Oregon Symphony (Oregon Ballet Theatre & Portland Opera)

For one glorious evening in August, the Oregon Symphony performs at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This is where the masses who can’t afford the usual symphony tickets at the Schnitz (and for those who don’t want to dress up for a formal evening out) attend. You still have to get there early for a seat on the plushy grass, otherwise, snooty people will tell you “you can’t sit there because you’re blocking the aisle” when in reality, we all know they don’t want you sitting there because you’re in front of them. We were also treated to cameo performances by two Swan Lake ballet performers and La Traviata opera singers. The ballerina is so tiny; there is no way I could spin like that. This performance was the favorite of all the little girls in the audience. National Guard members were on hand to fire cannons to accompany the 1912 Overture. The show was followed by fireworks. It was like watching leftover fireworks from the Olympics Opening Ceremony (Beijing used up all the fireworks and we got one case of leftovers).