Wordstock Announces Its Author Line-up: John Irving, Cheryl Strayed, Jesse Eisenberg And More! 

John Irving, Jesse Eisenberg, Maggie Nelson, Jon Krakauer, Jami Attenberg—the list goes on, and they’re all Portland bound this November for the revamped Wordstock book festival. This week, Literary Arts announced a line-up of more than 80 authors slated for panels, conversations, pop-up events and readings at the November 7 festival, which has moved from its previous Convention Center location to the Portland Art Museum and is now densely packed into one day of bibliophilic bliss. Are you really going to miss the chance to earwig on a conversation between Cheryl Strayed and Diana Nyad, or elbow into a chat between Tom Spanbauer and Chuck Palahniuk? If that’s not enough enticement, take a look at the full line-up here and mark your calendar: Wordstock is back and brimming with bookish delights.

Want to Sing With The Portland Opera?

At long last, our brand new bridge Tilikum Crossing is opening to the public, and Portland Opera is joining the celebrations on Saturday from its new headquarters right beside it. 'A Day and a Night at the Opera' will include a tow-hour session of “Great Opera Choruses in Rehearsal”, featuring the 40-voice Portland Opera Chorus. Members of the public can get in on the action too, with an 'I Sang With Portland Opera' event inviting attendees to partake. Other operatic delights promised include three 30-minute performances by the company’s six Resident Artists for this season and an evening screening of A Night at the Opera.

Local Theater Companies Bag National Awards

Two local theater groups, Portland Playhouse and Hillsboro’s Bag&Baggage, have been awarded National Theater Company grants by the American Theatre Wing. The grants, given to a total of twelve companies all over the country, mean a $10,000 boost for both companies to go towards general operating support. “These twelve theater companies have proven themselves integral to the fabric of their respective communities, and are furthering the national cultural conversation in exciting ways,” said Marva Smalls, Chair of the National Theatre Company Grants committee. Way to go Portland Playhouse and Bag&Baggage for putting us on the national map!

Newspace's Call-Out for Gentrification Projects

Southeast Portland’s Newspace Center for Photography is looking for proposals for projects about gentrification, displacement and land-use in Portland. In partnership with c3:initiative—whose mission is to connect art creators and communities through residency programs, a studio incubator initiative, and public programming—the photography  center will fund one proposal for a joint low residency to develop the project that will culminate with an nine-week exhibition in 2016. “This opportunity is meant to encourage a creative analysis of the changing city,” according to Newspace's press release. See more details and application guidelines here.

George Winston's Food Drive

If you plan on attending folk pianist George Winston’s Aladdin Theater show tonight, don’t forget to bring your can of beans. As well as offering up some fall and winter-themed numbers, New Orleans-inspired pieces, and new songs from his upcoming recording, Winston will be holding a canned food drive for the St Vincent De Paul Food Bank. All proceeds from the sale of merchandise at the show will also go to the organization.

And a New Divers Video to Kickstart Your Weekend

Let's get Wild!