WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
On May 30, 1942, a catastrophic flood destroyed homes and displaced the residents of Vanport City, Oregon—the second largest city in the state at the time. This six-day festival is jam-packed with vital, interactive, and educational events including multiple art exhibits, a Black Panther Party legacy tour, Confluence Story Gathering elevating indigenous voices and tales, screenings, a public forum drawing a comparison between Vanport and Katrina, and much more. Festival kicks off at City Hall on Wednesday, May 23 at 10:15 am with a historic, official commemoration for this Vanport Day of Remembrance. See full schedule at vanportmosaic.org/schedule. Various locations, May 23-28, all day, FREE
McMenamins Friends & Family Night
Chow down burgers, chug beer, and consider throwing in on a round of pool at this benefit for Lift Urban hosted by McMenamins. Lift Urban has been fighting hunger since 1985, distributing food, operating food banks and drives, and more. Half of all sales will be donated to the cause. McMenamins Tavern & Pool, 1716 NW 23rd, 5 pm-midnight, FREE
Organize to Fight for Disability Justice Now
A lack of accessible and affordable housing can lead to institutionalized living, especially for people with disabilities. Learn how to be an active disability rights advocate and to communicate in group home settings by attending this public dialogue led by Oregon CareWorks and Real Choice Initiative. SEIU Local, 6401 SE Foster, 6-8 pm, FREE
Repulsing the Monkey
Pull up a seat and immerse yourself in an evening for learning about gentrification through the arts. ROSE Community Development and Passin’ Art, an African American theater production company, have teamed up to debut Repulsing the Monkey. Expect complimentary refreshments as well as engaging discourse following the performance. Team Center, 9201 SE Foster, Mon-Wed May 21-23, 7-8:30 pm; Mon-Wed May 28-30, 7-8:30 pm; $5-15 sliding scale
FRIDAY, MAY 25
Emergency Protest: Stop the NRA and Stand with the Dead
Oregon Students Empowered is hosting an emergency rally to honor the victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting and to plea for stricter gun laws. According to CNN, the Santa Fe shooting is the 12th school shooting since the Parkland tragedy in February, and the 22nd school shooting since the year began. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th, 1:30 pm, FREE
SATURDAY, MAY 26
Nalgona Positivity Pride Talk and Pop Up Shop
In 2014, Gloria Lucas launched Nalgona Positivity Pride (NPP) to discuss and analyze the intersections of eating disorders, people of color, and colonization. Nalgona is Spanish slang for big bootied, and NPP reclaims the word. Thanks to conversations generated by Lucas and likeminded survivors, the falsehoods that eating disorders only affect white people are long gone. Bring cash for entry and sweet swag. In Other Words Feminist Community Center, 14 NE Killingsworth, 6-8:30 pm, $5-25 sliding scale
Kangaroo Screening and Benefit for Youth for the Voiceless
Some Australian farmers think kangaroos are pests that should be eradicated in the name of crops. Kangaroo zooms in on the meat industry and the killing of kangaroos down under. Certain extinction claims have been questioned by scientists and publications like the Guardian since its debut, but it’s an eye-opening film nonetheless. Proceeds benefit Youth for the Voiceless animal advocacy group. Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton, 2-4 pm, $10 suggested donation
SUNDAY, MAY 27
Depensahan! A Reportback from the Philippines
Several members of Filipino/human rights organizations traveled to the Philippines last fall to hear directly from the people about how people living in the US can support their struggles and fight for peace. Hear from six Portland-based speakers representing Pinoy Vanport Ministries, Portland Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, GABRIELA Portland, and Anakbayan Portland share stories about their experiences. Free food and childcare will be provided. Smith Memorial Student Union at Portland State University, 1825 SW Broadway, Room 327, 1:30-5 pm, FREE
MONDAY, MAY 28
Vegan Bake Sale and Adoption Event
BYO baked goods to sell in the name of Northwest Animal Companions Oregon, an entirely volunteer-run nonprofit rescue for fur babies. Sign up online through the Facebook event page if you’re baking, or if you’d rather just devour desserts instead, be sure to bring cash and a to-go container to cut down on waste. Cherokee Rose Inn, 2924 SE Alder, 1-5 pm, FREE
TUESDAY, MAY 29
Presentation and Art Show:
Love Without Borders for Refugees in Need
Every piece of art sold at this one-day exhibit will benefit the artists working with Love Without Borders for Refugees in Need. This grassroots organization offers free art space and supplies to Syrian refugees living in Greece, and of the 60 items for sale, about 60 percent are adult-made while the rest are made by youth. All proceeds will benefit the original artists. F&B Café, 804 NW Couch, 7 am-6 pm, FREE
ServeHope Portland Ramadan Iftar
Join Palestinian chef Abeer Najjar alongside friends new and old for Iftar. Najjar will demonstrate preparation for a delicious dessert to be enjoyed by guests. All proceeds benefit Anera, an organization that sends food and relief to families living in Palestine and Lebanon. Cascadia Commons, 4377 SW 94th, 8-10:30 pm, $35-50
Submit your events to calendar@portlandmercury.com
