Portland weekend events, May 18-20: UFO Festival, NW Animation Festival and Mt. Tabor Artwalk

Beautiful weather in Portland can only mean one thing: it's officially events season. The annual UFO Festival, the Rose City Used Book Fair and the Kenton Street Fair are just a mere sampling of this weekend's offerings, as you are about to see, in this lovingly-curated list of Portland events.

FRIDAY May 18

13th Annual UFO Festival (McMinnville) - The truth is out there, and in this case, it's out there in McMinnville at McMenamins Hotel Oregon. Please resist the temptation to describe the event as "out of this world." Fri-Sat. FREE admission. (Some events ticketed)

Ramona Falls at Doug Fir - Former Menomena-ian Brent Knopf's excellent sophomore album as Ramona Falls, "Prophet," was released last week and this show celebrates that fact. 9 p.m. 21+ $14.

NW Animation Festival at Hollywood Theatre - Close to 60 short films from around the world (15 countries) will be screening this weekend. Here's a schedule. There will also be special presentation by LAIKA, and an appearance by Bill Plympton. Fri-Sat., 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. $15/night; $25/pass. Tickets.

SATURDAY May 19

Rose City Used Book Fair at Doubletree Hotel (NE) - This annual event features more than 40 indie booksellers from all over Oregon and throughout the Northwest. Fri., 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $2 (or, $1 + 1 can of food).

'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' (1971) at Hollywood Theatre - At this "Sing Out" matinee screening, you are encouraged to dress up, bring props, and ... well, sing out at the appropriate times. $8 ($5 kids). Tickets.

QueerDoc Film Festival at Kennedy School - Sixth-annual festival, featuring eleven feature-length films, with many of the films' directors in attendance. More info, including films and showtimes. Fri-Sun. $9/film. Tickets.

Wild Ones w/ My Body at Mississippi Studios - PDX/RX, a free monthly showcase, presents two of Portland's fresh-faced charmers on the same (free) bill. 10 p.m. 21+ FREE.

SUNDAY May 20

Mt Tabor Art Walk - Get to know the artists in your neighborhood. Once again, a number of local artists open their studios to you for tours and sparkling conversation. Here's a map. Sat-Sun.,10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Kenton Street Fair (NoPo) - Third-annual event celebrating the food, folks and fun of this unique North Portland neighborhood. Live music all day, bingo games, yoga in the street ... you get the idea. FREE.

Luzelena Mendoza at Al's Den (Crystal Hotel) - The Y La Bamba frontwoman is the latest to do a week of free shows at Al's Den. Sun-Sat. 7 p.m. 21+ FREE.

Also receiving votes:

Pickwick w/ Radiation City at Wonder Ballroom (Fri.); 'Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview' at Hollywood Theatre (Fri-Thurs.); Oregon Humane Pug Crawl at McTarnahan's Taproom (Sun.); We Shared Milk w/ Log Across the Washer at Rontoms (Sun.); Literary Gong Show at Dante's (Sun.)

Movies opening this week: 'Battleship,' 'What to Expect when You're Expecting,' 'The Dictator.' See complete Portland and Oregon movie listings.

Looking for more options? These folks are among your finest local resources:

Don't see your event here? Post your event using our public event submission form.

—Jeff Schmitt

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