Budget Bailout

Free Events This Weekend in Portland: May 8–10

Many thanks to Around the Sun for these excerpts

Before we get to the free events, how about some Mother’s Day freebies.

On May 10:

§ Moms get in free at the Portland Children’s Museum.

§ Moms can take a class for free at Barre3. Contact Barre3 for availability and to make a reservation.

§ Participating TCBY stores are giving away free cones to moms.

Free Events

Admission is free for all events below. For more concerts, visit Concert Co-op.

Have a great weekend!

All weekend

“Titanic: Treasures from the Deep”: This traveling exhibit has a collection of more than 50 previously lost items from the Titanic wreckage and provides the history that surrounds them. Washington Square Mall, 9585 SW Washington Square Road. For times, visit the event website.

Saturday, May 9

Festival of the Birds: Join the Audubon Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Portland for a celebration of migratory birds. The event includes guided walks, children’s activities, live music and, of course, birds. Sellwood Park, just south of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

St. Johns Bizarre and Parade: The festival known as the St. Johns Bizarre begins at 10:00 am. The event includes vendors, two music stages and a beer garden. The parade starts at noon. For more information on the Bizarre, click here. For the parade, click here.

Laurelhurst Art Walk: Enjoy the amazing artistic endeavors that the Laurelhurst Neighborhood has to offer. 10:00 am–5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

National Train Day: The world’s most famous steam locomotive, Southern Pacific steam locomotive no. 4449 known as the “Daylight,” will be on display. Entertainment by Rose Festival Clown Corps and Two Sisters & a Mr., giveaways and more. Portland Union Station (800 NW 6th Ave), 10:00 am–3:00 pm. Learn more about Train Day here.

SCRAP Grand Opening Party: The School & Community Reuse Action Project (SCRAP) will celebrate the opening of its new location with live music, food, a fashion show, and more. 2915 NE MLK, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Couponing 101: Dramatically decrease the amount you spend on groceries and household items by using specific couponing strategies, menu planning and budgeting. Taught by Angela Davis, author of the blog www.frugallivingnw.com. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 1:00 pm–3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

“Grow Your Own Organic Summer Veggies” Workshop: Each second Saturday, enjoy a hands-on, family-friendly gardening workshop at Metro’s Natural Techniques Demonstration Garden (6800 SE 57th Ave). Complimentary garden gift, while supplies last. 10:00 am to 11:00 am (presentation) and 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (activity time). For more information, visit the event website.

Gardening and Wellness Workshops: The American College of Healthcare Sciences will host workshops on organic herb gardening and medicinals. Space is limited; please RSVP to (503) 244-0726 or email admissions @ achs.edu. 5940 SW Hood Ave, 11:00 am–2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Cake and Punch Revival: Ecotrust is hosting a modern-day version of a dessert and punch reception in its newest event venue, the Center for Architecture. Come by and sample sweet treats and jazzy punch from Ecotrust’s caterers and take home your favorite punch recipe. 403 NW 11th Ave, 11:00 am–2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Beaverton to Tigard Fanno Creek Walking Tour: Join trail advocate Bob Bothman on this 5-mile round trip walk on the Fanno Creek Greenway Trail. Learn about the trail and historic Fanno Farm and Farmhouse as you look for wildlife and view several relocations of the creek. Meet at 8405 SW Creekside Place in Beaverton at 7:45 am. For more information, visit the event website.

Saturday Guided Nature Walks at Tryon Creek State Park: Join a park ranger for a free, guided nature hike to explore the forest and stream ecosystems and natural history at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Today’s theme is “The Northwest Hiking Essentials.” Appropriate for all ages. Parents must accompany kids on all hikes. 10:00 am to 11:30 am. For more information, visit the event website.

Camas Health and Safety Fair, Plant Fair: Come to downtown Camas to take in one fair or both. For more information, visit these websites: Plant Fair, Health and Safety Fair.

Concert for Ages 4 and Under: Local songwriter Matt Clark will play songs from his debut album, “Funny Little Fella,” plus some old chestnuts like “Wheels on the Bus” and “Yellow Submarine.” Fun for the whole family. Milagros Boutique (5429 NE 30th Ave), 11:00 am. For more information, visit the event website.

Russian Folk Music: Enjoy a presentation of folk songs and romances, presented in Russian, by local artist Natalia Hougen. Holgate Library (7905 SE Holgate Blvd), 3:30 pm–4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Writers Judith Arcana and Leanne Grabel will talk about motherhood at In Other Words Women’s Books and Resources (8 B NE Killingsworth St) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Healthy Living: Bo Rinaldi, author of vegan and raw foods cookbooks, will discuss how to start a path toward healthier living that will reduce the need for expensive healthcare, empower our local and regional farmers, and save money on food costs. 11:00 am, Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside). For more information, visit the event website.

Poetry Reading and Acoustic Latin Music by Alex & Magu Appella: Come enjoy Alex’s writings and Magu’s singing and acoustic guitar playing inspired by their Latin American travels and Argentine living. 23 Sandy Gallery (623 NE 23rd Ave), 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Social Media in Real Life: Learn what social media is and how to use these free (or nearly free) online tools to connect with potential clients and find like-minded folks. Writing techniques, tags, and stats will be covered. Rockwood Library (17917 SE Stark St), 3:00 pm–5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Sunday, May 10

Walking With Mom: What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than hearing a presentation from Portland’s beloved “walking” author, followed by a beautiful walk in the park. Tryon Creek Park, 2:00 pm–2:45 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

“Seeds of Chicano Identity”: Phil Esparza, World Theatre Operations Manager of El Teatro Campesino, will lead a panel discussion on “Producing Theatre for Social Change,” illuminating the mechanics of arts activism and sharing his experiences with El Teatro Campesino. Milagro Theatre (525 SE Stark St), 4:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

§ Quadraphonnes (website) will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.

Kung Fu Film and Demonstration: “Tai Chi Master” will be showing at Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave) at 2:15 pm. The film is in Chinese with English subtitles. A brief discussion and kung fu demonstration with Master Yu, Shaowen will follow the screening. For more information, visit the event website.

Sunday Cinema Classics: “Barefoot in the Park” will be showing at St. Johns Library (7510 N. Charleston Ave), 2:00 pm. Free tickets for limited seating will be available at 1:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.