Despite it hailing in June, summer is officially here! Whether you’re taking summer classes, interning at Nike, Intel or your mom’s health food store, the days to kick back and have another beer or two have officially commenced. The only problem may be that you’re as broke as the rest of us. Have no fear, you beautiful, naive, sophisticated newborn baby—here’s your summer calendar lineup for all the events you probably didn’t know were happening but are actually super fun, local and most importantly inexpensive.
Take a walk on the wild side and get your bare feet dirty with local flower power hoola hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, tokers, smokers and midnight jokers from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Monday in Colonel Sanders Park on Southeast 20th Avenue and Belmont Street.
Every second Wednesday, spend your hot summer nights at the Side Yard farm collective with a pint in hand and a movie with friends. You must be a peddler and ride your wheelies in for this $25 event. Before you get all twisted about the price, the fee includes a meal from a restaurant vendor, a “farmy” concession treat, a pint from a local brewery and of course a screening of a classic film.
For it’s 19th season, this annual street festival features artists, performers, vendors and music every last Thursday between the 15th and 30th blocks in the Alberta Arts District. The street closes itself to all oncoming traffic between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. May through September. Free to all artists, vendors and visitors, this fest is donation based.
Happening now until September 4, join the Portland Art Museum for their first large-scale traveling exhibition of contemporary Native American fashion. The event highlights indigenous designers from across the nation and Canada from the 1950s to today. Public tours are held weekly. The student fee is $16.99, but check their calendar for free days.
If you’re looking for some bluegrass, blues or just really good music, take your family out to Sauvie Island’s u-pick farm for hayrides, music and food. For only $15 a car, pack yourself a picnic and keep things low cost or buy from one of the local vendors (cash only). Happening now until September 1. Check out the lineup here: krugersfarmmarket.com/summer-concerts
Enjoy a piece of France on East Burnside Street every Wednesday in a beer and cider garden for some of the best cult classics. The garden opens at 7 p.m. and the film begins to roll at dusk. With titles like Office Space, King Kong (1933), Pineapple Express and Roman Holiday, there’s a little something for everyone. A minimum purchase of $5 on food or beverage is required, although popcorn is free! All ages welcome.
Stay thrifty this summer and join White Owl Social Club for a swap meet of jewelry, leather goods, vintage clothing, custom axes (yep…) and of course booze on July 27 at 1 p.m.
Whether you’re looking for oldies but goodies or you just love that Blue Ribbon, head down to the South Waterfront August 27–28 for Project Pabst’s third year in the City of Roses. For under $100 you can see headliners such as Duran Duran, Ice Cube, Tame Impala, Andrew W.K. or STRFKR all in one weekend. Seeing that PBR hosts this event, sadly it is for 21+ only. Be sure to stay hydrated out there! With 16-ounce PBR’s for only $4, the sun can definitely take a person out before Ice Cube even hits the stage.
