LitPDX seeks to amplify marginalized voices, and welcomes all, their ideas, their events, and their words.

For details regarding specific events please contact the organizers or venues. If you are an organizer or venue and would like to reach out to us please feel free to contact us or submit an event using our submission form. We’d love to hear from you!

The Nib “Empire” Magazine Issue Release Party

Books with Pictures 1401 SE Division Street, Portland, OR, United States

On May Day, we're celebrating the celebrate the release of The Nib's new quarterly print issue, Empire! The Nib, America’s most-read daily comics publication, is inviting the Portland community to come celebrate the launch of the magazine with drinks, giveaways, and live readings! Come out to see the new issue, plus meet The Nib's editors, pick up some free Nib swag, and hear the behind-the-scenes of how the comics in the issue were made. The Empire issue delves into the chaotic governmental practices shattering civilizations across the world and the lasting impact globalization has played on cultures, communities and marginalized peoples. Some noteworthy contributors to this issue include Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for the Washington Post Ann Telnaes, critically acclaimed cartoonist Rob Rogers who was…

Free

Deep Happening

NMB Foundation Facility 2360 NW Quimby St, Portland, OR, United States

NMB Foundation presents an evening of art, words, songs, and dance thoughtfully curated by José Medeles (revival Drum shop/1939 Ensemble). In collaboration with Chris Funk (Decemberists), Medeles offers a pallet of sights and sounds to celebrate the inclusive spirit of our art community and the memory of Nike SB architect and Rose City artistic heavyweight Sandy Bodecker. Featured artists this month are Jonathan Sielaff, Ryan Miller, Joana Wang, Tai Woodville (featuring Mountain on the Moon) & Charlie Salas Humara. Performances begin at 6PM within NMB's architecturally inspiriting facility at 2360 NW Quimby. This event is FREE and all ages are welcome. Please RSVP at hello@bodeckerfoundation.org

Free

Turn It Up!

Chapel Theatre 4107 SE Harrison St, Milwaukie, OR, United States

Hey, champ! Thanks for checking out Telltale. This is a monthly curated storytelling event for people that like to get vulnerable and take no shit. We are into genuine connection, laughter, heartbreak, poignant moments, and community building. The shows this year so far are already ridiculously good. Come see what’s next! At Telltale, you can expect 8-10 performers sharing something with you, in the way that feels right to them--so there will be a mix of comedy, stories, music, essays, and more. Your evening will likely include honesty, swear words, enthusiasm, resistance, alcohol if that floats your boat, excellent pizza, dark humor, and often a few raffle prizes. You might make a new friend. You know how hard it is to make new friends as…

$5

Wolf at the Door

Milagro 525 SE Stark St, Portland, OR, United States

A grim Latino fairy tale Written by Marisela Treviño Orta Directed by Rebecca Martinez About the Play Isadora finds the strength to stand up to her abusive husband Septimo when he forces the very pregnant Yolot to stay against her will. While Septimo makes plans for the baby, Isadora and Yolot devise one of their own. And as a pack of wolves closes in on the hacienda, Isadora must decide what price she’ll pay for her own freedom. Milagro is one of four theatres producing Wolf at the Door as part of the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. The other participating theatres are New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch, NJ; Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, TX; and Halcyon Theatre in Chicago, IL.…

$20 – $40

The Verse featuring Jonie Blinman

Devil's Den 1510 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR, United States

The Verse is happening each first Friday of the month at the Devil's Den presented to you by Nova Productions in collaboration with songwriter Jonie Blinman! Join us for a night of music and spoken word where incredibly talented local artists share their amazing works in the intimate environment of our favorite wine shop in town! We're super excited to welcome the following local favorites to our next show where you'll be so close to the stage and the art you'll feel like you're part of it! We'll have performances from: Danit Chetron FABRIC Kate Leddy Connie Pazienza & Co. Special Guests The Den has a huge selection of wines but also beer and cider! This is a 21+ establishment but your puppies are welcome!…

Free – $5

Beneath the music from a farther room: manuel arturo abreu

PSU Art Building 2000 SW 5th AVE, Portland, OR, United States

The AB Lobby Gallery presents a solo show of new work by manuel arturo abreu featuring sculpture, printed matter, and video work exploring the musicality of abstraction and the veil of language. Beneath the music from a farther room manuel arturo abreu On view May 6-24 2019 Reception: May 9, 5:00-7:30pm Closing performance: May 23, 12-1pm AB Lobby Gallery Portland State University Art Building, 1st floor 2000 SW 5th Ave Portland OR 97202 manuel arturo abreu (b. 1991) is a Dominican poet and conceptual artist from the Bronx. Currently living/working in a garage in southeast Portland, they use what is at hand in a process of magical thinking, with attention to ritual aspects of aesthetics. Recent projects and discourse at MoMA and MoMA PS1 (New…

Free

2 Cent Thursday’s

Mingle Lounge 322 NW Everett St., Portland, OR, United States

Open mic showcasing Poets & Comedians!

Free

Composers in the Poet’s Cabinets: Works on Paper #1

Passages Bookshop 1801 NW Upshur, Suite 660, Portland, OR, United States

Works on Paper #1: CASPAR SONNET, ROBERT BLATT, & BEN GLAS Three experimental compositions by local composers $5-15 suggested donation, no one turned away The first in an ongoing series of events that use concepts, characteristics, and histories of the book as a frame for exploratory practice across the arts, Works on Paper #1 presents compositions from three local composers. Caspar Sonnet's "Choral for 5 Alpine Bells" recalls the story of Theseus and the Chair of Forgetfulness in the Almglocken's haunting sound. Robert Blatt's piece explores paper as a carrier for language, instruction, and music, and as a sensual object in itself. Ben Glas's aleatoric "Score for Islands" uses a cocktail-party effect to draw semantic and semiotic connections among the many texts and voices of…

$5 – $15

Pop-Up Magazine – Spring Issue 2019

Revolution Hall 1300 SE Stark St, Portland, OR, United States

A night of true stories, documentary films, photography, and radio from some of our favorite writers, performers, and musicians. Unrecorded, live onstage. Pop-Up Magazine is a live magazine, created for a stage, a screen, and a live audience. Each evening is unique, but here are a few things to look forward to: Some of the country’s most interesting writers, filmmakers, photographers, radio producers, and illustrators share new, true stories onstage. Stories come to life on a giant screen filled with photographs, films, illustrations, and animations. Story soundtracks are composed and performed live onstage by Magik*Magik Orchestra. Curious, creative people come to see old friends and meet new ones. Venues like BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in New York, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and The…

$29

Pop-Up Magazine – Spring Issue 2019

Revolution Hall 1300 SE Stark St, Portland, OR, United States

A night of true stories, documentary films, photography, and radio from some of our favorite writers, performers, and musicians. Unrecorded, live onstage. Pop-Up Magazine is a live magazine, created for a stage, a screen, and a live audience. Each evening is unique, but here are a few things to look forward to: Some of the country’s most interesting writers, filmmakers, photographers, radio producers, and illustrators share new, true stories onstage. Stories come to life on a giant screen filled with photographs, films, illustrations, and animations. Story soundtracks are composed and performed live onstage by Magik*Magik Orchestra. Curious, creative people come to see old friends and meet new ones. Venues like BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in New York, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and The…

$29