Events

Join a group of vinyl enthusiasts and crate diggers as we are escorted on a coach bus from record store to record store enjoying music, food, drinks and fun.

The #VanportJazzFestival honors the city of Vanport and the voices that formed our jazz community.

We intend to transform Colwood Golf Course into a cultural revival, welcoming internationally renowned artists and breathing new life into Portland jazz.

Check out the complete schedule at https://vanportjazzfestival.com/

Tacocat, The Black Tones, B.R.U.C.E.
Tickets
Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm
$18 Advance, $20 Day of Show
This event is all ages

When Seattle band Tacocat—vocalist Emily Nokes, bassist Bree McKenna, guitarist Eric Randall, and drummer Lelah Maupin—first started in 2007, the world they were responding to was vastly different from the current Seattle scene of diverse voices they’ve helped foster. It was a world of house shows, booking DIY tours on MySpace, and writing funny, deliriously catchy feminist pop-punk songs when feminism was the quickest way to alienate yourself from the then-en vogue garage-rock bros. Their lyrical honesty, humor, and hit-making sensibilities have built the band a fiercely devoted fanbase over the years, one that has followed them from basements to dive bars to sold-out shows at the Showbox. Every step along the way has been a seamless progression—from silly songs about Tonya Harding and psychic cats to calling out catcallers and poking fun at entitled weekend-warrior tech jerks on their last two records on Hardly Art, 2014’s NVM and 2016’s Lost Time. 

This Mess is a Place, Tacocat’s fourth full-length and first on Sub Pop, finds the band waking up the morning after the 2016 election and figuring out how to respond to a new reality where evil isn’t hiding under the surface at all—it’s front and center, with new tragedies and civil rights assaults filling up the scroll of the newsfeed every day. “What a time to be barely alive,” laments “Crystal Ball,” a gem that examines the more intimate side of responding emotionally to the news cycle. How do you keep fighting when all you want to do is stay in bed all day? “Stupid computer stupor/Oh my kingdom for some better ads,” Nokes sings, throwing in some classic Tacocat snark, “Truth spread so thin/It stops existing.” 

Despite current realities being depressing enough to make anyone want to crawl under the covers and sleep for a thousand years, Tacocat are doing what they’ve always done so well: mingling brightness, energy, and hope with political critique. This Mess is a Place is charged with a hopefulness that stands in stark contrast to music that celebrates apathy, despair, and numbness. Tacocat feels it all and cares, a lot, whether they’re singing odes to the magical connections we feel with our pets (“Little Friend”), imagining what a better earth might look like (“New World”), or trying to find humor in a wholly unfunny world (“The Joke of Life”).

Throughout the album, Tacocat questions power structures and the way we interact with them, recalling the feminist sci-fi of Ursula K. Le Guin in pop-music form. “Rose-Colored Sky” examines the privilege of people who have been able to skate through life without ever experiencing systemic disadvantage: “For all the years spent/Hot lava shaping me/For all the arguments/I wonder who else would I be?” Nokes sings. “If I wasn’t on the battleground/I bet I could’ve gone to space by now.” “Hologram” reminds us to step outside ourselves and try to see beyond imaginary structures that trap us: “Just close your eyes and think about the Milky Way/Just remember if you can, power is a hologram.”

The record is full of beautiful details, finding plastic beaded curtains catching light amidst feelings of despair. This Mess is A Place explores politics with more nuance than the topical songs of Tacocat’s past, inviting listeners in for more complicated exchanges and leaving space for introspection. “Grains of Salt” finds the band at the best they’ve ever sounded: Maupin’s spirited drums, McKenna’s bouncy walking bass, Randall’s catchy guitar and Nokes’ soaring melody combine to create a bonafide roller-rink hit that reminds us that it just takes some time, we’re in the middle of the ride, and to live for what matters to you. It’s a delightfully cathartic moment and the cornerstone of the record when they exclaim: “Don’t forget to remember who the fuck you are!” 

Producer Erik Blood (who also produced Lost Time) brings the band into their full pop potential but still preserves what makes Tacocat so special: they’re four friends who met as young punks and have grown together into a truly collaborative band. Says Nokes: “We can examine some hard stuff, make fun of some evil stuff, feel some soft feelings, feel some rage feelings, feel some bitter-ass feelings, sift through memories, feel wavy-existential, and still go get a banana daiquiri at the end.” 

—Robin Edwards

JAMS FOR CAMPS is My Voice Music's spring benefit concert that raises funds for our summer camp season. The funds raised at this event will ensure we can provide summer rock camps tuition-free to youth that can't afford them otherwise.

This year's event will be held at Lagunitas Brewing Company's Community Room in NE Portland, and features:

- Performances by MVM students with Eric Earley (of Blitzen Trapper) and other artists TBA
- Silent auction
- Drinks and light snacks, including beer from Lagunitas
- and more!

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door (includes 2 free drinks). Youth tickets (ages 12 and under) are available for $10.

Monthly donors to My Voice Music get 2 free tickets to JAMS FOR CAMPS! Become a monthly donor today and we will email you a discount code for free tickets! Sign up here: https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_3e88cbd4-2b86-11e7-bb7f-024e165d44b3&WidgetId=41984

Sponsored by Schoolhouse

Food from Cheryl's on 12th and Sizzle Pie

JAMS FOR CAMPS
Friday, May 31
Lagunitas Community Room
237 NE Broadway St, Suite 300, Portland 97232
Doors 6:30pm / Show at 7pm
All Ages

We the Wild Youth is an event to launch a youth empowerment movement to inspire and empower all youth to believe in themselves, have their voices heard, their initiatives  supported, and to showcase the supportive resources that already lie within our community. Designed, planned and produced by youth for youth. 5 youth Speakers and 3 youth musical acts will make it a night to remember.

More information at: https://cityrepair.org/youth

Presenting a night among the stars at the OMSI planetarium for the launch of the Fund The Heart Productions gala!

The night includes a show in the planetarium, a quick presentation about To The Stars, live music by Never Come Down band, appetizers and dessert by Bon Appetit, a cash bar, and a silent auction with the first $500 of the proceeds going towards the financial assistance pool which helps kids, who might not otherwise be able to afford it, take part in OMSI’s Space and Science programs.

The remainder of the event's proceeds will go towards the funding of their film which will help us achieve their goal of creating paying jobs for local artists.

*Guests must be 21+ as there will be alcohol served throughout the night.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

5:30pm: Doors open.

6:00pm: Show begins in the planetarium, followed by a brief presentation about the film.

6:30pm: Party commences!

MUSIC

Live music by Never Come Down

To The Stars film is fiscally sponsored by From The Heart Productions, a 501(c)(3). We are honored to be one of those carefully chosen to be sponsored by From The Heart because of their belief that our project will make a “positive contribution to society and the field of filmmaking”. As such, all donations to our film are tax deductible.

If you can't make it to the event, but would like to make a donation to the film, please visit our funding page.

April 3, 2019 (Portland, OR): In a special collaboration with Portland Taiko, Fear No Music looks beyond borders with curiosity and respect, highlighting Japan’s outsized influence on Western culture, and thus the diverse fabric of our own neighborhoods.

Japanarama: The Ongoing Influence of Japanese Culture
Monday, May 6 at 7:30pm
The Old Church Concert Hall in Downtown Portland

Tickets available at fearnomusic.org

With this dynamic collaboration, Fear No Music accentuates quintessential Japanese concepts such as “ma” (the space between), “wabi sabi” (the beauty of imperfection), “shibui” (simplicity or minimalism),  and “ikigai” (a reason for being), which serve to contextualize Japanese culture and showcase its unique beauty. Japanese design and aesthetics are so prevalent in modern American society that many people are unaware of their overseas origins. However, the rich history that shaped their existence provides deeper insight and appreciation for the invaluable ways in which we reappropriate foreign culture as our own.

This concert program includes:

• Stream for solo percussion, by Peruvian interdisciplinary composer, performer and improviser, Pauchi Sasaki

• My Sleeve Is Wet With Tears for solo clarinet, by Barbara White

• Netsuke: Six Miniatures for violin and piano, by Stephen Hartke (inspired by exquisite Japanese wood carvings on display at the LA County Museum of Art)

• Sonata from the Other Shore for solo piano, by Wang Jie: “a cross-cultural handshake between current and former rival countries” Japan and China, and based on the Japanese folk song “Tanchame-Bushi”

• Pacific Voices for taiko and violin, by Zachary Semke and Ann Ishimaru

• Dango Jiro for flute, violin, cello, and taiko ensemble, by Kenji Bunch *

• Winds of Change/Forest Festival for taiko and viola, by Kenny Endo

Monqui & Soul'd Out Present: Shy Girls with Akua
Saturday April 20th ~ All Ages 
$17-$20
Doors 8PM
Tickets

Acclaimed pop singer/producer Dan Vidmar, a.k.a. Shy Girls, will
release a new album, Bird on the Wing, in Spring of 2019 .
The album contains a palpable sense of Vidmar’s evolution towards
the carefree, a newfound buoyancy and optimism which pervades the
whole effort. The album is an enticing and uplifting mixture of lo-fi soul,
nerdy jam outs, minimalist grooves and a whole lot of chimes. It pulls from
a far-reaching and unexpected array of influences, with elements of Jaco
and Weather Report, dusty Dilla-esque drums, and noodling Garcia guitar
solos.

Code for PDX is a Code for America "brigade" or local chapter focused on improving the lives of residents of Portland. Code for PDX is made up of individuals who are interested in changing Portland for the better. We will work with local government to fix local services, utilize open data to improve citizen knowledge, and work to the betterment of all. We are just getting started so there are plenty of opportunities to use your skills. Even if you are not a tech type we can still have opportunities for you to contribute. So come by and become part of a movement to improve our community.

Find us at codeforpdx.org (https://www.codeforpdx.org) or come by the Hack Night every-other Wednesday (check the Meetup page to confirm) from 6.00pm - 9pm at Uncorked Studios( 811 SE Stark St #300).

For more info:
Follow us on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/codeForPDX )
We are also on Slack ( https://codeforpdx.slack.com )
Find us on Meetup(  https://www.meetup.com/Code-for-PDX) 

Code for PDX is a Code for America "brigade" or local chapter focused on improving the lives of residents of Portland. Code for PDX is made up of individuals who are interested in changing Portland for the better. We will work with local government to fix local services, utilize open data to improve citizen knowledge, and work to the betterment of all. We are just getting started so there are plenty of opportunities to use your skills. Even if you are not a tech type we can still have opportunities for you to contribute. So come by and become part of a movement to improve our community.

Find us at codeforpdx.org (https://www.codeforpdx.org) or come by the Hack Night every-other Wednesday (check the Meetup page to confirm) from 6.00pm - 9pm at Uncorked Studios( 811 SE Stark St #300).

For more info:
Follow us on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/codeForPDX )
We are also on Slack ( https://codeforpdx.slack.com )
Find us on Meetup(  https://www.meetup.com/Code-for-PDX) 

Code for PDX is a Code for America "brigade" or local chapter focused on improving the lives of residents of Portland. Code for PDX is made up of individuals who are interested in changing Portland for the better. We will work with local government to fix local services, utilize open data to improve citizen knowledge, and work to the betterment of all. We are just getting started so there are plenty of opportunities to use your skills. Even if you are not a tech type we can still have opportunities for you to contribute. So come by and become part of a movement to improve our community.

Find us at codeforpdx.org (https://www.codeforpdx.org) or come by the Hack Night every-other Wednesday (check the Meetup page to confirm) from 6.00pm - 9pm at Uncorked Studios( 811 SE Stark St #300).

For more info:
Follow us on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/codeForPDX )
We are also on Slack ( https://codeforpdx.slack.com )
Find us on Meetup(  https://www.meetup.com/Code-for-PDX) 

Code for PDX is a Code for America "brigade" or local chapter focused on improving the lives of residents of Portland. Code for PDX is made up of individuals who are interested in changing Portland for the better. We will work with local government to fix local services, utilize open data to improve citizen knowledge, and work to the betterment of all. We are just getting started so there are plenty of opportunities to use your skills. Even if you are not a tech type we can still have opportunities for you to contribute. So come by and become part of a movement to improve our community.

Find us at codeforpdx.org (https://www.codeforpdx.org) or come by the Hack Night every-other Wednesday (check the Meetup page to confirm) from 6.00pm - 9pm at Uncorked Studios( 811 SE Stark St #300).

For more info:
Follow us on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/codeForPDX )
We are also on Slack ( https://codeforpdx.slack.com )
Find us on Meetup(  https://www.meetup.com/Code-for-PDX) 

Artists Rep and Vortex Music Magazine have teamed up to bring you a special night of intimate performances and storytelling from three of Portland's most powerful vocalists. Our new Musical Interlude series features songwriters performing stripped-down versions of their songs as well as telling the stories behind the music, all on a theatrical set—this time it's 'A Doll's House, Part 2.'

This inaugural Soul/R&B edition spotlights the folksy soul of Moorea Masa, Saeeda Wright's unequivocal gospel, and the bold R&B of Sarah Clarke, best known for leading the funky seven-piece band Dirty Revival. Do not miss these three formidable vocalists up close and personal as they captivate and amaze—with both their songs and stories.

All ages are welcome! Saturday, February 9th on the Alder Stage (1516 SW Alder) - Doors at 9:30, performance starts at 10pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Parking may be limited, please allow time to find street parking if necessary.

More information at tickets.artistsrep.org

Pickathon 2019 Annual Kickoff Party
Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019
Doors 6pm / Show 7pm
FREE + All Ages (First come, first served 'til we're full!)
Revolution Hall - 1300 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97214

It's a new year with a new mascot, another kick-off party, another amazing lineup and another amazing Pickathon to get excited about!

And if you missed it, 2019 tickets are officially on sale at Pickathon.com/Tickets!

The Horse Brass Pub is hosting a fundraiser benefit on the evening of Jan 16th for Shayna Landis, a lovely young woman battling leukemia. There will be a raffle with lots of really amazing art, jewelry, gift certificates for restaurants, haircuts, manicures, even a bi-plane trip through the Columbia River Gorge.  Proceeds from kegs from a few generous local breweries will go to directly benefit Shayna and her medical expenses. There will be a blood and bone marrow pledge drive as well. Come visit the Horse Brass Pub on SE 45th and Belmont on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2019 for a good beer and to help Shayna fight cancer! Raffle from 7-9pm.

SKELETON CREW
By Dominique Morisseau
Directed by William (Bill) Earl Ray
September 2, 2018 – September 30, 2018
Morrison Stage

It's 2008, and one of the last auto plants in Detroit is dying on the vine. The factory workers that remain are living paycheck-to-paycheck but amidst the backbreaking work and brutally long shifts, they have somehow shaped themselves into a makeshift family. Faye, a factory lifer, is the glue that holds everything together. But with less than six months before she can retire with a full pension, Faye learns that management has a plan that could threaten her whole existence, leaving her torn between loyalty to her coworkers or her own survival. Heartbreakingly tense with moments of ethereal beauty, Skeleton Crew reveals the struggle to stay relevant in a society that constantly changes.

• Awards for Dominique Morisseau: 2016 OBIE Award (for Skeleton Crew)
• "A deeply moral and deeply American play, with a loving compassion for those trapped in a system that makes sins, spiritual or societal, and self-betrayal almost inevitable." -Ben Brantley, The New York Times
• "A deep vulnerable blend of frustration, conversation, and denial." -Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

Find the full schedule of events and ticket information at:
https://www.artistsrep.org/ticketing/201819-season/skeleton-crew/

*****

Sunday, August 26, Washington, D.C. poetical matriarch DUCKIE GRAHAM returns to the poetry scene after a ten-year hiatus, as well as the Science Fiction of Y.T. CHENG, the Litfic and poetry of F.I. GOLDHABER, the humor and satire of KELLEY BAKER, the Giallo/Noir/Bizarro/Horror of Wonderland Award-winning author and editor GARRETT COOK...and your humble MC, Edward Morris, reading a chapter of his forthcoming superhero/SciFi novel I AM LESION, called "Nativity In Black"... Gonna be a hot one, folks. Like it oughtta be... Come help keep live spoken word alive in Portland! Ford Food and Drink, SE 11th and Division. FREE BY DONATION, LOOK FOR THE COFFEE CANS. NOMINALLY AN ALL AGES SHOW, SAFE SPACE FOR ALL, BE MINDFUL OF YOUR AUDIENCE...AND HAVE A BLAST AND BLOW OUR DOORS OFF.

Join us at the Say Ciao Columbia River Taproom and Eatery from 4-7 pm on Saturday June 24th for a KXRW fundraiser. We'll have a meet and with the KXRW show hosts and board of directors, as well as a raffle for 3 nights at Prinevilla Resort Home. Tickets are $25 each or $40 for a pair, kids under 12 get in free. 2501 SE Columbia Way ste 270, Vancouver, WA.