THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Friends of the IPRC Benefit Show with Amenta Abioto, Brown Calculus, and DJ Cuica
This fundraiser invites musicians to share a stage in support of the Independent Publishing Resource Center. While the IPRC may be known as a place for writers and printmakers to produce art, itâs also a place for musicians to create flyers, merch, and more. Happy hour tickets include one drink, admission to the main show, and a special set by guitarist Marisa Anderson. (Village Ballroom, 704 NE Dekum, 6:30 pm, $15-25)
We Are the Resilient Launch Event
This immersive fashion show is a collaboration between No End of Designsâ Palani BearGhost, neo-contemporary Navajo artist Randy Barton, and muralist/painter Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith. Catch fly designs, performances by the House of Ada, Chanti Darling, and DJ VNPRT, and food by Mixteca Catering. (Desert Island Studios, 645 N Tillamook, 6:30 pm, $10)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8
We Are What We Eat: A Food & Race Workshop
What do food and race have to do with each other? Everything! Learn about the systemic inequities built into the food system, issues of food access and representation, and action plans for building community and enacting change at this training hosted by Resolutions Northwest. Eating consciously with regards to organic and locally-sourced foods is a great first step, but this workshop encourages attendees to dive in even deeper. (Zenger Farm, 11741 SE Foster, 9 am, FREE for BIPOC; $160 for white participants)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Sisters of the Road 40th Anniversary Fundraiser
Celebrate four decades of radical hospitality from Sisters of the Road at this vegetarian feast. What started as a cafĂ© to feed Portlandâs houseless community has flourished to include award-winning work covering policy advocacy, research, the publication of a book, and more. Special guests include Darcelle XV, co-founder Genny Nelson, and more. Be there or consider sponsoring a ticket! (Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N Tillamook, 5 pm, $100)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Defend DACA, #HomeisHere Rally
The future of DACA, and its 700,000 recipients, is in dangerâagain. As the Trump administration threatens to cease the program, the National Immigration Law Center and activists across the country are rallying in support of fellow community members. Today, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments on the proposed termination. Show your support by showing up and listening to stories from undocumented Oregonians. (Terry D. Schrunk Plaza, 364 SW Madison, 10:30 am, FREE)
Monthly Keaton Otis Vigil
Remember the life of Keaton Otisâa young Black Portlander who was killed by police in May 2012. This monthly vigil was started by Otisâ father who passed away in 2013 and continues to be hosted by community members. NE 6th and NE Halsey, 6 pm, FREE
Pizza for Nonprofits: Fundraiser for Write Around Portland
Go ahead and treat yourself to some tasty âza in support of Write Around Portland. Fifteen percent of all deliveries, dine-ins, and to-go orders from Hotlips Pizzaâs Hawthorne location will be donated to the community-centric literary non-profit. (Hotlips Pizza, 2211 SE Hawthorne, 4 pm)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Ray Warren Symposium Keynote
In the words of late, great Whitney Houston, âI believe the children are our future.â And the children know a future is only guaranteed if radical action is taken on a climate change front. If you canât attend every session at the 16th Annual Ray Warren Symposium on Race and Ethnic Studies, make sure youâre at the keynote address where Isra Hirsi and Feliquan Charlemagne, directors of US Youth Climate Strike, will present âItâs Our Future: Reimagining Environmental Justice.â Open to all. (Lewis and Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill, 7 pm, FREE)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Free Community Self Defense at Q Center
Learn the basics of self-defense at this bimonthly workshop geared toward the LGBTQ+ community. Wear comfy clothing without zippers, metal, or any other items that may scratch. Email questions to page [at] pdxqcenter [dot] org. (Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi, 6:30 pm, FREE)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
All our Trials : A Book Talk with Emily Thuma
What does it look like to serve justice outside of the criminal legal system for survivors of sexual and domestic violence? Itâs a topic that Emily Thuma, assistant professor at University of Washington, Tacoma, explores, retraces, and researches in her book, All Our Trials. This community conversation will feature artist and organizer claire barrera of El Programa Hispano CatĂłlico and others. Books available for purchase. Dismantle Change Build Center, 14 NE Killingsworth, 6 pm, FREE
Bingo-Vore hosted by Herbivore and Northwest Veg
This monthly Friday night Bingo-Vore raises money for Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary and PNW 250 Pig Rescue over games of bingo and delicious vegan snacks. Win prizes, drink beer and/or kombucha, and down some nachos. Cover includes three bingo games. (Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont, 7 pm, $10)
Paint your Pet Night
Honor your furry family members by painting their gorgeous mug at this wine- and snack-fueled evening in support of Project POOCH. Since 1993, Project POOCH has paired shelter dogs with incarcerated youth to provide the love, socialization, and care they need to thrive for successful adoption. Reserve your spot and send your petâs pic to Susi at wildwoods1 [at] comcast [dot] net. Hip Hound, 610 NW 23rd, 7 pm, $56
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Women in Prison Conference
The Oregon Justice Resource Center hosts its annual conference on women in prison, and this yearâs programming emphasizes justice for survivors of domestic violence. Hear from women incarcerated at CCCF, attend panels about different forms of reform, and more. Free for formerly incarcerated people. (Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park, Sat Nov 16 & Sun Nov 17, 8:30 am, $45-65)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Tender Table: Shilo George, Daela Muñoz, Michelle Week
Hear stories from three community members at the latest iteration of Tender Tableâa storytelling platform for BIPOC women, trans, and nonbinary people speaking on the âsweet, savory, sour, and bitter relationships to food and its connections to identity, memory, and community.â If that wasnât amazing enough, all presenters prepare Costco-sized samples to accompany their pieces. (Social Justice Action Center, 400 SE 12th, noon, $5-15 suggested donation)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Screening: Call Her Ganda
Jennifer Laude, a Filipina transwoman, was 26 years old when she was killed by Joseph Pemberton, a 19-year-old cis male member of the Marine Corps. In this heart-wrenching documentary, filmmaker PJ Raval recounts Laudeâs story and the painful journey her family undergoes in seeking justice while fusing in history of US imperial rule in the Philippines. Join People Organizing for Philippine Solidarity for this screening. Social Justice Action Center, 400 SE 12th, 7 pm, FREE
Portland Clean Energy Community Fund Program Introduction
The Centennial Community Association is hosting a community conversation with Lenny Dee, founder of 350PDX and a co-founder of the Portland Clean Energy Fund initiative. Learn how the ballot measure passed in November 2018 (Measure 26-201) will impact and benefit East Portland, and about the 2020 grant process. The Rosewood Initiative, 16126 SE Stark, 6:30 pm, FREE
A Personal Note
It is with a heavy heart that I announce this will be the last activism and community calendar in the Mercuryâs print edition. When I pitched this column, formerly known as âFrom Slacktivism to Activism,â in February 2017, Donald Trump had just been sworn into office. Folks were riled up to take action and get (further) involved in our community. Almost three years in, itâs time to leave the nest. Please keep staying involved and keep in touch. And if you have an event and want to get the word out, please send it to calendar@portlandmercury.com.
In Solidarity,
Emilly Prado
