Shizue: An American Story
Nov
10
2:00 PM14:00

Shizue: An American Story

Portland Opera is proud to present the second youth opera in the Our Oregon Series, Shizue: An American Story

Written for students 4th grade and up, but easily enjoyed by all ages.

Shizue Iwatsuki was 19 years old when she cam to Hood River, Oregon as a newlywed with her husband Kamegoro, to make a new life on their orchard. A poet and artist, Shizue was unprepared for life on the farm, but she learned- all the while surprising herself with her resilience. But no one in the Japanese American community was prepared when the United States government issued Executive Order 9066 sending all people of Japanese descent to “relocation centers.” Through it all, Shizue created beauty around her, writing poetry and creating Ikebana (floral arrangements) with any materials she had to hand. Hers is the true story of a quiet hero and her perseverance in the face of tremendous adversity.

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Journey Under the Sea
Aug
8
6:00 PM18:00

Journey Under the Sea

Dive into an ocean of hands-on science fun while exploring Oregon’s underwater environments. Join us to discover beautiful kelp forests and rugged, rocky reefs with activities that will inspire you to protect this amazing world under the waves.

Sponsored by the Clatskanie Library District and the Museum of Natural & Cultural History

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C.C. Stern Foundry Poetry Reading w/ Kathleen Flenniken
Jun
22
4:00 PM16:00

C.C. Stern Foundry Poetry Reading w/ Kathleen Flenniken

Please join us for the launch of the letterpress broadside of Kathleen Flenniken’s poem “Where Are You Going.” The event will feature a reading of new poetry by Washington Poet Laureate Emerita Kathleen Flenniken and a discussion of the broadside creation with letterpress printer Laura Bentley. This event marks the release of the fourth broadside to be printed as part of the C.C. Stern Type Foundry’s Pacific Northwest Poets Laureate Project.

The broadside is illustrated and printed by Laura Bentley of Pinwheel Press using metal type cast at the C.C. Stern Type Foundry. It is one in a series that uses traditional type founding and printing techniques to present poems in broadside form in order to spark conversation. Working with past Poets Laureate from Oregon and Washington, the C.C. Stern Type Foundry will publish a series of poetry broadsides over the course of the project, launching each work by hosting a discussion about its topics and methods used in its creation. The poem is copyright Kathleen Flenniken and will appear for the first time in the Spring–Summer 2024 issue of Crab Creek Review.

Kathleen Flenniken is an award-winning poet who served as Washington State Poet Laureate from 2012–2014. She is author of three poetry collections: Post Romantic (University of Washington Press, 2020), Plume (University of Washington Press, 2012), and Famous (University of Nebraska Press, 2006). Her awards include a Pushcart Prize and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Artist Trust. She teaches poetry through arts agencies like Writers in the Schools and Jack Straw.

This event will be held at the Clatskanie Cultural Center from 4:00-5:30pm Pacific Time. The event is free and open to the public, but your RSVP at the attached website is appreciated.

“Where Are You Going” broadsides (edition of 50) will be available for sale beginning June 22, 2024 at the event and from the C.C. Stern Type Foundry marketplace.

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Raymond Carver Writing Festival
May
17
to May 18

Raymond Carver Writing Festival

  • Clatskanie Cultural Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Raymond Carver Writing Festival takes place annually in Clatskanie, Oregon, the birthplace of Raymond Carver. This year’s theme is “Where I’m Calling From,” taken from the title of one of Carver’s short stories, and meant to be open to creative interpretation.

All efforts have been made to keep events free and open to the public, thanks to the contributions of organizations, businesses, and a volunteer committee of organizers. The festival is held at venues downtown Clatskanie, in walking distance from one another and from centrally located lodging.

FRIDAY MAY 17th

Publishers & Writers Fair
5pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Vendor tables by local authors, regional writing organizations and presenters.
C.C. Stern Type Foundry (Clatskanie, OR), Clatskanie Historical Society (Clatskanie, OR), Clatskanie Library (Clatskanie, OR), Columbia River Writers Group (Clatskanie, OR), FisherPoets (Astoria, OR), Joseph Green/Peasandcues Press (Longview, WA), Scott MacGregor (Clatskanie, OR), Mother Foucault’s Books (Portland, OR), Kelley Jaquez (Clatskanie, OR), Laura Moulton (Portland, OR), Ben Parzybok/Gumball Poetry (Portland, OR), Raymond Carver Podcast (Port Angeles, WA), The Raymond Carver Review (online), Robert Michael Pyle (Grays River, WA), Salal Review (Longview, WA), Kim Stafford (Portland, OR), The Writer’s Guild (Astoria, OR)

A select assortment of Raymond Carver books will be for sale at the event. We’ll also have merch available from the Raymond Carver Writing Festival including commemorative posters, stickers, postcards and badges. Maybe even a few t-shirts in random sizes!


Reception
6-7:30pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Welcome to the Raymond Carver Writing Festival!
Introduction: Deborah Hazen (Clatskanie, OR)
Guest presenter: Chad Wriglesworth, The Raymond Carver Review (Waterloo, ON), “A Particular Way of Seeing the World: Raymond Carver on the Craft of Writing”
Keynote speaker: Kim Stafford (Portland, OR), “Where I’m Writing From”

Evening Readings
7:30-8:30pm Storytelling/Prose at Fultano’s Pizza
Readers: Mac Stripling (Westport, OR), Ben Parzybok (Portland, OR), Scott MacGregor (Clatskanie, OR), Michael Mills (Port Angeles, WA)

7:45-8:45pm Poetry at Flowers n Fluff
Featured poet: Robert Michael Pyle
Readers: Marianne Monson (Astoria, OR), Joseph Green (Longview, WA), Robert Michael Pyle (Grays River, WA)

8:45-10:00pm Readings at Colvin’s Pub & Grill
Line-up curated by Mother Foucault's Bookshop
Readers: Ed Skoog (Portland, OR), Justin Taylor (Portland, OR)

SATURDAY MAY 18th

A Conversation about Writing: “The World According to You”
10-10:45am at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Kim Stafford (Portland, OR)
Raymond Carver says in his essay “On Writing” that every writer describes a particular world, and has a particular way of seeing things. What is your “native place” as a writer? How are you a “native speaker” of the language of that place? We’ll have a conversation about these matters, and how this particular background makes you want to tell a certain kind of story or poem or song.

Writing Workshops
Presented by Astoria’s The Writer’s Guild.
Pre-registration for workshops is not required, workshops are appropriate for all levels of writers.

“Prose Poetry as Memoir”
11-11:45am at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Asher Finch (Astoria, OR)
Where does the line cross between prose-poetry and memoir storytelling? Does there need to be a distinction between the two? The lyrical and abstract nature of prose poetry to tell the story of one’s life in a memoir style can be used to illustrate the art of memory, blended with the accuracy of a timeline. Join Asher Finch for a brief lesson in prose poetry and its use in narrative storytelling, open writing time, and a brief sharing session at the end. 

“Overcoming Procrastination and Writer’s Block”
1-1:45pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Vicki (Vee) Lind (Portland, OR)
In the first part of this hands-on workshop, we’ll review tips from successful authors on external environmental factors conducive to activating your muse: place, time of day, support from others. As Annie Lamott said, “My mind is a neighborhood I try not to go into alone..” In the second part, we’ll focus on the internal environment of their mind. Through free writing exercises, participants will identify their patterns of critical self-talk that block creativity. They will then learn to befriend and reimagine that self-talk.

“What We Write About When We Write About Love: A Readers Write Workshop”
2-3:30pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Nancy A. Cook (Astoria, OR)
This workshop will celebrate one of Ray’s most famous short stories “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”, which served as the creative inspiration for The Academy Award Best Picture “Birdman”. The workshop will include a brief history of the story, close reading focused on Carver’s fine minimalist craft, a pertinent clip from “Birdman”, and some fun writing prompts suited for nonfiction, story scenes, or poetry. This will be fun!  All are welcome! 


Explore Carver in Clatskanie 
A walking tour with presentations and participatory readings at local sites. Bring a poem or short story to share!
11:15-11:45am at The Castle/Thomas J. Flippin House/Clatskanie Historical Society
Presenter: Deborah Hazen + time to browse memorabilia
12:30-12:45pm at the Carver Mural/old Clatskanie hospital building
Presenter: Michael Calvin Mills + you!
1-1:15pm at Evenson Logging Co. parking area
Presenters: Evenson Logging, Chad Wriglesworth + you!
1:30-1:45pm at Raymond Carver Memorial Sculpture/Cope’s Park
Presenters: Scott MacGregor, Ben Parzybok, Gumball Poetry + you!

Parking Lot Poetry
12-2pm at the Evergreen Shopping Center/Safeway parking lot
Readings of Raymond Carver poems and other works on the theme “Where I’m Calling From”. Bring your own favorite or select from poems provided to read aloud. This fun event is inspired by Tess Gallagher and Raymond Carver’s 1984 parking lot reading at this very site.
Hosted by Laura Moulton (Portland, OR) and the C.C. Stern Type Foundry (Clatskanie, OR)

Steal Time to Write
11:45am-12pm, 12:45-1pm, 1:45-2pm at the Clatskanie Library
Writing prompts at quarter to the hour, 15 minute sessions. Pop in to the library and spend a few minutes writing to short prompts from festival writers Michael Mills, Laura Moulton, and Robert Michael Pyle. A different prompt will be offered at each session, so plan on stealing time for all three!


Youth Poetry Contest Award Ceremony
4:30-5pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Birkenfeld Theater
Awards and readings from the winners of the 2024 Poetry Contest.
Award Presentors: Mayor Robert "Bob" Brajcich, with Joseph Green (poet) and Maryanne Hirning (librarian)

Festival Finale! : Poetry and Pie 
6-9pm at the Clatskanie Food Hub
Pie was Raymond Carver's favorite dessert, and as part of the 2024 Raymond Carver Writing Festival, we’re closing out the activities with a last slice of deliciousness. 
The dinner requires a paid reservation. Community pie potluck, award presentation and Poetry Jam are free!

6pm Catered dinner (reservations required, $20 per person)
Whimsical and seasonal Farm-to-table pies featuring a menagerie of locally grown savory delights handcrafted by Bluebell Bakeshop. Non-alcoholic beverages supplied by The Wild Locals, beer and wine available for purchase.

… and a community pie potluck! (free)
Bring a homemade pie to share after dinner -- your best recipe, a sweet treat using the remainder of last year’s harvest, or a regional favorite. Perhaps we will have prizes.

7-8:30pm Adult  Poetry Contest Awards and Poetry Jam (free)
Awards and readings from the winners of the 2024 Adult Poetry Contest
followed by an Open Mic Poetry Jam hosted by Joseph Green

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Jugglemania with Rhys Thomas
May
5
3:00 PM15:00

Jugglemania with Rhys Thomas

Family Friendly Jugglemania!

Like a Pixar movie, JuggleMania appeals to all ages with non-stop “hilarity & dexterity.” Juggler enough to compete at international street performer festivals and comedian enough to headline on cruise ships, performer Rhys Thomas brings a rare blend of serious skills and silly shenanigans. 


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Spencer Day - Frank Sinatra Tribute
Apr
26
7:30 PM19:30

Spencer Day - Frank Sinatra Tribute

The unique #1 Billboard charting pop/jazz performer, has appeared at venues from Lincoln Center to the Hollywood Bowl. His show 'A Night Out With Sinatra" will feature some of Frank Sinatras most beloved songs, all interpreted by a singer and songwriter who has been called “One of the most beautiful singing voices around today” – by Time out New York and New York Public Radio/WNYC’s American Standards. 

Will Martin tickets will be honored for this performance.

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Paige Weldon Comedy Night
Oct
28
7:30 PM19:30

Paige Weldon Comedy Night

PAIGE WELDON is a writer, actor, cartoonist and comedian based in LA. You may know her stand-up from appearances on The Late Late Show with James Corden,Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring, or her albums Girlfriend at the Time and Uncomfortable at Best. She was also named one of Time Out LA’s top 10 comedians to watch, as well as a New York Comedy Festival Comic to Watch. As an actor, she can be seen recurring on the Paramount Network’s TV reboot of Heathers and Comedy Central’s Corporate.

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Wyatt Cote - Comedy Night
Oct
13
7:30 PM19:30

Wyatt Cote - Comedy Night

WYATT COTE dropped out of college one year shy of graduation to pursue a career in comedy and has since become one of the top competitive comics in the country with five contest wins to his credit including the 2021 World Series of Comedy. He was the runner up in the 46th annual San Francisco Comedy Competition and now tours the country performing full time. His stand up has appeared on Laughs on Fox and ABC news.

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Big Band in the Park
Sep
4
2:00 PM14:00

Big Band in the Park

The Clatskanie Arts Commission is kicking off its 34th annual Performing Arts Series with a FREE Big Band Concert in the Park, sponsored by Donna Garlock, on Labor Day, September 4, from 2 to 4 in the Clatskanie City Park.  Listen to the great music of the North Coast Big Band.  Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, ice cream and beverages will be on sale as a fundraiser for CAC.  In celebration of our new season free coffee and cake will be available at intermission.  Bring your chair and enjoy a fun afternoon.  Bleacher seating will be available.

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