This week’s entertainment options run through a wide range of interests from Japanese animation films to violin virtuosos. We’ve also listed two children’s theater openings, a celebration of Bollywood music, and the Rose City Classic, the region’s largest AKC dog show.
OMSI will screen movies from the Studio Ghibli library in January and February, including the newest work “The Boy and the Heron.” AP file photo. AP
Studio Ghibli Film Festival
It’s the ninth year for OMSI’s tribute to the movies from Studio Ghibli. The festival is an excellent way to spend a gloomy January afternoon enjoying your favorites including “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Spirited Away,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” or seeing Hayao Miyazaki’s newest film, “The Boy and the Heron.” The festival begins Friday with an opening night celebration screening of 40th anniversary of Miyazaki’s “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.” There are screenings daily, and special guest speakers. Check the website for a complete schedule.
Various times Friday, Jan. 12 through Feb. 25, OMSI’s Empirical Theater, the largest movie screen in Portland, 1945 S.E. Water Ave.; admission $6.50-$8 with discounts for museum members; omsi.edu/exhibits/studio-ghibli.
The Fan Expo returns to the Oregon Convention Center this weekend. Oregonian file photo. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Fan Expo Portland
The annual three-day Fan Expo (formerly Wizard World) convention at the Oregon Convention Center this weekend is an all-ages “must-do” event for sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming fans. It boasts nearly 30,000 thousand visitors each year and big-name celebrity guests. The 2024 list includes “Stranger Things’” Joseph Quinn, Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio of “Daredevil’ as well as stars from “Guardians of the Galaxy, “Avengers,” “RoboCop” and other fan favorites. Attendees celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more.
3-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12-14, Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd; single day tickets start at $28; fanexpohq.com/fanexpoportland/buy-tickets.
Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony
In a program celebrating the legacy of great pianist-composers, the Oregon Symphony plays heartfelt melodies and lush romantic works to kick off the new year. Conrad Tao showcases his work as composer of the opening piece “Over,” and as soloist in Haydn’s final piano concerto. This program is part of the Open Music Recommends @The Schnitz concert series. Conducted by Oregon Symphony Music Director David Danzmayr. Note, the Friday night performance is held in Salem.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Smith Auditorium, Willamette University, 270 Winter St. S.E., Salem, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Monday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13-15, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $25; orsymphony.org/concerts-tickets.
Dapperleque
This gender-bending burlesque cabaret promises sharp-dressed, dashing, and sultry performance artists taking the stage with their own unique brand of burlesque and drag acts. 21 and older only.
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets $25 in advance; albertarosetheatre.com/event.
NW Children's Theater presents 5. Elephant & Piggie's “We Are In a Play!”Photo by David Kinder
Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In a Play!”
The beloved children’s book written by Mo Willems takes to the stage in the NW Children’s Theater’s musical version for the littlest theatergoers. “Bestus Friends” Gerald and Piggie tackle some of friendship’s most pressing concerns including how to share toys, what you wear to fancy parties, and what happens when you hurt someone’s feelings. It’s all in great fun and fans of the book series will have plenty to sing about.
Opens 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 and continues 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Jan. 28, on the Schnitzer Stage at The Judy, 1000 S.W. Broadway; tickets $25-$35; nwct.my.salesforce-sites.com.
25 Years of Bollywood
Pratham presents a celebration of Bollywood music with Tarana, a Portland desi band. Whether you’re a big fan of popular Bollywood music, or just want to check it out, this party will highlight all the favorites complete with singers, percussionists, instrumentalists, and MCs. Dance the night away. All ages welcome.
6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, The Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent Ave., Beaverton; tickets $25 advance, $30 day of; thereser.org/event/25-years-of-bollywood.
Molli Corcoran in “Goodnight Moon” at Seattle Children's Theatre (2023) .The Oregon Children’s Theatre production will feature a Portland cast.Photo by Truman Buffett
“Goodnight Moon”
Oregon Children’s Theatre presents musical production adapted for the stage based on the beloved children’s book by Margaret Wise Brown. This simple story has been a childhood bedtime staple for more than 75 years of young readers. The stage production offers scenes from the story that come to life with colorful costumes, lively scenery, original songs, and innovative staging.
Opens 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, and continues 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Feb. 11, Winningstad Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway; tickets $26-$49; octc.org/tickets.
The annual Rose City Classic Dog Show kicks off this week at the Portland Expo Center. Oregonian file photo. Dave Killen / The Oregonian
2024 Rose City Classic Dog Show
It’s no secret that Portland is a very dog-friendly town. One of the American Kennel Club’s biggest yearly shows is hosted at the Portland Expo Center every January. At this show you can see hundreds of dogs representing AKC-recognized breeds perform in conformation, obedience, rally, agility and other competitions. The show is also famous for one of the largest pet-related merchandise vendor areas you’ll see in the metro area. Wednesday’s opening day is for certain specialty breeds only and has a limited entry. Full show schedule begins Thursday. NO pet dogs are allowed on the grounds. Only dogs entered in the Rose City Classic are allowed.
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Jan. 17-21, with endings times varying due to show schedule, Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive; admission $15 per person, with discounts for family groups; rosecityclassic.org/showtimes.
Itzhak Perlman in Recital
The Oregon Symphony welcomes violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman in a solo recital accompanied by pianist, Rohan De Silva. The program includes work by Leclair, Beethoven, Schumann, and other works announced from the stage. The symphony does not perform at this event.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $49; tickets.orsymphony.org.
Learn to square dance for free this month courtesy of the Rosetown Ramblers.Handout photo
Rosetown Ramblers free square dance lessons
Was one of your new year resolutions to be more active? Rosetown Ramblers, active in Portland since 1983, is hosting three nights of free square dance lessons to celebrate 2024 beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 17 and continuing Jan. 24 and 31. There’s no dress code, and no experience is necessary. They’ll even match you up with a dance partner. Learn to square dance and make new friends.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 (and 24, 31), Bridgeport UCC, 621 N.E. 76th Ave.; free; rosetownramblers.com.
The Black Circus of the Republic of Bantu
This January, Boom Arts brings the South African performance group to Portland following its run at the Under Radar Festival in New York. The Black Circus of the Republic of Bantu sheds light on the violent and shameful history of ethnological expositions (human zoos), which were once widespread in Western society. The performance delves into the impact of the imperial and colonial gaze on Black bodies, both in the past and present.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, and continues 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19-20, and 2 p.m. Jan. 21, Ellyn Bye Studio at The Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave.; tickets $20-$35; app.arts-people.com.
– If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
— Rosemarie Stein
503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com; @trafficportland
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