OLMV Poverty Conference
The Oregon League of Minority Voters is announced the upcoming Conference on Poverty in Salem on Oct. 16 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The objective of this conference is to weave together our various dialogues around poverty into a narrative that's bold and inclusive of all perspectives. So save the date! If you have any questions you can e-mail them to info@oregonlmv.org or call us at (503) 525-8161.
Michael Jackson Tributes
There will be two Michael Jackson tributes this weekend in Portland. The Oregon Black American tribute will be held Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Reflections Coffee House and Talking Drum Bookstore, 446 NE Killingsworth St. They will discuss his life, fatherhood, his business acumen, social consciousness and his influence.
There will also be a celebration and benefit in honor of the King of Pop from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Peninsula Park in North Portland on the corner of N. Rosa Parks Way (Portland Blvd.) and N. Albina Avenue. You're asked to wear your best costume, non-perishable food for donation, and something to share for the evening vigil. There will be a dancing lesson for the Thriller dance.
Hip-Hop In the Park, Aug. 30
Emmaus Church hosts their first annual Hip-Hop in the Park on Aug. 30, at Fernhill Park on the corner of NE 37th and NE Ainsworth from 5 to 7pm.
The free 2-hour concert will showcase several national recording artists including Odd Thomas, Propaganda, and Theory Hazit — all of whom have roots in Portland.
Cole Brown, the lead pastor at says he started the event because Portland's successful Concerts in the Park series rarely features hip-hop music, and he saw this as an opportunity to serve an underserved segment of the community.
"We're simply doing this because we love hip-hop and we love the people who love hop-hop," says Brown, who formerly worked as an A&R for hip-hop producer Teddy Riley (Doug E Fresh, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg).
Hip-Hop in the Park's artist lineup promises to provide just that.
For more information reach the Emmaus Church www.emmauspdx.com
at 4046 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
'Colored Pencils' on Last Friday
Colored Pencils Night is Portland's lively response to a city packed with fine artists, energetic performers, and aspiring kids, from all six continents and many islands between. Participants on impulse, as much as event organizers make an evening of laughter and tears. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, 619 SW 11th Ave. in Downtown Portland.
This month's Last Friday celebration honors local Persian peace poet Dr. Ali Khajavi, features UK-born singer Sharon Martini and New America Media award-winner Ronault LS ("Polo") Catalani talking story in traditional Indonesian-style. Open mic warms up at 6:30pm.
Exhibiting fine artists include: African American painter Bobby Fouther; contemporary Thai mixed-media artist Nim Xuto; and Mexican magical realist Jesse V"squez.
Dinner this month is vendored in variety of bites and plates by Portuguese/ Angolan/Brazilian chef Julieta Capuia.
For more information, visit www.coloredpencilsart.com
Northwest Children's Theater & School
Northwest Children's Theater & School has received the rights to develop and produce a musical stage adaptation of the popular Mo Willem's children's book, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" as part of the 2009-2010 season of plays.
Mo Willems cut his teeth as a member of the creative staff at Sesame Street and has spent his career creating worlds of wonder for the under-5 set. In this adaptation, NWCT will stay true to the delightful simplicity of Willem's story, which offers a glimpse of the world through the perspective of the city's humblest of citizens—a pigeon. The play will perform March 20 through April 4, 2010 at NW Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett St. For detailed information, visit http://nwcts.org/html/productions.html
Other plays include:
WINNIE-THE-POOH (Oct. 2?to?25); Narnia (Dec. 11?to?Jan. 3, 2010); Pinocchio (Jan. 29 to Feb. 21, 2010); Madeline and the Gypsies (April 30 to May 23, 2010).
Tickets are available by calling 503-222-4480 or www.nwcts.org
