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.
Celebrate Samhain and the Day of the Dead with a transformative, grounding evening hosted by Celine Redfield of Two Wings Balanced Healing. Aligned with the deeply intuitive water energy of Scorpio season, this sacred gathering combines community connection with deep personal restoration.
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
Onigiri Action is an annual event by the Japanese Culture Club. Students make onigiri (rice balls), enjoy tea, and send a photo that helps provide five school meals to children in need worldwide. Everyone is welcome! Located in the Student Union (Bldg. 10). Gresham Campus Map
Portland Japanese Garden’s Tea Ceremony Workshop offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional practice of Chanoyu, or the Way of Tea. Experience the art of tranquility, mindfulness, and omotenashi, whole-hearted hospitality.
It is not an exaggeration to say that through tea, one can understand much of Japanese culture. Tea’s influence can be found in many of the nation’s most beloved artforms, including arranging flowers, calligraphy, incense, ceramics and lacquerware. Japanese gardens are also deeply intertwined with tea ceremony. The four principles of tea, wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility), are explored by the gardeners of Portland Japanese Garden in their work every day.
Guided by skilled instructor Jan Waldmann, Sosui, the focus of this workshop is to learn to be a guest in the tea ceremony, an important aspect to this historic tradition. Participants will learn the proper etiquette for attending a tea ceremony, including how to receive and consume sweets and matcha, and most importantly, the reasons behind each of the steps. Additionally, you will gain insight into what it entails to be a host— understanding the occasion and seasonality, attention to aesthetics, careful preparation, and the thoughtful gestures made toward the guests.
Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Classroom.
Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden (2:00-2:30pm) before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Family Classroom (2:45-4:15pm).
No previous experience is needed. Students will sit in a chair at a table, not kneeling on a tatami mat.
Urasenke Konnichian of Kyoto is one of the major establishments within Japan that has preserved the tradition of Chado or the Way of Tea. From the first Urasenke generation, Sen no Rikyu (1522-91) to the current headmaster Zabosai Genmoku Soshitsu XVI (b.1956 -), the Sen family lineage has devoted great effort to fostering the philosophy of Tea through the simple words of Wa – Harmony, Kei -Repect, Sei – Purity & Jaku – Tranquility. Over the years Urasenke has established connections in over 21 cities worldwide.
2026 Cinnamon Bear Cruise Dates:
Saturday, 11/28
Sunday, 11/29
Saturday, 12/5
Sunday, 12/6
Saturday, 12/12
Sunday, 12/13
Saturday, 12/19
Sunday, 12/20
Monday, 12/21
Tuesday, 12/22
Wednesday, 12/23
Thursday, 12/24
Saturday, 12/26
Sunday, 12/27
Boarding: 9:00 am
Cruising: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Boarding Location:
Salmon Springs Dock
1010 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204
Return Details: Returns to original departure point.
TicketsTickets start at $72 for adults or $52 for children 12 and younger. Cinnamon Bear has been a holiday tradition for generations and you’re invited to make this season one your child will remember forever.
Reservations available at portlandspirit.com/cinnamonbear or by calling 503-224-3900.
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.
Participants will begin with self-reflective prompts before embarking on a slow, guided walk, where they will be invited to observe and capture with a camera (or cell phone) how the late autumn garden mirrors the landscapes of transformation, grief and transition.
The seasonal landscape itself becomes a teacher: the architectural presence of conifers standing among bare deciduous trees, the rich layers of fallen leaves returning to the soil, beavers preparing for winter, eagles tending their nests, seed pods, mosses, textures, changing light, and the quiet beauty that emerges when life appears stripped down to its essence.
Through mindful photographs, participants will gather visual "fragments" before coming together in a circle for creative reflection, gentle conversation, and complementary herbal teas. The intention is to cultivate presence, symbolism, and a compassionate way of witnessing both nature and ourselves.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate layers, drinking water, optional snack, camera or cell phone. If using a cell phone camera, be sure that the sound is off.
About the Guest Facilitator
Clara-Julia Peru is an artist, poet and nature advocate. She is a grief informed art and nature guide with an abundance of specialized training in grief support and expression. Learn more about Clara-Julia’s work here.
Sliding Scale Equity Pricing
In an effort to create an inviting and inclusive community for all we have sliding scale equity pricing based on personal financial experience and financial privilege.
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:
* Princess appearances are subject to change in case of illness, emergency, or circumstances beyond control.
Event Highlights:
Looking for the best brunch in Portland? Treat yourself and your loved ones to a 2-hour Willamette River cruise featuring a delicious buffet of breakfast and lunch favorites. Sip on mimosas (included) while enjoying live piano music and stunning river views.
What's IncludedLidong marks the beginning of winter on the traditional Chinese solar calendar. Before the cold settles in, give yourself one slow morning: warming teas brewed gongfu style, the garden turning gold outside the window, and 80 minutes that belong entirely to you.
Hosted in a private, hand-built teahouse in SE Portland, this small-group gathering (16 guests maximum) is led by Fengxia, a landscape architect who designed and built the teahouse and its Japanese-style garden herself. You will taste several seasonal teas, learn the basics of gongfu brewing, and leave with a quieter mind.
Advance booking required.
Set aside two hours for a somatic-focused mini retreat with Sophia Miller that explores the balance and support of the hips and pelvis. The session weaves gentle Primal Vinyasa, sacral aromatherapy, journaling inspired by the natural world, and an all-instrumental soundscape, and it begins with a simple tea service. Journaling materials are provided. Please bring a yoga mat and a favorite mug for tea. Early bird pricing is $45 or $80 for two, with a $55 rate afterward. Space is limited to 16 students, and registration is available through Mindbody.
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.
Give the gift of a healing balm and a soothing tea this holiday season with Saundra Kamman of Bloom and Grow Nutrition! Discuss herbs and their traditional uses and make a balm to heal and soften dry skin. Create a delicious tea to calm frazzled holiday nerves, too! Everyone will go home with gifts and recipes to make more.
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.
The perfect setting for a wonderful Thanksgiving with the whole family. Let us do the cooking this holiday! Sit back and relax as you cruise down the river taking in the views of the city of Portland and the historic Milwaukie waterfront. Enjoy a delicious buffet meal with holiday classics and tempting desserts.
ScheduleWe offer two cruises on Thursday, November 26th:
Afternoon
• Boarding: 11:30 am
• Cruising: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Evening
• Boarding: 4:00 pm
• Cruising: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Boarding Location:
Salmon Springs Dock
1010 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204
Return Details: Returns to original departure point.
Celebrate the season with a little holiday magic at Portland Japanese Garden. For three special weekends, experience the Garden’s traditional winter decorations, shop for thoughtful Japanese and Japanese-inspired gifts, and have your purchases beautifully wrapped in cloth using the Japanese custom of furoshiki. Along the way, warm up with seasonal teas and treats from the Umami Café and make an origami ornament to take home. These Holiday Weekends are a festive way to slow down, enjoy the season, and find something meaningful for everyone on your list.
Did you know? Furoshiki refers to traditional Japanese cloths that are used to wrap and carry items, including gifts. Traditionally, when presenting a gift wrapped in furoshiki, givers would take the cloth back home with them. Today, furoshiki may also be given as part of the gift itself, valued both for their beauty and as environmentally friendly, reusable alternatives to disposable paper wrap. Recipients can then reuse the cloth for wrapping and carrying items or presenting a future gift.
Consciously compost the old and claim your next energetic upgrade at a transformative evening hosted by Celine Redfield of Two Wings Balanced Healing. Anchored by a rare, generational Uranus-Pluto planetary alignment, this sacred sanctuary is designed for intentional release, deep nervous-system recalibration, and profound cellular renewal.
Join Kate for a grounding Breathwork and Tea Ritual designed to help you slow down, reconnect with your inner rhythm, and find stillness.
Introduction to the 5 major tea types and ceremonial tea.
Join us for an introduction to the five major types of tea; green, white, oolong, black, and dark tea. Together we will explore the origins of Camellia sinensis, trace its history and cultural roots, and experience the art of gongfu ceremonial tea service. This class is an invitation to step into the magic, wonder, and devotion that tea inspires, while learning how its many expressions continue to connect us to the natural world and our human nature.
This gathering is offered with a suggested contribution of $35. In the spirit of inclusivity and balance, you are welcome to offer what feels right for you, whether that is $35, $25, or more if you have the means. Contributions above the suggested amount help make this experience accessible to those with financial need and sustain the ongoing care and energy poured into holding spaces like this. Every offering, whether financial or energetic, affirms the value of community supported education.
We also acknowledge the systemic barriers that have long limited access for BIPOC communities. To honor this, a $15 option is available for BIPOC participants who would benefit from it. This is one way we commit to equity, ensuring that diversity is not only welcomed but integral to the richness of the experience.
If the listed prices are still a barrier, please reach out directly. I am more than willing to work with you to ensure that tea remains within reach for all who feel called to share in it.
All are welcome here. You are invited to arrive exactly as you are and take part in a space rooted in openness, care, and community, a living space where each presence is honored and where we grow together through the deep, transformative beauty of tea.
To help us hold a mindful and welcoming space, we ask participants to be considerate of sensory sensitivities by avoiding strong fragrances. This is a space of gentle awareness, where we honor our own needs as well as those of others. By showing up with openness, care, and respect for each other’s boundaries, we create a collective meditative atmosphere where, tea, and community belonging can flourish.
In the spirit of reciprocity and uplifting community together, five dollars from each participant will be donated to Q Center, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ2SIA+ communities through advocacy, resources, and safe spaces, embodying tea’s spirit of connection, reflection, healing, and belonging.
This class is led by D’Guar (they/them), a trans person of color, tea guide, and community builder based in Portland, Oregon. D’Guar has devoted their path to exploring the spirit of Camellia sinensis through mindful practice, storytelling, and connection. Through their project Water Fairy Tea, they create spaces where tea becomes a bridge between nature, presence, and belonging. Their offerings weave education with devotion, inviting participants to meet tea not only as a beverage, but as a living companion in self discovery and community care with nature and the world around.
We acknowledge that this work takes place on the traditional lands of the Multnomah, Clackamas, Chinook, Kathlamet, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other Indigenous ancestors and communities. We honor their enduring presence, care, and wisdom, and offer gratitude to the land and to the people who have tended it since time immemorial.
Discover the clear, focused character of green tea through a facilitated tasting that centers mindfulness and flavor. Participants tune their senses with attentive sipping and dialogue, noticing how each expression carries its own narrative. The experience blends tasting, introspection, and dialogue to heighten perception and foster a closer relationship with the leaf. It offers a calm pathway into nature’s wisdom, encouraging serenity and insight throughout the session.
En este grupo de lectura, cada miembro lee un fragmento de un cuento y aporta su perspectiva única a la discusión mientras disfruta de café, té y bocadillos. Los lectores no solo discuten la historia, sino que también comparten sus experiencias relacionadas con los temas, ¡y hacen amigos! Participar regularmente con un grupo de lectores anima a las personas a pensar de manera crítica, expresar sus ideas con claridad y considerar puntos de vista que de otra manera no habrían encontrado.
In this book group, each member reads a fragment of a short story and brings their unique viewpoint to the discussion of it while enjoying coffee, tea, and snacks. Readers not only discuss the story, but also share their experiences related to its themes, and they make friends! Regularly engaging with a group of readers encourages individuals to think critically, articulate thoughts clearly, and consider viewpoints they might not have encountered otherwise.
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.
Join us for a fun Holiday Themed British tea with sandwiches and cakes galor. Our fundraiser will be at St. Bartholomew#39;s Church 11/14This is our big fundraiser for the year - our annual afternoon tea party. Our members bake and make homemade - from
Join the 20th year anniversary for a beloved holiday event for kids and grandparents alike. The whole family will enjoy reserved seating and a plated breakfast while whimsical characters entertain the kids with storytelling, music and magic. Cinnamon Bear has been a cherished holiday tradition for generations.
Enjoy reserved seating and a plated breakfast while a cast of fanciful characters entertains the kids with storytelling, music and magic.
Tickets include:
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 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.
Explore teas from the collection in a gathering where the selections themselves guide the learning. Each session may feature unusual cultivars, experimental processing, aged or stored teas, or other expressions of Camellia sinensis beyond the familiar. Led by D’Guar, a tea guide and community builder, the class brings together tea, mindful practice, storytelling, and community connection. All are welcome, and participants are asked to avoid strong fragrances to help support sensory sensitivities. The suggested contribution is $40, with a $15 option available for BIPOC participants who would benefit from it. If cost remains a barrier, flexible contributions may be discussed.
Learn how to create a balanced loose leaf tea blend while exploring how flavor, aroma, additional ingredients, and visual appearance work together. Each participant will create their own personal blend(s) to take home, enough to make approximately 3–4 pots or 24–32 cups of tea.
Trade the Post-Thanksgiving Crowds for Cabernet
The Thanksgiving dishes are done, the leftovers are waiting, and there's finally time to slow down. At Pepper Bridge Winery we're hosting A Slow Weekend, three days dedicated to taking it easy, enjoying good company, and soaking in the joy of the holiday weekend. Whether you're welcoming family from out of town, catching up with old friends, or simply looking for a relaxing afternoon, we've saved you a seat.
What to Expect:
- Comfort Food & Wine: Enjoy a complimentary seasonal comfort food pairing with your tasting.
- A Little Friendly Competition: Board games, cards, and puzzles are ready for your family and friends.
- Something Special from the Cellar: Enjoy a library wine bonus during your visit.
- Something for Everyone: Complimentary hot tea and cocoa for designated drivers.
- Holiday Gifting Made Easy: Discover special wine and gifting opportunities available throughout the weekend (no flash sales here!)
- Room to Relax: Beautiful vineyard surroundings and a welcoming atmosphere where you can stay awhile.
Chef Alexa's non-colonial Thanksgiving dinner honoring Indigenous ancestors, featuring indigenous tea pairings, a fully dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and white cane sugar-free menu. Take-home meals also available the day before for $50 per person while supplies last.
Join a day of sipping and celebrating with tea friends. Special guests from Enthea, Teazen, Ocha, and Aishang will be stopping by throughout the day. Enjoy delicious pastries from Miss Orange and friends, along with crafts, giveaways, and plenty of surprises.
Enjoy a Little Magic with Sarah Blue Cloud tarot and palm readings. Guest Tea Spotlights with Via Tempo, Tea J Tea and Brew and Blossom. End the evening with Charlie Sebastian Short for a Sound Bath Meditation, a peaceful way to close out a day of tea, friendship, and celebration. Space is limited for the Sound Bath.
No admission fee, just an open invitation to spend the day enjoying tea.
Free All-Day Tea Party.
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.
Portland Japanese Garden will offer free public demonstrations of Chadō, the Way of Tea, at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.
The Way of Tea is intrinsically linked to Japanese gardens and understanding the kokoro (heart) of Japanese gardening.
The traditional Japanese tea ceremony is a manner of preparing and drinking a bowl of tea. More than just making tea, it reflects the Japanese sense of omotenashi, or wholehearted hospitality. It involves choreographed movements where both the host and guest escape the fast pace of life and experience calm.
Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is slow down. 🌿 This Friday March 20th at 6:30PM we’re gathering at The @qcenter for an evening of sound healing and guided tea meditation!
fully Queer & BIPOC led by, ✨
@charliesoundpractice
@waterfairytea
A restorative space where tea grounds you, sound moves through you, and the nervous system finally gets to exhale. 🫖🎶
Link in bio to reserve your spot. 🙏🏽
Enjoy an Indian lunch buffet featuring specialty pizzas, dal makhani, paneer tikka masala, butter chicken, chicken Manchurian, Punjabi kadhi pakora, vegetable pakora, naan, rice, fresh salad, raita, papad, chai, and sweets. The buffet is offered at a special price of $14.99.
Vampire Unicorns will host a Tea Blending Workshop from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 14. Steep yourself in magic and learn the art of crafting bespoke tea blends to nourish body and spirit. Explore which teas pair with fragrant flowers, herbs and spices to create various tea blends. Students will make their own blend to take home. The cost is $35 and includes all ingredients. Register at vampireunicorns.xyz.
Enjoy an intimate, small-group exploration of traditional Chinese and Taiwanese teas in one of Lan Su’s garden pavilions. Led by the Tea Masters of Yun Shui Teahouse, each tasting features a seasonal selection of three teas and introduces their origins, processing, brewing methods, and cultural significance. The experience offers a relaxing way for tea enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike to explore a beloved cultural tradition amid the beauty of Lan Su.
Unlock the art of tea blending during this hands-on workshop. Learn how to create a balanced loose-leaf tea blend while exploring how flavor, aroma, additional ingredients, and visual appearance work together. Each participant will create their own personal blend(s) to take home, enough to make approximately 3–4 pots or 24–32 cups of tea.
A kissa-style (Japanese coffeeshop) pop-up at Fumi featuring slow bar pour over coffee, usucha matcha, and white tea from Spirit Tea served by coffee_ma_pdx, plus intentionally paired seasonal snacks by Boulet (boulet.pdx).