THURSDAY, MARCH 28
Albina Queens Photography Exhibit
Joy Alise Davis craved a series that disrupted and celebrated the expansive constructs of Black femininity. If you missed the exhibit’s debut, you can see her project on display until Friday, March 29, featuring nearly 100 women, nonbinary, and femme-identified folks photographed by Rob Lewis. Pre-order the coffee table book online at paalfactionfund.org. The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th, 11 am-3 pm, FREE
Transgender Day of Visibility
Celebrate the trans community in good company: This afternoon rally will feature a discussion with trans panelists, a performance by the Acchord a capella group, and a ceremony officially designating the day as Transgender Day of Visibility in Portland. Portland City Hall, 1001 SW 5th, 2-3 pm, FREE
AWP Offsite: From the Edges
While there are dozens of worthy AWP offsite events happening through Saturday, March 30, this reading—featuring writers Carmen Maria Machado, Alexander Chee, and Lidia Yuknavitch—is sure to knock off your socks. Corporeal Writing, 510 SW 3rd, 7-9 pm, FREE
FRIDAY, MARCH 29
No Fair/Fair
The Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference is the crème de la crème of writing conferences, but the sizeable registration fee can be costly and inaccessible. No Fair/Fair is vocally “not anti-AWP,” but rather seeks to offer an alternative to the small presses who love books but can’t quite swing AWP. The book fair features 25 presses plus readings with more than 60 writers. Read more in the Mercury’s Spring Arts Guide. Bakery Building, 2222 NE Oregon, Fri March 29 & Sat March 30, noon-5 pm daily, FREE
SATURDAY, MARCH 30
A-AM Conversation for African American Men with Rev. Seko
Join the Portland NAACP for a discussion about the racist DoubleTree hotel incident late last year at this “conversation with Black Men, for Black Men, about Black Men.” Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth, noon-4 pm, FREE
AWP Offsite: Women Writers Against Trumpu
Six women writers read radical works at this event co-hosted by Gertrude, a literary journal for LGBTQ+ voices. Readers include Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo, Carol Potter, and Leni Zumas. Ford Food & Drink, 2505 SE 11th, 7-10 pm, FREE
SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Stand with Immigrants and Refugees
Help raise money for Portland Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (PIRC) so they can continue to work for policy change and offer hotlines, rapid response teams, and educational resources for/about immigrants, refugees, and social justice. This event will feature music and readings, plus snacks and tasty beverages. Milagro, 525 SE Stark, 6:30-8 pm, $20 suggested donation
Do Right Sunday: A Benefit and Hang for Commotion PDX
Get down to some slinky sounds provided by DJs Shi Shi and Black Daria of XRAY.fm’s Everyday Mixtapes at the latest installment of Do Right Sunday. Ten percent of proceeds benefit Commotion PDX, a community-led multicultural movement studio in Cully. Dig a Pony, 736 SE Grand, 8 pm-midnight, FREE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
Visionary Awards Reception
Celebrate another year of vital community support provided by Call to Safety, a nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence since 1972. Each ticket includes two drink tokens, food, and admission to the reception, which has included speakers, raffles, and music in the past. Lagunitas Community Room, 237 NE Broadway, 6-9 pm, $30
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
Exiled to Nowhere: A Symposium on the Rohingya Crisis
Rohingya refugees have faced persecution, violence, and death in a crisis deemed ethnic cleansing and genocide by the United Nations. This exhibit shares the stories and experiences of Rohingya Muslims and offers opportunities to learn from panels and lectures. Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park, April 5-May 9; see ohs.org/events for full schedule, FREE
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
Paying It Forward Store
The Paying It Forward Store sets up a free shop every first Saturday for people looking for clothing, shoes, pet supplies, bedding, and more. This entirely volunteer-run outfit needs all hands on deck, so sign up for a slot to help out, or just show up for some judgment-free shopping. See Facebook event for volunteer info. Living Hope Baptist Church, 3130 SE 148th, 8 am-6 pm, FREE
Brown Girl Rise (BGR) Open House
BGR is a completely free, inclusive “sisterhood of girls of color” in Portland that offers programming exposing BIPOC girls to the outdoors, community, health, and much more. Learn more about the program and how to sign up or volunteer at this open hour. Dismantle Change Build Center, 14 NE Killingsworth, noon-2 pm, FREE
Animal Aid’s Pop-Up Pub
Support another year of an amazing no-kill animal rescue by enjoying an evening of 21-and-up fun featuring vegetarian/vegan pizza, board games, trivia, a “pawsome” auction, and more! Lagunitas Community Room, 237 NE Broadway, 5-8 pm, $30-$40
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
A New Vision for Wildfire Planning
Wildfires across the West have increased in frequency over the past decade, and wildfire seasons have become steadily longer. Author Ashlee Fox and conservation nonprofit 1000 Friends of Oregon believe it doesn’t have to be this way. Learn more about the future of Oregon’s wildfires over refreshments and an engaging presentation prepared by Fox. RSVP at bit.ly/WildfireEvent by April 5. Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock, 4-6 pm, FREE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
My Body, My Pleasure: Reclaiming Sexual Empowerment After Trauma
Healing after sexual trauma isn’t easy, and the Queer Resource Center will facilitate a discussion focusing on how survivors navigate reclaiming their bodies and sexuality. Topics include masturbation, safe porn, and kinks at this conversation open to all survivors in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Smith Memorial Student Union at PSU, 1825 SW Broadway, Room 458, 3-4:30 pm, FREE
