Can’t get spooked enough?! DARCELLE-O-WEEN IS COMING TO BRUNCH! 🎃
Get spooky, glamorous, and a little bit wicked at Darcelle XV Showplace this coming Halloween weekend!
Drag. Costumes. Cocktails. Big Halloween energy. Dress spooky. Win big prizes!
Doors open at 11.30am, show is at 12.30pm. Cover $32. Ages 21+
Join Portland Opera for an hour of story and song from their latest production, La Traviata.
From the celebrated and award-winning composer Dave Malloy comes Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812, an electropop opera based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancé from the front lines. When she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to Pierre, a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation. Following a critically exalted premiere at Ars Nova in New York City, a subsequent off-Broadway transfer and an acclaimed run on Broadway, this award-winning musical expands the possibilities for the genre with its daring score and bold storytelling.
Music and Lyrics By Dave Malloy
The Fates are spinning… do you dare give in to temptation?
After a deep slumber, EX-SPELLED! A Cabaret Tribute to the Occult finally returns to the Jack London Revue this November. Hosted by the Mad Marquis, this wicked night of magic, mystery, and mayhem summons a spellbinding collection of performers to astonish you in ways that would make even the Devil himself shiver with antici……
Step beyond the veil and surrender yourself to the forbidden, where good old debauchery mingles with the come-hither peculiarities of your wildest dreams. Prepare to explore the limits of your imagination, indulge your darker curiosities, and discover what exactly lies just beyond the bounds of everything you know.
JLR Seating Map Notes: For this show, you may reserve individual tables on the map pictured. Note that some tables have limited sightlines as noted. General Admission ticket holders note that seating and sightlines are limted and may be standing room only. All table reservations include admission.
Step into a slippery world where the line between truth and fiction is all in the packaging. It’s 1936, and a pair of passionate filmmakers has landed their next big project: a sweeping Spanish Civil War film with the potential to change American hearts and minds. It just happens to be bankrolled by the KGB. Spain by Jen Silverman is a seductive and tense thriller about the power of art to change the world — for better and for worse.
by Jen Silverman, directed by Josh Hecht
One of the most ambitious productions in recent Profile history, Spain is a grand cross-disciplinary spectacle featuring multiple partnerships with arts organizations throughout Portland, including live opera developed in partnership with Portland Opera, and both recorded and live music performed by musicians with 45th Parallel.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is back with a spectacular new production of The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More – featuring the fan-favorite holiday rock opera alongside TSO classics, and rarely performed gems.
Shows:
November 28 at 3:30pm & 8pm
The 4th Annual MOST Pageant
Saturday, November 7th
Doors 6pm, Show 7pm
Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door
The MOST Pageant returns in thanks to our sponsors The Property Weirdos, Outrage Onstage, Demand Drag, Greg Lemix, and more!
9 extraordinary drag and burlesque entertainers will push their artistry to the limits, as they compete for fame and fortune ($500 and bookings and 2 drink tickets!) The contestant who brings the most extreme, bold, extravagant, avant-garde, out of this world, over the top, never before seen, mind blowing package will win the title of The MOST! This year’s contestants were chosen for their exemplification and commitment to mostness in their approaches to fashion, performance and living art. An esteemed panel of judges will be evaluating each contestant on their creativity and presentation to determine who will take the crown. Come ready to cheer and tip your favorite performers!
Who will be The MOST?
Anna Karenema
Baby LeStrange
Boujee Cherry
Harlow Quinzel
HOTTBOXX9000
Max Little
Seven
The Artist Formerly Known As Given
Tomboy
Anthony Hudson reads from his new collection of performance works Lamp Black: Plays and Other Grievances at Portland Art Museum in the American Art gallery (Level 2, Room 211), paired with Moses Soyer, Girl with a Cigarette.
Followed by book signing at The Shop at PAM.
About Lamp Black:A major collection of performance works by artist and agitator Anthony Hudson.
Lamp Back: Plays and Other Grievances collects nearly a decade of work by Anthony Hudson, a queer Indigenous artist and agitator also known as Portland, Oregon’s premier drag clown, Carla Rossi. Whether fumbling with a lamp in a satirical takedown of land acknowledgments or confronting the history of redface in pop culture, Hudson alternates between Rossi’s cackling “ghost of white privilege” and more earnest, vulnerable confessionals as himself—all with a deep commitment to bitter humor and brutal honesty. In these performance works, a mixed-race Native boy plays a pilgrim in his kindergarten Thanksgiving pageant. A young artist recounts the racism in their favorite musical and the larger American theater system. A drag queen storytime goes disastrously wrong and calls for an exorcism with a plunger. Kate Bredeson’s unflinching introduction speaks to Hudson’s work through a cultural and historical lens and illuminates the importance of his project to filet the American Empire.
Farm Fresh Cabaret and mischief with Derek Eisel, aka Beto Renaud. Eisel sings the good news from Lopez Island with songs of Lesbian Potlucks and Husbands Who Fix Tractors, and performs from his book A Little Spanish by Beto Renaud, a fable about a five inch tall gay troll who migrates to a family farm in Mexico. This performance is in conjunction with the Portland Book Festival’s Cover to Cover Program.
Grab your gear and strap on your tunic, because The Hyrule Ball is here. A niche, nerdy, nightlife celebration of everyone's favorite action-adventure franchise, just in time for the latest release. Featuring Zelda-inspired DJ sets and drag performances, specialty cocktails, local vendors, and consoles and cabinets for playing games with friends.
Come dressed in your cosplay best, grab your wallet of rupees, and get ready to dance until the Sun Song plays.
One of the most beloved operas ever written, La Traviata pairs soaring melodies with a deeply personal story of love and sacrifice. At its center is Violetta, an independent woman navigating desire, societal expectation, and the fragile possibility of happiness on her own terms. As romance and reality collide, Verdi’s luminous score reveals the emotional complexity of living authentically in a world determined to impose its rules. Tender, tragic, and timeless, the opera continues to resonate for its compassionate portrayal of Violetta’s vulnerability, resilience, courage as she chooses personal truth in the face of public judgment.
Portland premiere of the new 4k restoration and special shadowcast performance by The Denton Deliquents!
A worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. The repossession clause is a killer, however.
Come in costume and plan to sing-along!
We’re celebrating two fabulous birthdays of Darcelle XV and Brandi Mae! Join us for an evening of love, laughter, and birthday magic, all while giving back to our community.
🎁 Bring an unwrapped toy or donate $10 to join the festivities and help spread a little extra joy! All donations will benefit Camp KC.
📅 November 8
🚪 Doors open at 5 PM | Show starts at 6 PM
🎟️ No reservations required | 21+ event
Come celebrate, give a little, and make someone’s holiday brighter! See you at the door!
Pass the gravy and bring on the glamour. Serving up a fabulous helping of bingo, laughs, and Thanksgiving fun at the Hi-Lo Hotel. Join the one and only Poison Waters as your host, with two fabulous queens performing and plenty of sparkle to kick off your holiday season. Gather your friends, bring your chosen family, and get ready to gobble up a good time.
Share the love: Please bring a canned or shelf-stable food item to donate to Esther’s Pantry. A little generosity can make a big difference, and we’ve got plenty to be thankful for.
Come hungry for fun and ready to give back. These queens are serving more than turkey.
Doors open at 10:00 PM. Pre-show starts at 10:30 PM; film starts at 11:00 PM sharp! It’s Halloween Month, which means Portland’s favorite tradition is bigger than ever! Be sure to get your tickets in advance as these events sell out every year. Join our weekly screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show that started in April of 1978! Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) continues to titillate and delight audiences all over the world. Tonight’s screening features the cast of the Clinton Street Cabaret! $2 from every ticket goes to support the group. Come see the famous, rambunctious show that has played every single week at the Clinton Street Theater in Portland, Oregon. Director: Jim Sharman Country: USA Year: 1975 Runtime: 100 minutes Starting in March 2024 the CSC offers a selection of tickets for each show which are available to our BIPOC community members free of charge! To reserve one send an email to the Clinton Street Cabaret [email protected] with the heading BIPOC Affinity Ticket and include your name and the date of the show you would like to reserve a ticket for in the body of the email. Only 1 ticket can be reserved per person per show and reserved tickets also include a prop bag. These tickets can only be reserved by confirmed email with the Clinton Street Cabaret and are not available to reserve at the Clinton Street Theater box office. Tickets can be reserved starting two weeks before a show and no later than 2 hours before the show. Please note we won’t be able to accommodate late requests for shows that are already sold out. These are tickets specifically for the Clinton Street Cabaret’s performances of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Clinton Street Theater, on the 1st, 3rd, and occasionally 5th Saturdays of the month. Showings on 2nd and 4th Saturdays or “For Virgins” nights are not Cabaret shows and do not qualify for this program.
Get ready to set sail with Portland’s own Haus of DeVille for a night of Diabolical Drag and Buccaneer Burlesque. Presenting “DeVilles of the Caribbean” At Portland’s own Peacock PDX.
Nautical-themed performances by
Valerie DeVille
Anna Nymph
Theoddra B. MonStar
Xo Skeleton
Prince Peanut Butter
and Princess Jelly!
Featuring Acts inspired by The Goonies, Cutthroat Island, One Piece, Disneyland’s own Pirates of the Caribbean ride and much, much more. Perhaps even a mermaid or two. So stow your weapons and bring your treasure chests for the performers to pillage your tips. Follow the treasure map to the QR code and claim your tickets for $13. Otherwise, it be $15 at the door on the night of the show, mateys. Join the crew, or walk the plank.
21+
Can Can’s first show in its restored Old Town home is a haunted-hotel cabaret. The Hitchcock Hotel once hosted royalty and politicians, and its dubious operations and supernatural pull still linger. Its newest hire, a graveyard-shift maître d’, learns he’s been mistakenly put on the perilous night shift, and a paranormal entanglement follows. Expect dance, burlesque, sultry songs, and an original score over three acts, with craft cocktails and bites served during the show. Evening performances are 21+ with valid ID.
Johnson Creek Watershed Council cordially invites you to the Volunteer and Community Appreciation Dinner. Join us in celebrating all of the volunteers, partners and community that have made a huge impact on the Johnson Creek Watershed in 2026! We could not do this work without YOU!
This event has limited capacity. If you can no longer attend please email [email protected] and let them know.
RSVP REQUIRED – click here to RSVPWhat: Join us for a fun evening with local drag artists and ecologists, Efemmera Gendera and Thespis D. Light, the team behind Drag Me Outside! Blending drag and environmental education, Drag Me Outside encourages folks to get outside, learn about the environment, and build community with one another.
We will also have a free buffet style dinner, volunteer awards, raffle prizes, and a fun community bonding activity.
When: Thursday, November 19th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: Parish Hall at All Saints Episcopal Church (4033 SE Woodstock Blvd). This is also where our office is 🙂
Children are welcome at this event if accompanied by an attentive adult.
Health and Safety: We will follow current Oregon Health Authority guidelines. Masks are not required, but encouraged in indoor spaces where social distancing is not possible. Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any contagious illness or have had recent contact with someone exhibiting symptoms of any illness.
Accessibility: There is an ADA entrance to the event. ADA bathrooms are provided. Seating is available.
RSVP REQUIRED – click here to RSVPDirections:
Address – 4033 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, there will be signs directing you to the correct entrance.
By car: There is limited parking in the building parking lot, but ample parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Please be mindful of neighbors and do not block any driveways.
By bike: Most roads surrounding the office are shared roads. SE Woodstock Blvd has dedicated bike lanes West of SE 41st Ave. 41st Ave has dedicated bike lanes.
By transit: Take bus line 19 or bus line 75 and get off at Woodstock & 41st.
Thank you to our funders and partners for supporting watershed health. The Mintkeski Family Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, The City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services, East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and Clackamas Water Environment Services, and The City of Gresham.
Portland jazz and cabaret vocalist Courtney Freed brings The Courtney Freed Five to Edgefield for a night of classic swing: Basie, Ellington, Ella and the dance-floor standards that fill Portland's Lindy nights. Called "effervescent" and "a whirlwind of excitement," she released her album Big Crazy Love this year. With Hamody Hindi on guitar, Bernardo Gomez on bass, Josh Gilbert on horns and Charles Pike on drums, this is a band built for dancing. Beginners welcome.
21+ · <p><strong><em>UMBRAE NOCTIS 2026 - WEEKEND PASS</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>onsale Sept 1- Sept 30</em></strong></p><p><em>single day passes will be available Oct 2</em></p><p></p><p><strong><em>FRIDAY NIGHT HEADLINER:</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>*MOSCATO SKY</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>FRIDAY NIGHT FEATURE:</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>*ASTERIA ATOMBOMB</em></strong></p><p></p><p><strong><em>SATURDAY NIGHT HEADLINER:</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>*THROB ZOMBIE</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>SATURDAY NIGHT FEATURE:</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>*HALO AS HELL</em></strong></p><p><br>We will gather in the glorious confines of The Coffin Crypt to witness a spectacular showcase of resplendently decadent performance art by creatures from all walks of life.</p><p>You will find gloriously ghoulish drag and burlesque performances that will transfix your senses all weekend, all set to the feelings and sounds of darkwave, post-punk, goth, deathrock and punk. Artists from all walks of life and from all parts of the world will gather to share their beauty with you with performances that will leave you breathless.</p><p></p><p>- Friday and Saturday, November 13 & 14 at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thecoffinclubpdx.com/"><u>The Coffin</u></a> (421 SE Grand Ave) - performances from 8pm-11pm each night (doors at 7), with after party and dancing til 2 AM.<strong><em></em></strong></p><p></p><p>- Sunday, November 15 we will hold a Dark Market at THE COFFIN<strong><em></em></strong></p><p></p><p>- Saturday & Sunday you will have the opportunity to take <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.umbraenoctisfestival.com/workshops"><u>workshops </u></a>with our special guests, including our headliner Throb Zombie!</p>
Knowing that there is beauty to be found in the shadows of the night, Natasha Riot, the producer of the monthly show Burlynomicon, called the coven together to create a weekend-long festival to celebrate all things dark and decadent and on the fringes...and thus the Umbrae Noctis Festival was born.
Now in its 3rd year, you will find gloriously ghoulish drag and burlesque performances that will transfix your senses all weekend, all set to the feelings and sounds of darkwave, post-punk, goth, deathrock and punk. Artists from all walks of life and from all parts of the world will gather to share their beauty with you, including 2026 Saturday night headliner Throb Zombie with performances that will leave you breathless.
Please see the website for each night's cast.
Join us at the Jack London for the latest edition of our late-night cabaret spectacular, hosted by the Mad Marquis and featuring some of the finest dancers from the Rose City and beyond. Treat yourself to a sensational evening of sultry and exotic delights, liberally spiced with old-fashioned spontaneous fun! The show starts after the evening's musical performance.
Get ready to turn up the Selena spirit at a fabulous drag brunch celebrating the Queen of Tejano! From “Como La Flor” to “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” the queens will bring the iconic looks, powerhouse performances, and undeniable Selena energy. So grab your besties, put on your glitter, and get ready to feel “I Could Fall in Love” all over again! Hosted by Kharisma!
Couple's Package includes:
- 2 premium seats
- $90 food & beverage credit ($45 per person)
- Gratuity
- Ticket Protection
Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.
Poison Waters is not just a personality, she is an experience – a bawdy, smart, laugh-so-hard-you'll-cry experience, and she'll emcee you through a night of bingo more lively than you ever thought bingo could be. Play to win prizes like overnight stays at McMenamins historic hotels – and more.
Darcelle XV and Company have been entertaining audiences from all walks of life for over 50 years with Las Vegas-style cabaret revues featuring glitz, glamour, and comedy.
TGIF! What a week, huh? Wrap up your week in a fun way and join this fabulous night of glittery entertainment.
For more than 20 years, Portland Opera to Go (nicknamed POGO) has shared opera experiences with communities around the region. The Crown Maker is a world-premiere opera inspired by the life and legacy of Eva Castellanos, a Mexican American healer, artist, educator, and tireless advocate for immigrant rights. Rooted in Oregon history and shaped by the traditions of community storytelling, the work explores how creativity, compassion, and cultural knowledge can transform lives across generations.
Told as a traditional corrido, The Crown Maker blends poetry, history, and music to explore how one woman’s vision empowered generations through art, healing traditions, and fearless community leadership. Through an evocative score and intimate storytelling, The Crown Maker honors Castellanoz’ lifelong dedication to uplifting others through art, healing practices, and grassroots activism. Her work created spaces where identity, heritage, and belonging could thrive, even in the face of social and political barriers. The opera examines the lasting influence of those who build community not through power or prestige, but through care, vision, and persistence.
Created especially for Portland Opera to Go audiences, The Crown Maker blends poetry, history, and music to explore how one woman’s vision empowered generations through art, healing traditions, and fearless community leadership. This production brings a uniquely Oregonian story to life, while speaking to universal themes of resilience, memory, and self-determination. The Crown Maker celebrates the power of cultural inheritance and the people who preserve it, inviting audiences of all ages to reflect on how stories, traditions, and acts of courage continue to shape communities today.
Nov. 14 — Two performances at Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Dec. 4-5 — Three performances at the World Trade Center Theatre.
Jan. 10 — Watch at the historic Clatskanie Cultural Center at 2 p.m.
Jan. 24 — Join the Happy Valley Library at 2 p.m.
Drag Brunch at Bar Cala hosted by Jay Colby. Doors open at 11 AM. Tickets available on Eventbrite.
Speed Dating Tonight!
Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony
Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.
Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.
At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.
Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.
Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.
Can Can’s holiday show turns the Nutcracker inside out for grown-ups. An innocent absinthe toast at a holiday soirée sends Clara tumbling into a dreamscape of marching soldiers, mischievous mice, swirling snowflakes, and sugarplum visions. The score is Can Can’s own adaptation of the Nutcracker music, mixed with new original songs and holiday classics, and the dancing runs from classic and modern to aerial and burlesque, with plenty of comedy. Evening performances are 21+ with valid ID.
Chai and Roses is going Disco for this edition. From Bollywood to the Classics and everything in between. Feeling free on the dance floor is where we want you to be. Dress up or come as you are. See you on the liberation dance floor.
Doors and DJs at 7 p.m. Drag and performances at 9 p.m., Dancing til 11 p.m.Honoring the QTBIPOC folks who came before — radical ancestors who fought to be seen, heard and free to love. Honor the rich diversity of people within the QTBIPOC community. QTBIPOC folks of all backgrounds and identities, as well as allies, are invited. Come together and contribute to a fun and respectful party. Any form of prejudice or discrimination, such as biphobia, fatphobia, or transphobia, will not be tolerated.
DJs:
Drag Artists and Performers
Pop Ups
Pop Ups
Co-hosted with Pdx Queer Lotus
21+
12 performers bring to life their favorite characters from the movie with acts of drag and burlesque. From Jareth to Ludo!
Seating is open. We suggest getting there early to get the best seats. Tipping is encouraged for all drag and burlesque shows!
Doors at 7:00 PM; show at 8:00 PM. 21+ only.
Ding ding ding… your room is waiting at the infamous Hitchcock Hotel. Although decades have passed since the Hitchcock family entertained royalty and influential politicians, the hotel's dubious operations continue. The hotel's supernatural allure inhabits its guests (and staff) in this dilapidated relic of the past. The Hitchcocks' latest hire is no exception. The graveyard "maitre d," quickly realizes that there has been a misunderstanding in the hiring process and that he's been mistakenly hired for the precarious “night shift” position, one unfit for pedigree. He is about to experience nothing short of a fortuitous paranormal entanglement unlike any other. An evening featuring death-defying dance, sultry songs, shimmying show girls and hauntingly beautiful new music, you’re sure to delight in this decadence of the damned.
Paying tribute to villains, anti-heroes, and anyone ostracized by society. In an era where trans and gender non-conforming people are constantly villainized by the media, choose to reclaim the label and have a little fun with it. Get ready to embrace the parts of yourself that scare people.
Trans Voices Cabaret Portland is an annual musical theater showcase with a different theme each year. TVC began in New York, and chapters have been created in cities across the country. The PDX chapter has been performing since 2022, first produced by Teague Shattuck.
This show is sponsorship- and donation-based, with cast and crew receiving a percentage of ticket sales. To support the work, please consider the most generous ticketing tier within your reach.
Get ready to turn up the Selena spirit at a fabulous drag brunch celebrating the Queen of Tejano. From “Como La Flor” to “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” the queens will bring the iconic looks, powerhouse performances, and undeniable Selena energy. So grab your besties, put on your glitter, and get ready to feel “I Could Fall in Love” all over again. Hosted by Kharisma.
Pour Decisions... A Drag Affair - Nov 21
📅 Date: Saturday, Nov 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM - Doors open at 5pm
🎟️ Tickets:
Advance: $25 per person (21+ event only)
Members: $15 per person (up to 4 tickets)
At the Door: $30 (after 4 PM on event day)
🚚 Food Truck: Westside Pizza House
🍕 Outside food is welcome
🚫 No outside beverages allowed (including water)
🐾 No pets allowed
❌ No refunds
DRAG BRUNCH BAR-CALA (Sunday November 1st)About this EventDRAG BRUNCH PORTLAND - Portlands #1 Drag Brunch!Located at BARCALA PDX on ALBERTA!As seen on TikTok. Instagram, and voted runner up as Portlands BEST
The official Bar Cala site advertises Sunday brunch.
Portland Opera To Go (POGO) proudly presents the latest installment of the Our Oregon series--a collection of original youth operas that examines Oregon history by highlighting the lives of extraordinary Oregonian women through a variety of lenses.
Speed Dating Tonight!
Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony
Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.
Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.
At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.
Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.
Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.
$20 Tickets can be Purchased HERE
As young musicians passionate about opera and about their hometown, Emily Nelson and Bethany Schweitzer Goshorn thought, "What better place for an Opera on Tap chapter than our fair city known for its beer, wine and cocktail culture?" Thus Opera on Tap PDX was born - one of 16 nationwide chapters of Opera on Tap. Northwest native Sadie Gregg joined the Managing Diva team in 2016, after singing with the Boston chapter.
Why are we so passionate about opera? Opera speaks to the human condition. It expresses human emotion and relationship in a very unique and profound way. The human voice in all its glory has a visceral effect on us. In a culture focused on instant gratification with short attention spans, opera demands your full attention and rewards you with a wild ride on the emotional roller coaster.
Chances are that people who say they don't like opera have never heard it live! Opera on Tap seeks to change this by bringing the genre back to the people in familiar places: community gathering spaces, restaurants, and bars - much how music was historically enjoyed in Germany pubs. We seek to share, educate and bring simply fabulous music to an audience that might not otherwise be able to enjoy the art form. So grab your friends and your favorite pint, and join us for Opera on Tap!
Opera On Tap Nationwide
Opera on Tap (OOT) was born in 2005 at Freddy's Bar and Backroom in Brooklyn and incorporated in 2007 to promote opera as a viable, living, and progressive art form and to support the developing artists who continue to keep the art form alive. What began as a small monthly gathering of ambitious, classically trained singers looking for more performance opportunities has grown into a producing organization that has gained a loyal audience base and national recognition as an innovative force on the classical music scene. Through its Chapter program, which now has sixteen vibrant national chapters, OOT has created a large network of performers, creators, and supporters.
One of the most beloved operas ever composed, La Traviata combines sweeping emotion with some of the most recognizable music in the operatic repertoire. Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece tells the story of Violetta Valéry, a woman determined to live freely and authentically despite the rigid social expectations that surround her. When she falls deeply in love, she is forced to confront the painful realities of class, reputation, sacrifice, and the cost of pursuing happiness on her own terms.
Adapted from Alexandre Dumas fils’ La Dame aux camélias, the opera broke new ground in its portrayal of a contemporary woman whose emotional life is treated with dignity, complexity, and compassion. Verdi’s luminous score captures both the exhilaration of love and the devastating consequences of societal judgment, moving seamlessly from moments of intimacy and joy to heartbreaking tragedy.
More than a romantic drama, La Traviata remains a powerful reflection on personal freedom, vulnerability, and the tension between public expectation and private truth. Its enduring resonance lies in its humanity: the opera asks what it means to truly live according to one’s own values in a world eager to define worth through convention, status, and appearance.