Theater shows take center stage this week with two openings of musicals and a cross-cultural comedy. Art lovers can browse for free during the Portland Art Museum’s Fine Print Fair or learn more about the creation of Medieval manuscripts at Lewis & Clark College.
The Stranniki: Yiddish and Russian Music Concert
Psoy Korolenko (vocals, piano) and Polina Shepherd (piano) offer a collaborative concert of Yiddish music. The two have toured internationally singing rewrites of traditional songs, original works, and translations of songs from Russian to Yiddish.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Eastside Jewish Commons, 2420 N.E. Sandy Blvd.; tickets $25 advance, $30 at door; ejcpdx.org.
“In Clay”
Broadway Rose Theatre Company offers this new musical that shines a light on the genius of French ceramic artist Marie-Berthe Cazino. The play is set in the 1930s and unveils the reflections of a life shaped by passion, resilience, and a quiet longing to be seen.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, and continues 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Feb. 15, Broadway Rose New Stage, 12850 S.W. Grant Ave., Tigard; tickets $20-$54; broadwayrose.org/in-clay.
“Pippin”
Stumptown Stages presents the Tony Award-winning musical play within a play about a young prince who seeks life’s meaning but only finds death and disillusionment. Can the love of a woman turn his fate around? The show is meant for all ages and promises plenty of songs (played by a live orchestra) and dances.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, and continues 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 15, Winningstad Theater, 1111 S.W. Broadway; tickets $48-$83; stumptownstages.org.
Bollywood Dance Party with DJ Prashant & Friends
How’s that New Year’s resolution going? If “more movement” was your plan, grab a spot on the dance floor during this lavish Bollywood musical night. Dances are taught and beginners are welcome. DJ Prashant cues up the beats.
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 E. Main St., Hillsboro; tickets $17 advance, $22 day of; cityofhillsboro.ticketspice.com/bollywood.
“Tiger Style!” — Profile Theatre
Mike Lew’s cross-cultural comedy “Tiger Style” takes aim at contemporary Asian stereotypes.Zack DeZon Third-generation Chinese American siblings Albert and Jennifer Chen are the overachieving cubs of fierce “tiger parents.” (That’s the term author Amy Chua coined to describe a rigid style of Chinese parenting focusing on academic performance and music, and less on nurturing, self-esteem and … fun.)
But their highly accelerated, highly assimilated lives have left the pair feeling empty inside — and they’re roaring mad. Mad enough to finally confront their mother and father.
The familial fur flies as Mike Lew’s cross-cultural comedy takes aim at contemporary Asian stereotypes. Lew lived what he wrote. The son of successful physicians, Lew shocked his strict parents when he swerved from medical school to playwriting.
Bonus: The play also includes a road trip — via airplane, that is — to Shenzhen, China.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, and continues various dates and times through Feb. 8, The Ellyn Bye Studio at The Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave.; tickets start at $50; profiletheatre.org.
— Lee Williams/Special to the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com
Portland Fine Print Fair
The Portland Art Museum’s historic Fields Ballroom hosts the 13th annual print fair where visitors can view and buy prints from 16 top dealers. Choose from works by Old Masters to contemporary and emerging artists. Free guided tours with the senior curator of prints and drawings at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Print Fair hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24-25, Portland Art Museum, 1119 S.W. Park Ave.; free admission; portlandartmuseum.org/event/portland-fine-print-fair.
Oregonian file photo. Michael Russell | The Oregonian
Tasting of Traditions
Head to the Expo Center for a festival of tacos, tequila and tamales. Grab a drink and stroll dozens of pop-up vendors that offer local arts and creations. Live music rounds out the event held in partnership with Latino Leadership Northwest.
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24-25, Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive; admission $17-$22 (does not include parking fee); expocenter.evenue.net/events/ETACO.
“Shaping the Soul: Books in Medieval Life”
Lewis & Clark College hosts an exhibit of more than thirty medieval manuscripts (whole and partial) that were initially adorned by illuminators and rubricators, then later annotated by nuns, monks, lawyers, and other everyday users. Learn how medieval Europeans understood their culture and world through their intimate relationship with books in the era before mass publication. Some of the items on display are owned by Lewis & Clark, but many are on loan from elsewhere for this one-time-only viewing in Oregon. The public reception includes live musical performances by Musica Universalis and Lewis & Clark undergraduates.
Public reception 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan 24. The exhibit remains on view at the Watzek Library through March 6, L&C College, 615 S. Palatine Hill Road; free; lclark.edu.
Axelle Fanyo and Julius Drake
Friends of Chamber Music welcome French soprano Fanyo joined by pianist Drake in a program of Ravel, Williams, Messiaen, and cabaret songs.
3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU, 1620 S.W. Park Ave.; tickets $32-$63; focm.org
Etta James Birthday Celebration
Alberta Rose’s annual celebration of the great blues singer Etta James promises a lineup of prominent female Northwest vocalists including LaRhonda Steele, Rae Gordon, Lisa Mann, Amy Keys, and Lady Kat. The band offers an all-star rhythm section made up of guitarists Whit Draper and Peter Dammann, keyboards by Pat McDougall, drummer Ed Pierce and bassist Joseph Conrad. Joining them on harmonica is special guest Kim Field.
7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets $39.50; etix.com/ticket.
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