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
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.
Rock Band x Ground Kontrol is BACK AGAIN! Head to the blue side lounge of Ground Kontrol for an all-night karaoke party featuring pro gear, pro sound and now over 6,000 songs!
Rock Band is organized like karaoke, with song books and slips. It’s free to play on other people’s songs all night, and $1 to request your own song.
New to Rock Band x Ground Kontrol: the house band! No more waiting for other players to sign up for your song to get it in the queue – members of our house band will be available to fill in on any instruments as needed! You’ll still be able to sign yourself up to play on other people’s songs, but our house band will be prepared to jump in and help keep the solo players rocking all night!
Players of all experience levels are welcome. Performance and stage presence are encouraged, so ROCK OUT!
Rock Band x Ground Kontrol · Wednesday 11/4 · 6:30-11:30pm · 21+ · FREESpeed 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.
Do you like to game? Are you in middle or high school? If so, join our game night the first Tuesday of every month! We'll play video games and board games, talk about games, and eat snacks.
A gaming-themed, adults-only night at OMSI with the museum floor open after hours. The program pairs curated vendors and themed lectures with the interactive exhibits and planetarium shows, drawing on the science and engineering behind games, simulation and play. Food and drink are available for purchase and a happy hour runs from 5:00 PM ahead of the 6:00 PM start. Attendees must be 21 or older; government-issued photo identification is required at the door and no minors are admitted. A good crossover evening for the Portland game development, hardware and science communities. Held at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland. Ticketed, with advance purchase recommended as these evenings regularly sell out. https://omsi.edu/events/omsi-after-dark-game-on/
Rock out at the Open Musician's Jam. Join these jam sessions, where music meets fun and friends meet rock 'n roll. It's gonna be a blast. Bring your instruments, your voice, and your A-game.
This venue is 21+
Join us for a fun (and FREE) Mixer Tournament the 1st Monday of every month @ 6:40pm. This is a great tournament for people of all skill levels that want to play with new people in a more relaxed competitive environment.
Join our Discord server to engage with our community & register for tournaments online:
https://discord.gg/dnqG5wNzSa
CODE OF CONDUCT:
Please review our community Code of Conduct before attending, as ALL attendees will be responsible for upholding this during the tournament:
https://bit.ly/KQPDXcoc
We will have extra masks on hand if needed.
⏰ Schedule:
5 PM – 6:05 PM: Sign ups!
6:05 PM – 6:40 PM: Draft picks & warmup games
6:40 PM – 10 PM (ish): Mixer Tournament games
🕹 Format:
Exact format depends on the number of teams that sign up, and will be announced the night-of. Occasionally we’ll swap this out for other fun and unique formats. That said, here’s what we usually do:
<= 4 teams: Round Robin -> Ladder
5-6 teams: Round Robin
7+ teams: Double Elim
You don’t need to find or bring a team with you! All skill levels encouraged to sign up – including if you’ve never played before. You’ll sign up individually for the tournament (BEFORE 6:05pm!) at the venue, and we’ll find a few people that want to captain. After sign ups close, we’ll be doing a snake draft where captains choose members for their team. Please stay in the area between 6 – 6:30pm so we can find you after the draft is complete and get started on time!
If you show up late for signups there’s ~no guarantee~ you’ll get to play in the tournament. Please keep that in mind! If you’re running late but you know you’ll be there BEFORE 6:30pm, please message someone attending and ask if there are any options.
🏆 Prizes:
1st🥇: $50 gift certificate for the team to split & $10 game cards for each player.
2nd🥈: $50 gift certificate for the team to split.
3rd🥉: $25 gift certificate for the team to split.
🎥 Stream & Bracket:
You’ll be able to see the Twitch stream, Twitch chat, and the Challonge bracket on the Live Matches page of our website here:
https://killerqueenpdx.buzz/live
If you’d prefer direct links, we’ll be streaming the tournament on our Twitch page here:
https://www.twitch.tv/kqpdx
The Challonge bracket will be posted here:
https://challonge.com/communities/kqpdx
↩️ Finding the KQ cabinets:
🔵 Blue Side 🔵
Once you enter Ground Kontrol you’ll need to walk straight back and around the first bar, take a left and go all the way to the back room. Killer Queen is in the back-right corner of the blue room, near the second bar.
Try out Capitol Hill's Nintendo Switch! Test out new games, make friends, and build your gaming skills.
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.
In our Pinny Cup Tournaments, players will register and then be placed into teams of 2-3. Teams will be made from a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced players to keep a fun and fair experience for everyone. Each team will be responsible for recording their own scores and turning them in. The winning teams of each machine will be determined by the highest combined score of everyone on the team, and teams will receive points based on how they placed. (4 points for 1st place, 2 points for 2nd place, 1 point for 3rd place) The winning teams for the whole event will be determined by which team has the most points after all the rounds. Each member of the winning teams receives prizes ranging from gift cards to free pinball wristbands to some of our merch!
Tournaments are open to people of all skill levels. We have some of the best players in the country here, as well as many new people getting into the hobby for the first time! It's a great way to improve your skills as well as meet friendly and fun people in the community!
After each tournament is concluded, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive points that will go towards picking an overall Pinny Cup winner that will receive a grand prize and a place in the Pinny Cup Hall of Fame.
There is no entry fee for the tournament, but players are required to purchase an unlimited pinball wristband for $12.
*Please note that the tournament is subject to slight modifications depending on attendance and machine availability. We may modify a tournament to have different group sizes or edit the number of rounds to ensure substantial tournament lengths.*
Rock out at our Open Musician's Jam! Join us for our jam sessions, where music meets fun and friends meet rock 'n roll! It's gonna be a blast, and here's what's in store: Gear Galore: Pianos, electric/acoustic guitars, tube amps, bass (4 or 5 string), drum set, ukulele – we've got 'em ready for you! Plus, extra mics for singers and whatever else you want to bring. Covers welcome: Bring your band, or team up with fellow jammers. We often get lots of blues, rock, pop, funk, and a load of awesome covers from all decades, but especially 90's. Let's make some noise!Game On: We've got Ping Pong tables and arcade machines for friendly competition. No Limits: Bring your musical mojo, and let's get wild! Whether you're a pro or just here for the good times, it's all about the music and the good vibes. Admission: FREE, 'cause we're all about the music! Bring your instruments, your voice, and your A-game. Let's jam like there's no tomorrow! We'll see you there, ready to turn up the volume! This venue is 21+ *************************************************************************************************************** Questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page!
The Connection Club is hosting a Game Night in Beaverton in partnership with The Arc PDX!
Come enjoy a relaxed evening, meet some new people,
🃏 We will have board and card games and there will be some video game consoles available to use. 🎮
🍕 There will be snacks, drinks, and pizza available.
This event is open to everyone and is free.
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 on Saturdays from 10am-3pm for a day of STEAM education through aviation. Our center is perfect for youth of all ages to experience hands-on learning and exploration.
Explore our flight simulator lab featuring Kerbal Space Program and Microsoft Flight Simulator, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes and collections on display. Our various educational programs are designed to spark curiosity and encourage discovery.
Admission is free for all ages, making this a perfect outing for families, school groups, and community organizations.
Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult when attending Open Saturday.
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.
Wacheno Welcome Center Mall Area Thursday, November 12, 2026, 11:30am – 3pm Open to Public, students, and staffClub engagement activity to celebrate Veteran's dayFood will be available board games, cards, and switch games available
If chaotic free-for-all matches with items is your brand of fun with Super Smash Bros, this bonus Smash Bros Night is for you! In addition to this month’s 1v1 tournament night (scheduled for Tuesday 11/10), we’re hosting a casual Super Smash Bros Ultimate night on Tuesday 11/3, with all items on and rotating modes. This is free to play in the lounge on the projector from 7-11pm, so stop by for some matches!
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.
Do you like to game? Are you in middle or high school? If so, join our gaming club! We'll play games, talk about games and eat snacks.
Join us for a wild evening of games (board, RPG, cards, and retro video games head to head!) and fun! ODD Mondays feature Karaoke with a retro twist, decade costumes encouraged!
Suggested donation is $5-10 and refreshments are available from The Riff service counter. Craft kit bundle deal: $15-20 for craft kit and one free drink from the bar!
ALL AGES. 21+ID required for alcoholic beverages.
Do you like to game? Are you in middle or high school? If so, join our gaming club! We'll play games, talk about games and eat snacks.
Made possible by gifts to The Library Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to enhancing our library's leadership, innovation and reach through private support.
Grab your gear and strap on your tunic, because The Hyrule Ball is here. A niche, nerdy, nightlife celebration of everyone's favorite action-adventure franchise, just in time for the latest release. Featuring Zelda-inspired DJ sets and drag performances, specialty cocktails, local vendors, and consoles and cabinets for playing games with friends.
Come dressed in your cosplay best, grab your wallet of rupees, and get ready to dance until the Sun Song plays.
Introducing a new beginner-friendly monthly pinball tournament: Ball Save Social Club! Monthly on first Wednesdays.
The goal is to keep BSSC a casual space that boosts new players and further helps build the community. It’s also a place to highlight the skilled players in our community that are willing to share the secrets and take on a challenge. The tournament starts at 7:00 pm however if you are there at 6:00 pm and are a newer or lower skilled player the TD can find a higher skilled player to play some games with you to either teach rules or flipper skills.
Getting wrecked constantly can be exhausting and discouraging. So the difference with BSSC and other tournaments is the introduction of a handicap system. Inspired by bowling leagues and golf tournaments to help even the playing field and make it more fair. The format will be 4 games of a matchplay format with a one game final for the top 4.
Handicaps will be determined by player ratings in MatchPlay. Handicaps will be a percentage taken off of your score at the end of the game.
Expert: 40% off
A: 30% off
B: 15% off
C: 0% off
D, E and unrated: 0% off and can play one extra ball
Example with a score of 1,304, 216,800 this is what would count
Expert: 782,530,080 (1,304, 216,800 × 0.6)
A: 912,951,760 (1,304, 216,800 x 0.7)
B: 1,108,584,280 (1,304,216,800 x 0.85)
C: 1,304,216,800
D, E and unrated: 1,304,216,800 (plus an extra ball)
Sometimes an experimental format may happen!
The ultimate after-school hangout for teens and pre-teens (ages 13-17)! Kick back with your friends, get creative, or just chill. We've got comfy spots, board games, art supplies, quiet study zones, and all the video games you could want. It's the perfect spot to meet new people, try cool stuff, and de-stress after school.
Head to Head qualifying with rounds being drawn until 9pm. Top players will make it to finals in a strikes elimination finals.
Check in before 7pm. $20 admission to Next Level + $5 buy-in to the tournament.
IFPA sanctioned for World Ranking points.
Do you like to game? Are you in middle or high school? If so, join our gaming club! We'll play games, talk about games and eat snacks.
Made possible by gifts to The Library Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to enhancing our library's leadership, innovation and reach through private support.
Kick back with your friends, get creative, or just chill. We've got comfy spots, board games, art supplies, and plenty of video games. It's the perfect spot to hang out and meet new people. For ages 12-18.
Do you like to game? Are you in middle or high school? If so, join our gaming club! We'll play games, talk about games and eat snacks.
Enjoy games, snacks, and fun! We will have Switch, Xbox, and Wii games available. We are excited to welcome everyone!
Location: Exhibition Hall A
About PDXLAN:
PDXLAN, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 2002 with the first event taking place in July of 2003. PDXLAN was founded by a group of avid PC-Gamers that wanted a large LAN party in the Portland, Oregon area.
Over the years PDXLAN has evolved into not just an event, but a community of generous gamers that have come to donate over $1,000,000 to local and national charities.
PDXLAN’s community is full of PC-hardware junkies, world-renown case modders, and avid casual gamers who are focused on playing together for fun.
Join ASMHCC for the Fall Smash Bros. Ultimate Smash Tournament! There will be free food and a prize for the tournament winner! Located in the Student Union . MHCC is an EEO, Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, Title II, Section 504, ADA, ORS 659A Institution. People requiring accommodations due to a disability should contact the Accessible Education Services office at 503-491-6923 or [email protected] . Please contact us at least two weeks prior to the event.
Ready for more Super Smash Bros. action at Ground Kontrol? We want to see you duke it out with your friends up on our big screens!
Head to Ground Kontrol on Tuesday 11/10 for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate battles starting at 6pm. We’ll host a 1v1 tournament around 7pm, free to enter and with prizes from Ground Kontrol for the top 3 players!
Our monthly Smash Bros. Nights are free to play and we’ll provide four Nintendo Switch pro controllers, but we also have a GameCube controller adapter, so feel free to bring a GameCube controller if it’s your preference!
Smash Bros. Night: Ultimate Tournament · Tuesday 11/10 · 6pm-late · FREE · 21+ only
Join other young patrons at the library for Nintendo fun! Test your skills, enjoy some snacks, and make new friends. Plankers and Edgehogs need not apply.
Saturday, September 26, 4:00pm–6:00pm
Saturday, October 24 4:00pm–6:00pm
Saturday, November 28 4:00pm–6:00pm
FREE, 21+, 7PM
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Poser Tom's Roadshow Arcade
Video Game Tournament!!!
This Month's Game: TBA
TOTALLY EXCELLENT PRIZES!!!
Throw down on the latest entries in the biggest fighting game franchises ever at Monday Night Fights!
We’re hosting a FREE tournament on the newly released Tekken 8. Winners walk away with Ground Kontrol credit and bragging rights! Sign-ups and casual games begin at 6:30pm, and we’ll start the tournament at 7pm.
Join the Battle Lounge Discord to connect with the local fighting game community here: www.discord.me/battlelounge
TEKKEN 8 FORMAT – Double elimination, best 2 of 3. Finals best 3 of 5. – Game Settings: Versus Mode, 60 Seconds, 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games, No Handicap – Loser may switch characters, winner is locked into the character they won with.HARDWARE – PS5 – controllers provided, feel free to bring your own PS5-compatible fighting stick/pad if you’d like!
Monday Night Fights: Tekken 8 Tournament · Monday 11/30 · 6:30pm-late · FREE · 21+ only