Arts & Media❯Makers

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

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.

Hands on 3D printing orientation covering basic printer use and file creations.

Age 10+. Children under 12 must attend with an adult.

#Collaboratory

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

Sacred Sheep is an annual event celebrating our maker’s community. With a focus on local artisans, organizers Ritual Dyes aim to create an inclusive, community-minded space for fiber enthusiasts. Sacred Sheep is held in November in Portland, Oregon and is comprised of a marketplace for maker vendors, meet-ups, food, classes and more.

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.

Join Urban Art Network for a special holiday edition of First Thursday inside Portland’s iconic McMenamins Crystal Ballroom! For two festive nights, we’re bringing together an incredible lineup of local artists, makers, and small businesses for a one-of-a-kind indoor holiday market.

Shop handmade goods and unique gifts, grab a cocktail, and spend the evening supporting Portland’s creative community, all while exploring one of the city’s most iconic venues.

Whether you’re getting a head start on holiday shopping, looking for something uniquely Portland, or just want a fun night out, Crafts & Cocktails is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

Create an edible sugar skull, or calavera de azúcar, a confection molded from sugar paste and decorated for the Mexican celebration for the Day of the Dead (Día de los muertos). Learn about the history and significance of sugar skulls while decorating your own pre-made calaverita to keep or honor a loved one!

Quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For children ages 5 and up with adult supervision.

Calling all teens in grades 6-12! Come make something cool, learn a new skill, and meet friendly people in this teen-focused creative space. Makerspace staff and volunteers will teach you how to use our tech equipment to design things and express yourself. Project examples include 3D printers, craft cutters, sewing machines, custom t shirts and tote bags, tons of art supplies for painting, jewelry making, and more.

Space is limited; every participant must be signed up in advance to reserve a spot.

Join us at the Creative Learning Room to learn a new skill, and meet friendly people. The program will focus exclusively on an introduction to 3D printing with our Prusa printers. As a result, other equipment will not be available for public use during this time.

Lovett Deconstruction and Salvage Shop's annual makers market — Made and Found — is almost here. This year features 30+ local vendors committed to sustainable practices, specializing in secondhand, new heirlooms, and upcycled goods.

Vendor highlights include Kohai Ceramics, Vitrelux Glassworks, Vibrant Valley Farm, Buji Butter, Chatley Tea, Attic Journals, and many more local makers, including clothing designers, floral artists, candle makers, jewelry artists, wood turners, upcycled knitwear magicians, and more. It's an awe-inspiring collection of local people making great gifts.

Made and Found takes place at Lovett Deconstruction's HQ—an incredible space filled with found objects, reclaimed lumber, architectural salvage, art, and an awe-inspiring collection of collections.

Made and Found is family-friendly and free to attend.

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.

Use a Glowforge laser cutter to engrave and cut designs out of acrylic or wood, with assistance from staff and volunteers. No experience needed! A selection of laser-safe materials will be available for you to use.

Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens November 24.

Children in grades 5 and under must be accompanied by an attentive teen or adult.

Drop-In and learn about 3D printing file design, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure successful prints. Age 10+ children under 12 must attend with an adult.

First Thursdays moves inside for Crafts and Cocktails at the Crystal Ballroom. Sip, shop, and celebrate Portland's creative community with 75+ artists and makers, delicious McMenamins cocktails, and an unforgettable two nights of music and art.

Expect local art, holiday shopping, music, cocktails and all the festive vibes

It's the perfect way to support local makers and get your holiday shopping done early while enjoying a fun night in one of Portland's most iconic venues. Come raise a glass, find something special, and support local art.

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.

Maker Basics Workshops are designed for Makers of all skill levels to come into the Fab Lab and learn something new with fun hands-on activities!

This week is an introduction to the Cricut Maker 3 and Explore 3 machines in the Fab Lab. You will learn to sign into Cricut Design Space, explore some of the unique features available with these machines, and design, cut, weed and transfer your own custom Vinyl Sticker.

Cricut machines are fantastic additions to any creative space because they can precisely and quickly cut vinyl, heat transfer vinyl for t-shirts, create custom printed then cut sticker sheets, bonded fabric, paper for crafting and card making, thin leather and more.

The Fab Lab Staff are here to help walk you through your project and printing, and are happy to answer your questions.

Attending a Maker Basics Workshop is a helpful first step to visiting the Fab Lab during Open Lab Hours, where you can work on your own projects with the help of Fab Lab Staff.

• There is no cost to attend. Materials are provided.

• All ages and skill levels are welcome. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an active adult participant, and submit a completed waiver. (available in the Fab Lab)

• Space is limited, and once the Fab Lab is at capacity, we may turn visitors away. The doors open at 5:15.

For more information about the 5 PCC STEAM Centers, visit our website at pcc.edu/maker or email [email protected]

Hands on 3D printing orientation covering basic printer use and file creations.

Age 10+. Children under 12 must attend with an adult.

#Collaboratory

We are excited to host Acre Knife, a small team of bladesmiths crafting kitchen and outdoor knives in the St. Johns neighborhood!

They will demonstrate their new line of everyday hand-finished culinary knives and let shoppers try them for themselves.

For years, a group of accomplished bladesmiths had devoted themselves to making exceptional knives. They had apprenticed, studied traditional techniques, experimented with materials, and developed their own methods. But they also knew how difficult it could be to build a life around that kind of work.

In 2023, Dane Tomseth set out to change that by creating a place where skilled makers could do serious work, earn a living, and keep getting better. That place became Acre Forge, a working production facility in North Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood where experienced makers share equipment, techniques, ideas, and a daily practice.

Their collective experience spans traditional Japanese techniques, modern design, metallurgy, ergonomics, culinary experience, woodworking, and machining. That shared foundation and the different paths that brought them to it is what shapes Acre’s knife lines: Macrum and Signature.

Explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on activities. From building and designing to experimenting and exploring—there’s something for every curious mind.

For ages 5–12

Every participant must sign up in advance to reserve their spot. No library card required. All materials are provided. Registration opens two weeks in advance.

What will you create? Bring your ideas and make them a reality! Join us at the Rockwood Library makerspace to make something cool, learn a new skill, and meet friendly people.

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.

Learn about how a 3D printer works and go home with a small 3D printed object! You'll choose from a short list of pre-selected model options, follow the facilitator in using software to set up your print, and then send your object to the printer. All materials will be provided.

Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens November 12.

Spark your imagination and build your STEM skills using LEGO® bricks, blocks, boxes, and other fun materials.

For ages 5–12

Start shopping for those loved ones on your list and support local artisans at the three-day Vancouver Holiday Market on Nov. 27-29 located at the Hilton Vancouver WA. Featuring more than 120 talented local makers from across the region, you’ll find unique handmade gifts and one-of-a-kind PNW inspired treasures. With crafting stations, a photo booth, and live music and performances throughout the day, the market is fun for all ages. On Friday evening, make a night of it with the Community Tree Lighting in Esther Short Park, right across the street from the holiday market. On Saturday, stroll over to the Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market to enjoy local food and seasonal treats.

Dates & Hours: November 27th – November 29th, 2026

• Friday: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Saturday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

• Sunday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

• Free Admission

Location: Hilton Vancouver Washington (301 W 6th St, Vancouver, WA 98660)

https://vancouverfarmersmarket.org/vancouver-holiday-market/

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.

When you shop small, you are putting your dollars directly back into the community by supporting someone’s small business and their family and helping fuel the local economy while doing so. With every purchase made at the Portland Bazaar, a very happy business owner can sustain their passion.

• Nov. 27 and 28 — European Bazaar: An indoor European-inspired edition of Portland Bazaar with 65+ vendors including gluhwein, bier, hot cocoa, sausages, baked goods, warm nuts and festivities.
• Dec. 12 and 13, 19 and 20 — The flagship holiday shopping experience featuring 160+ vendors spotlighting skilled artists, makers and small businesses. *NEW* Early Access preview hour from 10 a.m.- 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 5

Learn how to design custom decorations for your winter festivities! Use free online tools to create ornaments, table set pieces, and more. No 3D design experience needed to attend, although 3D Printer Certification is required to print your designs later.

Ages 13+

Welcome to our makerspace, DAM (Design And Make)! During Open Lab hours, the makerspace is open for all ages. Drop in to explore and use any equipment available. A staff member is stationed in the space to answer questions and assist when needed. Note: A signed waiver is required annually: https://www.beavertonlibrary.o...

Mend with Friends is a casual, welcoming group for anyone who wants to repair and care for their clothing. Learn simple sewing and mending techniques to fix small tears, replace buttons, and make your clothes last longer.

No experience is needed. Beginners are welcome, and basic supplies and guidance will be provided.

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.

The Portland Flea is a gathering place for creators, curators and collectors and is held the last Sunday of the month from April to October.

Every market features 80+ local artists, makers, and curators of the best vintage, handmade and locally sourced goods in town.

Come and play with TINKERCAD®! Learn the basics of this free, web-based 3D design software and start creating your own objects for 3D printing.

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.

Shop for loved ones and support local artisans at the three-day Vancouver Holiday Market, Nov. 27-29 at the Hilton Vancouver WA. Find unique handmade gifts and PNW-inspired treasures from 120+ local makers. With crafting stations, a photo booth, and live music, it’s fun for all ages.

Space is limited; Every participant (kid, teen, or adult) must be signed up in advance to reserve a spot.

Join us at the East County Library Creative Learning Room to make something cool, learn something new, and meet friendly people.

Celebrate Radical Harvest’s first anniversary at a fully indoor craft market featuring more than 30 local artists and sustainability-minded makers. Browse handmade art, home decor, jewelry, candles, clothing, ceramics, plants, sweets, and many other goods. The pop-up community center also features an onsite bar, a free craft supply swap, DIY junk journaling, mending and upcycling, gift wrapping, games, giveaways, community resources, a food pantry, a photobooth, and flash tattoos. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.

Use a Glowforge laser cutter to engrave and cut designs out of acrylic or wood, with assistance from staff and volunteers. No experience needed! A selection of laser-safe materials will be available for you to use.

Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens November 25.

Children in grades 5 and under must be accompanied by an attentive teen or adult.

Join Ruby in the Maker Lab for DINOvember projects. All attendees need to have a signed waiver on file to enter the Maker Lab.

Better Futures Club is a weekly event (alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays) focused on imagining and making better futures. Imagine an artist community, a think tank, and a research center in the same building. People in all of those fields working alongside each other imagining and creating different futures together. Cross pollination and inspiration. Liberal Arts and STEM and R&D. Photographers, physicists, authors, astronomers, musicians, makers, mathematicians, designers, developers, fashionistas, climatologists and all manner of imaginative optimists. All Better Futures Club events are covered by the Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct (https://www.contributor-covenant.org)

Tags: ruby, STEM, liberal arts, community, hacking, AI

Imported from: http://calagator.org/events/1250482760

Explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on activities. From building and designing to experimenting and exploring—there’s something for every curious mind.

For ages 5–12

Curious about 3D printing? Join us for an open lab to see the 3D Printer in action and learn more about how you can become certified to use the library's 3D Printer for your own projects.

For ages 9+

• Open Fab Lab Hours are available to PCC Students and Staff, Industry and Non-profit Partners as well as the Community!
• There is no cost to visit the Fab Lab, and most materials are provided, although the priority of material and equipment use goes to current PCC Students. Please see the STEAM Center Coordinator if there are any questions.
• No Pre-registration required, but there is a sign-in process required to use the PCC STEAM Centers.
• All skill levels are welcome. Youth under 16 are invited to attend events at the Fab Lab with active adult supervision and a signed release form.
• *CNC available for use by appointment only (ShopBot Desktop, Shaper Origin and Carbide Nomad 3.)
• Please email [email protected] with any questions
• See pcc.edu/maker to learn more about the 5 PCC STEAM Centers across the Portland Metro area.