Montavilla Jazz, International Air Show and Art in the Pearl: 7 Things to Do This Week – Here's Oregon

For many, Labor Day weekend is the last real weekend of summer. Of course, the weather is still good and there are still plenty of great things to do in the fall (see this week's A&E cover story for our fall events guide!), but as August comes to a close, we can feel summer slowly winding down. Catch its final gasp this week with live jazz music throughout East Portland, an air show in McMinnville, and the stalwart Art in the Pearl festival, which has been providing fun entertainment and beautiful visual art every Labor Day weekend for 27 years.

Montavilla Jazz Festival

Rising stars, creatives and forward-thinking artists converge on Portland to celebrate jazz music and even a little poetry this holiday weekend. The festival center is in Montavilla, but more than 30 concerts and events are spread out at venues throughout East Portland. The opening night show is free and takes place at the Mt. Tabor Park Caldera Amphitheater. Come enjoy the music of Julana Torres' La Colora and new compositions by Christopher Brown. Tickets are required for some shows. Check the website for the full list.

Premiere on Friday, August 30, 6 p.m., Mount Tabor; admission free. The festival runs through Sunday, September 1. Full program and tickets (5-45 USD) at montavillajazz.org.

International Air Show in McMinnville

Visit McMinnville for a thunderous air show in the sky. This year's performers include the USAF Thunderbirds, US Navy Growlers, Focke-Wulf 190, P-51 Mustang flown by Vicky Benzing and many others. There are also ground demonstrations of numerous aircraft and rides for purchase.

Gates open at 9 a.m. daily; show begins at noon and runs until 5 p.m. Saturday-Monday, August 31-September 2, McMinnville Airport, on OR 18 southeast of McMinnville; general admission $50 and up, $25 for ages 11 and under; oregonairshow.com/mcminnville-2024.

Bon-Odori – Japanese summer festival

A highlight of summer festivals in Japan is the Bon-Odori, a dance that welcomes and sends off the spirits of ancestors. Chris Dart will perform the dance at the Portland Japanese Garden and teach guests the steps. The event will feature traditional costumes and taiko drums.

Dance workshops begin at 10:30 a.m. and run in three sessions until about noon on Saturday, August 31, at the Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave.; free with regular admission of $21.95; japanesegarden.org.

Art in the Pearl

This is Portland's largest community event, held over Labor Day weekend, and offers a glimpse into the work of more than 100 artists. You can also participate in hands-on activities for all ages, listen to live music, and watch other types of entertainment for free along the north blocks of the park. This event has been held since 1997.

Saturday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, August 31 through September 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the Park Blocks between Northwest Flanders Street and Davis Street; admission free; artinthepearl.com.

Broadway Rave

Do you consider yourself a musical nerd or perhaps a theater geek? Then this party is for you. Broadway Rave is a dance party celebrating the best of show tunes and musicals. Sing along to all your favorite hits while dressed as your favorite stage character. Ages 21 and up only.

9 p.m., Saturday, August 31, Polaris Hall, 635 N. Killingsworth Court; tickets $20; Etix.com.

2024 Portland Volunteer Expo

Want to help others in areas such as the environment, animal welfare, health, arts or humanities? Organizers say The Standard's Volunteer Expo is Oregon's largest gathering of nonprofits, volunteers and donors. The expo connects people with organizations face-to-face and provides information on how to volunteer your time or resources. The free event helps community members discover opportunities that match their skills and interests. The website offers a search button for organizations participating in this event as well as other agencies across the state.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, September 5, Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave.; admission free; standard.com/get-to-know-standard.

Triangle Productions presents “Ann”

Triangle Productions re-enlists Margie Boule to portray Ann Richards, the legendary governor of Texas in the early to mid-1990s. Director Don Horn calls the play “inspiring and hilarious,” providing insight into a complex, colorful and compelling character who is bigger than the state she hails from.

Begins Thursday, September 5, at 7:30 p.m. and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. (September 22 and 29 only) through September 29, The Sanctuary at Sandy Plaza, 1785 NE Sandy Blvd.; admission $20-$40; www.trianglepro.org

– If you have events you would like to see highlighted on OregonLive.com or in the weekly print A&E section of the Oregonian, please email your suggestions to [email protected] at least three weeks before your event begins. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.

— Rosemarie Stein

503-221-4376, [email protected] ; @trafficportland

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