Portland Opera Preview
Join Portland Opera for an hour of story and song from their latest production, La Traviata.
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.
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 10th Annual Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation Turkey Trot, presented by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Columbia Credit Union, takes place on a scenic route through Ridgefield, traveling through Abrams Park and along Lake River. It’s a 5K family friendly run/walk event that raises funds to help the Foundation’s efforts to provide scholarships and grant opportunities to students, teachers, and staff. Last year’s event had more than 1,000 participants, and we hope to grow our event even more this year as we support Ridgefield schools and their students.
Register NowThis year’s 10th Annual Turkey Trot, presented by Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Columbia Credit Union will take place on Thursday, November 26th, starting with the Drumstick Dash—a short run for children ages 5 and under and not yet in kindergarten —at 8:45 am. The main event, a 5K run/walk, follows at 9:00 am. Both events will begin and end at Union Ridge Elementary School in downtown Ridgefield.
While the Turkey Trot is a fun run/walk without a formal timer, participants are encouraged to enjoy the spirit of the event and work up an appetite for their Thanksgiving feast.
Race packet pick up and in-person registration will be held on Wednesday, November 25th, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, and again on race day from 7:45 to 8:45 am in the Union Ridge Elementary School Gym. A limited number of extra T-shirts will be available for purchase during in-person registration.
To ensure you get a race T-shirt, please register by Wednesday, November 11th. Additionally, we encourage participants to bring nonperishable food items to packet pick-up for donation to the Ridgefield Family Resource Center. Each item donated will earn you a ticket for a chance to win $100 in local restaurant gift cards.
All proceeds from the event will be equally shared between the Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation and the Ridgefield Family Resource Center, making this a great way to give back to our community while embracing the Thanksgiving spirit. See you there!
RACE DETAILS
DRUMSTICK DASH
Once again our Turkey Trot will feature a Drumstick Dash, a short run for our youngest participants ages 5 and under (not yet in kindergarten). We will make an announcement at 8:40 am for any children interested in participating to report to the starting line. The Drumstick Dash will begin at 8:45 am.
5K FUN RUN/WALK
Our main event, the 5K run/walk, will get started at 9 am. Those who are planning to run should position themselves at the front of the crowd, closest to the starting line. Walkers, please make way for runners who are trying to move to the front. There is no official timer for our fun run/walk event, so those interested in knowing their finish times should plan to use their own watches to time themselves. For safety, please keep in mind that at certain points on the route you may be asked to stop for vehicle traffic (vehicles have the right of way during the Turkey Trot) so finish times could be impacted.
5K ROUTE:
The course begins on 5th Ave. at Union Ridge Elementary and then heads down to Abrams Park and continues northeast along the trail bordering Gee Creek. From there the route takes participants up Heron Drive to Main Ave. It then continues south to the corner of Main & Pioneer and takes participants down to the Ridgefield waterfront via the railroad overpass. Participants will follow the course along Lake River and turn around near the south end of Carty Lake. The course then continues in reverse, back up to the corner of Main & Pioneer, where participants will head north for one block before heading east up Simons St. to finish back at Union Ridge Elementary.
EVENT SAFETY NOTE
Roads remain open throughout the event. Please stay to the right on roads and use sidewalks whenever possible. Once again, this is a family friendly fun run/walk event. Participants may be subject to brief waits for vehicle traffic. Since roads remain open, vehicle traffic does have the right away.
BRING ITEMS FOR THE RIDGEFIELD FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
The Ridgefield Family Resource Center is seeking non-perishable foods (especially cereal, rice, pasta sauce, canned fruit, canned meat, and canned pasta meals) as well as new socks and stretchy knit gloves. For each item (non-perishable food items, pairs of socks, and pairs of gloves) brought to packet pick-up/in-person registration on Wednesday or Thursday morning, you will receive one ticket for entry into a prize drawing for $100 of local restaurant gift cards.
T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
For any participants who do not meet the T-shirt registration deadline of Nov. 12th at 10 pm, a limited number of T-shirts will be available for purchase at packet pick-up/in-person registration at a cost of $5 each.
EVENT PARKING
Parking will be available at Union Ridge Elementary, the RACC, and the Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene. Street parking throughout downtown Ridgefield is also an option for participants.
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.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Race HistorySince 2002, Clark County families have met for a fun run together on Thanksgiving morning. As the run grew in popularity, the families decided to organize the event and use the opportunity to give back to the community. Now, 1,250 racers join us each year and 100% of the proceeds benefit Clark County Food Bank, which provide the resources for roughly 140,000 meals every Thanksgiving!
Race CourseTurkey Trot 2025 will be at Salmon Creek Trail, with both races starting at Klineline Pond at 9 am on Thanksgiving morning! The course follows a flat, mostly paved trail that weaves between areas of forest and open meadows. The course will be clearly marked with directions and exact mile markers for both the 5k and 10k races. Water stations will be at the start/finish line, as well as the 10k turnaround. There will also be a first aid station located at the start/finish line.
Race TimingAll registered racers receive timing chips in their race packets, which will electronically track the racer’s time. Chips are then attached to the outermost layer of clothing above the waist. This method ensures accurate timing and creates an easy, quick way for race officials to post times and rankings online following the event.
Race InformationTurkey Trot has two race day options: a 5k walk/run and a 10k run. Both races begin at 9:00 am on Thanksgiving morning, and take place along the same course. There will usually be around a 5 minute delay between the start of the 10k and 5k races. All age groups are welcome and encouraged to participate! Food (bagels, donuts, bananas, etc.) and coffee will be provided the morning of the race. Special prizes will also be handed out to racers that come dressed in crazy, fun, or Thanksgiving themed costumes!
All are welcome for this fun community run and walking group, held on the first Saturday of every month. This is a free community group, so anyone can join the runners or walkers at no cost. It's a great Milwaukie Running Club group. The sauna social after the run is offered at half price: just $14.50. Capacity is limited to the first 20 sign-ups, so you are encouraged to sign up in advance.
The light pace is great for beginners, and set by the group. If a few people want to go slower or faster, the group will split into different-paced pods. Simply show up just before 8 a.m., run or walk for about an hour, then enjoy sauna time together at half price afterward.
Soak up that steam and the cold contrast for muscle recovery, improved circulation and enhanced running performance. Meet rain or shine and always make sure everyone is feeling safe and supported. Keep up that momentum toward your 2026 goals with this guided route — run or walk.
Led by Portland native Justine @runwithms
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.
Jessa and Kristin are your leaders for Beaverton's easygoing Monday-night run/walk. All paces and abilities welcome. Weather-permitting, we'll use the Fann
A community Turkey Trot in Carlton, Oregon offers a family-friendly walk or trot through town while supporting neighbors in need. The event is free, and registration is optional to help with planning. Participants are invited to bring nonperishable food or a grocery gift card for the Yamhill-Carlton Storehouse. The Big Larz Community Sports Locker benefits from raffle proceeds and a $10 contribution for each event shirt or hoodie sold. Raffle prizes are provided by local businesses and community members, with tickets priced at $5 each or 5 for $20. Donations of raffle items or baskets are welcomed, especially family-focused options. After the trot, everyone can warm up with coffee, tea, and hot cocoa and spend time together as a community. The route map and updates will be shared on the event’s Facebook page as details are finalized. For information about donating a raffle item or supporting the effort, contact H-Bomb Fitness at 503-852-3012 or [email protected]. Wellness is Only a Choice Away.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
Every Wednesday (except the first Wednesday) we host the Wilsonville Pub Runners. They will post 3m and 5m routes on their Facebook.
This 5k race takes you on a holiday-themed journey through the lights of the Sunshine Division Winter Wonderland. The perfect way to kick off Thanksgiving weekend. Like thousands of others, make the HTC Turkey Trot an annual tradition with your family and friends.
There will be 2 Family 5K waves, 1 Competitive 5K wave and 2 Kids Fun Run waves. Please register for your preferred start time.
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.
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.
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.
Portland Running Company leads a long run every Sunday morning departing from our location at 2258 NW Raleigh St. in Portland.
We decide the route(s) on t
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.
A welcoming community meet for runners and power walkers gathers on the first Saturday of each month. Participation is free and open to all, with a beginner friendly pace set by the group. If different speeds emerge, participants split into smaller pace pods so everyone can move comfortably. This Milwaukie Running Club group follows a guided route and keeps the tone light and fun. Afterward, a sauna social is available at a reduced rate of $14.50, limited to the first 20 sign ups, and advance sign up is encouraged. Completing the liability waiver ahead of time can make check in faster. Led by Portland native Justine @runwithms, the post session steam and cold contrast are highlighted for muscle recovery, improved circulation, and enhanced running performance. The group meets rain or shine and emphasizes a safe, supportive experience for all.
Ease into Sunday with a fun run covering about 4 to 6 miles at a comfortable, conversational pace. Expect friendly company throughout the route, then linger afterward for a laid-back coffee social.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
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.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
The Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation 10th annual Turkey Trot. An untimed 5K run/walk plus the Drumstick Dash for kids 5 and under. Proceeds split between the Foundation and the Ridgefield Family Resource Center. Earn the pie.
This is the only SE run group in the city! Live, work or play in our area? Come join us! We're a silly bunch of runners that like to run and imbibe. A lot
Free, weekly group run with Portland Running Company. Easygoing and social. 4–6 miles on street and Greenway Bike Path.
Join Run TRG at Duniway Track for an evening track run! All skill and experience levels welcome!
Every Thursday night join a fun group of runners for a 4–6 mile waterfront or neighborhood run, followed by a $3 pint at our in-store pub! Ages 21 or older, please.
Join Run TRG for a Saturday morning trail run around Mt. Tabor Park! Meet at the entrance on SE 64th Avenue and Lincoln Street. All skill and experience levels welcome!
Join Run TRG for a Friday evening trail run through Forest Park! Meet at the Leif Erikson Gate on NW Thurman. All skill and experience levels welcome!
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
Enjoy a Sunday morning fun run covering 4 to 6 miles at a conversational pace, followed by a coffee social with good company.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.
Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.