DECEMBER EVENTS
Calendar Listing for Oregon and Southwest Washington
(Updated Regularly)

   Cascade Festival of African Films
January 31 - February 29

In celebration of Black History Month, the Cascade Festival of African Films shows us Africa through the eyes of Africans, rather than a vision of Africa packaged for Western viewers. It's five weeks of more than 30 feature, documentary and short films by established and emerging African directors from 18 countries.  The films celebrate Africa's achievements, expose its failures, and reveal possibilities for a hopeful future.  The annual festival is from Jan. 31 - Feb. 29 at two locations in Portland: PCC Cascade's Moriarty Arts & Humanities Building, Rm. 104 at the Hollywood Theatre.  More online at africanfilmfestival.org. 

PDX Jazz Festival
February 19 - March 1

The PDX Jazz Festival is a multi-venue series of jazz events presented each February within Portland.  You can enjoy performances of international, national, regional and local jazz artists on six stages.  They will also have educational workshops, jazz conversations, jam sessions, and student art.  The festivities are from Feb. 19 - March 1 at various venues throughout the Portland metro area.  More online at pdxjazz.com.

Fisher Poets Gathering
February 28 - March 1

The FisherPoets Gathering is an authentic, creative celebration of life in the commercial fishing industry. A hundred fisher poets from coasts near and far share original stories, songs and poetry with each other. Enjoy storytelling, workshops, a self-guided cannery tour film and visual arts. It will be held from Feb. 28 - March 1.  Numerous venues throughout downtown Astoria will be hosting FisherPoet Gathering events, so check the website for locations at www.fisherpoets.org.

Portland Golf Show
February 28 - March 1

The West Coast's longest-running consumer golf expo returns, Feb. 28 - Mar. 1!  Take advantage of the lowest prices of the year on name-brand clubs from the industry's leading manufacturers, hit balls on a free driving range stocked with the year's hottest new clubs, play fun skills contests to win stay-and-play vacations, receive FREE lessons from top pros, enjoy beer and distillery tastings, plus special areas for kids, golf fitness and more.  In addition, a $15 ticket includes up to four rounds of golf and more! It will be held at the Oregon Convention Center: 777 NE. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Portland.  Hours, exhibitors and activities at PortlandGolfShow.com.

Bricks Cascade
February 29 - March 1

The Bricks Cascade event showcases products like custom-made plastic elements and old or vintage LEGO sets and many more related products and services and in the Sporting Goods, Toys & Games industry.  The event is for all ages, from the expert builder to those who just appreciate seeing the creations.  It will be held from Feb. 29 - March 1 at the Oregon Convention Center: 777 NE. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Portland.  Go online to brickscascade.com. 

Music Lanterna Concert Series Project:
David Kalhous
Saturday, February 29
(Southwest Washington)

Musica Lanterna Concert Series Project presents the fourth concert of the season in an intimate setting of Tandem Hall, Downtown Vancouver Washington. Join Florida-based Czech-American concert pianist David Kalhous in a program of solo piano music from Baroque to Contemporary styles. An evening is accompanied by an art exhibition of an award winning fluid artist Joanne Cavallaro. Special guest: 14 years old pianist Jeffrey Tso. Audiences are invited to join an after concert Talk/Conversation. You will be able to share your impressions, ask questions and get to know more insights directly from our artists. Drinks and refreshments are provided by Boomerang Bistro.  Where? Tandem Hall at Boomerang Bistro, 808 Main Street, Vancouver, WA.  When? February 29th, doors open at 6:15 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.  Tickets and info at www.musicalanterna.com. 

Portland Christian Science Lecture Series:
A New View of God and Its Effect on Well-Being
Thursday, March 5

Hosted by the Portland Christian Science Lecture Series, their third speaker this season is Phillip Hockley, CS of Chesterfield, Missouri.  Phillip will share how the perspective of God and reality that Christian Science opens up is one that offers freedom from whatever in our lives seems painful, debilitating, or limiting. You will learn how Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery in the nineteenth century is still relevant to our lives today because of what it reveals about God’s great love for each of us and its powerful, life-transforming effects.  His talk is on Thursday, March 5, 7:15 p.m. at the PSU Native American Student and Community Center: 1422 SW. 11th Ave. in Portland.  More online at pdxcslectureseries.com.

Coastal Celtic Music Festival
March 6 - 8
(Coastal Washington)

This year, the 3-day festival will bring 12+ bands, new venues, dancers and workshops!  It will be held from March 6 - 8 at the Crown Alley Irish Pub: 21712 Pacific Way in Ocean Park.  For details, visit their Facebook page. 

Nehalem Winterfest
March 6 - 8

The 2020 Nehalem Winterfest at NCRD is made up of three shows, from March 6 - 8.  On Friday, March 6, 7 p.m., Marlin James Band will be performing.  They are one of the Northwest's most requested Country/Rock bands! They have been recognized as Band of the Year by 8 Seconds Saloon in Indianapolis and recorded the hit song 'That Old Familiar Pain' on the hit TV Show 'Supernatural'. They are influenced by Keith Urban, Charlie Daniels and other well known names in country music.  Eagle Eyes will take the stage on Saturday, March 7, 7 p.m.  They are a tribute band to the legendary music of the EAGLES. Eagle Eyes has taken great care in recreating the harmonies and capturing the live true magic that the Eagles were renowned for. Hailing from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the four members of Eagle Eyes have over 120 years of combined experience as professional touring musicians.  And the third within the lineup of performers is The Mel Brown Quartet on Sunday, March 8, 2 p.m.  They came together in the fall of 2002 at Jimmy Mak's, a popular jazz club in Portland, Oregon. All seasoned jazzmen, the group has become a mainstay in the Portland jazz scene playing to enthusiastic, full capacity crowds at every appearance. In the 1999 Brown was inducted into the Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of fame.  The Nehalem Winterfest is located at 36155 9th St. in Nehalem.  Go online to ncrd.org.

Oregon Chocolate Festival
March 6 - 8

There’s so much to love about the Oregon Chocolate Festival!  Each year the festival features the dreamy, mouth-watering creations of dozens of West Coast chocolatiers.  These food artisans present a variety of fine chocolates and chocolate-inspired products that tease the taste buds of over 3,000 visitors. Chocoholics – ahem… that is, Chocolate Lovers – up and down the west coast dream about this weekend every year!  Several tantalizing events have come to be associated with the Oregon Chocolate Festival including the Chocolate + Wine Party, Choclate Maker's Wine Dinner, Friday Night Disco Inferno Social, Charlie's Choclate 5K and 10K Run/Walk and more.  This annual event is from March 6 - 8 at Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites: 2525 Ashland St. in Ashland.  More online at www.oregonchocolatefestival.com.

10th Annual Washington State Horse Expo
March 6 - 8
(Southwest Washington)

The 10th Anniversary of the Washington State Horse Expo is March 6th through 8th at the Clark County Event Center: 17402 NE. Delfel Rd. in Ridgefield, Washington.  Don’t miss a weekend gathering of horse experts, vendors, a kid’s corral and clinicians like Stacy Westfall, Steve Rother, Evan Bonner, Robert Eversole and many more! Advance discount tickets are available ONLINE and at participating Wilco Farm stores February 3rd through March 5th.  Follow their page on Facebook and visit WashingtonStateHorseExpo.com for more details.