Cultural Events Calendar

Starting and ending with the mighty hymn to the capricious Goddess Fortuna and her relentlessly turning wheel, the bold tunes and primal rhythms of Carmina Burana celebrate nature, the tavern, and the pleasures of love. It’s earthy and risqué, but sometimes also breathtakingly beautiful—like the soprano’s heaven-reaching solo—or raucous and rowdy, as the lusty drinking song, “In taberna.”

For more information about tickets and pricing, visit www.orsymphony.org

Picture this: the annual 97116 Show in Forest Grove, will feature a wide range of artwork from more than 100 area artists in a fun, “grab, pay and go” event. The show runs for one weekend only, on November 21, 22 and 23, 2025, at the Kathrin Cawein Gallery at Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116. The Cawein Gallery is in Les Au Coin Hall, in the center of campus.

On Friday November 21st , enjoy the best selection and free refreshments at the opening reception from 6 to 10 PM, and shop for originals, handmade greeting cards and prints, too. All works are priced at no more than $150 and include art to hang on the wall, and 3D works. The show continues through the weekend, November 22nd and 23rd, from 12 to 4 PM both days.

Artists of all ages from Washington, Yamhill and Columbia Counties are invited to register for the show at https://www.97116artshow.com/ through October 31st..

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents the first Back to the Movies performance of the 2025/26 season. Played with live accompaniment by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra chamber ensemble.

This classic comedy turns 100 years old this year! Buster Keaton takes Horace Greeley’s advice and heads West, where he finds work on a cattle ranch. He befriends a young milk cow, and they look after each other as he learns the ropes and lassos of ranch life. When a runaway cattle train ends up at the wrong station, Buster finds he must get the entire herd across Los Angeles by himself!

Price: $25

This unforgettable story of passionate young artists remains one of the world’s most beloved operas and reminds us to find beauty in fleeting moments of joy. La Bohème is a gift that keeps giving, making it the perfect first opera to share with someone you love.

With the Portland Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and Children’s Chorus

For tickets and more information, visit portlandopera.org.

This unforgettable story of passionate young artists remains one of the world’s most beloved operas, reminding us of the beauty and meaning in life’s fleeting moments of joy.

Based on Henry Murger’s 1851 novel Scènes de la vie de bohème, Puccini’s soaring arias tell the tender tale of Mimi and Rodolfo as they face the perils of poverty. A story that transcends time and place, its message of love through adversity resonates deeply with our community’s spirit. In its characters we see ourselves—the artists, the dreamers, and the everyday people, who face challenges but never lose sight of love and connection.

With the Portland Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and Children’s Chorus.

Picture this: the annual 97116 Show in Forest Grove, will feature a wide range of artwork from more than 100 area artists in a fun, “grab, pay and go” event. The show runs for one weekend only, on November 21, 22 and 23, 2025, at the Kathrin Cawein Gallery at Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116. The Cawein Gallery is in Les Au Coin Hall, in the center of campus.

On Friday November 21st , enjoy the best selection and free refreshments at the opening reception from 6 to 10 PM, and shop for originals, handmade greeting cards and prints, too. All works are priced at no more than $150 and include art to hang on the wall, and 3D works. The show continues through the weekend, November 22nd and 23rd, from 12 to 4 PM both days.

Artists of all ages from Washington, Yamhill and Columbia Counties are invited to register for the show at https://www.97116artshow.com/ through October 31st..

SALEM PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA PRESENTS A PAIR OF ALL-AGES “FAMILY CONCERTS” NOVEMBER 22 AND 23, conducted by SPO Artistic Director, Jonathan DeBruyn. These concerts feature a stylistic mix of shorter classical to modern compositions, showcasing the different instrumental sections in the orchestra.

Salem Phil’s venue is the East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97305.
Concerts begin at 2:00pm on both days, Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23. SPO musicians will host an instrument “petting zoo”, beginning at 1:00pm in the lobby for youngsters to see up close and try out different orchestral instruments.

Admission: $25 (Adults ages 18-64); $20 (Students 18-64/Srs. 65+); $0 (children/youth through age 17). Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.salemphil.org/buy-tickets/, or at the door on concert day.
Contact information@salemphil.org with questions.

Having honed his musical storytelling ability by appearing on Broadway (i.e., Phantom of the Opera, Marie Christine w/Audra McDonald, and Jane Eyre), national tours (i.e., Les Misérables, Falsettos, and The Who’s Tommy), and numerous leads in regional theaters across the country (BATCC awards and nominations), Michael sings with a style that blends dramatic power with a warm, vulnerable presence.

Inspired by musical theater songs (by composers such as Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, J. Robert Brown, and LaChiusa) that portray complexity and emotional depth, he embraces the gray areas that are part of being human and the beauty of imperfection. Guided by a love of classic artistry and authentic storytelling, Michael brings both timeless elegance and heartfelt sensitivity to his performance.

Price: $35

Join us for an evening of our favorite selections, including works by Tomaso Albinoni, Astor Piazzolla, Philip Glass, Max Richter, and ArcoPDX founder Mike Hsu! Get there early so you can grab a drink from the bar and a bite to eat from one of the outstanding food carts at CORE PDX (Collective ORegon Eateries). All ages; admission is free!

ArcoPDX brings you orchestral and chamber music in a casual setting, amplified so you can talk, laugh, drink, dance…just like you would at a jazz or rock concert. Yet performing each piece exactly as written—no watered-down arrangements, no cheap rhythm track. Not sure what to expect? Check out our past shows at arcopdx.com!

Price: Free

Starting and ending with the mighty hymn to the capricious Goddess Fortuna and her relentlessly turning wheel, the bold tunes and primal rhythms of Carmina Burana celebrate nature, the tavern, and the pleasures of love. It’s earthy and risqué, but sometimes also breathtakingly beautiful—like the soprano’s heaven-reaching solo—or raucous and rowdy, as the lusty drinking song, “In taberna.”

For more information about tickets and pricing, visit www.orsymphony.org

Picture this: the annual 97116 Show in Forest Grove, will feature a wide range of artwork from more than 100 area artists in a fun, “grab, pay and go” event. The show runs for one weekend only, on November 21, 22 and 23, 2025, at the Kathrin Cawein Gallery at Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116. The Cawein Gallery is in Les Au Coin Hall, in the center of campus.

On Friday November 21st , enjoy the best selection and free refreshments at the opening reception from 6 to 10 PM, and shop for originals, handmade greeting cards and prints, too. All works are priced at no more than $150 and include art to hang on the wall, and 3D works. The show continues through the weekend, November 22nd and 23rd, from 12 to 4 PM both days.

Artists of all ages from Washington, Yamhill and Columbia Counties are invited to register for the show at https://www.97116artshow.com/ through October 31st..

SALEM PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA PRESENTS A PAIR OF ALL-AGES “FAMILY CONCERTS” NOVEMBER 22 AND 23, conducted by SPO Artistic Director, Jonathan DeBruyn. These concerts feature a stylistic mix of shorter classical to modern compositions, showcasing the different instrumental sections in the orchestra.

Salem Phil’s venue is the East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97305.
Concerts begin at 2:00pm on both days, Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23. SPO musicians will host an instrument “petting zoo”, beginning at 1:00pm in the lobby for youngsters to see up close and try out different orchestral instruments.

Admission: $25 (Adults ages 18-64); $20 (Students 18-64/Srs. 65+); $0 (children/youth through age 17). Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.salemphil.org/buy-tickets/, or at the door on concert day.
Contact information@salemphil.org with questions.

This unforgettable story of passionate young artists remains one of the world’s most beloved operas, reminding us of the beauty and meaning in life’s fleeting moments of joy.

Based on Henry Murger’s 1851 novel Scènes de la vie de bohème, Puccini’s soaring arias tell the tender tale of Mimi and Rodolfo as they face the perils of poverty. A story that transcends time and place, its message of love through adversity resonates deeply with our community’s spirit. In its characters we see ourselves—the artists, the dreamers, and the everyday people, who face challenges but never lose sight of love and connection.

With the Portland Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and Children’s Chorus.

Starting and ending with the mighty hymn to the capricious Goddess Fortuna and her relentlessly turning wheel, the bold tunes and primal rhythms of Carmina Burana celebrate nature, the tavern, and the pleasures of love. It’s earthy and risqué, but sometimes also breathtakingly beautiful—like the soprano’s heaven-reaching solo—or raucous and rowdy, as the lusty drinking song, “In taberna.”

For more information about tickets and pricing, visit www.orsymphony.org

This unforgettable story of passionate young artists remains one of the world’s most beloved operas and reminds us to find beauty in fleeting moments of joy. La Bohème is a gift that keeps giving, making it the perfect first opera to share with someone you love.

With the Portland Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and Children’s Chorus

For tickets and more information, visit portlandopera.org.

Step into a world of beauty and winter magic as Festival Chorale Oregon presents A Celebration of Choral Christmas Masterpieces on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Elsinore Theatre in Salem, Oregon. This captivating program spans four centuries of choral brilliance, from Schütz’s Christmas Story, a vivid Baroque retelling of the Nativity, to the contemporary elegance of So Gracious Is the Time, a haunting modern setting of Shakespeare with harp. The concert also features Gordon Jacob’s radiant The New-Born King, a rarely heard treasure. With soloists Nicole Peldyack, Les Green, and Brett Peldyak under the direction of Dr. Solveig Holmquist, audiences will be treated to an unforgettable afternoon of musical warmth and inspiration—just in time for the holiday season.

Price: $30 general admission, $25 senior, $10 student

The Light Opera of Portland (LOoP!) will hold its annual fund-raiser Gala on Sunday, November 23 at the Wingspan Conference and Event Center in Hillsboro.

The opera company, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will be presenting two one-act operas, Trial By Jury by Gilbert and Sullivan and The Zoo by Rowe and Sullivan, as a kickoff to its commitment to perform the entire G & S catalogue during the 150th anniversary year of their original premieres. In addition to the performance, snacks, beverages and a silent auction will be available.

Oregon ArtsWatch called LOoP “A Portland Treasure” and indeed the company has been delighting audiences in the greater Portland area with classics such as Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, as well as more obscure pieces such as recently performed, Yeomen of the Guard and Patience. Laurence Cox, the artistic director along with Josh Pounders, music director plus a cast of 30 outstanding actors and singers are sure to delight you also.

Admission is free but a donation would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made online or at the door on November 23. A generous benefactor has offered a matching grant for the first $10,000 raised. The Gala performance is supported, in part, by a grant from the City of Hillsboro.

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