Early fall events are taking us to the beach, to roller rinks, on a bicycle rides, and to a festival celebrating tasty tomatoes. There’s plenty for families this week too with Disney’s “The Lion King” back in town and a Renaissance Fair in the mid-Willamette Valley.
Seaside Sandfest
This is no amateur sandcastle day. Ten world-class, master-level sculptors work on large-scale artwork on the beach in Seaside and you’re invited to watch, meet the artists, and vote for your favorite creation. Bring your camera and the whole family.
Various times Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 11-14, on the beach off the Promenade in Seaside; $2 gate fee; seasidesandfest.com.
Hometown Throwdown 3-Day Tournament
This is the biggest Roller Derby event of the year and it’s all happening this weekend. Seven teams compete over three days in the annual invitational tournament. Visiting teams include Angel City, Arizona Rollers, Montreal Rollers, and Red Stick Roller Derby. Last year’s event sold out. Get your tickets early.
First match 1 p.m. Friday, and the tournament continues various times through Sunday, Sept 12-14, at The Hangar at Oaks Park, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; tickets start at $22, rollerderbytickets.com.
Southeast Portland Neighborhood Bike Fair
It’s back to school time, and for many kids, that means biking – safely – to class or just for fun. Learn more about biking and safety skills at this free fair. Experts will help you fit your helmet correctly and a Quick-Fix team will get your bike ready for the ride. If you don’t have a bike, you can borrow one during the fair.
2:30-5 p.m. Friday, at Woodmere Elementary, 7900 S.E. Duke St.; free; portland.gov/se-bike-fair-2025.
“Griot” by Diaspora Dance Theater
Reed College’s Dance Department presents Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater’s newest production “Griot.” Take a journey from Senegal to Brazil, and into the American South while learning about how oral traditions impact communities, linage, and cultures. Choreography by Oluyinka Akinjiola and Michael Galen.
7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 12-21, Reed College Performing Arts Building, 3203 S.E. Woodstock Blvd.; tickets $16-$26; events.reed.edu/event/griot.
“Leather and Lace”: A Tribute to all things Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks
Expect a top-shelf line up of notable Portland musicians as the Alberta Rose Theatre offers a tribute to Fleetwood Mac’s timeless music and the voice of Stevie Nicks. Bands and performers scheduled to appear include Acoustic Minds, Christopher Worth, Arietta Ward, LaRhonda Steel, Flyover States, and more. The show is partially seated so there will be room to dance.
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12-14, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets start at $19.75; etix.com/ticket.
Wellspent Market Annual Tomato Fest
Ah fresh tomatoes – a staple in everything from soup to salad, pasta to paninis. They’re tricky to grow in some climates, but the work and care can be so rewarding. Celebrate this summer treat at this joyful tomato-fuled street fair co-hosted by Wellspent Market and the Culinary Breeding Network. Taste fresh tomatoes and melons, see cooking demos, shop local produce stands, and visit with regional producers and food artisans.
Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at 3402 S.E. Division St.; free; culinarybreedingnetwork.com/events.
Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire (Monmouth)
Step back in time in the mid-Willamette Valley at the Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire, where you can watch jousting, eat a turkey leg or watch traditional Mongolian Horseback Archery (bet you’ve never seen THAT live before.) That’s just the beginning – there’s juggling and magic and belly dancing and a forest full of activities for the whole family.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 13-14, Grant Road, near Monmouth; admission $10 per day for kids and seniors, $22 for adults; shrewfaire.org/index.
Beach, Bike, and Blues Festival (Waldport)
Live blues music and plenty of north Oregon Coast foods highlight this bike festival on the coast. This annual festival features six hours of live blues music, great local food, Rogue beer, bike activities, a vendor fair, and shopping. The blues lineup includes Sonny Hess, Lisa Mann and Kelly Pierce. There will be bike activities for all ages including an obstacle course, safety tips, speed biking competition and more.
Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center & Museum, 320 N.W. Hwy 101 in Waldport; free admission; findyourselfinwaldport.com.
The Immigrant Story
This popular live storytelling event shares four powerful stories that show the lived experiences of young migrants who now call Oregon home. They’ve all traveled difficult paths to get here, and together their voices add to the cultural tapestry of their communities. The performance is part of Portland’s Welcoming Week celebration.
7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, Main Stage at the Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave.; the event is free, but space is limited. RSVP required at theimmigrantstory.org/the-immigrant-story.
The Astrolo-show
Do you start every conversation with a stranger by asking them their “sign?” This is the show for you. Kickstand Comedy dives deep into the astrological side of comedy, bringing Portland a planet-based improv extravaganza. Creators and hosts Naomi Dixon and Diana Kolsky call the show “cosmically hilarious’ and promise a fun time for those who enjoy astrology and the die-hard skeptics alike.
8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, Kickstand Comedy, 1006 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; tickets $12-$17; crowdwork.com/e/the-astrolo-show.
BodyVox Season Sampler
BodyVox presents its third annual “Season Sampler,” which gathers seven performing arts organizations on to one stage, together to preview excerpts from their upcoming seasons. View segments from BodyVox, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Profile Theatre, Third Angle, Portland Opera, Chatter PDX, and Open Space Dance.
7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 16-17, BodyVox Dance Center, 1201 N.W. 17th Ave.; tickets are $10 but must be reserved in advance as space is limited; bodyvox.org/about.
Disney’s “The Lion King”
The last time Broadway in Portland tried to stage “The Lion King” a number of performances got snowed out. No chance of that happening this time around as these mid-September show dates should guarantee decent weather. The current tour features David D’Lancy Wilson as Mufasa and Gilbert Domally as Simba.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, and continues various hours and dates through Sept. 28, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.; tickets start at $50.50; portland5.com/keller-auditorium/disneys-lion-king.
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