Artslandia at the Performance: Portland Playhouse Nov/Dec 2014 | Page 27

While Tuba Christmas is an international
phenomenon, its Portland edition has become notorious over the past two decades
on account of its vastness and enthusiasm. Now in its 24th year, the event brings
more than 200 tubas (and euphoniums)
to Pioneer Courthouse Square for a free
afternoon of delightfully bold and brassy
sounds. Given that it occurs during the
holiday season, Tuba Christmas could exist exclusively to bring civic joy. However,
it was established with a higher purpose:
shining a spotlight on the tuba’s oft-overlooked powers. Those who play this underdog of an instrument are strongly encouraged to partake in the performance.
But if you plan to get involved, don’t just
show up that day. There’s a rehearsal
schedule in place to ensure that the result of attempted unison isn’t total dissonance.

Peacock Lane lights up.
Stretching along four blocks of
southeast Portland’s Sunnyside
neighborhood, Peacock Lane is a
bastion of historical charm. The
Tudor homes that line it are sights
to be seen at any time of the year,
but as Christmas approaches, they
become bona fide tourist attractions. Since the 1920s, most residents of Peacock Lane have covered
their houses and lawns with wildly
elaborate lighting schemes and
other seasonally relevant decorations. Only twice since its inception
has this tradition been set aside,
both times due to energy shortages
rather than to any lack of holiday
spirit. In recent years, sporadic
vandalism and public urination
have forced organizers to set limits
on visitors. Now, cars are prohibited
on particular evenings for the sake
of taming crowds. But why tarnish
this experience with the presence of
a motor vehicle? If the idea of walking lacks appeal, take a trolley ride
through the twinkling lights.

Portland Music Co.

Home for Martin Guitars

12 Months

Our living room
overflows with tubas.

0%

Financing on Select Martin Guitars

For a limited time Till Dec 31st
(For qualified applicants)

Go to our Site
for locations:

www.portlandmusiccompany.com

Holiday ales abound.

Part shrine and part natural refuge, the
National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother
— better known as the Grotto — is thoroughly
unique and distinctly Portland. This hybridized oasis, situated at both the top and bottom
of the towering Skidmore Bluffs, immerses
visitors in larger-than-life Catholic imagery
that includes a cave containing a replica of
Michelangelo’s Pieta and a botanical garden
full of sculpted biblical figures. In the midst
of its monthlong Festival of Lights, the Grotto
becomes slightly more secular. The world’s
largest choral Christmas festival begins on the
day after Thanksgiving, with five vocal performances taking place each night through the
end of December alongside timeless entertainment forms like puppetry, caroling, a petting
zoo and, of course, illuminated bulbs arranged
in the shapes of various holiday characters.
Though nativity scenes are almost everywhere
in sight, the Festival of Lights truly attracts
all walks of life.

As if an excess of breweries didn’t
already overwhelm Portlanders, the
Holiday Ale Festival brings more than
50 original winter brews to Pioneer
Courthouse Square for five December
days and nights of spirited consumption. While this may not seem consonant with the chill of winter, fear not:
all the fun takes place underneath a
transparent tent, ensuring warmth
without eliminating views of downtown. This year’s list of available beers
has yet to be released, but based on
the 2013 selection, we can anticipate
refined rarities that appeal to diverse
tastes. A $35 festival wristband provides
you with 12 beer tickets, redeemable at
any time during the festival. The only
exception is Sunday Beer Brunch, a
separately ticketed event with vintage
ales and an elaborate food menu. If
you’re just not that into the beverage of
honor, a designated driver pass provides
unlimited soda and the opportunity to
see what happens when people use all
12 of their beer tickets at once. .

Nov. 7 - Dec. 21

www.lakewood-center.org
Tickets: 503-635-3901
at Lakewood Center for the Arts
368 S. State Street, Lake Oswego
Show Sponsor:
Work For Art

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