May 2023
Portland Opera Puccini in Concert Keller Auditorium Portland Oregon

June DanceWatch: Unity in Diversity

Jamuna Chiarini takes a deep dive into Indian dance this month with a look at a performance of the epic “Ganga to Kaveri,” plus productions from NW Dance Project, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Danielle Ross, and more.

In memoriam: George Johanson

Remembering an artistic life well and truly lived: The Northwest artist died in October of 2022; his memorial service is June 11 at the World Forestry Center.

(Mis)remembering: VizArts Monthly

June’s art offerings explore the phenomena of memory in a variety of media including paint, performance, and piñata paper.

The vital art of reflecting on disease

Ruth Ross and others carry on a centuries-old tradition of depicting the realities and reflections of cancer and other diseases in their art.

DramaWatch: At PSU, a Kabuki farewell

The premiere of a fresh Kabuki adaptation of a 1685 Japanese puppet play is Laurence Kominz’ swan song. Plus “Afropolitical Movement,” openings, closings.

Gaming Euphoria

In the latest installment of ArtsWatch’s Gender Deconstruction series, game designer and self-described “science communicator” Olive Marion Gabriel Joseph Wick Perry talks passion projects, day jobs, and making it all work.

PICA: Out of the pandemic, into the future

Retiring Portland Institute for Contemporary Art executive director Victoria Frey and her successor, Reuben Roqueñi, discuss the venerable avant-garde arts institution’s coming transformation.

DramaWatch: Beyond grit in ‘Mary Jane’

Endurance, warmth and strength in Amy Herzog’s play; clawing the walls at Shaking the Tree; the casting controversy; is “who wrote Shakespeare” the wrong question?

News & Notes: Vanport Flood at 75

The eighth annual Vanport Mosaic Festival, remembering the flood and its legacy, begins. Also: Schnitzer Hall gets too hot to handle; Carlos Kalmar is investigated.

Bonnie Lucas at ILY2

The retrospective “Bonnie Lucas 1978-2023” is the first show in ILY2’s new Pearl gallery space. Hannah Krafcik considers the coded meanings of the bejeweled and bedecked compositions.

Photo: A Portland Journal, Part 4

Remembrance of things not so very past: As Portland crawls back from the crises of the past three years, K.B. Dixon’s urban portraits capture the everyday beauty of the city that was.

Robert Shaw (the conductor) and Robert Shaw (the actor) as Quint in 'Jaws'

PuzzleWatch: Not THAT Robert Shaw

Two Robert Shaws (Roberts Shaw?) are at the center of this month’s crossword puzzle. One was an actor, known for his roles in films such as ‘Jaws’ and ‘The Sting’; the other was a conductor, famous for his pristine interpretations of great choral works.

Eva Lake shakes the tree

After a tumultuous few years, a recent self-curated show in her new home gave this venerable, multitalented artist a sense of agency and renewal.

Review: MOMIX goes through the looking glass

A colorful rendition of Lewis Carroll’s ‘Through the Looking Glass’ and ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ brings illusion to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Four chords and a dark mirror

Leslie Peterson Sapp’s vivid collage-paintings reflecting the moods of Film Noir echo a long creative history of borrowing and revising in music and art.

Nataki Garrett and OSF part ways

The artistic director of the embattled Oregon Shakespeare Festival departs as the company is in the midst of an emergency fund drive to keep its season going.

DramaWatch: Profile and the playwrights

At Profile, a gathering of contemporary voices. Plus: Clowning around at Milagro, Corrib’s gritty solo show, last days for “Come From Away,” Portland Playhouse’s new season and more.

VizArts Monthly: Vibrancy in May

Warmer weather is here – at least for now! Celebrate by heading out to take in some art at any of these enticing offerings.

All Classical On the Move

Portland’s ambitious, forward-looking classical music radio station is expanding its scope, creating space for live performances, and relocating to downtown Portland.

Review: Oregon Ballet Theatre’s ‘Firebird’ takes flight

Yuri Possokhov’s highly acclaimed rendition of the Russian folktale was accompanied by “Indigo,” Stanton Welch’s one-act contemporary octet, and the world premiere of “Eco” by Paul Taylor Company resident choreographer, Lauren Lovette.

Portland Opera Puccini in Concert Keller Auditorium Portland Oregon
Portland Center Stage at the Armory Coriolanus Portland Oregon
Cascadia Composers May the Fourth be with you Bold new music for winds and piano Lincoln Recital Hall PSU Portland Oregon
Chamber Music Northwest Imani Winds and BodyVox Beautiful Everything The Reser Beaverton Oregon
Portland Columbia Symphony Adelante Voices of Tomorrow Beaverton and Gresham Oregon
Portland Baroque Orchestra Harmony of Nations Concert First Baptist Church Kaul Auditorium Reed College Portland Oregon
Newport Visual and Performing Arts Newport Oregon Coast
Kalakendra Indian Classical Instrumental Music First Congregational Church Portland Oregon
NW Dance Project Moving Stories Newmark Theatre Portland Oregon
Triangle Productions Perfect Arrangement Portland Oregon
Portland Playhouse Passing Strange Portland Oregon
Oregon Repertory Singers Finding Light 50th Season Portland Oregon
Imago Theatre Carol Triffle Mission Gibbons Portland Oregon
Maryhill Museum of Art Goldendale Washington
Portland State University College of the Arts
Bonnie Bronson 2024 Fellow Wendy Red Star Reed College Reception Kaul Auditorium Foyer Portland Oregon
PassinArt Theatre and Portland Playhouse present Yohen Brunish Theatre Portland Oregon
Pacific Maritime Heritage Center Prosperity of the Sea Lincoln County Historical Society Newport Oregon Coast
Portland Art Museum Virtual Sneakers to Cutting Edge Kicks Portland Oregon
High Desert Museum Sasquatch Central Oregon
Oregon Cultural Trust donate
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