If you can’t find something cool to do with mom this weekend, you’re just not looking. This week’s offerings include several classical music concerts, some that feature premieres or rarely performed works, as well as a few highlighting some of the genre’s most-loved pieces. There are also family events, including a rock and mineral show, and open iris gardens. Finally, we’ve included information on local crafts and artist shows that should provide plenty of items to browse for Mother’s Day.
Although the state-wide indoor COVID-19 mask mandate has lifted, some venues or artists still have restrictions in place. Check website venue information for specific COVID safety requirements.
Iris ‘Riveting’ in the growing fields at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens. Photo by Marcia Westcott Peck, for The Oregonian/OregonLiveSchreiner’s Iris Gardens
Iris Bloom Season Open Gardens
Spring has brought us daffodils and tulips and now turns its attention to iris. Schreiner’s Gardens will open its famous display gardens to the public in early May. See the variety in types and colors of blooms that are on full display at this award-winning grower. Learn about the flower’s care, and how it’s been bred and grown at this farm near Keizer since 1935, where sometimes you can glimpse the colorful blooms as you drive down Interstate 5 just north of Salem.
Open garden hours 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily May 6-31, at 3625 Quinaby Road N.E., Salem; tickets are $5 and are required in advance via the website, ages 12 and younger free with paying adult; schreinersgardens.com/iris-bloom-season
Mt. Hood Rock Club Show
More than 30 dealers will offer displays of rocks, minerals, fossils, jewelry and more during this weekend-long show. Each child will receive a free rock to take home. The event also offers demonstrations, a kids corner with games and prizes, and educational displays.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 6-8, Kliever Armory, 10,000 N.E. 33rd Drive, Portland; free; mthoodrockclub.com/annual-rock-show
Portland Columbia Symphony
Mighty classical favorites highlight the spring performance of the Portland Columbia Symphony. The family-friendly concert features Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony as well as Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and Shostakovich’s “Cello Concert No. 1.” Cellist Rainer Eudeikis is the featured soloist.
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, First United Methodist Church, 1838 S.W. Jefferson St., and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 8, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton. Tickets start at $35; pcsymphony.org/events
Sharon Isbin
Classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, who won a 2001 Grammy Award for “Dreams of a World: Folk-Inspired Music for Guitar” and became the first classical guitarist to win in 28 years, will play a program of Spanish and South American works Friday night. The performance will also include a solo guitar work written by Cuban composer Leo Brouwer. Isbin has been a prolific soloist playing for more than 200 orchestras. She visits Portland as a guest of the U.S. International Guitar Series season.
7 p.m. Friday, May 6, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave.; tickets $65; usclassicguitar.org
Stephanie Schneiderman
One of Portland’s most enduring and prolific songwriters, Stephanie Schneiderman started her solo career with a gig at Lilith Fair on the Village Stage. She’ll celebrate the full digital release of her new album “Crossfire” backed by a full band and a string ensemble this weekend. Schniederman began releasing cuts from the recording late last summer and will offer highlights during this live show. Indie rockers Swansea open.
8 p.m. Friday, May 6, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St., $18 advance, $22 day of; albertarosetheatre.com/event
Westside Community & Youth Orchestra
The spring concert starts with a reprise of “The Traveler,” an orchestral piece by composer Debbie Wiseman for Viking Cruise. The program also includes work by Calvin Custer, Georges Bizet, Dvorak and Rimsky-Korsakov.
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 494 E. Main St., Hillsboro; donations welcome; wcyo.org
The Washougal spring open studios tour features nine locations and 18 artists.
Washougal Studio Artists Tour
Washougal area artists open their studios for a family weekend that offers a look into the artistic process for a variety of media. The tour features nine locations in and around Washougal, and 18 artists will show their work in fused glass, watercolors, jewelry, acrylics, and ceramics and clay.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8, in Washougal; free. Visit washougalstudioartists.org for a map and a list of participating studios.
Unique Markets PDX’s spring market features wares created by area artists and makers.Photo by Christina Hall
Unique Markets Spring Market
Bonding with mom over shopping opportunities is a time-honored tradition. The Spring Market features 175 area emerging brands highlighting the work of artists and designers from the Portland area. Meet and talk with small business owners while connecting with your community. Food and drink available for purchase.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8, Memorial Coliseum, One Center Court; $5 plus fees in advance, $8 at door, children 14 and younger free; uniquemarkets.com/portland
Vancouver Symphony Chamber Orchestra
Igor Shakhman directs the orchestra in its first live stage performance since the beginning of the pandemic. The program includes masterworks by Mozart, Haydn, Puccini and Tchaikovsky. Featured performers include flautist Rachel Rencher and principal French horn player Dan Partridge.
3 p.m. Sunday, May 8, Royal Durst Theater, 3101 Main St., Vancouver; tickets $30; app.arts-people.com or 360-735-7278.
Asian Resilience and Joy
Fear No Music continues its 30th Anniversary Season with a celebration of new work by composers from the vast Asian diaspora. Artistic director Kenji Bunch brings forward the ongoing discrimination toward Asian Americans by offering a multi-dimensional look at the lives and richly diverse influences of Asian cultures. The concert is sponsored by Oregon Rises Above Hate and coincides with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The program includes work by World War II-era prison camp survivor Paul Chihara, as well as Dai Fujikara, Jiyoun Chung, Wu Man and others.
7:30 p.m. Monday, May 9, The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave.; admission by donation, required in advance. Limited seating; fearnomusic.org/upcoming. A recording of the concert will air on the Fear No Music YouTube channel 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 23.
– If you have live or virtual events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
— Rosemarie Stein, events@oregonian.com
