Happy Friday.
The first weekend of November is a big one for music in Portland: Verdi at the opera, a rapper with the Oregon Symphony, and a soul-pop arena show on Sunday, plus plenty of free things to do across the river in Vancouver. Here's how to spend it.
Fri, Nov 6 · 7:30pm and Sun, Nov 8 · 2pm · Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St, Portland
Verdi's tragic love story of Violetta, a Parisian courtesan, and the young man who falls for her opens the Portland Opera run. It has some of the best-known music in opera, from the sparkling drinking song to the heartbreaking final act, and the story is easy to follow even if you have never been to an opera.
Plan it: Friday night is the opener and Sunday is a 2pm matinee that leaves your evening free. Check the event page for seating and tickets.
Tickets and details → https://portlandopera.org
Fri, Nov 6 · 8pm · Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St, Portland
The New Jersey jam band blends bluegrass, folk and rock, and plays Revolution Hall, the old Washington High School auditorium in Southeast Portland.
Plan it: Revolution Hall is a good room for a band like this: warm sound and sightlines from nearly every seat. Check the venue for doors and age policy.
Event details → https://railroad.earth
Sat, Nov 7 · 7:30pm · Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland
The Minneapolis rapper, singer and writer is known for sharp, literary lyrics and a voice that moves easily between rapping and singing, which makes her a natural fit for a full orchestra. It is a one-night-only pairing.
Plan it: Saturday night downtown: grab dinner nearby and take MAX or a rideshare to skip parking.
Tickets and details → https://orsymphony.org
Sun, Nov 8 · 7pm · Moda Center, 1 N Center Court St, Portland
The soul-pop singer behind "Lose Control" plays an arena show with Allen Stone and MarcLo opening. Get there early for the openers.
Plan it: Take the MAX to the Rose Quarter and skip the parking. Check the venue for doors and bag rules.
Event details → https://www.rosequarter.com
Sun, Nov 8 · 8pm · Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland
The dancing-champion brings his holiday stage show to the Schnitz, with dance, music and storytelling.
Plan it: If you prefer a quieter Sunday night than the arena, this is a good one for a family or date night.
Tickets and details → https://www.portland5.com
Friday night. La Traviata at 7:30, or Railroad Earth at Revolution Hall at 8.
Saturday. Spend the day across the river at Open Saturday at Pearson Field (10am–3pm, free), then head downtown for Dessa with the Oregon Symphony at 7:30.
Sunday, big and small. Artstra Open Studios in Clark County or the Diwali Festival at The Judy in the morning, the La Traviata matinee at 2, then Teddy Swims at the Moda Center at 7 or Derek Hough at the Schnitz at 8.
Open Saturday at Pearson Field, Sat 10am–3pm, Vancouver (free)
Artstra Open Studios, Sun 10am–5pm, Clark County (free)
NW Children's Theater Diwali Festival, Sun 11am–1pm, The Judy, Portland ($0–$10)
Thornton's Treeland, Sat–Sun, Vancouver area ($10)
Early Bird Holiday Bazaar, check the listing for location and hours
FRIDAY
Kathy Griffin — 7pm, Aladdin Theater (Portland)
Chris Smither — 7pm, Alberta Rose Theatre (Portland)
The Limiñanas — 7pm, Star Theater (Portland)
Inoha — 6:30pm, Wonder Ballroom (Portland)
Lilyisthatyou — 8pm, Hawthorne Theatre (Portland)
Brendan James — 7–9pm, Artichoke Music (Portland)
SATURDAY
Quadeca — 8pm, Revolution Hall (Portland)
Sienna Spiro — 8pm, Crystal Ballroom (Portland)
JOSEPH 10-year anniversary — 7pm, Wonder Ballroom (Portland)
Marc Broussard — 8pm, Aladdin Theater (Portland)
Exhumed — 7pm, Star Theater (Portland)
Live Wire with Luke Burbank — 6:30pm, Alberta Rose Theatre (Portland)
Pancakes & Booze Art Show — 8pm, Hawthorne Theatre (Portland)
SUNDAY
The Tallest Man on Earth — 8pm, Revolution Hall (Portland)
Syd — 7pm, Roseland Theater (Portland)
DAX — 7pm, Wonder Ballroom (Portland)
Souvenirs: Songs of John Prine — 6pm, Alberta Rose Theatre (Portland)
Tyler Hilton — 8:30pm, The Showdown (Portland)
Crystal Ballroom History & Art Tour — 10am (Portland)
Sold out but worth knowing about: Pedro the Lion at Polaris Hall (both nights) and Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers.
Dates, times, and prices come from public event listings. Please double-check the organizer's page before you head out.
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