We’re in the thick of it now – summer! July is jam-packed with entertainment options. So, if you still have some energy left following a busy Fourth of July, you can spend it on several events this week. The Oregon Country Fair in Veneta will require you to plan ahead as tickets are not available at the gate. There’s also the East Portland Summer Arts Fest this weekend with live music and plenty of family activities. We’ve also listed a handful outdoor music concerts. Enjoy those while you can. It will be fall again, soon enough.
Gem Faire
Explore a large selection of fine jewelry, crystals, gemstones, beads, minerals, and fossils at this Hillsboro-area show. Guests can also have their jewelry repaired and cleaned. Browse educational displays and demonstrations by experts from the Portland Bead Society.
Noon-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, July 7-9, Westside Commons, 801 N.E. 34th Ave., Hillsboro; $7 admission is good for the entire weekend; gemfaire.com.
Enjoy fair entertainment and live music under a canopy of large trees at the Oregon Country Fair in Veneta. Oregonian file photo.
Oregon Country Fair (Veneta)
This stalwart of the summer festival season happens among the towering trees and along the banks of the Long Tom River in Veneta, just west of Eugene. Expect everything from puppet shows to poets, from jousters to jugglers. Do you love dragons, unicorns and fairies? This is the festival for you. Live music and other performances happening all day. Note, tickets are NOT available at the gate. Admission must be purchased in advance.
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday, July 7-9, Venita; single day tickets start at $40; oregoncountryfair.org.
Living history actors at Knappton Cove.Heather Henry, Knappton Cove Heritage Center
Knappton Cove Heritage Center Living History Program
Head to the beach at Knappton Cove for two days of living history centering on the era of Lewis & Clark and their expedition to the Pacific from the St. Louis. Costumed members of living history reenactment groups demonstrate the tools and skills used during the earl 1800s. Demonstrations include firearms use, fire starting, leather clothing displays, and information on the lives of area traders.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, July 8-9, Knappton Cove Heritage Center, 521 State Route 401, about 3 miles east of the north end of the Astoria/Megler bridge; free admission; knapptoncoveheritagecenter.org
The East Portland Summer Arts Festival offers two evenings of live music.Image courtesy of Portland Parks
East Portland Summer Arts Festival
The annual summer festival is back, and this year’s theme is “Celebrating Black Excellence.” The family event offers two evenings of live music and dance performances, a showing of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Be Your Own Superhero” activities, a scavenger hunt, live Karaoke, and a headlining music performance by Grammy Award-winning keyboardist PJ Morton.
4-8:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, July 8-9, Ventura Park, 460 S.E. 113th Ave.; free; portland.gov/parks.
Chinese Kunqu Opera Performance & Exhibition Opening
Step into the world of Chinese Kunqu Opera in an evening celebrating cultural heritage. The exhibit includes Kunqu costumes and photography. The opening event will includes hair and makeup demonstrations, and a performance of Kunqu by opera performer Yu Liu.
6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 8, Lan Su Garden, 239 N.W. Everett St.; limited tickets available for this after-hours event $15-$40; lansugarden.org/things-to-do.
“In a Landscape: Classical Music in the Wild.”
Pianist Hunter Noack performs classical music outdoors under the summer sky. Proceeds from ticket sales fund improvements in Portland’s system of parks, natural areas, and public spaces.
6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater, 410 S.W. Kingston Ave.; tickets $40; eventbrite.com/e/in-a-landscape.
Willamette Valley Lavender Festival & Plein Air Art Show.Image courtesy of Chehelm Arts Center
Willamette Valley Lavender Festival & Plein Air Art Show
Summer is the time to enjoy lavender, not just the plants, but also the art it inspires. More than 150 artists will be on hand to paint “en plein air” as well as show other work. Shop more than 60 area vendors, crafters and other booths. Fresh lavender will also be available for purchase. There will also be live music performances, a children’s clay area, and food for sale.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Sunday, July 8-9, Chehalem Cultural Center, 415 E. Sheridan St., Newberg; free admission; chehalemculturalcenter.org/lavender.
The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Festival is this Saturday in Sisters. Quilt by June Jaeger.Image courtesy of Naomi Snapp
Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show
Quilting is a huge thing in this tiny central Oregon town. It seems, during this show, as if every outdoor surface, wall, or window is hung with beautiful works of textile art on this one Saturday event. Visit the website for information on classes and workshops held in conjunction with the show.
All day Saturday, July 8, Sisters, on U.S. Highway 20; free; sisterscountry.com/events.
Leach Botanical Garden in Southeast Portland. Oregonian file photo. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Flutes in the Garden
Portland composer Deena T. Grossman performs two premiere flute sextets in a benefit concert for Leach Botanical Garden and Columbia Riverkeeper. The works were inspired by the garden and will celebrate the connectedness of environmental stewardship and music. The concert also includes performances by jazz musician John C. Savage, and flutist Amelia Lukas.
7 p.m. Sunday, July 9, The Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.; tickets $30 advance, $36 at door; leachgarden.org/flutes-in-the-garden.
Music on Main
You might find yourself walking down Broadway one Wednesday afternoon and suddenly hear the sounds of steel drums, or a violin, or maybe even an A cappella group. But where is it coming from? Every Wednesday in July and August, Portland’5 takes advantage of what should be decent weather and offers free outdoor concerts on the brick street between the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and the Portland5 Center for the Arts. Everyone is welcome. And there’s seating on a first-come, first-served basis. This week’s featured performer is Pa’lante, offering Afro-Caribbean dance music.
5 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, at the corner of Southwest Main Street and Broadway; free; portland5.com/about/venues/main-street.
Bethany Village Centre Summer Concert
Bethany Village welcomes neighbors and guests to an outdoor concert featuring Nu Wavers. Other than live music, the evening also offers vendors, local intermission acts featuring area youth, carnival rides, kids’ activities, and food and drink for purchase.
6 p.m. Thursday, July 13, Bethany Village Centre Plaza, 4720 N.W. Bethany Blvd.; free admission; facebook.com/events.
- If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
— Rosemarie Stein
503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com; @trafficportland
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