If you're anything like us, you spend the non-summer seasons of the year wistfully planning everything you're going to do once July swings around. Coast trips, reading All Fours outside, lounging at a rooftop bar with a cute little beverage—it's all valid. But here is a hard truth you might not be fully appreciating yet: THAT TIME IS RIGHT NOW. That means you need to go outside!!! You! Now!
Read on for some solid options, and the indoor-oriented need not fear: We've got experimental cinema and a lamp-themed gallery show on the docket, too.
Monday, July 7
Vogue Femme
The Monday night Vogue Femme class at Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC) is an intro course, laying out the five elements of voguing for total beginners, dancers from other styles, and active ballroom performers dialing in on their fundamentals. Instructor Latroy Robinson takes students through the moves and the history behind them, giving homage to the queer and trans communities of color that created ball culture. "The really cool thing about this class is that it feels a little bit more accessible to the general public,” Robinson told the Mercury. “It's a great way for people interested in ballroom to find out more." If there's no time in your life for sweat, but you still want to support, VMAC is fundraising to give LGBTQIA+ students a month of free dance. (VMAC, 2648 E Burnside, 6:30 pm, $20, vmacpdx.com) SUZETTE SMITH
Related: This Vogue Femme Class Teaches Ball Culture Core Elements and History
News From Home
News From Home (1977) is a lesser-known Chantal Akerman entry, but it exemplifies her staunchly experimental spirit. The film’s emphasis on spatial immersion and texture is best viewed on a big screen. Akerman’s mother Natalia lands at the heart of much of her oeuvre–from narratives that center maternal figures (Les Rendez-vous d’Anna, Letters Home) to her final work, No Home Movie, a documentary tracking Natalia’s last living months. News From Home is no exception. The film is composed of long takes of ’70s-era New York City, interspersed with voiceovers of Akerman reading letters from her mother in Belgium. The effect is a psychogeographical drift, both inventive and spare. (Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7:30 pm, $10–$12, tickets here, not rated) LINDSAY COSTELLO
Tuesday, July 8
The Bechdel Set: An Inclusive Feminist Comedy Show
Here’s one of those delightful “queer adjacent” shows that’s both hilarious and unapologetically feminist. It takes its name from the Bechdel Test, a litmus test to measure the representation of women in film, fiction, and in this case? Comedy. Local powerhouse performers such as Sarina Ochoa, Jason Van Glass, Ronnie Mackaroni, and headliner Ally J. Ward perform sets that are judged by the audience for their ability to pass the Bechdel Test—so in short, a lot of laughs, and occasionally squirmy fun, hosted by the very funny Jenna Britann and Quinne Salameh. (Haymaker, 1233 N Killingsworth, 8 pm, $5–$10, tickets here, 21+) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
JinJu Patisserie's James Beard Celebration!
Jinju Patisserie won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery last month in Chicago, and they're back in Portland and want to celebrate with you! A ticket gets you access to delicious drinks and bites from local chefs from Life of Pie pizza and Hat Yai hot chicken sliders to lumpia from Sun Rice and longanisa deviled eggs from Magna Kusina, with sweets provided by Jinju (of course) and bubbles from CHO Wine. All proceeds go towards the James Beard Foundation's Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. (JinJu Patissierie, 4063 N Williams, 6–9 pm, $30, RSVP by July 5) SHANNON LUBETICH
Wednesday, July 9
Silent Reading Party
There were silent reading parties before 2009, when The Stranger's then editor-in-chief Christopher Frizzelle set out to create the ultimate mood for a bookish assembly. Some would argue that libraries are in a perpetual state of silent reading party, but you aren't supposed to drink there. Whereas Topaz Farm offers up seasonal bites and drinks beneath it's oak tree for most of its outdoor Silent Reading Party. Hosted by Audrey Van Buskirk and accompanied by the gentle ukulele playing of Chris Lydgate, Topaz's version of quiet, distraction-free contemplation and focus sounds pretty darn idyllic. BYO blanket or chair; there are a few picnic tables for grabs. If the ticket seems a little steep, it's worth remembering there's a complimentary drink involved. (Topaz Farm, 17100 NW Sauvie Island, 6-8 pm, $25 tickets here, all ages) SS
Also worth it:
Crush on Everyone DJ Night with Alien Boy, Sadder Star, and DJ Tanner at Turn! Turn! Turn!, 8 pm, more info here
Tropical Fuck Storm at Aladdin Theater, 8 pm, tickets here
Thursday, July 10
Sorry, Baby
We are living in the golden age of directors discovered by Barry Jenkins, Eva Victor is one. Their debut film Sorry, Baby soft-tackles trauma—offering the viewer a place to walk alongside Agnes as she faces hard times and dark thoughts, against the backdrop of a gorgeous East Coast college town and a conversation-worthy score by Lia Ouyang Rusli. Based on the movie poster, there have been concerns that the "baby" in Sorry, Baby is Agnes' kitten.The Mercury would like to reassure readers that the cat baby is not THE baby in Sorry, Baby. (opens at Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st starting on Thurs July 10, showtimes and ticket info at cinema21.com, 103 minutes, rated R.) HR SMITH
Read our whole review: Sorry, Baby Is a Rom-Com for People Who Have Panic Attacks
Dinosaur Improv Live
Improvisational comedy gets a bad rap, and sometimes deservedly so—but in the right hands, it is both magical and sublime. Check out some of the masters of the genre at Dinosaur, a traveling group of well-known national improv comedians, including Paul Scheer (The League, Black Monday, Human Giant), Jason Mantzoukas (Parks and Recreation, Big Mouth), Rob Huebel (Children’s Hospital, The League), and more top-notch talent. Dinosaur has racked up an impressive number of stellar reviews, so if you’ve been waiting for the right improv show to attend, this one will set a very high bar. But hurry, hurry… the early show is already sold out! (Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 9:45 pm late show, $50.14-$73.75, all ages, tickets here) WSH
Also worth it:
Bigfoot Poetry Festival, various locations, July 10–12, more info here
Friday, July 11
By My Own Hand: Melody
Portland dancer Allie Hankins began her By My Own Hand series to talk about manipulation. To be more precise, she wanted to talk about manipulation that she enacts upon her own audience. The series' debut Ghosting touched on the way audiences like it when she's "acting a little mysterious." Transparency focused on the stories she tells, which feel personal and which often weave into the dance itself. The Ache was nostalgia, and now Melody is very simple in concept. "It's quite literal," she says. "People really like it when I sing, and I sing a lot in the show." (Shaking the Tree Theatre, 823 SE Grant, July 11-13, 7:30 pm, $10-45 sliding scale, tickets here) SS
Related: Portland Dancer Allie Hankins on Why Haunting Belongs to Lesbians
Ray Lau
If you’re in desperate need of laughs, then get those tix quick for Ray Lau’s late show at the Siren Theater! This Cantonese American comedian from Southern California is making his first trip to Portland, and brings along an impressive resume which includes appearances on Netflix is a Joke, Don’t Tell Comedy, and Big Sky Comedy Festival. He also went viral for his hilarious joke “Chipotle Bean Scheme,” which is about… you know what? It’s worth searching out for yourself. In short, Lau is charming, fun, and well worth your comedy dollar. (Siren Theater, 3913 N Mississippi, 10 pm late show, $28.52, tickets here, 18+) WSH
Saturday, July 12
LGBTQ+ Outdoors: Elk Meadows Hike
It’s so important to celebrate Mother during Pride; Mother Earth that is. Hiking is mad queer: you’re throwing lewks on the trail, getting hot and sweaty, and you can flag your preferences without the straights knowing. OMG, should we start using the hanky code while hiking?? And wow, this LGBTQ+ Outdoors-coordinated hike might be just the event to launch this revolutionary idea. The hike will take you through flowering meadows and old growth forest up to Elk Meadows—the iconic Mt. Hood saying, “Hey, girl,” if the weather’s good. The hike is all ages, free (with a $10 suggested donation), and dogs are allowed (on leash)! All this with a bunch of queers? Yes please! (Elk Meadows Trail Head, 10 am, suggested donation $10, more info here, all ages) NP
Lydia Rosenberg: Lamp Store, Grand Reopening
Tucked above Mother Foucault's new location on the second floor of a character-filled historic building, Ido Radon's art space, SOCIETY, posits that "we are never done reading aesthetic theory." Whether or not you align with that message, you should stop in to see SOCIETY's debut show, which centers a controlled chaos of experimental lamps by Lydia Rosenberg. (Materials include plastic bags and artificial lettuce.) Per the press release, the "lamp store-as-sculpture" nods toward Claes Oldenberg, Mina Loy, and the readymade. Notably, there are nightlights for sale for $25 and lemon-shaped lamps for $100. (SOCIETY, 711 SE Grand, second floor, through Sat Aug 2, more info here) LC
Sabor a Mí Pride Block Party
Ever been to a party with vegan Mexican food, a deadlift demonstration, and a cumbia dance lesson? Vegan taqueria Mis Tacones and nonprofit Gym Space Equity are coming together to maximize their joint slay, throwing a Pride Block Party with all of the above and more. Make sure to fuel up with food and cocktail specials from Mis Tacones because DJs Father Fannie and Espina Letal will hold it down while you take it to the dance floor. All afternoon long, the block will be lined with vendors and organizations like Ice Queen PDX, Orange & Blossom Patisserie, De La Rosa Vintage, Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, and more. (Mis Tacones, 1670 NE Killingsworth, 10 am–5 pm, free, more info here, all ages) JANEY WONG
Also worth it:
Portland Buddhist Festival at Dharma Rain Zen Center, 11 am–5 pm, more info here
Sunday, July 13
Blossom & Bounty: AANHPI Summer Market
Newly bloomed for this summer, Lan Su Chinese Garden’s weekly outdoor Sunday market showcases AANHPI vendors and cultural organizations. The first installment featured folks selling goods from Vietnamese coffee and banh mi to fresh cut bouquets and Indian jewelry, and Lan Su promises a rotating selection of plants native to Asian countries and spices integral to Asian cooking. I suggest making a day of it with a stroll through nearby Tom McCall Waterfront Park; after all, our warm weather won't last forever. (Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett, 10 am–2 pm, free, more info here, all ages) SHANNON LUBETICH
Pupperpalooza: 6th Annual Dog-Friendly Bike Ride
There's just one thing missing from most bike rides, and that thing isn't really a "thing" so much as it is a living, drooling being, AKA a dog. The Corvidae Bicycle Club will link up at Peninsula Park for a "socially paced" ride that allows pups to keep up. You don't have to have a dog to join the cyclists. Dog appreciators are also invited, especially if they wear a "dog-themed" costume. But if you are bringing Luna, you should also bring her water, her poop bags, and ensure that she can maintain an eight MPH pace. (Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks, 1 pm, free, more info here, all ages) LC
Also worth it:
TransFIGURE at Ambient Magic Art Studio, 1:30–3:30 pm, more info here
Rose City Vintage Market at Portland Expo Center, July 12–13, tickets here
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
