Portland Actors Ensemble is gearing up for their 35th season of Shakespeare in the Park with a production of Love’s Labour’s Lost. Wonderful opportunity for a picnic! I usually pack up a ton of fru-fru salads from Zupan’s and swig my wine (anything but Boone’s) from a bottle in a paper bag so I don’t have to share. Something decadent for dessert is a must, too.

Laurelhurst Park – Sat July 31st and Sun Aug 1st
Washington Park – Sat Aug 7th and Sun Aug 8th
Lynchwood Park – Sat Aug 14th and Sun Aug 15th
Fernhill Park – Sat Aug 21st and Sun Aug 22nd
Gabriel Park – Sat Aug 28th and Sun Aug 9th
Reed College – Sat Sept 4th, Sun Sept 5th and Mon Sept 6th
All shows begin at 3pm sharp and as always, they are completely FREE to the public. For information, call 503-321-0710.

Unfortunately, my schedule has a bit of a curse* where I am usually super-busy or out of town whenever the production comes to Laurelhurst, my venue of choice. I made it the first year I lived here purely by accident — I was taking a walk through the park, saw them setting up, and jetted home to grab a blanket and put together a makeshift picnic.
Another great event coming to Laurelhurst Park is the Rose Pedal Music and Movies by Moonlight on August 18. Sometimes the little kids get a bit noisy and out of control at this event (sitting in the “smoker’s ghetto” cuts down on the noise) but it’s a fun chance to see a movie in the park under the stars. Definitely bring bug repellent! Last time I went there were so many vendors selling tofu freezer pops, organic popcorn, and natural-pseudo-candies there was no mistaking the crunchy factor in the audience. (It was an Indiana Jones flick – is there any correlation to be drawn?)
* My schedule inevitably suffers the same curse for Church of Craft.