Portland weekend events, May 4-6: Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby and 'The Maltese Falcon'

Welcome to May. Cinco de Mayo awaits you, as does the Kentucky Derby, and the obligatory Derby parties (and hats). Add that to a nice mix of music, comedy and literary events, and you've got yourself a weekend. Without further ado, please enjoy this lovingly-curated list of Portland events.

FRIDAY May 4

Wild Flag at Crystal Ballroom - Carrie Brownstein & co. play a hometown show, and will be joined by fellow local favorites, The Thermals. 9 p.m. $15. Tickets.

Jon Raymond at Powell's City of Books - Northwest "it" scribe Raymond ("Old Joy" and "Wendy & Lucy") will be reading from his new novel, "Rain Dragon." 7:30 p.m. FREE.

Greg Proops at Helium Comedy Club - Former "Whose Line is it Anyway" standout and current "Smartest Man in the World" podcaster will be in town for three nights of witty repartee. Thu-Sat., 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. $20-25. Tickets.

SATURDAY May 5

Cinco de Mayo at McCall Waterfront Park - Here's a complete schedule for the 28th annual Cinco festival in downtown Portland. There will also be a Guinness World Record attempt on Saturday, too, for most people wearing a sombrero. Will you be one of them? Fri-Sun., 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. $4-8

Write Around Portland at Various - Free, two-hour, "Saturday Write!" creative writing workshops will be held at various locations around town. 10 a.m. - Noon. Preregistration required. FREE

Kentucky Derby Party at Portland Meadows - It's the 138th running of the Derby, and if you can't be in Louisville, you have a number of options to help get you into the spirit(s) around town. See also: Mission Theater, Blitz, Gypsy Lounge and the Left Bank Annex.

SUNDAY May 6

Portland Saturday Market at Waterfront - This is not news, but it bears repeating: "the largest continually operating outdoor arts & crafts market in the nation." Sat., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. FREE.

'Ovo' by Cirque du Soleil at Portland Expo Center - Explore the world of insects in the latest from the extravagant circus troupe. Runs through May 20. Here's a review from the Oregonian. 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. Tickets.

'The Maltese Falcon' at Laurelhurst Theater - If you have never seen this Bogart/Huston classic on the big screen -- or maybe you just haven't seen it on the big screen in the last 70 years -- this would be an ideal time. Fri-Thurs., 7 p.m. $4.

Also receiving votes:

Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) at Al's Den (Thu-Sat.); Girl in a Coma at Dante's (Fri.); Cinco de Lebowski (Fri.); Natasha Leggero at Aladdin Theater (Sat.)

Movies opening this week: 'The Avengers,' 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,' 'LOL.' 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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Portland weekend events, June 22-24: Sunday Parkways, Downhill Skating and 'The Endless Summer'

First, I would like to congratulate you, Portlanders, for making it to Summer. (You did it. We did it.) More good news: Pedalpalooza is still going strong as it enters its final week; some very funny people are in town for a good cause; and I even included a few great movie options below, in case you get a little too much sun during the day. (Pace yourself.) The Oregonian also just revealed 'Diner 2012,' the annual guide to Portland's best restaurants, so this would be an ideal time to try one of them, or get going on your yearly attempt to try them all. That's just a sample of this weekend's Portland events.

FRIDAY June 22

PICA Symposium - PICA invites you to free workshops, performances and lectures this weekend, including "The Oh So (Queer) History of Portland" and "Portland Musicians on Economy and Community." Thru Sun. More information. All ages. FREE.

'The Endless Summer' (1966) at Laurelhurst Theater - Summer has officially begun, so you're just in time to go around the world on a quest for the perfect wave. 9:10 p.m. $4.

"Laughter is the Best Medicine" at Alberta Rose Theater - Very funny people, including 'Mystery Science Theater' alums J. Elvis Weinstein and Frank "TV's Frank" Conniff, Ron Lynch ('Home Movies') and Dave Gruber ('Freaks and Geeks') join forces for a good cause. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association. 7 p.m. $10. 21+ Tickets.

SATURDAY June 23

Dr. Seuss-Inspired circus at Bossanova Ballroom - AMP Theater Co. presents a "circus and artistic parody in the vein of Dr. Seuss" featuring adaptations of classic works such as 'Horton Hears a Who,' 'The Cat in the Hat' and 'Fox in Socks.' 4:30 p.m. (all ages) & 8:30 p.m. (21+). $15. Tickets.

'Good in the Hood' Multicultural Music & Food Festival at Lillis-Albina Park - Twentieth anniversary event celebrating multiculturalism in this North Portland neighborhood. Tons of live music, a beer and wine garden and food. More information (PDF) Fri-Sun. FREE admission with food donation.

'The Godfather' at Fifth Avenue Cinemas - "I don't understand what all the fuss is about with this Godfather movie," said nobody, ever. 7 p.m. & 10 p.m. $3,

SUNDAY June 24

Mt. Tabor Downhill Skateboard Challenge - Billed as Portland's only sanctioned skateboard race, this all-day event features skaters braving the curves of Mt. Tabor in the downhill, luge and slalom. This poster should be all the convincing you need. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. FREE.

North Portland Sunday Parkways - Pedalpalooza is entering its final week, and two of Sunday's highlights go hand-in-hand. North Portland's Sunday Parkways event (Portland's oldest) and a Food Cart Lovers Ride, for the food cart lover in all of us. FREE.

'The Princess Bride ' at Mission Theater - If it has been more than a week since you said, or heard someone say, "Inconceivable!" than it has been too long, and your attendance is required. 2:30 p.m.

Also Receiving Votes:

The B-52s at Oregon Zoo (Fri.); White Rainbow at Ella St Social Club (Sun.); The Men at Mississippi Studios (Sat.);

Movies opening this week: Brave; Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter; Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. 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 Endless Summer' trailer

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