Performing Arts❯Musicals

Saturday, November 28 at 11am

Sunday, November 29 at 11am

Sunday, November 29 at 2:30pm (Sensory Friendly Performance)

Saturday, December 5 at 11am & 2:30pm

Sunday, December 6 at 11:00am

Saturday, December 12 at 11am & 2:30pm

Sunday, December 13 at 11am & 2:30pm

Saturday, December 19 at 11am & 2:30pm

Sunday, December 20 at 11am & 2:30pm

Tuesday, December 22 at 11am

Wednesday, December 23 at 11am

Saturday, December 26 at 11am & 2:30pm

Sunday, December 27 at 11am & 2:30pm

Tuesday, December 29 at 11am

Wednesday, December 30 at 11am

Saturday, January 2 at 11am & 2:30pm

Sunday, January 3 at 11am & 2:30pm

Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity tells the story of the Nativity from an African-American perspective through a combination of scripture, poetry, dance, and song with griot-style narration.

Written by Langston Hughes, directed by Jerry Foster, music directed by JerMichael Riley PhD, choreography by Kemba Shannon.

A roof-raising, spirit-catching, musical tour-de-force that will bring you to your feet. Pure joy for the season. Bring the whole family. Make it a block party.

Join scholars Dr. Lindsey Mantoan, author of It's All Happening: How Musical Theater Does High School (Oxford, 2026), and Dr. Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist (Simon & Schuster, 2025) for a free conversation about high school on the musical theater stage. This evening will feature performances by PSU students from some favorite high school musicals--come to sing, chat, and cheer along!

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Learn more about theTheater Arts program at PSU's School of Music & Theater.

Wizard of Floyd is a dark reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, where the familiar journey through Oz is told through the lyrics of 21 iconic Pink Floyd songs, with a live Pink Floyd cover band creating an immersive soundtrack that drives the characters’ journey from Kansas to the far reaches of Oz.

Part theater, part rock concert, and part psychedelic fever dream, Wizard of Floyd is a dance and musically spectacular journey into a world where nothing is quite what it seems.

The Understudies, Portland’s hottest new musical improv group, is debuting their one-hour fully improvised musical, The Understudies: A Fully Improvised Musical. It’s curtain time, but the musical’s principal cast has all mysteriously fallen ill! Can the Understudies fill in and perform a show they’ve never even heard of, much less practiced? Come enjoy a fully improvised musical comedy filled with drama, epic songs, joy, dance, and a heaping helping of laughs.

21Ten Theatre is a cozy 40-seat black box theater in Southeast Portland, providing an up close and personal experience with some of Portland's most talented performance artists.

The Understudies are Sean Arlo (Dropped Notes, Curious Comedy), Whitney Kemper (Mouth Stuff, Kickstand Comedy, Curious Comedy), Lydia Manning (Slydia, Bike Play, Kickstand Comedy), Heather Riggs (Mouth Stuff, Kickstand Comedy), Megan Monroe (Kickstand Comedy, Curious Comedy), Wren Reynolds (Kickstand Comedy), Brantley Bacon (pianist extraordinaire, No Soap Radio, Los Mal Hablados), and Bloom Davis (Kickstand Comedy).

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.”

Fri, Nov 6 from 7-9:30pm

Sat, Nov 7 from 1-3:30pm & 6-8:30pm

Fri, Nov 13 from 7-9:30pm

Sat, Nov 14 from 1-3:30pm & 6-8:30pm

Adult (ages 19 and up) – $22
Youth (ages 2-18) – $20
Senior (ages 62+) – $20
Groups of 15+ –

At Fort Vancouver High School

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including “Tomorrow.”

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations… and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

Reserved seating. Everyone must have a ticket.

Friday, Nov 27 at 7:30pm

Saturday, Nov 28 at 2pm & 7:30pm

Sunday, Nov 29 at 2pm

Friday, Dec 4 at 7:30pm

Saturday, Dec 5 at 2pm & 7:30pm

Sunday, Dec 6 at 2pm

Friday, Dec 11 at 7:30pm

Saturday, Dec 12 at 2pm & 7:30 pm

Sunday, Dec 13 at 2pm

Friday, Dec 18 at 7:30pm

Saturday, Dec 19 at 2pm & 7:30pm

Sunday, Dec 20 at 2pm

Prairie High School drama students present “Singin’ in the Rain,” showing Nov. 13-21 at Prairie High School, 11311 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver. Tap your toes and sing along to the songs you know and love while enjoying dance performances drawn from the silver screen. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21. Matinee shows are 1 p.m. Nov. 14 and 21. Tickets range from $7 to $15, available online at gofan.co/event/6962419 or at the door.

A holiday musical spectacular! Dance your way through the holidays with NWCT’s original tap musical extravaganza. Young Cinderella knows she’s destined for the stage, but with jealous relatives standing between her and the spotlight, she will need courage, passion, and a little magic.

Book, music, and lyrics by Ezra Weiss. Most enjoyed by ages 4 and up; about 90 minutes including one intermission.

Union High School will present “Elf, Jr., the Musical,” showing Nov. 12-14 at 6201 N.W. Friberg-Strunk St., Camas. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Nov. 12 and 13, noon and 4 p.m. Nov. 14. The musical, based on the 2003 film, follows Buddy, a human who was raised as one of Santa’s elves. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students age 2-18 and free for children age 2 and under. Learn more at uniontheatreplayers.com.

Some evenings stay with you forever. This fall, Portland welcomes an extraordinary celebration of classical ballet as PRIMA Ballet Gala brings together artists of the Grand Kyiv Ballet and international guest performers for one unforgettable night. More than a performance, PRIMA Ballet Gala is a night of elevated artistry – where timeless classics meet contemporary expression, and the stage becomes a space of beauty, power, and emotion.

The program features iconic highlights from world-renowned ballets, including Don Quixote, Spartacus, and The Dying Swan, alongside vibrant national dances such as the thrilling Hopak, set to music by legendary composers such as Tchaikovsky. Begin your evening on the red carpet, then step inside for a celebration of artistic excellence and international cultural connection. Guests are warmly encouraged to attend in evening attire, helping create an atmosphere of elegance worthy of this special occasion.

Join a rare opportunity to experience world-class dancers, timeless choreography, and a night filled with beauty and inspiration.

Seats are limited. Be part of PRIMA Ballet Gala — where ballet speaks from the heart.

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+

In this lecture demonstration, members of Hung Dance will provide an introduction to Taiwanese dance company Hung Dance’s movement language, including how their acclaimed work Birdy blends traditional Chinese exercises and materials with contemporary dance. The company will also delve into the inspiration and concepts behind Birdy, followed by a short excerpt of the work. Guests will have the opportunity to have their questions about the dance answered by members of the company. This lecture demonstration will be delivered primarily in Mandarin, with live translation between Mandarin and English.

Join Blueprint for a trip into two worlds: distinguished masterpieces and Disney. Featuring the Topaz ensemble, the first half includes both classic and modern classical standards, including…

• Purcell’s Hear My Prayer
• Gjeilo’s Sancus
• Allegri’s Miserere Mei, Deus
• Mealor’s Locus Iste

The second half is a fully choreographed half with new arrangements of animated favorites, both old and new, including selections from:

• The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• Anastasia
• Aladdin
• Frozen
• Mulan
• and featuring a mashup of songs from five different films.

So take a trip through both the classical and the Disney classic with Blueprint for a solemn and yet magic-making good time.

Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree is back to bring the magic of Christmas to audiences of all ages. Get ready for an unforgettable Christmas experience! Our spectacular 90-minute show is packed with excitement, featuring an immersive nativity, a special visit from Santa and his dancing elves, and a non-stop extravaganza of music, dance, and pageantry that will kickstart your holiday season with joy and wonder.

Special Guest Performers: We’re thrilled to have renowned talents such as Georgene Rice, Timothy Greenidge, and Courtney Temple join us, adding their magic to the festivities.

Incredible Choir: Our adult and youth choirs, along with these guest stars, will serenade you with beloved classics and new favorites, filling the air with the spirit of Christmas.

New Show, New Songs: While our show is steeped in tradition, we’re excited to bring you fresh elements and new songs that will make this year’s celebration even more memorable by joining us for this magical event that captures the true spirit of Christmas.

Pacific Northwest’s Premier Christmas Event: We’re not just a show; we’re a cherished tradition in the Pacific Northwest. Families have been making us a part of their holiday season for over six decades.

Saturday November 28 – 2 PM
Saturday November 28 – 6 PM
Sunday November 29 – 2 PM
Sunday November 29 – 6 PM
Friday December 4 – 7 PM
Saturday December 5 – 2 PM
Saturday December 5 – 6 PM
Sunday December 6 – 2 PM
Sunday December 6 – 6 pm

Blue $48-$55
Red $38-$45
Green $28-$35
ALL TICKETING FEES INCLUDED IN PRICES

Diwali, “the festival of lights,” is a holiday celebrated all across India. In collaboration with the Indian-American community, NWCT is excited to bring the festivities back to The Judy. Create a beautiful rangoli, make a lantern, learn a diya (lamp) dance, and enjoy savory and sweet Indian treats.

Free to attend with a suggested donation of $10 per family.

RSVPs are strongly encouraged.
All ages welcome.

Derek Hough Dance for the Holidays is a joyous celebration of the most festive time of the year! With jingle bells and sleigh bells, holiday carols and cheer, Hough’s latest dance spectacular is a show-stopping event for the whole family. Fans will be thrilled and delighted as Hough and his cast of phenomenal dancers bring your favorite holiday tunes to life through dance, from the well-sung classics to modern pop hits, with the incredible choreography, exciting stage production and dance mastery audiences have come to expect. Creative team and Emmy winners, Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, also known as NappyTabs (Jennifer Lopez’s ‘All I Have’, Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour, Grammys), co-create, direct and supervise choreography for the tour.

The winner of the 2024 Tony Award for Best Musical is The Outsiders. Adapted from S.E. Hinton's seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film, this thrilling new musical features a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Justin Levine, music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements by Justin Levine, choreography by Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman, and direction by Tony Award winner Danya Taymor. Entertainment Weekly says, "It has the power to inspire an entire generation."

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. The Outsiders navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, The Outsiders is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”

Set in Depression-era New York City, Annie follows a plucky orphan determined to find the parents who left her at the Municipal Girls Orphanage. Escaping the bitter Miss Hannigan, Annie finds an unexpected home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable stray named Sandy.

Stumptown Stages presents the Tony Award-winning musical, with beloved songs including “Tomorrow,” “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” and “Easy Street.”

Brighten your autumn by celebrating Diwali, the vibrant Indian Festival of Lights, at the Wilsonville Public Library. This free, family-friendly evening brings the community together to experience the joy and rich traditions of the holiday. Enjoy an immersive celebration featuring lively music, beautiful cultural dances, delicious traditional foods and hands-on festive crafts.

November 15, 2026

Family Series

Alice McLerran’s classic children’s book The Mountain that Loved a Bird tells a heartwarming story of unlikely friendship between a barren mountain and a visiting bird named Joy. Experience Portland-based composer Caroline Shaw’s musical interpretation of the story as the book is narrated live in this celebration of friendship that teaches us the transformative power of kindness and care.

• Su-Han Yang Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Associate Conductor
• Pam Mahon Narrator
• Dance West Jason Davis, Artistic & Technical Director
• Pacific Youth Choir Chris Maunu, Artistic Director; Amber Schroeder, Associate Conductor
• Oregon Symphony

This concert is part of the Family Series, and is eligible for the Choose Your Own Series (Portland only).

This concert is part of the 2026/27 Sounds Like Portland festival.

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

This fall, Portland welcomes an extraordinary celebration of classical ballet as PRIMA Ballet Gala brings together artists of the Grand Kyiv Ballet and international guest performers for one unforgettable night.

More than a performance, PRIMA Ballet Gala is a night of elevated artistry – where timeless classics meet contemporary expression, and the stage becomes a space of beauty, power, and emotion.

The program features iconic highlights from world-renowned ballets including Don Quixote, Spartacus, and The Dying Swan, alongside vibrant national dance such as the thrilling Hopak, set to music by legendary composers including Tchaikovsky.

Begin your evening on the red carpet, then step inside for a celebration of artistic excellence and international cultural connection.
Guests are warmly encouraged to attend in the evening attire, helping create an atmosphere of elegance worthy of this special occasion.

Join us for a rare opportunity to experience world-class dancers, timeless choreography, and a night filled with beauty and inspiration.

Seats are limited. Be part of PRIMA Ballet Gala — where ballet speaks from the heart.

October 30- October 31 at 7:30pm
November 1 at 2pm
November 5-7 at 7:30pm

The World’s MOST Iconic Ballet — With a LIVE Orchestra!

The legendary tale of Swan Lake takes flight in a breathtaking production from World Ballet Company, as fate and magic entwine in a timeless battle between good and evil. Performing with a Live Orchestra, and featuring a cast of 50 international dancers, over 150 radiant hand-sewn costumes, and stunning hand-crafted sets, this spellbinding ballet captures every heart-pounding moment — from the Dance of the Little Swans to the Black Swan’s 32 fouettés, and every pirouette in between.

With Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score soaring through the air and played LIVE, immerse yourself in this mesmerizing journey where dreams, heartbreak, and hope unfold right before your eyes.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (including 20-minute intermission)
Audience: For ages 5 & over

*About the Company: Based in Los Angeles, and led by Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick, World Ballet Company presents the most beloved and iconic ballets of our time in cities nationwide. Driven by the belief that ballet is for everyone, performances appeal to newcomers and seasoned ballet goers alike. The company attracts many international artists and comprises renowned professional dancers representing over ten countries.

To date, World Ballet Company has traveled to more than 300 cities, reaching an audience of more than 500,000 fans.

Make it a group experience! Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.

Each year, Milagro observes Día de Muertos with the premiere of a new production, altar displays, and community events with the Día de Muertos Festival. The Centerpiece event of the 31st Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration is Marigolds y Memorias, an original devised production inspired by the traveling carpa tradition, in which humor, music, and storytelling come together in a vibrant theatrical journey. Guided by an elder, a younger generation learns o build an altart, the heart of Día de Muertos, discovering the meaning behind each of its elements, from candles and marigolds to photographs, ofrendas, and cherished recuerdos. Through song, dance, and short theatrical vignettes, the altar gradually takes shape as an act of remembrance and cultural inheritance, inviting audiences to consider how traditions are taught, how memory is kept alive, and what is carried forward when we share rituals across generations.

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a long-honored tradition with roots in Indigenous Mexican culture. Día de Muertos is observed annually in Mexican and other Latin American cultures on November 1st and 2nd as a remembrance of those who have passed. Individuals and families who honor this day set up ofrendas (altars) with offerings to their departed loved ones. Typical offerings include marigolds, calaveras, photos of the dead, and traditional food like “pan de muerto.”

Centerpiece event of Milagro’s 31st Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration.

Marigolds y Memorias is an original devised production inspired by the traveling carpa tradition, in which humor, music, and storytelling come together in a vibrant theatrical journey. Guided by their ancestors, a younger generation rediscovers the heart of Día de Muertos, the meaning behind each of its elements, from candles and marigolds to ofrendas and cherished recuerdos. Through song, dance, and short theatrical vignettes, an altar gradually takes shape as an act of remembrance and cultural inheritance, inviting audiences to consider how traditions are taught, how memory is kept alive, and what is carried forward when we share rituals across generations.

An Ensemble-Devised Piece
Directed by Juliana Morales Carreño

Age recommendation: All ages
Running time: About 1 hour 30 minutes, including one intermission
Tickets: Adults $32, seniors (50+) $28, and students $24; groups of 10 or more $18 each

Sylva Ridge, Tennessee, is known for one thing during the holiday season: its Christmas pageant. When Oralene, the guiding force behind the production, suddenly passes away, the tight-knit group of women she left behind—known as the Silver Belles—must step up to save the show. As they fumble through rehearsals and face old wounds, they rediscover their voices, their strength, and their deep bond with one another. With twangy new country tunes, holiday classics, and plenty of Southern charm, The Silver Belles rings in the season with community and the kind of chosen family that helps us find our place—even when we feel a little lost.

Book by Allyson Currin
Music by Matt Conner
Lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith
Based on an idea by Cathy Alter and Sandra Johnson

Co-directed and choreographed by Dan Murphy and Clara-Liis Hillier

This show is presented without intermission.

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and has won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin feature some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including "Tomorrow."

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations... and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

Join scholars Dr. Lindsey Mantoan, author of It's All Happening: How Musical Theater Does High School (Oxford, 2026), and Dr. Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist (Simon & Schuster, 2025), for a free conversation about high school on the musical theater stage. This evening will feature performances by PSU students from some favorite high school musicals — come to sing, chat, and cheer along.

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!

• Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
• Year: 2008
• Country: United States
• Runtime: 98 minutes

The Paradise Band – Sade Tribute is an electrifying act that features Madison Rose, who captures the grace and romantic mystique with uncanny likeness and vocal delivery to the band’s namesake singer, Sade Adu. Each performance highlights dancing, timeless hits, and Music Director Brian Foxworth’s masterful finesse, each element making this concert a night to remember.

Cliffbanger is musical improv like you’ve never seen—in-your-face, unpredictable, and ridiculously fun! No scripted storylines or predictable arcs—just razor-sharp comedy, top-tier musicianship, and on-the-spot songs (and choreography!) that will make you laugh ’til your stomach hurts. We start with one audience suggestion—and that’s all we need. From there, it’s fast, fearless comedy with catchy songs and harmonies that have no business being that good.

High-energy, unapologetically funny, and unlike anything else. This is musical improv… that hits.

Featuring:
Rachel Rosenthal, Sam De Roest, Emily Larkin, Lauren Van Kurin, Lena Roper — and Mont Chris Hubbard on keys!

Directed by Rachel Rosenthal
Musical Direction by Mont Chris Hubbard

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.

As the trailblazers of progressive Irish dance, Trinity Irish Dance Company has spent 35 years redefining the art form through the vision of Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard. This family-friendly program, featuring live music from the company’s own folk-rock band, draws from new and classic Trinity repertoire. Highlights will include the Portland/Northwest premieres of “Pasture Bedtime, Bleating Hearts,” a whimsical work by Portland’s own Ashley Roland and Jamey Hampton of BodyVox; “Séseacht,” choreographed by renowned tap dancer Michelle Dorrance in collaboration with the company; and “The Sash,” choreographed by Mark Howard, Chelsea Hoy, and Stephanie Martinez. Trinity has sold out stages across Europe, Asia, and North America—a tradition kept restlessly alive through their distinct artistry.

Step into autumn’s splendor as the garden transforms with the colors and textures of chrysanthemums, a flower of nobility and longevity in Chinese culture. Stroll among 81 mum varieties, cascading displays along the waterfall, and sweeping floral sculptures that transform the garden into a living gallery.

From dazzling floral artistry to hands-on learning opportunities, Chrysanthemum Festival is one of the garden's most anticipated annual celebrations—and an unforgettable way to experience Lan Su in fall. Explore this beautiful flower and time of year.

Nov. 5-8 — Nights of the Golden Flower: Immerse yourself in the illuminated works of 18 talented local floral artists and featured designer Toni Tibbits as they interpret this year’s theme, Golden Blooms Upon Autumn Waters. Plus, enjoy gentle music by Lulu Guzheng Studio, dance performances by YZ Dance Academy, floral jewelry-making, and all-ages fun as you wander among glowing lanterns and vote for your favorite designs of the showcase. Sensory Night November 14.

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 Portland Princess Ball returns bigger, more enchanting, and more unforgettable than ever! Explore three magical ballrooms and meet nine beloved princesses as they bring their stories to life through special interactions, live performances, photos, and dancing.

Meet the royal team. These queens and princesses are kind, sweet, and gentle, with hearts full of love for children. They embody grace and warmth, ensuring every moment is magical. Many of the performers are professional dancers, actors, and singers, bringing their talents and charisma to life with every wave of the wand. Of course, they’re always true to character, making each experience unforgettable.

The princess roster:

• Ice Queen
• Ice Princess
• Cinderella
• The Island Princess
• Little Mermaid
• Beauty
• The Arabian Princess
• Snow White
• The Frog Princess

* Princess appearances are subject to change in case of illness, emergency, or circumstances beyond control.

Event Highlights:

• Nine enchanting princesses
• Famous princess songs performed live on stage
• Special princess interactions, photos, and dancing
• Three uniquely themed ballrooms
• Tea sandwiches, royal desserts, and princess tea
• Freshly scooped ice cream
• Two photo booths
• Two bouncy castles
• Glitter tattoos
• Princess crafts

Join Makola Performing Arts, led by Okaidja Afroso, for an hour of joyful song and dance! Rooted in circle-based learning, Okaidja brings joy, resilience, and belonging to community spaces across Oregon and beyond.

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.

Cast members from the Fall MainStage Musical: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 will be performing a song in the library for Watzek First Friday!

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.

Choreographer Lai Hung-chung makes dances of striking beauty and intention. Birdy, his captivating signature work for Hung Dance, moves between suspense and explosive energy, between the weight of tradition and the pull toward something new. Hung Dance seamlessly blends traditional Chinese arts – including Tai Chi, Peking Opera, and classical Chinese music – with current dance techniques and driving electronic music to create work that is poetic and flowing, rhythmic and impressive. What you see on stage is a work in constant transformation: bodies that bend and resist, images that linger, a world where the tension between holding on and letting go becomes the dance itself.

Taberna Flamenca offers the best of Southern Spain in SE Portland. Enjoy authentic Spanish Tapas, a delicious selection of sangria and Spanish wines, and an exhilarating live flamenco performance featuring special guest dancer Amelia Moore of Oleaje Flamenco (Seattle, WA).

• Reserved seats include tapas and dessert from Bar Botellón.
• Dinner (bento) available for purchase by Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille.
• Offering special sangria cocktails and Spanish wine.

Featuring:

• Amelia Moore - Dance
• Nela McGuire - Dance
• Yeshe Wingerd - Vocals
• Brenna McDonald - Guitar