Thursday, November 6, 2008

An Affair to Remember


Holiday parties can run the gambit: a chic socialite soriee, a family affair or a catered kegger all seem well within the rollicking realm. Being the capable person that you are, you’re most likely plenty able to class up your joint with festive décor, put on some old records or pop playlists and plan a tailor-made fete de résistance. So how can we help? How about a few wonderfully mouth watering DIY catering suggestions from a pro and a solid pointing in the direction of some excellent December decorations? Okay, food first... read full article

Raising the Home Bar


With holiday parties rapidly approaching, a bit of panic can set in for those of us hosting. But if you can lock down a few key elements, others will tend to fall nicely into place. On the subject of elements, and considering the nip in the air, a warm and cozy party will fit the bill to a T. And what welcomes people in from the cold better than a well stocked bar? read full article

Neighborhood Profile: The Cultured Pearl

Nothing divides Portlanders’ opinions as hotly as the Pearl District. Many of us love wandering around its boutique-lined streets, coffee in hand, window-shopping for antique furniture and peeping into the storefronts of its many art galleries. Others, however, bemoan its rapid development, calling for a return to the bleakly romantic, ivy-coated warehouse district of years past. Love it or hate it, the Pearl is where we all end up on the first Thursday of every month, sipping free wine out of plastic cups and marveling at the bewildering creative energy of our town... read full article

Touch & G.O.


It’s early October, and just five minutes into his first preseason game in a Trail Blazer uniform, Greg Oden is already gassed. His teammates have quickly made the transition from offense to defense, but all eyes in the Rose Garden remain fixed on the lumbering big man as he deliberately crosses halfcourt and makes his way to the post... read full article

Hypnotic Help


Anxious over the elections? Feeling the stress of the economic crunch? Maybe your fears are a bit closer to home and you’re already dreading the 2009 smoking ban or the looming New Year and its resolutions? Hypnotherapy may be able to help ease your stress, overcome your fears and a make a fresh start out of those old bad habits... read full article

Secret Gardens II


Midway through my Kauai adventure, I am already enamored with the island. My speculations about its appeal to the average adventure-seeking, nature-loving Portlander were proven true (see "Secret Gardens," October 2008), and I was only three days into the trip. But as my cab driver/tour guide Ante drove me to my next destination (the much-touted North Shore) I was feeling just a bit overwhelmed... read full article

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Weekend Hotlist


Portland Erotic Ball



On Halloween, join the cool kids at the Crystal Ballroom for the biggest, best, erotic themed party in the Northwest. The evening includes performances by Pepe & the Bottle Blondes, Broken Soviet and the March Forth Marching Band, as well as a burlesque show by The Rose City Sirens, and fetish demonstrations by the Lady Alycyn. Ooh la la! This gig is a "costume mandatory event" (which means they won't let you in if you show up in your own tight jeans and hoodie and say you're dressed as a "hipster"). If your costume is really cool, you might even win some cash. In fact, PDX Magazine will be helping judge the costume contest where winners will receive $5,000 in cash and prizes. Tickets ($30adv/$35door) are on sale at Taboo Video or online and can also be purchased at the door. Snatch up a VIP ticket if you still can because it includes a hosted bar!

LA CARPA DEL MAESTRO EL DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS



Every fall, Miracle Theatre pulls out all the stops with their Day of the Dead production, written this year by Martín Milagro. In it, the dead are commemorated with a lively show of dance, music and theatre. Miracle is celebrating their 25th Anniversary season (no small feat!)and director Phillip Cuomo says they wanted to explore the ideas and relationships that exist between "folkloric master" and "contemporary apprentice." The show, a "mod, mid-century mash of bobby-soxers and beatniks, a defining point in time when culture revered — and counter-culture reinvented — tradition" plays through November 9. This weekend, however is a great time to catch the show because Day of the Dead (the traditional day of remembrance Mexican heritage) falls on November 1 and 2.

Halloween on Broadway at Portland Center Stage



If you're as fond of costuming as we are, you'll love this event. Dress up like your favorite Broadway character and get $10 tickets to the Halloween performance of Guys & Dolls or R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE (We wonder if the one above counts. It was oddly mislabeled as "theatre critic").
Ten dollars! Seriously, with ticket prices being what they are today, we sort of wish they'd implement a "dress as a character, get a deal" thing permanently. Come to think of it, given their line up, it could be fun. Top hats and bonnets for A Christmas Carol? Circa 1969 white shirts and black ties for Apollo? And we can only begin to imagine what sort of costuming Ms. Large would inspire.
After the show, stay for the party and enjoy complimentary beer from Deschutes Brewery, as well as wine and a few treats, and a costume contest (judged by the PCS costume shop, natch) where you could win a pair of "Broadway at Home" season passes to PCS. (Pssst! Here's the secret code to get your $10 tix: SPOOKY for Guys and Dolls and BOO for R. Buckminster Fuller.)


Portland Trailblazers v. San Antonio Spurs




Oh no-den! Despite the disappointing debut of Portland's seemingly cursed wunderkind against the L.A. Lakers on Tuesday, we were still hopeful. We were hoping Greg Oden would hammer down his first two-handed dunk on Tim Duncan’s head, the entire building would shake, the roof would be blown off the Rose Garden and the heavens would part, officially ushering in a new era of Blazer basketball. Sadly, he's out for at least two weeks. Nonetheless, there's still a lot to be excited about. We still have Brandon Roy, Channing Frye and LaMarcus Aldridge And they spent all last season proving that they didn't need no stinkin' Oden. This game is a sure sellout, so go on StubHub, hit up a scalper, mug a season ticket holder, do what you have to do—just make sure you get to the Rose Garden.



Portland Walking Tours: Beyond Bizarre




Portland Walking Tours is still the best way around to learn about our fair city. We are often amazed that more Portlanders don't opt in for the experience. Heck, we sort of love it when friends come into town so that we have a chance to do them again. One of our favorites, the Beyond Bizarre tour takes you through the best of Portland's paranormal. The 10pm tour is the most fun for all you thrill seekers (geared for 21 and over only). That tour sells out fast (at last check only Sunday was available) so book it now.

DoveLewis Wet Nose Soirée



This Saturday at the Governor Hotel help celebrate DoveLewis' 35th birthday at their annual masquerade gala. The Wet Nose Soirée is DoveLewis’ largest annual event where guests can honor the two and four-legged creatures we all adore while kicking up their heels and having a darn good time. The event features a hosted reception with a signature cocktail, silent and live auctions, a formal dinner, Dove Awards and live entertainment. Honestly, we wish there were more masquerade balls (see costuming obsession above). And this one is made all the more fun because if you get tired of hanging out with other partygoers, you can visit with some of their therapy dogs instead! Don’t miss this unique event, packed with Portland’s premiere animal lovers.