14788 Boones Ferry Rd. Lake Oswego, OR 97035 503-662-8452

www.ilapdx.org

The Perks of Being a Subscriber

Why it pays to be a season subscriber of your favorite theater.

BY MEG ASBY

I grew up in a tiny, rural town in east Texas, and the one thing it had going for it was an unexpectedly thriving performing arts program. That’s when I fell in love with theater (and learned not to pronounce it the-yay-ter).

As a young adult and new parent, I made it a priority to take my kids to live performances like The Nutcracker, even when they were young and money was tight. I had to make sacrifices in other areas, but never once did I wonder, is this worth it? I knew from personal experience that exposure to live theater can change your whole life’s trajectory.

Now I live in Portland, Oregon, where we are flush with options for world-class live performances, and I take advantage of one of the best deals that venues have to offer: season subscriptions.

WHY BECOME A SEASON SUBSCRIBER

I’m basically evangelical about subscribing, and here’s my pitch for becoming a regular:

Save money.

Thanks to my Broadway in Portland subscription, my tickets to Hamilton were a fraction of what my friends paid. By purchasing a venue’s entire season, you receive steep discounts on all the shows, even the most popular ones. (Raise a glass — Hamilton is coming back next March!)

One of the best subscription deals in town can be found at Oregon Ballet Theatre. “With OBT’s Family Package,” says OBT Executive Director Shane Jewell, “You can save up to 50% on three full-length, family-friendly story ballets at the Keller Auditorium.” If you’re wondering if this package includes The Nutcracker, the answer is yes!

Get premium benefits.

Many venues also offer additional perks, such as priority seating, free ticket exchanges and early ticket access. Early access is my favorite bonus, because it means I can choose the best seats within my chosen price range. (Broadway in Portland, for example, offers

To book Broadway in Portland’s 2024-25 season of musicals (including Hamilton!), visit portland.broadway.com.

Subscriber

different subscriber tiers based on seating sections in the theater.)

Reduce mental labor.

Say goodbye to decision fatigue, because once you subscribe, you have planned the fun for an entire year Spend 15 minutes putting the dates on your calendar, and relax. When all your friends are setting alarms for the moment Wicked tickets go on sale, you’ll already have them in hand, at a discount.

Once you subscribe to a venue, everything is easier. You know where to park, you know where you’re sitting, and you know to bring cash for the snacks.

Support the arts.

If you don’t want to see these incredible local performances disappear due to budget shortfalls, the best thing you can do is invest in a season subscription. “We are grateful to our loyal season subscribers, who provide Broadway Rose with a stable and predictable source of revenue, which allows us to plan and budget more effectively,” says Alan Anderson, marketing director of Broadway Rose Theatre Company. This sentiment is echoed at theaters across the city.

Some venues do not offer season subscriptions, but there are still ways to support their work. At Oregon Children’s Theatre, for example, you can join the OCT Producers Circle. By becoming a monthly donor (at any level), you receive early ticketing access, complimentary booster seat rentals and coat check, and exclusive invites to OCT events, including backstage tours. Northwest Children’s Theater has a similar program that offers 10% off mainstage tickets and classes, and 5% off Catalyst programs, for a donation of at least $10 per month.

When you subscribe or donate, you become a participant in the arts community, and you are automatically exposed to new stories and perspectives. “We believe theater is fundamentally about connection, storytelling, and contributing to the vibrant tapestry of human experience,” says Ela Roman, marketing and communications director at Portland Playhouse, “and our subscribers are an integral part of bringing that to life.”

Want to see all your options in one place?

Check out our list of local venues at pdxparent.com/performing-arts-guide

HOW TO BECOME A SEASON SUBSCRIBER

Every venue has a slightly different process, but there’s one easy way to make sure you don’t miss the purchase window: Sign up for their e-newsletter. You’ll be the first to know when season subscriptions go on sale, typically in the spring.

What you get in each package also varies by venue. For example, Oregon Symphony sells three season options that are especially great for families: You can watch feature films accompanied by the live orchestra with their Popcorn Series, listen to hit songs with their Pops Series, or delight even the youngest music lover in your house with their Music for Families Series. Pro tip: Some venues only allow children over a certain age to attend, often 6 or 8, so it’s important to check before purchasing.

Whether you love dance, musicals, plays or concerts, there’s a venue ready to become your family’s favorite place to see a show. Go make some memories.

JOAN MARCUS

What’s on Stage

Don’t want to wait for next season? You can purchase tickets to these familyfriendly shows right now.

APRIL

A Year with Frog and Toad

Northwest Children’s Theater at The Judy nwcts.org

Ages 4+

Arnold Lobel’s characters Frog and Toad are absolute treasures and ahead of their time — and now they’re in a musical! Enjoy a jazzy, upbeat score, and celebrate these special amphibians with your children.

April 6-28

Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am and 2:30 pm

Wands & Wizards

Oregon Symphony at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall orsymphony.org

Ages 5-10

This hour-long, family-friendly performance features music from Harry Potter. It’s the perfect way to introduce your children to the symphony.

April 14

Sunday, 2 pm

She Persisted: The Musical

Oregon Children’s Theatre at the Newmark Theatre octc.org

Ages 6+

Travel through time with fourth-grader Naomi as she encounters incredible women throughout history.

April 28 to May 26

Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am and 2 pm

Paw Patrol LIVE! Heroes Unite Veterans Memorial Coliseum rosequarter.com

Ages 1-6

If Paw Patrol is the reason you’re able to make dinner in peace on a Saturday night, get ready to level up your child’s experience at this unforgettable live event.

April 20-21

Saturday, 10 am, 2 pm; Sunday 11 am, 3 pm

Family Matinee Series: Oregon Ballet Theatre OBT2

Sherwood Center for the Arts sherwoodcenterforthearts.org

All ages

This family matinee performed by top-level student dancers of Oregon Ballet Theatre School costs only $5 to attend.

April 28

Sunday, 3 pm

New Music Program

Kids benefit in so many ways from being involved in the arts. And that’s why Pier 2 Peers is hosting a new music program for at-risk teens and youth. Pier 2 Peers partners underserved youth with musicians, recording artists and audiovisual specialists as an outreach platform creating exposure to new opportunities for anyone needing a place to feel seen.

MAY

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Portland Ballet at Lincoln Hall theportlandballet.org

All ages

Both amusing and elegant, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s popular comedy will delight the entire family.

May 11

Saturday, 1 pm, 5 pm

Annie Broadway in Portland at the Keller Auditorium portland.broadway.com

Ages 6+

Get a much needed dose of sunshine when you share this special musical with your kids for the first time.

May 14-19

Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2 pm and Sundays at 1 pm; Sunday evening performance at 6:30 pm

The program, facilitated by youth music organization, Keys Beats Bars, started for incarcerated youth and now has expanded for teens in foster care and in drug/alcohol recovery, and for youth experiencing homelessness or in housing transition. Pier 2 Peers hopes to expand their offerings in the future.

The weekly meetups happen at the Propulsion Zone (818 SW 1st Ave.) in downtown every Wednesday from 4:30-6:30 pm. Pier 2 Peers is disability affirmative, free to all youth and young adults ages 14 to 25, and always serves free snacks and drinks. Find out more at keysbeatsbars.org.  — Denise Castañon

Go, Dog. Go!

Northwest Children’s Theater at The Judy nwcts.org

Ages 3+

Dog lovers of all ages will be delighted by this colorful, energetic show, adapted from the classic picture book by P.D. Eastman.

May 18-June 9

Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am and 2:30 pm

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Part I in Concert

Oregon Symphony orsymphony.org

PG-13

Watch your favorite Harry Potter film accompanied by a live symphony! This popular event is part of Oregon Symphony’s Popcorn Series package; it sells out quickly, so don’t wait.

May 24-26

Friday and Saturday, 7:30 pm, Sunday, 2 pm

JUNE

Shine the Light: A Community Celebration

The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts thereser.org

All ages

This free performance at The Reser includes art activities and performances by local artists and organizations.

June 1

Saturday, 11 am

Made in Portland

Oregon Ballet Theatre at the Newmark Theatre obt.org

Ages 3+ allowed; most enjoyed by older children, teens and adults

Celebrate our incredible city with the second installment of OBT’s popular performance. This year’s show features the nationally recognized Portland high school dance troupe, The Jefferson Dancers.

June 6-9

Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 pm, Saturday 2 pm, Sunday 12 pm

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Portland Playhouse portlandplayhouse.org

All ages

Roald Dahl’s brilliant heroine is coming to Portland Playhouse in this musical adaptation. The performance space, a former church, is intimate and beautiful, and concessions and complimentary beer are offered at every performance.

June 7-30

Select days, 2 pm and 7 pm

Landscapes

Metropolitan Youth Symphony at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall playmys.org

Ages 7+, or any child able to sit quietly Don’t miss this year’s season finale by the talented students of Metropolitan Youth Symphony, which includes Portland Beauty, Appalachian Spring: Suite, and Intermezzo from La Boda De Luis Alonso

June 16

Sunday, 7:30 pm

As of press time, tickets were available for all performances listed. Check respective websites for availability.

Meg Asby is a writer based in Portland. She has three part-time jobs (including being PDX Parent’s web content coordinator), two children, and one dog, but she always makes time for live performances.

What if cost is a barrier?

It takes a little extra effort to see shows on a tight budget, but it absolutely can be done. Here are ways to save big:

• Split a season package with a friend.

• Skip the annual vacation and invest in year-round fun instead.

• Ask for tickets as a holiday or birthday gift.

• Take advantage of pay-what-youwish nights at Portland Center Stage and Portland Playhouse.

• Buy discounted rush tickets an hour before showtime at venues across the city.

• Cash in your child’s summer reading coupons from the library.

• Utilize your library’s free cultural pass program.

• If you qualify, purchase $5 Arts for All tickets.

Paint the Town

Here are 10 places where your kid — and even you — can paint pottery, canvas, recycled objects and much more. Let those creative juices flow!

Curating Change

These performers of color ensure every Portland kiddo sees themselves represented.

Nikki Brown Clown is Portland’s renowned Black clown, and is a children’s literacy advocate. Nikkibrownclown.com.

Joe Kye of Hi Joe Kye! is a musician — for kids and adults — and contributor to The Woori Show, a Korean-American children’s series on YouTube. Joekye.com/hijoekye and woorishow.org

Angel Ocasio has many titles, including physical comedian, ukulele player, actor and, since 2011, the Portland Rose Festival’s Clown Prince. Ocomedy. com

Montrell “Chillin’ the Poet” Goss helps empower Portland youth through poetry lessons and arts and crafts. Chillinscreations.com.

Half of the clowning, tall-bike riding duo, Olive & Dingo, Dingo Dizmal has been entertaining kiddos for years. Oliveanddingo.wordpress.com.

Oscar Murden of Micah & Me, as well as the Awesome Possum Party Band, wows young audiences with his vocal, bass and ukulele stylings. Micahandmerocks.com — T.H.

2. Creative Culture Studio Paint and enjoy a giant, gourmet milkshake. Creativeculturediy.com.

3. Mimosa Studios A paint-your-own pottery studio; they also have to-go painting kits. Mimosastudios.com.

4. Portland Child Art Studio Book a painting class, camp or birthday party. Portlandchildart.org

1. Art World School Known for its fine art classes. Artworldschool.com.

7. Whimsy Wees Art Studio Paint during the open studio, after-school club, class or camp. Whimsywees.com

8. Venvino Art Studios Paint on canvas, pottery, wood or glass here. Venvinoartstudios.com.

5. CHAP For children with a medical challenge — and their siblings — join the weekly art club. Chappdx.org.

VIBE OF PORTLAND

ART WORLD SCHOOL

AWAKE COFFEE & ART

CHAP

NIKKI BROWN CLOWN

10. One River School Book a painting-specific class for ages pre-K to 12th grade. Lakeoswego. oneriverschool.com — Tiffany Hill

9. Vibe of Portland Classes, art clubs and camps at one of Vibe’s three locations. Vibepdx.org.

6. Awake Coffee & Art Enjoy a cup of coffee while your little paints. Awakecoffeeart.com

Artist Profile: Aaron Nigel Smith Arts special section

Local music legend Aaron Nigel Smith’s list of accomplishments is long and substantial. The father of two adult children, he has developed music education curricula for preschoolers to high schoolers; was a guest composer on PBS Kids’ Between the Lions; founded an international youth arts nonprofit; organized the Rox in Sox kids’ music festival in Portland from 2013 to 2017; and has recorded 10 Reggae albums, including with his buddy Andy Furgeson, aka Red Yarn. Now he’s bringing all those years of musiccentered expertise to The Patricia Reser Center for the Performing Arts in Beaverton as its education and community programs manager. And all the families in the metro area are benefitting.

Smith says he first heard about the job from a local music publicist who encouraged him to meet with the folks from The Reser. “Between the classes I’ve taught and the festivals I’ve

Find tickets for the Alphabet Rockers at thereser.org/event/ alphabet-rockers.

produced, and the albums I’ve dropped — all the community work I’ve aimed to do over the years — this type of position is really a great application of my skills. It feels like the perfect match.”

Smith and The Reser are very intentional about providing diverse programming, which is especially key in Beaverton, which has larger populations of Latinx and Asian families than Portland proper. “We are fortunately becoming known as a welcoming and open space, for opening our doors to diverse artists around the world,” says Smith.

And Smith has a vast network of artists to draw upon. Fellow kindie musician Ashli St. Armant (aka Jazzy Ash) presented her new show about the Underground Railroad, North the Musical, at The Reser. He worked on bringing Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story to the stage. And up this month on April 6 are the Alphabet Rockers, kindie hip hop artists with a social justice bent. His first big endeavor at The Reser was Musical Playground in September 2023. The ambitious, interactive family music event included lessons from local arts organizations, karaoke, symphony storytime and a musical instrument museum. “I projected maybe 300, 350 would show up and we had probably over 700,” says Smith.

Smith will be bringing back Musical Playground this summer. And this fall be on the lookout for a series of world-music workshops for beginners. “I can imagine in a perfect scenario, grandparents and their grandkids, or parents and their kids taking the opportunity to learn a musical instrument together,” says Smith. Expect offerings such as Middle Eastern music, taiko drumming or Haitian drumming.

Smith’s work at The Reser does mean he’s not recording or performing as much as he used to, but he’s still got two exciting projects in the works, including a followup Smith & Yarn collaboration with Red Yarn. His other big project is drawing on his roots as a classical voice major. “I was a recipient of the Creative Heights grant from the Oregon Community Foundation and I am composing an opera,” he says.

Smith’s folk opera will celebrate the life of York the Explorer, a member of the Corps of Discovery who made significant contributions to the Lewis and Clark expedition and was William Clark’s enslaved servant. It will be presented at The Reser in the fall of 2025.

When asked what he likes best about his role at The Reser he notes the team mentality and support he feels. “I feel like I stepped into a family,” says Smith. — D.C.

AARON NIGEL SMITH

CHILLIN’ THE POET

ANGEL OCASIO

HI JOE KYE!

Arts&Entertainment

ARTS & CRAFTS

Winner SCRAP Creative Reuse

1736 SW Alder St., portland.scrapcreativereuse.org

When the need to craft arises, SCRAP Creative Reuse has it all, and then some. And everything that makes its way to the reuse center was donated: yarn, fabric, paper, scrapbooking supplies, wood and metal — even vintage ephemera. As the folks at SCRAP say, the hunt is part of the fun!

Top 5 Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP)

Craft Factory

Drawn2Art Lake Oswego

Owl & Bee Clay Co.

Portland Child Art Studio

PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY

Winner Oregon Children’s Theatre

Multiple locations; octc.org

Each season, this beloved children’s theater reaches more than 120,000 kids, tweens and teens and their families locally through their top-notch performances — don’t miss She

Persisted: The Musical this month! — and classes and camps for ages 3 to 18.

Top 5

Echo Theater Company

Lovegood Performing Arts Company

Northwest Children’s Theater and School

Oregon Ballet Theatre

Oregon Symphony

KID - FRIENDLY MOVIE THEATER

Winner McMenamins Kennedy School

5736 NE 33rd Ave., mcmenamins.com/ kennedy-school/kennedy-school-theater Going out to the movies is expensive. But with tickets at $6 for adults and $4 for kiddos 12 and under (and free for ages 2 and under!) watching a movie on the big screen doesn’t have to break the bank. And an order of piping-hot tots makes it even better.

Top 5

Academy Theater

Electric Castle’s Wunderland Cinema and Nickel Games

Family Cinema at The Judy

Hollywood Theater

McMenamins Bagdad Theater & Pub

SCRAP CREATIVE REUSE

Let’s Talk About Sex (Ed)

Today’s middle school health class covers evergreen puberty basics in a way that might be much different from the way parents were taught. And that’s a good thing.

BY SARAH VANBUSKIRK

Parents of middle schoolers often wonder what their kids are learning in health class, particularly when it comes to sexual education. Information on the sex ed curriculum may come home, but it usually doesn’t give many details — and most kids don’t provide much intel on what they’re talking about in class either. If you have specific questions, your child’s health teacher is a great resource. To help fill the gaps, here’s our primer on the basics of sex ed instruction in middle school.

Health class is much different than when we were tweens and teens. In addition to the expected basics of anatomy, puberty, reproduction, pregnancy, birth control, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), many new topics are covered — and in different ways. For starters, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are now called STIs. Additionally, today’s students learn about healthy relationships, consent, gender identity, inclusivity, sexual identity, emotional health, child sexual abuse prevention, sexting, bullying, social media and more.

While some of these concepts are introduced in elementary school, more comprehensive information is presented in middle school. In sixth grade, the discussion of additional sex ed topics begins. In each successive year, the curriculum becomes more detailed and sex ed

subjects are addressed in greater depth.

“One of our primary areas of focus with sex ed is to start with growth and development, particularly with our younger students,” says Jenny Withycombe, Ph.D., Portland Public School’s assistant director for health and adapted/physical education PK-12.

This instruction includes discussion of how our bodies, minds and hearts change over time. “The goal is to normalize this process,” says Withycombe.

In the past, sex ed in middle school or high school used a “fear tactic” approach, as in “if you have sex, you will get pregnant or a disease and the world will end,” says Withycombe. “We are trying to change this approach.”

The new focus is to be inclusive, open-minded, and normalize the changes and feelings kids are experiencing, so that they don’t feel like they are the only ones going through puberty — and all the other changes middle schoolers deal with.

Every kid, whether they are trans, LGBTQ+, straight, or unsure, is welcomed into this new sex ed. For example, the middle school curriculum explores “the differences between biological sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.” Additionally, types of contraception, physical affection, and how reproduction works

are explained — and myths about STIs are debunked. The lessons explore “how sexuality includes a multitude of sexual expressions and behaviors that are a normal part of being human.”

The primary curriculum used in PPS is called Rights, Respect, Responsibility. Another one that some schools use is called Get Real Information about the district’s sex education program can be found on the at pps.net/Page/16164 and from your child’s health teacher.

Middle school sex ed content builds upon the foundations set in elementary school. “We have changed the timing of puberty lessons to the end of fourth grade to accommodate that many kids are going through puberty earlier,” says Withycombe. In fifth grade, sex ed teaches more about the body changes that are coming and how feelings around relationships are changing. “We also are adding some components around technology safety and respect — it’s a whole new world.”

As kids move into sixth grade, the previous topics are revisited in greater depth and detail. “Additionally, the content goes more into consent, relationships, boundaries, liking, loving, and what these pieces mean,” says Withycombe.

“Crushes, puberty, and a little bit of anatomy are also covered in sixth grade sex ed,” says Rebecca Darling-Budner, a middle school health teacher at Mt. Tabor Middle School. She also aims to help get the kids comfortable talking about sex, relationships and puberty. “My favorite quote is ‘If you can’t talk about it, you shouldn’t be doing it.’

Additionally, I tell them, ‘If you can’t do it sober, then you shouldn’t be doing it,’” says Darling-Budner.

In seventh and eighth, teachers introduce more content about sex, sexual and gender identities, STIs, and decision-making and goal setting around relationships, sex, and sexual health. How to make good decisions and cope with pressure from friends or romantic partners is also covered. By the end of eighth grade, the class will go over the nitty-gritty of things like how to put on condoms.

“My goal is for them to talk about sex so much that it’s almost boring, just like talking about the weather,” says Darling-Budner.

Another goal is to lay the foundations in middle school for positive skill-building, communication, and decision-making in high school, says Withycombe.

“Fifty percent of high school students report having engaged in sexual intercourse, so it’s important to engage in conversations for a range of experiences,” says Withycombe. The aim is to help students make healthy, informed decisions that work best for their values and goals, she explains.

“If there is one change I can really point to, it’s that we really want to help folks understand that there is a range of values and choices. It’s not our job to say what are the right or wrong choices, but to support them as they make their choices,” says Withycombe.

“I don’t just use the word consent,” adds Darling-Budner. “Instead, they should look for enthusiastic consent or verbal consent at least for the first few months of the dating experience or relationship.”

If families are not comfortable with any part of the curriculum, they can always ask for their kids not to participate. Many parents are hesitant at first, but after having a conversation with their child’s teacher and learning more about the lessons, they see how different it is compared to what they thought it would be. And often allow their kids to stay in class. “It’s very rare to opt out. We get maybe just five to 10 each year,” says Withycombe.

Rebecca Darling-Budner, a middle school health teacher at Mt. Tabor Middle School, aims to help get the kids comfortable talking about sex, relationships and puberty. “My favorite quote is ‘If you can’t talk about it, you shouldn’t be doing it.”

“I’m really, really proud of our comprehensive health education at PPS and sex ed in particular,” says Withycombe. Young people’s lives are changing so fast, such as with technology, sexting, and vaping, and teachers work as quickly as they can to adapt the curriculum, says Withycombe. “We try to be a leader in this area.”

Sarah Vanbuskirk is a writer and editor based in Portland. She is the mother of five kids and is writing a book about dating at 50.

Our Children’s House Program nurtures your child’s intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social development through a beautifully prepared environment, experiential education, and cultivating a safe, respectful climate for independent choice.

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•

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• Earth experiences

• Before and after care

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We are a new SE Portland Preschool that integrates a Buddhist Worldview, Montessori Pedagogy with a strong connection to Nature. We support the development of the Good Heart and the potential of all beings in a community of care, love, and respect.

www.tara-school.org

email: info@tara-school.org

Our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes are designed for children leaving the warmth of home to join the school community.

The children bake bread, paint, draw, garden, cut vegetables, make soup, and importantly, become stewards of their classrooms where they care and support one another

Baby Got

Beats

If You Go

Thursdays, 10-10:45 am Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont St. Earthtonesnw.com/birdie-beats $10-$20 suggested donation per family

Your little will love movin’ and groovin’ at the weekly Birdie Beats baby and toddler music class.

STORY AND PHOTO BY TIFFANY HILL

One of my baby’s favorite pastimes is shaking his toys, utterly delighted by their sounds as he waves and flaps. So when Birdie Beats, a weekly drop-in baby and toddler music class popped up on my Instagram feed, I knew we had to go.

Birdie Beats is part of Earthtones Northwest, an organization that offers music and art therapy. Their music studio is located in Taborspace, and last August they launched Birdie Beats aimed for families with children ages 3 months to 4 years old.

The weekly music class takes place in the front of the church sanctuary. My husband, son and I

arrived just as class was beginning. About two dozen littles and their parents formed a wide circle cascading down the church steps. Maggie Johnson, the music therapy director of Earthtones, was softly strumming on a guitar as everyone got settled. With her was Ethan, a music intern therapist.

when a bag of rattles and egg shakers was passed around.

My son was enamored. The entire class he was wide-eyed, watching Maggie on the guitar and peering up at the lantern lights hanging from the wood ceiling rafters. Watching him look and smile at the other babies was a sweet added bonus.

I appreciated how informal the class was. The babies were free to crawl and walk around as much as they wanted. One new walker came and said hello to each baby, before darting down a row of pews. And when another took more than one colorful scarf for a song about blooming flowers, that was OK, too.

Similar to how it began, the class ended with a goodbye song. The shakers and scarves were collected, but we didn’t feel rushed to leave. By then, our son was doing the slow blink, signaling he was ready to nap. Almost immediately after being buckled into his car seat, he was fast asleep. Fun, engaging songs in a calm environment — followed by an easy nap — I call that a parenting win.

More Baby Outings

Baby Blockbusters at McMenamins

Kennedy School happens every Monday and Thursday, during the first show of the day. Parents can catch a movie — with lower volumes and brighter lighting — without having to worry about a potentially fussy baby.  Mcmenamins.com/kennedy-school/ kennedy-school-theater.

Multnomah County libraries host Book Babies, a free 30-minute storytime and songs just for littles under 1. For older babies, there’s Toddler Storytime. Library systems in Washington, Clackamas and Fort Vancouver counties also have similar programming. Check their websites for details.

There were about two dozen children, most between the ages of 1 and 2 years old (my son, 7 months, was the youngest). Maggie started us off with a hello song, where everyone introduced themselves and their little. Next, we sang about fruits in a tropical smoothie. (One week later, and my husband and I still catch ourselves singing it.) We moved on to a song about a chicken and an egg, made even more exciting

Ready, Set, Grow offers Baby & Me yoga classes and Babywearing Dance in its Concordia studio. Andreadysetgrow.com.

PDX Parent’s Managing Editor, Tiffany Hill, is a first-time mom to a happy baby boy. She still has the catchy tune about mangoes, kiwis and bananas stuck in her head.

APRIL 2024

Go. Play. Explore.

down to earth

This Earth Day, lend a hand and clean the land. All over the state, volunteers will be picking up trash for SOLVE’s Oregon Spring Cleanup. April 13-22. Find a cleanup near you at: volunteer.solveoregon. org/oregon-spring.

Head to Multnomah Village in Southwest Portland for the annual Earth Day event. Families can help clean up the village and local parks. There’s also free facepainting and kids can paint a flower pot and take home a free plant. Saturday, April 20, 10 am-4 pm. 7829 SW Capitol Hwy. Email hello@ thebutterflyeffectartspace.com for more info.

Or hit Portland State University’s Learning Gardens Lab for its annual Earth Day Fair with activities for all ages. Saturday, April 20, 11 am-3pm. 6745 SE 60th Ave. — Denise Castañon

cream of the crop

Get your fill of cute farm animals at Oregon Ag Fest! The two-day event aims to help families better understand where their food, fiber and flora come from, and provides plenty of hands-on exhibits for kids including pony rides, planting activities, a petting zoo, tractor races and much more. Saturday, April 27, 8:30 am-5 pm and Sunday, April 28, 10 am-5 pm. Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. Free admission for children 15 and younger. $15 admission for those 16 and older. Free parking. Oragfest. com. — D.C.

Find more family fun on our online calendar: pdxparent.com/events-calendar. Be sure to confirm the most up-to-date info with event organizers before heading out.

Top 3 Free Soak up some art this month — for zero dollars!

Kids can see the current exhibit, learn about artists’ style techniques, and do a hands-on activity at the Free Saturday Art Class at The Lobby at the Ellen Browning Building. Pro tip: Each child goes home with a special tote bag filled with supplies, too! At least one grown-up must accompany every family of children. Email gallery@ ellenbrowningbuilding. com if you plan to attend. Saturday, April 6, noon-2 pm. The Lobby at Ellen Browning Building, 2871 SE Division St.

OMSI

OREGON

AGFEST

THE LOBBY

dino-mite

If you’ve got a dino lover in the house, get to OMSI for its new Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family exhibit. Sure everyone knows the T-Rex, but tyrannosaurs came in all shapes and sizes and lived in different parts of the world. In addition to gawking at three full life-sized skeletons of a daspletosaurus, albertosaurus and lythronax, your family can play with life-size dinosaurs in an interactive, augmented-reality experience and more. Exhibit runs now through September 8. Museum admission, including access to Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family: adult: $19; youth (ages 3-13): $14; senior (age 63+): $16. Free for OMSI Members. Find out more at omsi.edu — D.C.

The Portland Art Museum has brought back its monthly free admission day! While kids 17 and younger are always free, the first Thursday of the month is your chance to get free admission, too. 1219 SW Park Ave. 10 am-8 pm. Portlandartmuseum.

org

And after visiting PAM, catch the Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize winners’ and Labor of Love exhibits at the tucked away Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. (It’s a 10-minute walk from Portland Art Museum). Admission is always free. 1855 SW Broadway. Located on the PSU campus in Fariborz Maseeh Hall; visitor entrance is on the first floor. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am-5 pm. Pdx.edu/ museum-of-art. — D.C.

Preschool, Kindergarten & Childcare Center

4845 SW Murray Boulevard, Beaverton, OR 97005 503-644-1466 | sunshine-montessori.com

Ages: 2 years through Kindergarten

Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm (Mon - Fri)

• Locally owned and operated

• Serving the community since 1996

• Qualified & consistent staff

525 SW 150th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 503-626-0457 | www.nwlearning.com

Ages: Infant through Kindergarten

Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm (Mon - Fri)

Early Learning School

14950 SW Osprey Drive, Beaverton, OR 97007 503-579-0600 | childs-place.com

Ages: Infant through Kindergarten

Hours 7:00 am - 6:00 pm (Mon - Fri)

• Large outdoor play areas

• Snacks & lunch prepared and served daily

Preschool, Kindergarten & Childcare Center 17650 SW Alexander Street, Aloha, OR 97003 503-591-9660 | www.mayflower-montessori.com

Ages: Infant through Kindergarten

Hours: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm (Mon - Fri)