Each month, Literary Arts staff will round up news, events, and more happening in Portland, and beyond. Let us know in the form below the blog if you have any events or news to share.
EVENTS
Geek Week (Various Locations)
Friday, September 6th– Sunday, September 15th, 2024 | FREE
The Geeks of Portland are uniting to bring you the worlds largest pop culture festival, featuring fantasy, sci-fi, super heroes and supernatural events. Each quadrant of the city will be transformed with cosplay events, film festivals, discounts, etc.
Big Cheese Poetry Slam (Hi-Lo Hotel)
Tuesday, September 10th–Sunday, December 15th, 2024 | F320 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204 | $5 – $15
Welcome to the Big Cheese Poetry Slam, a competition designed to earn these poets some cheddar. On the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month, up to 16 poets compete against each other for the Top Three of the Evening. The top three poets of each month’s Big Cheese Poetry Slam will have their poem PUBLISHED in an anthology series at the end of the season. In addition to publication, these Poets of the Evening will receive a CASH PRIZE for contributing to the anthology. 3rd place gets $50, 2nd place gets $75 and 1st place will receive $100, bragging rights AND a victory lap poem.
Airlie Press Fall Titles Book Launch (Rose City Book Pub)
Sunday, September 15th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 | FREE
Join Airlie Press for their launch of our Fall 2024 titles! Daneen Bergland will read from her book The Goodbye Kit, and Irene Cooper will read from Even my dreams are over the constant state of anxiety at Rose City Book Pub (1329 NE Fremont St., Portland), 5pm.
2024 Portland Zine Symposium (Smith Memorial Student Union in the Ballroom)
Saturday, September 21st–Sunday, September 22nd from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Smith Memorial Student Union in the Ballroom,1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 | FREE
The Portland Zine Symposium is a zine fair that has celebrated independent publishing and DIY culture since 2001. Its mission is to strengthen community connections and foster creative expression in the Portland zine scene. Attendees can expect to see a variety of self-published works on a wide array of themes, from pop culture to disability justice to autobio comics.
Chelsea Bieker in Conversation With Kimberly King Parsons (Powell’s)
Thursday, September 19th, at 7:00 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR | FREE to attend
The world is not made for mothers. Yet mothers made the world… Clove has gone to extremes to keep her past a secret. Thanks to her lies, she’s landed the life of her dreams, complete with a safe husband and two adoring children who will never know the terror that was routine in her own childhood. But when she receives a letter from a women’s prison in California, her past comes screeching into the present, entangling her in a dangerous game with memory and the people she thought she had outrun. As we race between her precarious present-day life in Portland, Oregon and her childhood in a Waikiki high-rise with her mother and father, Clove is forced to finally unravel the defining day of her life. Bieker will be joined in conversation by Kimberly King Parsons, author of We Were the Universe.
Fall Fling (St. Johns Plaza)
Saturday, September 21st, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | St. Johns Plaza, Lombard & N Burlington Ave, Portland, OR 97203 | FREE to attend
It’s time to celebrate in St. Johns! Join your neighbors for some fall-themed fun. Join us in the plaza for art and activities from local businesses. Hula hooping with Allison Kirley. A visit from The Smalls mini horses. Live music and more!
Portland October Fest (Pioneer Courthouse Square)
Saturday, September 21st, from 5:30–9:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 22nd, from 11:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, Lombard & N Burlington Ave, Portland, OR 97203 | Tickets start at $10
Portland Oktoberfest returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square on September 20th and 21st! Join us in the heart of the city to enjoy signature German food, paired perfectly with regional German-style beers and authentic imports straight from Munich.
Portland Design Month (Weird By Design)
Various dates, September 25th– October 26 | Various locations
Portland Design Month is more than a festival — it’s an invitation to see our city with new eyes. In the past, this event was limited to one week. This year, we’re excited to announce that it will run for a full month, featuring numerous events and workshops around the city by nonprofits, designers, students, companies, and you (our awesome attendees).
Dear Stranger (Oregon Humanities) Mail your letter by October 31, 2024
Dear Stranger is a recurring letter-exchange project that connects Oregonians through the mail to share experiences, beliefs, and ideas. Since 2014, more than 1,000 people have exchanged letters through the project. Everyone is invited to participate—whatever your age, your place of residence, or your circumstances, Dear Stranger wants to hear from you.
Bard Bingo (Wonderwood Springs)
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203 | FREE
Bard Bingo at Portland Artist Mike Bennett’s Wonderwood Springs is a lively bingo event hosted by a traveling bard’s musical musings. Held every Tuesday night, this event features four exciting rounds with cards priced at $5 each. It’s cash-only, offering chances to win various prizes such as original artwork, stickers, gift cards, lawn signs, and the coveted jackpot.
Storytime with Latoya Lovely (PSU Farmers Market)
Various dates, August–November 2024 | PSU Farmers Market South Park Blocks, between the Blackstone Residence Hall and Smith Memorial Student Union Near 1831 SW Park Ave.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU invites you to Storytime at the PSU Farmers Market led by Portland-based artist Latoya Lovely. Inspired by the exhibition Color Outside the Lines from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, we will read stories exploring color and its ability to build friendship and community. Join Lovely as she brings stories of art and whimsy to life!
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Soapstone Study Groups (Soapstone: Celebrating Women Writers)
Various dates, August–November, 2024
Soapstone offers a program of six study groups each year on women writers. Enjoy lively, friendly, in-depth conversations with other readers, skillfully led by writers and teachers. People of all genders and identities are welcome. No previous knowledge of the works discussed is necessary. Scholarships are available.
Call for Writers: International Dublin Writers’ Festival (International Dublin Writers’ Festival)
Friday, September 20th–Sunday, September 22nd | $45–$149
This event is an opportunity for all writers, everywhere, to connect with the literary culture of Dublin and to learn from experts and peers. Their mission is to help writers excel and to provide opportunities for writers to learn from key industry professionals, aiming to provide community, inspiration, and learning opportunities for authors in all genres. Their program includes sessions on editing, (self)publishing, and marketing for authors, and includes a varied panel of renowned authors and industry experts. The featured speakers this year include Doug Richardson (Screenwriter, Author, & Literary Consultant) and A. Keith Carrero (Award-winning Author & Educator).
Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award (Red Hen Press)
Deadline to submit: October 31st, 2024 | $25 entry fee
Established in 1998, in honor of the poet Benjamin Saltman (1927–1999), this award is for a previously unpublished original collection of poetry. The awarded collection is selected through an annual competition that is open to all poets. Winner awarded $3000 and $3000 book publication by Red Hen Press.
FOR KIDS / TEENS
Spotlight: A Family Arts Festival (Northwest Children’s Theater)
Saturday, September 14th-Sunday, September 15th, from 11:00 am.–3:00 p.m. | The Judy, 1000 SW Broadway T-100, Portland, OR | Pay-what-you-will
Come on down to The Judy for a fun-filled weekend of music, theater, dance, and more! This year’s lineup includes Brick Bending LEGO art, Catalyst: NWCT’s Youth Company. Dennis Dove & Rachael Brown, NWCT’s John Ellingson, Renegade Opera, Vikas Arun & Project Convergence, and more!
Toddler Storytime & Play (Sunrise Books)
Thursdays, at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Sunrise Books | FREE to attend
Join Sunrise Books every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. for toddler storytime! They’ll sing, dance, do a read aloud, and have a rockin’ good time. Perfect for ages 18 months–4 years. This storytime is free; however, they accept donations to keep it going.
Kids’ Story & Art Class at Awake Coffee & Art!
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Awake Coffee & Art | $8
Bring your little ones Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. for a storybook reading and art session! They’ll have a hands-on art project after the reading. It could be watercolor painting, making and playing with play dough, or another creative project to engage the young artists’ talents! All materials included!
Kids’ Storytime (Powell’s)
Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. | Powell’s City of Books | FREE
Join Powell’s every Saturday for kids’ storytime.
Free Beginning Ballet Series (Ages 6-11) (The Portland Ballet)
September 7th–September 21st, 2024, from 11:45 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | The Portland Ballet, 6250 SW Capitol Hwy Portland, OR 97239 | FREE
IN THE NEWS
Oregon’s New Poet Laureate Announced (1190 Kex Radio)
Life’s Work: An Interview with Connie Chung (Havard Business Review)
Can a $9 Lunch Cure Loneliness? (Oprah Daily)
You’re Safe Here, A Sci-Fi Novel Set In 2060, Reads Eerily Current (Portland Monthly)
‘Coraline’ 15th anniversary re-release lands in top 5 at the box office (Oregon Live)
Tony Hopson Sr., the Leader of Oregon’s Largest Black Nonprofit, Reflects on 43 Years Atop Self Enhancement Inc. (Willamette Week)
(Willamette Week)
RECOMMENDED READING
Discover Literary Arts, From Multcolib (Multnomah County Library)
Portland Bookstores, Beyond Powell’s (Travel Portland)
25 Books to Read Before You Die: Pacific Northwest Edition (Powell’s)
Local Resources for Writers (Multnomah County Library)
Community News Submissions
Let us know if you have any events, news to share, or opportunities for writers for the In the Community blog and we will consider adding it to the next blog post!
