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Chiara Profenna

@chiara-profenna.bsky.social
526 followers 67 following 156 posts

Religion and culture reporter for The Oregonian beacons.ai/chiaraprofenna

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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Team Edward or Team Jacob? 🧛🐺 A Beaverton home has been transformed into a Twilight-inspired coffee destination, complete with a themed drink flight featuring nods to Forks, the Cullen family and Jacob Black. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Team Jacob runs this 'Twilight'-inspired coffee shop
The home-based business celebrates its first anniversary in October.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Planning an Astoria trip? Add these five places to your list to learn about the Chinookan history of the Pacific Northwest, including a historic village site, Indigenous exhibits and more. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Here are 5 places where you can dive into the Chinookan history of the Pacific Northwest
Several locations in the Astoria area offer opportunities to explore Chinookan village sites, traditional practices and the ongoing cultural presence of Indigenous communities along the lower Columbia...
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Portland's getting ready to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with lantern parades, mooncake workshops and cultural performances across the region. From Lan Su Chinese Garden to local libraries, the harvest moon season has arrived. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Mid-Autumn Festival events planned across Portland area
From large community festivals to intimate cultural programs, Portland’s 2026 Mid-Autumn celebrations offer plenty of ways to mark the holiday.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations are coming to communities across Oregon, with festivals, music, dance, food, film and family events from Portland to Southern Oregon. Here’s what’s happening in 2026: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
The vibrant celebrations happening across Oregon for Hispanic Heritage Month 2026
From Portland's El Grito to mariachi festivals in Hillsboro and cultural programming across the Willamette Valley, communities throughout Oregon are celebrating Latino heritage from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1...
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Shakespeare meets cocktails at Oberon’s in Ashland. The fairy forest inspired bar serves craft drinks, live entertainment and a back patio. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
This enchanting Ashland cocktail bar brings Shakespeare’s fairy forest to life
The Shakespeare-themed venue features craft cocktails, live entertainment and a back patio, billing itself as “Ashland's most Ashlandiest spot” with nightly performances.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Panda Fest is coming to Portland this weekend. The three-day festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park will feature more than 100 vendors, 200+ Asian dishes, cultural performances, K-pop and plenty of panda-themed attractions. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
A massive Asian street food festival is coming to Portland this weekend
Portland is getting a three-day festival with Asian street food, K-pop performances and hundreds of panda-themed attractions.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The Chinook Indian Nation is marking 175 years since treaty talks at Tansy Point as its fight for federal recognition continues. After gaining recognition in 2001, the tribe lost it 18 months later. Now, leaders are turning to Congress to restore it. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/native-ameri...
oregonlive.com
‘We will get it done’: 175 years in, Chinook Indian Nation is still fighting for federal recognition
In 2001 Gary Johnson watched his tribe gain federal recognition, only to have it stripped away 18 months later. His son Tony now leads the fight to restore it.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
At Mumbai Street Food, pani puri comes with a ritual: crisp shells filled to order and handed over one at a time for a single, flavorful bite. Owner Jyoti Veeramony draws on the street food traditions she grew up with in India. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Try Mumbai street food served straight from a Beaverton cart window, one pani puri at a time
Pani puri, vada pav and chaat are among the staples at Mumbai Street Food, where owner Jyoti Veeramony hopes each bite transports diners back to the streets of Mumbai.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The Jade International Night Market turns 10 this Saturday, with food, performances, vendors and new ways to explore the history of the Jade District. The anniversary event runs 4 to 10 p.m. at PCC Southeast. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Portland’s Jade District celebrates a decade of cultural transformation
The Jade District's anniversary event showcases immigrant and working-class communities through food, performances and new interactive elements.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The Vanport Jazz Festival has been canceled for 2026 after organizers cited historically low ticket sales. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/news/2026/07...
oregonlive.com
Portland’s Vanport Jazz Festival abruptly canceled due to historically low ticket sales
The north Portland jazz festival, scheduled for Aug. 7-8, will not be taking place this summer after all.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Music, memories and family traditions came together at this year’s Peruvian Cultural Festival in Beaverton. The event brought generations together through dance, food and shared stories while celebrating heritage that continues to connect the community. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Inside the Portland festival where Peruvian heritage comes alive through dance, food and memory
The annual event brought traditional music, dance and cuisine to Beaverton, connecting immigrants with their roots and introducing Oregon residents to Peru's rich cultural traditions.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Cash prizes, trophies and a roaring crowd. Portland's biggest kiki ball showcased the artistry, mentorship and culture behind every walk and every dip. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Inside the underground Portland competition where a runway, voguing and dips captivate hundreds
The Rebound Kiki Ball celebrates dance and self-expression rooted in Black and trans communities, offering young performers a supportive space to compete and grow.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
From community gatherings to the annual waterfront festival and parade, the Rose City is preparing for a weekend of LGBTQ+ visibility and celebration. Read more here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Portland Pride weekend returns with weddings, parades and celebrations across the city
The weekend kicks off with a packed schedule of events, from waterfront festivals and parades to drag shows, dance parties and a mass wedding at Darcelle XV Plaza.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
A Northeast Portland church property is being returned to Indigenous stewardship. NAYA plans to create affordable housing for Native elders at the former Bethany Lutheran Church site. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/native-ameri...
oregonlive.com
Northeast Portland church land returned to Indigenous community for affordable elder housing
The transfer represents a growing effort among faith-based institutions to return land to Indigenous communities.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Two sisters turned their late father’s recipes into Sweet T Bakery, a thriving Cambodian bakery in downtown Hillsboro. The shop blends Southeast Asian flavors with Western baking techniques while creating a gathering place for the community. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Two sisters turned their late father’s recipes into a thriving Cambodian bakery
Sweet T Bakery combines Southeast Asian flavors with Western baking techniques, creating a community gathering place that draws Cambodian customers from across the West Coast.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
From parades and bike rides to rodeos, drag performances and community festivals, Juneteenth celebrations are happening across Oregon this week. We've rounded up Oregon events honoring Black freedom, culture and resilience. Find a celebration near you: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Celebrating freedom: Juneteenth 2026 events across Oregon
Oregon communities will mark Juneteenth 2026 with parades, performances, cultural events and gatherings statewide.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Nearly 5,000 Catholics walked through Portland's Pearl District Sunday in quiet procession for Corpus Christi, carrying their faith into the streets. The annual event has nearly doubled in size since launching last year at St. Mary's Cathedral. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Catholic procession draws thousands to Portland streets
The Archdiocese of Portland organized its second annual Eucharistic procession through the Pearl District, with attendance growing from 3,000 last year to 5,000 this year.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Six years in Oregon and I had never once slept in a tent. This spring I finally went camping on the Oregon coast. Here's what I learned during the experience and why everyone should try camping at least once: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
The case for camping in Oregon: Why everyone should try it at least once
My first experience camping was on the Oregon coast. Here’s how it went.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Yes, Oregon once blew up a whale here. But Florence has a lot more going for it. Towering sand dunes, fresh seafood, hidden beaches and sea lions make this coastal gem worth the detour. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
This Oregon coast town is famous for an exploding whale, but its stunning dunes and fresh seafood steal the show
A first-timer's weekend guide to Florence.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Portland's oldest Episcopal church was founded before Oregon was even a state. 175 years later, it's still growing. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
From log cabin to landmark: The 175-year journey of Oregon’s first Episcopal church
Trinity Cathedral draws 300 to 400 worshipers each Sunday through its classical music program and inclusive approach, bucking Portland's trend of declining religious attendance.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
A single sip of coffee that tasted like blueberries changed everything for one Vancouver coffee roaster. Now, Kafiex Roasters has become one of the country’s top specialty coffee shops — and they want every customer to slow down and taste the difference. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
This award-winning Vancouver coffee roaster treats imported coffee beans like fine wine
The Vancouver coffee company recently won what owner Seidy Selivanow describes as “the Oscars in the specialty coffee world.”
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Thousands of rhododendron blooms took the spotlight in Florence for Oregon’s second-oldest flower festival. We spent the weekend with the so-called “Rhododendron King” to learn why these iconic shrubs inspire such a devoted following on the coast. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
What the ‘Rhododendron King’ taught us about growing, spotting and loving rhodies in Oregon
Florence’s annual Rhododendron Festival draws enthusiasts to the coast for flower shows, plant sales and expert growing advice.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
"Sharing a meal together is the strongest bond you can have." At Kismayo, six Somali sisters bring their family recipes and living room setup to Portland, creating a space where food, culture and community come together. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
This Portland restaurant recreates a Somali living room where six sisters serve family recipes
Kismayo offers Somali dishes that include lamb shank, chicken suqaar, chapatti with coconut beans and homemade pastries served in a homelike atmosphere.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta continues through Tuesday at Portland's Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The festival gives space to Latino performers, vendors and businesses, including Portland-based choir, the Latinx Choral Project. Read more about the group here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
How Latinx Choral Project became a staple of Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in 1 year
The 39th annual festival runs through Tuesday at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, celebrating Latino heritage across Latin America.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Step inside Beaverton’s new K-pop cafe, where bingsu, croffles and idol cutouts create a fan’s dream hangout. SnowMoon also doubles as a dance studio and community space. Read more about the immersive new spot: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Inside the new Beaverton cafe that feels like a K-pop fan’s dream come true
SnowMoon K-Pop Cafe serves croffles, bingsu, specialty drinks and an immersive K-pop atmosphere.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
AANHPI Heritage Month begins this weekend. From festivals, performances and food events to family celebrations, communities across Oregon are honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander histories and cultures. Here's how to celebrate: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Where to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month in Oregon this May
Dozens of events across the Portland metro area and beyond highlight Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Only a two-week window remains to step inside Oregon’s newest Mormon temple before it closes to the public. The Willamette Valley Temple in Springfield is open for tours through May 9 ahead of its June 7 dedication. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
You have two weeks to step inside Oregon’s new Mormon temple before it closes to the public
The Willamette Valley Temple in Springfield will be open to the public from April 25 through May 9 before its June dedication.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Bingsu is reshaping Portland’s frozen dessert scene. The Korean shaved milk treat is appearing across the metro area, with new shops and longtime favorites serving creative, customizable bowls this spring. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
5 Portland-area spots serving the dreamy Korean dessert you need to try this spring
From a K-pop cafe in Beaverton to a Pacific Northwest staple on North Vancouver Avenue, Portland's bingsu scene is growing fast.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
What does a church look like when only six people show up? At Hughes Community Church in North Portland, it looks like shared leadership, deep community and decades of tradition carried forward. Read more about the historic church: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Six women show up every Sunday to keep this historic Black church alive
At Hughes Community Church in North Portland, a devoted group of women carries on decades of tradition — even as the pews grow emptier each year.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Passover is under way in Portland and local grocers and restaurants are offering Seder meals, kosher ingredients and holiday specials through April 9. Find options from Zupan’s, New Seasons, Whole Foods and more. Read the full guide: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Where to find Seder meals and Passover specials in Portland
Through April 9, Portland grocers, markets and restaurants are offering prepared Seder dishes, holiday catering and kosher staples.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Portland’s spring calendar is full of cultural celebrations. From Holi and Ugadi to Newroz and Cinco de Mayo, six festivals this April and May highlight South Asian, Arab American, Southeast Asian and Mexican heritage. Full details: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Celebrate spring at these 6 multicultural festivals around Portland
Festivals honoring South Asian, Arab American, Southeast Asian and Mexican heritage are scheduled across the city from April through May.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
A new Oregon-born rock musical reimagines the Exodus story through women’s perspectives. “Freedom” debuts April 12 in Hillsboro as part of the Fertile Ground Festival. Read more about the show here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Oregon-born rock musical ‘Freedom’ retells the Exodus story through women’s eyes
The staged reading, part of the Fertile Ground Festival, debuts April 12 in Hillsboro.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Cherry blossom season won’t last long 🌸 — but you don’t have to fight the crowds to enjoy it. Skip the packed paths at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and check out these three quieter, equally beautiful spots before peak bloom fades: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
A new Portland restaurant is channeling the flavors, design and atmosphere of Istanbul, offering diners an immersive experience inspired by the Turkish city. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/03/festive-portland-restaurant-captures-the-vibe-of-a-visit-to-istanbul.html
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Portland’s first mosque began with just four families. Nearly 40 years later, the Rizwan Mosque continues to grow as a center for faith and community. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
A free Portland soccer tournament is creating a safe space for refugee and immigrant girls to play. The Refugee & Immigrant Girls World Cup on March 29 was organized after families expressed fears about immigration enforcement at games. Read more here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
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Reposted by Chiara Profenna
Jamie Hale @jamiehale.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
This week on the pod: @chiara-profenna.bsky.social and I talk to a park ranger about Lewis and Clark's notorious winter in the Pacific Northwest. Spoiler: It was a mess!
hereisoregon.com
Why Lewis and Clark hated their winter in the Pacific Northwest
The famous explorers got out of the region as quickly as possible.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Former The Sudra owner Sanjay Chandrasekaran is back with Hurry Back Curry, now open at Pine Street Market with customizable curries, desi burritos and more. After closing his vegan mini chain, he is betting on a broader menu and a fresh start. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Mini horses, lion dances and red envelopes kicked off the Year of the Fire Horse at Lan Su Chinese Garden. Lunar New Year festivities continue through March 8 with daytime cultural events and nighttime lantern shows in the heart of Portland’s Chinatown. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Portland garden invites visitors to meet mini horses for Lunar New Year
Lan Su Chinese Garden's celebration includes lion dances, Chinese calligraphy, cultural performances and nighttime shows through March 8.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
As Native elders age, the effort to save Oregon’s sleeping languages grows more urgent. Tribal leaders are partnering with Portland State University to revive languages with no living first-language speakers, including Takelma of the Cow Creek Umpqua tribal people: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
PSU, tribes work together to reawaken Oregon’s sleeping languages
As Native elders age, academic and tribal communities are coming together to save their languages.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Alexander K. Sample met with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace on Feb. 9, sharing updates on growth in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and raising concerns about immigration enforcement affecting parishioners and pastoral care. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Portland archbishop meets Pope Leo XIV, discusses immigration concerns
Archbishop Sample shared news of more people joining the Catholic Church in Oregon as well as concerns over immigration during a 35-minute Vatican audience.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Coffee by day, tacos by night. Family-owned Kasa Coffee and Tacos Fita are sharing one roof in downtown Beaverton — blending espresso with homemade tortillas. Read more: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
This Beaverton family business puts coffee shop and taco restaurant under one roof
Kasa Coffee and Tacos Fita, operated by an engaged couple and their family, has become a community hub since opening in January.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
After 79 seasons, the Portland Chamber Orchestra has announced it will close, marking the end of a long chapter in Portland’s classical music scene. Read more here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Portland Chamber Orchestra dissolves after 79 seasons
The nation’s oldest incorporated chamber ensemble is dissolving after declining attendance, financial struggles and difficulty recruiting board members.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Broadway in Portland brought “The Wiz” to Jefferson High School this week, with a movement workshop led by touring production dance captain Jesse Jones that connected students to the musical’s history and professional theater experience. Read more here: www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
oregonlive.com
Broadway in Portland brings ‘The Wiz’ workshop to Jefferson High students
Audiences can see “The Wiz” at the Keller Auditorium through Sunday. Jefferson students got a behind-the-scenes look at a Broadway-level dance routine.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Matzo balls meet Italian meatballs at Dream Deli. The new Southeast Portland spot is blending Jewish and Italian deli traditions with a Pacific Northwest ethos and drawing crowds for corned beef, whitefish melts and more. Read the full story here: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
New Portland deli puts a Northwest spin on Jewish, Italian classics
From corned beef on rye to Jewish wedding soup, Dream Deli blends Jewish and Italian influences in a small neighborhood space.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
We put Portland’s coworking cafes to the test — looking for comfy seating, solid Wi-Fi, easy outlets and food worth sticking around for. From cozy neighborhood spots to all-day work havens, here are our favorite places to work from anywhere in the city: www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
We tried the comfiest coworking cafes in Portland. Here are our favorites
With downtown office vacancies soaring, Portland's coffee culture has evolved to create perfect remote workspaces across the city.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Despite Oregon’s snow drought, Cosmic Tubing continues to sell out at Mt. Hood Skibowl. The reason: a “gigantic snow cone maker” and a glow-lit night experience. Read more about the experience here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Can ‘a gigantic snow cone maker’ save this winter season? Cosmic Tubing may have the answer
With several ski resorts struggling to bring in visitors, tubing has emerged as one of Skibowl’s most reliable winter activities.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Free monthly archiving workshops at Portland’s Black Memory Lab are helping community members preserve photos, documents and oral histories to ensure Black stories are documented and passed on. Read the full story here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Portland Black Memory Lab preserves community history through free workshops
Monthly sessions offer archiving skills and resources to document underrepresented stories in Portland's Black community.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Black History Month 2026 brings concerts, films, exhibitions and community events across Portland and Oregon highlighting Black history, culture and legacy. See what’s happening this February here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Black History Month 2026: Portland events celebrate Oregon’s Black legacy
From Albina's musical heritage to York's expedition story, February features concerts, films and exhibitions honoring Black contributions across the state.
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Chiara Profenna @chiara-profenna.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Oregon is welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse. From lantern-lit nights at Lan Su to a 150-foot dragon parade in downtown Portland, Lunar New Year celebrations run from late January through March. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening — read the full guide here: www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Lunar New Year 2026: Oregon celebrations honor Year of the Fire Horse
From a 150-foot dragon parade to lantern viewing at Lan Su Chinese Garden, events across the state showcase diverse Asian cultural traditions.
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