We’re back, and we come bearing seasonally appropriate activities: World Vegan Month brings Doe Donuts’ curried butternut squash fritters, Analog Fest invites you to cozy up with physical media, and Morgan Ritter’s Space Available installation is on view at Portland International Airport, making your holiday travels a tinge more aesthetically pleasing. Plus, you should definitely pop into the Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Historical Society’s fall show—a tiny loaf of bread spins atop a tiny Franz Bakery.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Morgan Ritter: Space Available
The airport is a liminal space–a threshold, neither here nor there. You might find yourself inside the in-between over the next month or two, but holiday travel becomes marginally less stressful with Portland artist Morgan Ritter’s Space Available, a “large-scale hand-sewn textile curtain with interspersed sculptural objects” currently adorning Concourse E. Installed near the Stumptown Coffee as part of the Converge 45 art triennial, the piece borrows an all-too-familiar real estate term, creating room for viewers to “pause, drift, and imagine other kinds of space” within the commercial cavern of PDX. (Portland International Airport, 7000 NE Airport, Concourse E, daily through Feb 5, 2027, FREE, more info, all ages) LINDSAY COSTELLO
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Welcome to the Dollhouse
In Welcome to the Dollhouse, Heather Matarazzo is at her most obviously loveable as Dawn, a tween outcast forced to live the indignities of adolescence, nursing crushes and trying desperately to be seen. She stares longingly at a high school boy, Steve (Eric Mabius), as he wolfs down fish sticks and Hawaiian Punch, smacking his fingers. Her enormous feelings and clumsy self-consciousness will resonate with damn near anyone who survived their tween years. Read more in Second Run Portland. (Academy Theater, 7818 SE Stark, showtimes vary through Nov 12, $6.50-$9.50, more info, R) LC
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
A Queer Guide to Saving American Democracy
Marti Cummings had a plan to save democracy when they ran as the first openly nonbinary candidate for New York City Council in 2020. The pioneering drag artist and activist knows that representation is everything, and they also know pushing one of the progressive political agendas is important in a field full of centrist Democrats. The documentary Queen of New York follows their campaign and this screening of it will be followed by a conversation about civic engagement and community with Robin Maril, a Portland-based constitutional law professor and author of the new book A Queer Guide to Saving American Democracy, addressing the democratic crisis and how queer resilience can play a role in defeating authoritarianism. (Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division, 7 pm, $20, more info) BRI BREY
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
World Vegan Month
Celebrate Portland’s world-class vegan scene all month long with à la carte specials from 35 restaurants, bakeries, food carts, and pop-ups. You can collect stamps for a chance to win gift cards, but the real prize is knowing that your meal has a low impact on the environment and a portion of sales benefits charitable organizations. So indulge in a creamy porcini mushroom pasta from Harlow, a curried butternut squash fritter from Doe Donuts, a special seasonal cheese from Vtopian Artisan Cheeses, and tons of other plant-based specials from local vegan favorites like Mis Tacones, Rad Magic Subs, and Secret Pizza Society. There’s something animal-product-free and delicious waiting in every corner of the city. (Various locations through Nov 30, more info) BB
Also worth it:
No Sex Last Night: Sophie Calle Night x Nationale, Tomorrow Theater, more info
Contemporary gallery Nationale presents No Sex Last Night, French writer-artist Sophie Calle’s diaristic camcorder documentary tracking a cross-country road trip and the slow unraveling of her relationship.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Kumoricon
Leave it to Portland to host the most wholesome cosplay convention—okay, okay, “most wholesome” is hard to quantify, but as Japanese pop culture conventions go, Kumoricon feels different. The volunteer-run fest has been around for 23 years, and it now regularly draws over 10,000 attendees to a weekend of cosplay, lip sync battles, voice actor panels, and other fun shit to do with your friends—and to make new friends! There’s always a huge exhibitor area with art, fashion, manga, and collectible finds. Plus, this year’s Kumoriball theme is “Gala of the Gods,” which sounds really sparkly. If this is your thing, here be your peeps. (Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr, through Nov 15, pass pricing varies, but it’s ballpark $60 one day, $100 weekend, more info, all ages) SUZETTE SMITH
The Big Trans Comedy Show
Longstanding queer comedy showcase Hear You Loud and Queer puts together this big fundraiser for Portland’s Sexual / Gender Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) on an annual basis, and it’s always a blast. Hear some out-of-town talents like the obsession-worthy Mx. Nola Bradley, River Butcher, and Hayden Johnson. You know the locals are good: Ally J Ward, Imani, Mack Lee, and more! It’s the middle of goddamn November, so you need a laugh—even better if it’s for a good cause. (Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta, 8 pm, $30, more info, 18+) SS
Also worth it:
Paul Maziar: Junebug Book Launch, Mother Foucault’s, more info
Local art writer Paul Maziar’s poetry book launch promises a moody, multisensory evening with musical support from Kelli Schaefer and Drew Grow.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Analog Fest
If you haven’t yet visited While On Earth and Passenger Seat Records, neighboring hidden shops just off Sandy Boulevard, now is an excellent time. The two businesses are celebrating all things physical media, selling records, books, VHS tapes, cassettes, film photography, zines, ceramics, and art—not just from their own stock, but from ten guest vendors, too. You can also watch records being cut with a lathe right before your eyes, plus get your Polaroid portrait taken. Consider clearing off a shelf at home beforehand to display all your goodies. (While On Earth/Passenger Records, 715 NE Lawrence, 11 am-4 pm, FREE, more info, all ages) KATHERINE CHEW HAMILTON
Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Historical Society Fall Show
All aboard, model train and miniature lovers: Portland’s premier model railroad club is hosting its big fall show. Check out the custom-built scale model of Union Station, watch the tiny loaf of bread spin atop Franz Bakery, visit Multnomah Falls without the traffic, and scope out the lumber mill near Hood River. True railroad nerds can purchase VIP tickets, which come with a guided tour and exclusive access before the show opens for general admission. (Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Society, 2505 N Vancouver, Sat-Sun through Dec 6, various times and ticket prices, more info, all ages) KCH
Portland Cheese and Meat Festival
If you’ve ever put together a charcuterie board, you know there’s an art to it. Balancing sweet and savory with a variety of cheeses in different shapes, flavors, and textures; arranging crackers and bread; piling on the meats; tossing in some fruit and veggies to cut the richness; and adding some condiments to tie it all together. Not sure where to start? The Cheese and Meat Festival’s got you covered with over 150 curated pairings to try. You’ll get to taste artisan products, talk to the folks who made them, and pick your favorites for your next wine night, holiday party, or just an afternoon snack. (Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn, SOLD OUT, more info) JANEY WONG
Also worth it:
Weathering the Storm, the Off Beat, more info
A sliding scale fundraiser the allows young performers to raise funds for youth music nonprofits, Weathering the Storm aims to get those orgs through January and February, the year’s lean months.
The Jazz Room: Marvin Gaye in a Night of Soul, Alberta Abbey, more info
A vivacious night of live music performed in the honor of the Prince of Soul, Marvin Gaye.
Jimetta Rose, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, more info
For the third year, Save the LP presents a “Side A” daytime market of vinyl records, CDs, tapes, and more from over 55 vendors. In the evening, it flips to “Side B” with Sun Ra-inspired compositions that take on a gospel-tinged flavor in Jimetta Rose’s MettaSun. Local experimenters the Cosmic Tones Research Trio join this cosmic performance.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
A Defiant Voice: Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5
Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 came as a subtle act of defiance in the 1930s Soviet Union. Under a dictatorial regime, music and art were censored or skewed towards the favor of the powers that be, forcing revolt to come in very small and masked ways. Shostakovich’s symphony came as one such act, delicately displaying compliance, all the while weaving sounds of terror, grief, and war, masked as a celebratory triumph. Conducted by Raúl Gómez-Rojas, the MYS Symphony Orchestra will take on Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, alongside Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture, and student composer Skye Neal’s world premiere, created in partnership with Fear No Music’s Young Composers Project. (Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 7:30 pm, $27.80, more info, all ages) STARLY LOU RIGGS
The Mountain That Loved a Bird
After attending an operatic production of The Snowy Day two years ago, I learned that I’m healed by children’s theater. Often, kids’ productions have a sort of delightful fever dream effect, and it’s only weird if you make it weird. That said, you should bring a kid to this one and expose them to some Culture! This musical interpretation of Alice McLerran’s children’s book The Mountain That Loved a Bird will include live narration, describing an unlikely friendship between (you guessed it) a mountain and a bird. The show is recommended for kids 5-12 years of age, and its hour-long runtime makes it suitable for wigglier attendees. (Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 2 pm, $16+, more info, all ages) LC
Ron Funches
Hometown hero/comedian Ron Funches is returning to Portland for two big shows at Revolution Hall, and we couldn’t be more pleased. After honing his comedy chops here in PDX, Funches took off for Los Angeles in 2012—and thanks to his endearing, quirky demeanor, quickly nabbed guest spots and supporting roles on New Girl and Undateable. (And let’s not forget his hilarious voice work as King Shark in the HBO animated series Harley Quinn.) His TV work has continued with appearances on Peacock’s The Traitors, as well as Apple TV’s Loot—but rest assured that stand-up comedy and Portland are still his primary loves, and we’re certain he’ll be bringing his A-game and best jokes to share with his former homies. That’s us, if I was unclear. (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 6 pm and 10 pm, $40.83, more info, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Also worth it:
Tampopo, Tomorrow Theater, more info
Juzo Itami’s ramen western follows a band of milk truck drivers whose pit stop at a roadside noodle shop turns into a quest for the perfect noodle recipe. Tampopo’s digressive side stories don’t always connect to the main plot, but illustrate the film’s underlying fascination with food.
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
