All Classical Music Thursdays @ Three - Portland

Year-round, Thursday 3:00pm (arrive half hour earlier)
Location: 211 Southeast Caruthers (Hampton Opera Center), south of Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OSMI)
Why Go There? Weekly live broadcast music hour features local and visiting classical musicians and vocalists, performing in front of a small studio audience. Watch Portland's 24/7 classical music station on-air host converse with guests in an intimate setting; free parking. Reserve on-line, as first-come, first-serve seating is limited; no cost.
Access: (Free) parking lot next to building, metered on-street parking + public transportation
More Information: All Classical

Artists Repertory Theatre - Portland

September - June, Tuesday-Sunday evenings, some matinees
Location: 1515 Southwest Morrison Street (2019-2020 building remodel: plays held other venues)
Why Go There? Professional theater company offers seven classics, original plays, musicals and premieres per season; creative sets and costumes; two stages, occasional concurrent shows. Light refreshments sold in the lobby and rotating art exhibits decorate lobby walls. Discounted previews; cash-only rush (lower cost) seats, if not sold out, 15 minutes before performances. Post-show discussions, special events throughout the year, including summer.
Access: Walkable from downtown or nearby hotels. Street parking + pay lot/garage next to the theater + public transportation . (If there is an event at nearby Providence Park allow extra driving time: check here for events.
More Information: Artists Rep

Bodyvox Dance - Portland

November-May
Location: 1201 Northwest 17th Avenue
Why Go There? Local Dance company embraces physical athleticism, humor, drama with visually stunning, creative dance performances. Special events, collaborations.
More Information: Bodyvox

Defunkt Theatre - Portland

October-June, Thursday-Sunday evenings
Location: 4319 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
Why Go There? Ensemble theatre company explores fringe and non-mainstream culture, race, gender and class issues, offering a three play season. Staged in cozy “hidden” Back Door Theatre, entrance is at the back of a coffee house; pay-what-you-will tickets.
Access: Street parking + public transportation
More Information: Defunkt Theatre

Fertile Ground Festival - Portland

January
Location: varies
Why Go There? Annual city-wide theater festival offers unique opportunity to view new local play works presented for the first time as play readings. A few are no cost.
Access: Street parking + public transportation
More Information: Fertile Ground

Fifth Avenue Cinema - Portland

Friday-Saturday 7:30pm, 9:30pm, Sunday 3:00pm
Location: 510 Southwest Hall Street
Why Go There? Portland State University (PSU) student-run small cinema shows vintage, 'art' and foreign films on a small screen (classroom style seats). Free popcorn; free admittance to students; senior discounts.
Access: Metered street parking, nearby garages + public transportation
More Information: 5th Ave Cinema

Friends of Chamber Music Classic and Vocal Series

Friends of Chamber Music Dinner with Friends

September through April (see schedule)
Location: Portland area
Why Go There? 79+ season provider of quality local, touring chamber music ensembles and soloists, various venues. Dinners: In private home settings and larger venues, 12 or more guests listen to live classical music and dine on catered or host provided meals; supports Friends of Chamber Music.
Access: Street parking + public transportation
More Information: FOCM + Dinner with Friends

JAW – A playwrights festival - Portland

July
Location: 128 Northwest 11th Avenue (Gerding Theatre at the Armory)
Why Go There? Launched in 1999, creative writers festival concludes with local actors reading juried participant playwrights' works, free. Other works scheduled throughout the Armory during the two week long festival.
Access: Metered street and nearby garage parking + public transportation
More Information: A Playwrights Festival

Makrokosmos Project - Portland

Location: Varies
Why Go There? Makrokosmos Project offers cutting-edge contemporary American music set in chic, accessible urban settings.
More Information: Makrokosmos Project

Miracle Theatre Group - Portland

October - May, Thursday-Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees
Location: 525 Southeast Stark Street
Why Go There? Thought provoking, humorous and celebratory plays, performances, art and events explore Spanish speaking cultures, issues; original and established works, some bilingual. Venue includes exhibit space and small cafe selling light refreshments; special fundraiser events; preview, senior (65+) and student discounts.
Access: Street parking + public transportation
More Information: MILAGRO

NW Film Center - Portland

Year-round, check website schedule
Location: 1219 Southwest Park Avenue: Whitsell Auditorium, Portland Art Museum (PAM). Film festival screenings: multiple locations.
Why Go There? Annual multi-day winter Portland International Film Festival (PIFF) premieres 140+ international shorts, feature films. Other festivals: Northwest Filmmakers, Portland Jewish, Czech and Reel Music. Some films reflect Portland Art Museum (PAM) current exhibit themes. Adjoining building houses lunch/snacks cafe, museum gift shop.
Access: Metered street parking, nearby garages + public transportation
More Information: NW Fil

Oregon Ballet Theater - Portland

October - April, Thursday-Saturday evenings, Saturday-Sunday matinees
Location: 222 Southwest Clay Street (Keller Auditorium); 1111 Southwest Broadway (Antoinette Hatfield Hall's Newmark Theatre).
Why Go There? 21 member ballet company, established in 1989, delivers quality, vibrant classical and contemporary dance performances, commissioned works, premieres; five seasonal programs. Schedules outreach programs, special events.
Access: Metered street and nearby garage parking + public transportation
More Information: OBT

Oregon Symphony - Portland

Saturday-Monday evenings, Sunday matinees (some special event performances other days)
Location: 1037 Southwest Broadway (Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall)
Why Go There? Inspirational, classic and contemporary works performed by 75 full-time musicians, led by celebrated conductor. Offers classical music and pops concert series; special guest performances. Pre-concert mini classical performances; conversational insights about featured programs. Concert hall has stellar acoustics; light refreshments sold in the lobbies of lower and upper levels; many restaurants close by. Senior (62+) rush discount offered one hour prior to classical and pop series.
Access: Metered street and nearby garage parking + public transportation
More Information: OR Symphony

Oregon Symphony Parties of Note - Portland

September through May (see schedule), Friday, occasional other evenings
Location: Varies
Why Go There? Intimate dinner gatherings in Portland area homes; hosted by symphony supporters; features live music from symphony member musicians, food and beverages. Proceeds benefit the symphony; spaces very limited.
More Information: OR Symphony Parties

Portland Center Stage, Gerding Theater at the Armory - Portland

September - June, Tuesday-Sunday evenings, some Thursday, Sunday matinees
Location: 128 Northwest 11th Avenue
Why Go There? Professional theater productions offered: musicals, classic plays, world premieres; well designed sets; some shows run concurrently in two venues: larger street level stage and more intimate stage downstairs; lobby and second story cafe/bars; many close by restaurants. Discounted rush seats if available offered 15 minutes before performances. Special events, pre-post show parties scheduled.
Access: Metered street parking, pay garages nearby, walk + public transportation More Information: PCS

Portland Opera - Portland

February - August, weekday evenings (varies), Sunday matinees
Location: 222 Southwest Clay Street (Keller Auditorium)
Why Go There? Lively and solid opera performances during seven regular production season; lavish costumes, professional sets. Operas in other languages have English text projected above the stage. Seniors (62+), student rush discounts, if available, two hours before performances.
Access: Metered street and nearby garage parking + public transportation
More Information: Portland Opera

Portland Opera to Go - Portland

Location: Varies
Why Go There? Portland Opera Company's community outreach program offers short performances, conversational insights into staged operas. Free or minimal cost, held throughout the year.
More Information: Portland Opera Community + Opera A La Cart

Portland Piano Company Events - Portland

Schedule varies
Location: 8700 Northeast Columbia Boulevard
Why Go There? Piano store with performance space hosts free or low cost piano concerts, various genres; a gift to the community.
Access: Street parking + public transportation
More Information: Portland Piano Company

Portland Playhouse - Portland

September - June, Wednesday-Saturday, Sunday matinees
Location: 602 Northeast Prescott Street
Why Go There? Neighborhood supported dynamic theater company offers four regular season plays that tackle social issues in a former church space. Offers talk backs; light snacks for sale and sponsor-provided local craft beer available to adults; restaurants, shops nearby. Discounted previews, marginal view seats, and cash-only rush seats released five minutes before shows, if available.
Access: Street parking + public transportation
More Information: Portland Playhouse

Portland Shakespeare Project - Portland

August, other dates (see website)
Location: 1516 Southwest Alder (Artists Repertory Theatre: Alder Stage)
Why Go There? Nonprofit theater company produces classical and contemporary works, featuring local professional actors; four day summer festival presents new works, no cost; other productions, events.
Access: Street parking + public transportation
More Information: Portland Shakes

Profile Theatre - Portland

February-November, Wednesday-Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees (occasional Wednesday matinees)
Location: 1515 Southwest Morrison Street (Artists Repertory Theatre)
Why Go There? Theater company devotes four play season to a single playwright; offers scheduled (no fee/donation) play readings, lectures, dinners with directors; previews, student and preview-only rush (cash-only) discounts.
Access: Street parking, pay lot/garage next to the theater, walkable from downtown + public transportation
More Information: Profile Theatre

The Old Church - Portland

Wednesday 12:00pm classical music concerts; other concerts
Location: 1422 Southwest 11th Avenue
Why Go There? Weekly 'sack lunch' classical music concerts in historic church event space features local musicians, vocalists. Free, donations welcome. Venue for many other concerts, varying prices.
Access: Metered street parking + public transportation
More Information: The Old Church

Third Rail Repertory Theatre - Portland

August-June, Thursday-Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees
Location: Various
Why Go There? Local professional company offers thought-provoking, humorous and entertaining productions. Live talk backs after every performance. Senior, student discounts; 'Pay What You Will' previews 1 hour before curtain (Wednesday evenings before scheduled shows); cash-only lower cost rush 15 minutes before curtain; (under 25/ID: free rush). Hosts National Theatre Live (NTL) from London play screenings.
Access: Street (metered, depending on location) + public transportation
More Information: Third Rail Rep

Triangle Productions - Portland

September-May, Thursday-Saturday, Sunday matinees
Location: 1785 Northeast Sandy Boulevard (The Sanctuary at Sandy Plaza)
Why Go There? Provocative and entertaining theater company addresses social, political and diversity issues with humor; some musical offerings. Regular season offers five plays, musicals, with additional special events. Light refreshments sold in the lobby.
Access: Parking lot next to the building (free) + street parking; + public transportation More Information: Triangle Pro

Vertigo - Portland

October - May, Thursday-Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees
Location: 2010 Southeast 10th Avenue (Shoebox Theatre)
Why Go There? Small dedicated theatre ensemble presents provocative performances, three play season, very intimate theater space. Discounts for previews, “Pay What You Will” Thursdays, if seats available. Reservations highly recommended. Light snacks for sale and sponsor-provided local craft beer available to adults.
Access: Street parking + public transportation
More Information: Theatre Vertigo

Whitebird Dance - Portland

October-May, schedule varies
Location: Varies
Why Go There? Features high quality, dynamic and contemporary local, regional, national and international dance companies. Has commissioned 32 new dance works during the past 17 years. Annual fundraising garden party includes dance, music, food/beverages.
Access: Metered street and nearby garage parking + public transportation
More Information: Whitebird + Whitebird Events

Music on the Green - Sherwood

July - August, Wednesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: 22256 Southwest Washington Street (Stella Olsen Memorial Park)
Why Go There? Longstanding weekly summer evening outdoor free music concerts, variety of music genre. Food, beverages available for purchase, or bring a picnic. More Information: Music on the Green

Broadway Rose Theatre Company - Tigard

Year-round; Wednesday-Saturday evenings, weekend matinees
Location: 12850 Southwest Grant Avenue (New Stage Auditorium, seats 270); 9000 Southwest Durham Road (Deb Fennell Auditorium seats 600)
Why Go There? Professional theater company offers six main stage Broadway musicals, comedies, revues per year; two children’s musicals, teen workshop production; staged readings, cabaret performances; annual spring fundraiser gala.
Access: Free lot parking + public transportation
More Information: Broadway Rose

Additional Resources

Beaverton Civic Theatre - Beaverton
Community supported Beaverton Civic Theatre performs adult and children's seasonal productions, Friday-Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees; 12375 Southwest 5th Street (Civic Library Auditorium); free parking

Annual Summer Outdoor Evening Concerts - Beaverton

Beaverton Symphony Orchestra - Beaverton

Slice of Summer - Canby
Summer evening outdoor concerts, Wait Park

Gresham Center for the Arts - Gresham
Weekly Monday evening music 6:30pm-8:00pm, outdoor Arts Plaza, NE 2nd/3rd Streets between Hood/Kelly Avenues (July, August)

Bag & Baggage - Hillsboro
Theater company, multiple productions

Lakewood Center - Lake Oswego
Hosts year-round musicals, plays, events

Ardenwald Park - Milwaukie
Outdoor summer concerts

Clackamas Repertory Theater - Oregon City
Offers three musicals, plays per season

Artslandia Magazine - Portland Metro
Online events calendar

45th Parallel PDX - Portland
Chamber music ensembles perform concerts, various venues (November-May)

Amadeus Orchestra - Portland
Small conductor-less orchestra offers string quartets to symphonies, from 17th-21st-century premiers

Actors Conservatory - Portland
Performances

Bubba Guitar - Portland
Annual Old Time Music Gathering features Applachian style music (January). Volunteer run, non-profit Bubbaville organization also offers calendar of area events, many are free.

Cappella Romana - Portland
Singing repertoire includes Byzantine, Orthodox, Finnish, Russian and Venetian music. September-April.

Portland Columbia Symphony - Portland
Seasonal concerts, various locations; senior, student discounts

Corrib Theater - Portland
Offers three contemporary Irish plays per season, 810 Southeast Belmont

Fear No Music - Portland
Ensemble offers 20th-21st century music concerts, various venues

Hand2Mouth Theater - Portland
Award winning Hand2Mouth theater ensemble offers new works

Kruger’s Farm - Portland (Sauvie Island)
Farm Tunes Thursday evening summer concerts on a family-owned farm (fee/car)

Light Opera of Portland - Portland
A non-professional resident company offers seasonal Gilbert & Sullivan focused musical theater productions

McMenamins - Portland
'Classical Pub' monthly schedule of classical music in informal settings; summer concerts

NW Dance Project - Portland
Performances

NW Musical Instruments - Portland
Annual handmade musical instruments weekend exhibition, concert, 12:00pm-5:00pm, Portland Community College Sylvania campus (May)

NW Portland Hostel - Portland
Northwest Portland Hostel hosts Tuesday evening free music series (June-September)

Oregon Music Festival - Portland
Focuses on classical music, lectures, recitals, concerts (June-July)

Portland 5 - Portland
Scheduled events held in 5 venues; includes free noon monthly concerts and tours on Wednesdays, Saturdays

Portland Baroque Orchestra - Portland
Offers season of pre-1840's classical music concerts, 2 venues, evening, Sunday matinee

Portland Chamber Orchestra - Portland
Performances offered fall, holiday, spring

Portland City Parks - Portland
Outdoor summer concerts, movies, events for all Portland city parks

Portland Civic Theater Guild - Portland
Hosts monthly play readings, supports writers, actors. 1785 NE Sandy Boulevard (Tuesday mornings)

Portland Community College - Portland
PCC Theater Arts department stages three productions per year, including musicals

Portland Piano - Portland
Offers annual series of piano concerts featuring acclaimed young pianists

Portland Revels - Portland
Produces seasonal traditional colorful, exuberant song, dance celebrations

Portland State University - Portland
Events, includes guest concerts, performances

Reed College Events - Portland
Calendar includes guest performers/groups

Shaking the Tree - Portland
Theater company blends theater, visual arts, and innovative use of space

Stumptown Stages - Portland
Offers seasonal musical theater productions

Third Angle - Portland
Musical collaborations feature new composers, classically trained musicians, various settings, including home porches, public gardens

University of Portland’s Mock Crest - Portland
Faculty/student and professional singers/musicians annual comic light opera, mostly Gilbert & Sullivan; Thursday-Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees (June ). Dinner, brunch option served on lawn prior to performances.

University of Portland Performances - Portland
Free music concerts (choir and chorales, wind and chamber ensembles, jazz band,orchestra); low cost theatrical performances (Fall-Spring)

Sherwood Center for the Arts - Sherwood
Calendar

Irish PDX - Sherwood
Second Saturday concerts (Irish music focus), Winona Grange

Tualatin Concerts - Tualatin
Summer concerts, Plaza at Lake Commons