For two weeks in August, Washington Park hosts a series of free concerts at the Rose Garden amphiteathre. This is a great venue for smaller (and larger) musical acts, outdoors with the wafting aroma of roses. Some concerts are better than others. For some reason, the Lions of Batucada are very popular. They are a troupe of percussionists and dancers who specialize in the carnival sounds of Brasilia. Of course, they would sound better if there was an actual Carnivale replete with parade and parties. Here, they sounded like adults who wished they were children in their mom's kitchen, banging pots and pans (I am not the Mean Girl in Portland). Sanyu, a gospel chorus, was much better. Last night, we went to see the Portland Festival Symphony with Three Leg Torso as guests. Good music. A great way to spend an August evening.
This is the 9th year that the Iranian-American festival was celebrated here at PSU. I had been meaning to attend, but something always came up. The information booths were informative, the food booths served delicious delicacies, the performers were colorful, and everyone was very friendly. Mint-flavored yogurt soda, anyone? While we were on the PSU campus, we looked at some of the unusual sculptures there. We were particularly intrigued with this one. We can't remember what it was called, but it was created when the School of Social Work opened. Does this evoke the symbols of someone being helped?
Four years ago, Red Bull’s Flugtag (Flying Day) blew into town, and Portlanders have been hooked since. Teams of five build dangerous looking (but quite fun and ingenious) contraptions to launch off of a 30-foot drop into the Willamette. Whoever “flies” the farthest wins the competition. This year, we found good seats on a “hill” that had views of who was “on deck,” the skits, the launch, and eventually the crane hauling the spent crafts out of the water. From our view, we couldn’t see the actual landings, but we could see everything on the big screen. There were great flying machines like the shoe, the banana boat (replete with banana suits), a butterfly, a Chinese takeout box, various planes, including one that looked like it was made of Legos...and more. The guy in the picture climbed up on a signpost for a better view. I thought he was going to hurt himself on the sign coming back down. People also climbed up into the trees. First it was the kids, and as the day progressed, the climbers got bigger and bigger. I kind of hoped that a branch would break (I am not the Mean Girl in Portland).
Lovejoy Fountain is in another park near our condo. Lovejoy Park is a bit more "industrial" than Pettygrove Park in that it is all concrete. There is a small theatre area, but I've hardly seen anyone perform there. The fountain is actually quite interesting, if you look at it closely. At first glance, it is rather ugly, but when you notice the dimensions up close and complexity of how the water falls, it is really quite nice. The people who can't get into our pool swim in the top "pool" of the fountain. Just don't swallow the reclaimed water.
Happy August Everyone! Washington Park has several musical offerings (free, with the hat passed around at the end of the show). Last week, we went to see Willy Wonka. This was the culmination of a summer workshop for kids. The kids hit some unusual notes, but they looked like they were having a terrific time. What a great way to get them interested in theatre.
The Oregon Convention Center is an amazing facility. I couldn't climb over the roses to ring the bell. Inside the OCC, there are beautiful glass flowers hanging from the ceiling, a giant pendulum in the design of the sun and planets, and all manner of artwork. All it needs is a major convention or trade show that would be worth attending. Oh, wait, all we need is major convention hotel to go with it. For such a progressive city, Portland doesn't think ahead...(no, I am not the Mean Girl in Portland).
For two weeks in August, Washington Park hosts a series of free concerts at the Rose Garden amphiteathre. This is a great venue for smaller (and larger) musical acts, outdoors with the wafting aroma of roses. Some concerts are better than others. For some reason, the Lions of Batucada are very popular. They are a troupe of percussionists and dancers who specialize in the carnival sounds of Brasilia. Of course, they would sound better if there was an actual Carnivale replete with parade and parties. Here, they sounded like adults who wished they were children in their mom's kitchen, banging pots and pans (I am not the Mean Girl in Portland). Sanyu, a gospel chorus, was much better. Last night, we went to see the Portland Festival Symphony with Three Leg Torso as guests. Good music. A great way to spend an August evening.
