Category: Events

This category used to feature a weekly events calendar, but that is no more. At this point it’s more about individual eventshappening in the Portland, OR area.

Got something going on? I’d still like to know about it. Submit an event, here.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (February 18)

Akadi will return, and with new offerings. Portland Monthly published an article this week about Akadi, one of Portland’s great African restaurants, which went on hiatus in 2020. The gist of the article is: “First, [chef-owner Fatou Ouattara will] open an African grocery store in North Portland called House of Flavor, focused on teaching the public how to use African ingredients in everyday cooking. Later this spring, Akadi will reopen in a bigger space on SE Division with a broader menu.” Read more over on PoMo. 3901 N Williams Avenue (store) and 1001 SE Division, Portland (restaurant)

Tasty will also return. Portland Business Journal reports that a group of restaurant partners will open House of Tasty, a “community supper club and culinary gathering space” that brings the Tasty brand back to Portland. You may remember that in 2020 the Toro Bravo restaurant group was dissolved (aside: John Gorham is backing Rancher Butcher Chef in Bend, OR). The name was purchased by some former Tasty employees and they opened a Tasty in Lake Oswego in 2021. Look for the new Portland Tasty space to open in the former Bar King location this spring. You can also follow their progress on their Instagram. 726 SE Sixth Avenue, Portland

Furmint Fest tonight. Over at Bar Norman they are hosting a celebration of wines made from the Furmint grape, “Hungary’s darling white grape.” If you’ve ever had Tokaj dessert wines, you’ve likely had a taste of the Furmint grape, which Bar Norman calls, “expressive as hell, entirely unique.” Local importer/distributor, Lone Wolf, knows a lot about Central and Eastern European wines, and will be on hand to pour for you and answer questions about wines from the region. So stop by tonight from 7-9pm to taste a range of Furmint bottlings (note: the party’s on the patio, so dress appropriately). DJ Broken Arrow will be spinning, as well. 2615 SE Clinton Street, Portland

Two soft openings. A couple of spots I’ve written about are now operating in the “soft opening” stage: Wu-Rons and Wallflower Coffee. Wu-Rons is the celebrated ramen restaurant from Charlotte, NC that moved to Portland last year. Wallflower Coffee, a “community-centric coffeeshop,” ran an Indiegogo campaign last year to fund their efforts. Glad to see they are both open. 1430 SE Water Avenue, Portland and 3158 SE Division Street, Portland

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Tamales Festival at Portland Mercado February 25-27

I’m going to tell you something that’s a little embarrassing—last month was the very first time I ever visited the Portland Mercado. I’ve lived in Portland for a number of years now, and it took me all this time to make it there. So, please—don’t make my mistake. Go soon—and why not for the upcoming Tamales Festival?

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Participate in Chocolate for Congo in Portland in February 2022

I only recent became aware of the campaign, Chocolate for Congo, a month-long benefit for Action Kivu and Eastern Congo Initiative. These are two organizations that work to repair the harm done by years of violence and neglect in Eastern Congo by investing in the women, children and communities in the region. You can read about the Kivu conflict on Wikipedia for more background.

The benefit works like this: you enjoy chocolate at restaurants and bakeries in Portland throughout February and $1 from each dessert will benefit these organizations. You still have about half a month to participate!

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Check Out the CSA Share Fair in February

Image credit: PNWCSA

The Pacific Northwest Community Supported Agriculture Coalition (PNWCSA) is holding their 7th annual CSA Share Fair later this month. If you are at all interested in CSAs or are “CSA-curious,” this is the event for you. A CSA is an excellent, tried and true way for you to access fresh, local produce (and other products) while directly supporting farmers and other food producers closer to home.

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Buy Native Plants, Support the Rocky Butte Farmers Market

The Rocky Butte Farmers Market—which, as you may know, is going to operate weekly in 2022—is doing a fundraiser in support of the market’s expansion and its mission to be a community-centered market. They will be partnering with Sparrowhawk Native Plants for a plant sale and portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit the Market. Sparrowhawk offers a whole variety of beautiful plants—sun loving, woodland, shade plants, groundcovers, and more—for your gardens. This is a great way to populate your garden with gorgeous natives and support the Market at the same time.

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