Portland Father's Day weekend events, June 15-17: Naked Bike Ride, Beer and Cheese Fest and Pride Parade

It's Father's Day weekend in Portland. (Hi, Dad.) Pedalpalooza is in full swing with Portland's World Naked Bike Ride; PDX Beer Week prepares to pour its final pints at the Beer & Cheese Festival; and Pride Northwest is back, highlighted by Sunday's parade. An unquestionably strong week in the things-to-do department, is what I'm saying. Plan accordingly, with help from this lovingly curated list of Portland events.

The 2012 Portland World Naked Bike Ride takes place Saturday, June 16. Photo: Arkasha Stevenson/The OregonianFRIDAY June 15

2012 US Air Guitar Regional Championships at Dante's - Watch as "legends in their own mind" become "legends in their own mind who have qualified to compete at the USAG Nationals" in Denver. Hosted by air guitar living-legend Bjorn Turoque. 9 p.m. $15. Tickets.

Nick Kroll at Helium Comedy Club - Actor/comedian Kroll (FX's 'The League') comes to Helium, presumably with Bobby Bottleservice and Fabrice Fabrice in tow. Fri-Sat., 7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m. Tickets.

Belmont Station 15th Anniversary Party - One of Portland's finest beer stores --  which kept its original name after relocating to SE Stark and adding a taproom a few years back -- invites you to celebrate their birthday with a special Scottish Ale brewed by Block 15. Brewers on hand from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.  

SATURDAY June 16

Portland Naked Bike Ride 2012 - The riders will be out in full force, but not full dress; the gawkers will be out, too. Here are some great photos of a previous Naked Bike Ride. Ride begins at 10 p.m. More info.

Scandinavian Midsummer Festival at Oaks Park - 84th annual event. Celebrate your Swedish, Norwegian or Finnish heritage -- with food, music and dance -- even if you don't have any. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. $3-6. 

The Dandy Warhols at Doug Fir Lounge - The Dandys basically wrote a musical 'Portlandia' in 1998: it was three-and-a-half minutes long; in hindsight, they pretty much nailed it. Their latest album, 'This Machine' came out in April. 9 p.m. $25.

SUNDAY June 17

Double Mountain Brewery BBQ & Timbers Viewing Party at Spirit of 77 - Pig & lamb roasted just for you, as you're treated to some of Hood River's finest beers. Oh, and you'll also be watching your favorite soccer club take on hated rivals, the LA Galaxy. 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. FREE.

Portland Beer and Cheese Fest at The Commons Brewery - PDX Beer Week has focused its energy on helping you train your palate and expand your beer horizons. Sunday's assignment: cheese. $25 includes tasting class & 10 pairings. Tickets.

Portland Pride Parade at Waterfront Park - Always one of the highlights of Pride Northwest. The theme of this year's parade is 'Beautiful People.' Here's a map of the parade route and more information. 11:30 a.m. FREE.

Also Receiving Votes:

Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Mississippi Studios (Fri.); Temper Trap at Roseland (Sun.);

Movies opening this week: Rock of Ages; That's My Boy; The Woman in the Fifth. 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

Bonus video: The Dandy Warhols: "Bohemian Like You"

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Portland weekend events, June 1-3: Starlight Parade, CityFair and a Firkin Beer Fest

June in Portland: it's finally here. You are beginning to feel less anxious about the weather, and more and more confident about your barbecue plans. You may even find yourself smiling at tourists in town for the Rose Festival. This weekend, the Starlight Parade awaits you, as does an intriguing beer festival, and a number of our funny people who only want to make you laugh. Those are a mere fraction of your options in this lovingly curated list of Portland events.

Christmas Ships 'floated' down Burnside, inspiring children to break into 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' during the 2009 Starlight Parade. Photo: Olivia Bucks/The OregonianFRIDAY June 1

'Portland's Best Indie Bands: Part I' at RoZone (Rose Festival) - Finally, truth in advertising. If you need better indie bands than Lost Lander, And And And and Y La Bamba then I advise you to find a different Rose Festival Friday night. 5 p.m. (FREE with CityFair admission)

Hugh Laurie & The Copper Bottom Band at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall - You probably know him as the dad from the 'Stuart Little' films but this talented actor/comedian is also a bluesman with a soft spot for New Orleans. 7:30 p.m. $25-90. Tickets.

Dark Side of the Rainbow at Mt Tabor Theater - Pink Floyd tribute band Pigs on the Wing will debut a live performance 'Dark Side of the Moon' (magically synched with 'The Wizard of Oz'). 21+ $10. Tickets.

SATURDAY June 2

Firkin Fest at Green Dragon - The popular SE beer destination is your host for a special event featuring unique cask-conditioned beers (and some chocolate and cheese that will pair well with your libations). Two sessions: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. $10 (includes 5 tasters).

Rose Festival CityFair at Waterfront Park - The second weekend of 2012 Rose Festival is underway at the Waterfront. Fri., 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Sat-Sun., 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. $5.

Portland's Funniest Person Contest at Helium - The first round of competition has begun. Please be advised: the personhood requirement is strictly enforced, so there will be no comedy robots this year. Last year's winner, Ian Karmel, is your host. Here's a list of performers. Fri-Sat., 7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m. 21+ $10-15. Tickets

Starlight Parade at Downtown - The resplendent gem of the Rose Festival returns with lights, floats and general good feeling. (Parade will also be broadcast on FOX-12.) 8:30 p.m. FREE.

SUNDAY June 3

DoveBowl at Grand Central Bowl - Maybe you like bowling for a good cause, or just think bowling for any cause is a good cause? Either way, this is the event for you. 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. $15 donation includes bowling and shoe rental. (Advance registration required.) Register now.

Richard Ford at Powell's City of Books - The Pulitzer and PEN/Faulkner winning writer who brought you 'Independence Day' and 'The Sportswriter' will read from his new novel, 'Canada.' 4 p.m. FREE.

Summer Sessions at Mississippi Studios - The nice weather is here to stay, so Lewi Longmire Band and The Darlin' Blackbirds will be kicking off the annual BarBar patio sessions. 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. FREE.

Also Receiving Votes:

Emily Wells at Doug Fir Lounge (Sat.); Single Hop Beer Festival at Amnesia Brewing (Sat.); Buzz Bissinger at Powell's Beaverton (Sun.); Lizz Winstead at Alberta Rose Theater (Sat.); Reggie Watts at Crystal Ballroom (Sun.)

Movies opening this week: Snow White and the Huntsman; Piranha 3DD; Battlefield America. 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

Bonus video: Hugh Laurie, "America"

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Portland weekend events, June 8-10: Grand Floral Parade, Fruit Beer Festival and Pedalpalooza

The Grand Floral Parade returns and the 2012 Rose Festival winds down, but fear not:  Portland Beer Week and Pedalpalooza are just getting underway. There are plenty of reasons to look forward to the weekend, as you're about to discover in this lovingly curated list of Portland events.

Motoya Nakamura/The OregonianTwo-year-old Josiah Askari played his plastic trumpet along with the parade's marching bands at last year's Grand Floral Parade.FRIDAY June 8

Tu Fawning at Holocene - Album release show celebrates "A Monument" -- definitely the latest and arguably the greatest from this Portland quartet. Have a listen. 9 p.m. 21+ $10. Tickets.

Portland Beer Week at Various - In Portland, it can be just as easy to make beer week every week as it is to make earth day every day. This year, a unique collaboration between Hopworks and Deschutes is a star attraction.

Rye Beer Fest at Spirit of 77 - Enjoy a few limited-run brews in addition to some of your favorites from Upright and Oakshire; food and whiskey pairings, too. 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. 21+ FREE entry. ($1-5 per pour)

SATURDAY June 9

Rose Festival CityFair at Waterfront Park - Note: Sunday will be your final opportunity to enjoy the rides, the live music, the camaraderie and the elephant ears that you love so well. Fri., 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Sat-Sun., 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. $5.

Grand Floral Parade - It's the 100th Grand Floral Parade, and the theme is "Rock 'n' Roses." Here's the full line-up of floats and participants (PDF). Parade coverage on FOX-12 begins at 6 a.m. Reserved seating: $15-30.

Portland Fruit Beer Festival at Burnside Brewing - Fruit-infused, sour beers, lambics ... learn the names, the designations and how to enjoy them with confidence during this two day extravaganza of deliciously-crafted beers. Here's a complete beer list. Sat., 11 a.m. - 9 pm.; Sun., 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. $20 entry includes a glass & 12 tickets.

Pedalpalooza at Various - It's not that you'll see more bikes out in Portland in the next few weeks, it's that the riders will be more active, more organized and in some cases, naked. Check out an in-depth preview from The Mercury, and peruse a complete calendar of events. Thru June 30.

SUNDAY June 10

Milk Carton Boat Race at Westmoreland Park - The boats are made from milk cartons and built for speed -- and more importantly, buoyancy -- in this annual heart-warming event. 11 a.m. FREE.

'Portland's Best Indie Bands' at Rose Fest RoZone - Radiation City, Corin Tucker Band and The Thermals are the latest locals perfectly cast in role of best indie bands. 3:30 p.m. All-ages. FREE with festival admission ($5).

Banana Stand Festival at Hawthorne Theater - Banana Stand Media celebrates the release of their first compilation album with free live music by some of Portland's finest up-and-comers: The Woolen Men, Fanno Creek, Sons of Huns, Tango Alpha Tango and more. See schedule. 2 p.m - 7 p.m. (All Ages) & 8 p.m. (21+) FREE

Also Receiving Votes:

Brendan Benson at Doug Fir (Fri); Portland's Funniest Person Contest at Helium Comedy Club (Thu-Sat.); Brothers Young and Death Songs at Rontoms (Sun.)

Movies opening this week: Prometheus; Madagascar 3. 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

Bonus video: Tu Fawning, "Anchor"

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