Holiday Ballets

Now is the time to begin planning and purchasing tickets for your holiday activities.

There is nothing more “traditional” than watching the Nutcracker during the holidays. 

There are 3 holiday ballets available in the Portland area to see during the holiday season.

The Portland Ballet will present La Boutique Fantasque or “The Enchanted Toyshop” along with the PSU Symphony Orchestra.  This ballet will be performed downtown at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts in the Newmark Theater the weekend after Thanksgiving – Nov. 27 & 29, 111 SW Broadway. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster for $10-40.00.

Similar in storyline to The Nutcracker, La Boutique takes place in a toyshop and is a shorter version which makes it easier on the little ones.

The Oregonian had this to say about La Boutique Fantasque:

“…a family tradition in the making, a break from the ‘Nutcracker’ mold of holiday ballets …a simple, fantasy-laced story, an energetic and youthful ensemble and a classic score to keep even grown-ups engaged.” -The Oregonian

Portland Festival Ballet will be performing their version of The Nutcracker Dec 11-13th at Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus, 12000 SW 49th Ave., Portland, OR 97219.
Tickets are $20-24.00.   Call 503-245-5369  for tickets or visit The Portland Festival Ballet website.  

Oregon Ballet Theater  (OBT) will perform the George Balanchine’s version of the traditional Nutcracker Ballet.  Performances runs Dec. 12-24th downtown at the Keller Auditorium.

For tickets  call 503.2.BALLET (503.222.5538) or 888.922.5538 for reduced handling charges or contact ticketmaster.

Vaux Swifts

For the last fifteen years between 20-40,000 Vaux Swifts and been roosting in the chimney at Chapman School in NW Portland.  Chapman School is located at NW Pettygrove and 25th in Portland.

During the month of September you can view the show every night at about dusk  (approx. 6:30 p.m.) as thousands of birds descend into the school’s chimney to spend the night.

Hundreds of people come to watch the show every night.  Grab your lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner if you like and enjoy the show!

Bring along a piece of cardboard and the kids can entertain themselves by sliding down the hill behind the school.

A pair of binoculars come in handy too!

It is an amazing show each night at dusk as the birds circle around the chimney.  Their circling gradually picks up speed and then Swoosh – into the chimney they go!

The story of the Swifts at Chapman School is endearing. 

When the Swifts first arrived fifteen years ago the school children and teachers at Chapman School loved it. They even adopted the Vaux Swift as their school mascot. As the Fall weather arrived and temperatures turned colder the students and staff would wear coats to class so that the furnace did not need to be turned on until the Swifts had left.

Eventually the school, along with the Audubon Society, raised enough money so that that a gas heating system could be added to the school and the chimney left for the Swifts.

For more information about Vaux Swifts you can visit the Audubon Society.

There is still plenty of time to see the show so head on down  – it’s free!

Beaverton Farmer’s Market

Portland is fortunate to have a multitude of amazing Farmer’s Markets.  We are excited to share some of our favorite ones with you. 

The first market we recommend visiting is the Beaverton Farmer’s Market.  This market has been voted one of the best Farmer’s Markets in the US by both Sunset and Country Garden magazines and we have to agree.

The Market is located on SW Hall between 3rd and 5th Streets in Beaverton.  The market runs from May through October on Saturdays and is open from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  It is also open on Wednesdays for part of the summer -check out the Beaverton Farmer’s Market website for more specific dates and details.

Our favorite thing to do is to get up early and head over to the market for breakfast.  The Beaverton Farmer’s Market has several choices for yummy food.  Of course there is Zest Crepes which we love.

Another favorite is the Canby Breakfast Omelet.  This amazing omelet is enough to feed the whole family!!

It is cooked to order right before your eyes! 

Just make sure your eyes aren’t bigger than your stomach!

There is plenty of other wonderful things to see at the market.

Of course there is lot of beautiful fresh produce from local farmers.

You will also find some wonderful locally made products too.

And don’t miss the Bavarian Nut Company -just follow your nose and the yummy cinnamon scent.

And if you are still hungry be sure and try the gelato from Alotto Gelato.

The Market also has some amazing flower/plant vendors too so pick up something new for the table or the garden!

There is usually some form of entertainment/music to enjoy as you wander the market.  Be sure and try the free food samples and just enjoy being there!  Let us know what your favorite thing at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market is!