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!

Storytime for Grownups

Rose City Book Pub 1329 NE Fremont, Portland, OR, United States

David Loftus' long-running storytelling series returns once again to the Rose City Book Pub, this time paying tribute to the bittersweet genius of Kurt Vonnegut.

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

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

Children’s Book Week Storytime With Tonya Lippert

Powell's City of Books 1005 W Burnside Street, Portland, OR, United States

In conjunction with Children’s Book Week, author Tonya Lippert joins us to read from her new picture book, Goodbye, School (Magination Press). Franny loves her school. She’s played, read, studied, and even napped here. But today it’s time to leave. As Franny prepares to move to a new school, she takes time to reminisce and cherish her old school. How can Franny say goodbye?

Free

Mystery Box Social Dinner Party!

The Mystery Box Show Dining Room - Residential Home 9927 N Decatur St, Portland, OR, United States

Let's erase the stigma of sex being a forbidden topic of conversation! Normalization has always been a goal at The Mystery Box show. This elegant dinner party takes it one step further by allowing and ENCOURAGING sex talk at the dinner table! The evening will begin with cocktails and appetizers, followed by 2 courses and dessert, interspersed with a special screening and deep dive into some of the Mystery Box Show's most compelling sex-centric stories. All paired with wine and amazing conversation! We will be joined by the storytellers themselves- a real treat to be able to talk directly to their experiences. And who knows? Maybe the evening will inspire anecdotes and stories of your own! This evening will make an excellent date night, a…

$60

Grief Rites Readers Series – May 6

American Legion Post 134 2104 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR, United States

A monthly storytelling showcase about grief, loss and love. Gather in community with others who share grief in all forms and manifestations. Come ready to cry, laugh, listen and hold space for yourself and others. *Trigger warning, because Grief. Content not edited for language or topic. Mature audience. *Venue is accessible; gender-neutral restrooms on premises Readings begin promptly at 7pm. Come early, grab a drink (full bar) and find your seat. Please consider bringing canned goods or cold weather clothing/blankets to donate to the Post 134 food & clothing pantry, which serves local veterans, houseless and anyone in need. ***This month's event will include an open mic, in addition to our curated readers. If you have words to share about your grief, we welcome you.***…

Free

The Moth: StorySLAM: Mama Rules

The Secret Society 116 NE Russell St, Portland, OR, United States

MAMA RULES: Prepare a five-minute story involving a mother or mothering! Your womb of origin or the person who raised you. Mother love: making it all better or setting you straight. Maternal instincts and mother-powered superhuman acts. (Lifting a car, anyone?) Mama's boys, Mommy Dearest and Mr. Mom also welcome. Becoming a mother, finding a mother, or finally recognizing the wisdom of the one you got. (Please be sure that you bring a story about a mother, not an homage.) This venue is 21+. *Tickets for this event are available one week before the show, at 12pm PT / 3pm ET. *Seating is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the show. Admission is…

SOLD OUT

The Immigrant Story Exhibition Opening Reception

Collins Gallery 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR, United States

Join us for an opening reception for the exhibit: The Immigrant Story: Who We Are and What We Carried, featuring talks from the photographers and the sharing of stories. Light refreshments will be served. Who We Are is our way of honoring those affected by the horrific violence that took place aboard a Portland MAX train on May 26, 2017. It is a visual narrative of six Muslim women who wear hijabs. The six stories were documented by The Immigrant Story in 2017 and 2018. What We Carried, by award-winning photographer Jim Lommasson, uses objects to tell the stories of refugees fleeing the Iraq and Syrian wars.

Free

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