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Required Reading For The 2023 Portland Book Festival
The biggest literary event of the year is fast approaching. Have you done your homework?
The Portland Book Festival brings an overwhelming dose of literary talent to town each year, across genres and age groups, and it's all packed into one mad-dash day. With a staggering roster of over 100 different presenters, the energy around the Portland Art Museum and adjacent venues resembles a music festival. It's best to have a few can't-miss events picked out ahead of time, but also to leave room to happen upon authors. (Pro tip: most authors are participating in several events as interviewers, moderators, and panelists, so you'll likely have more than one chance to catch your favorites.)
Per usual, the festival will be anchored by two high-profile events at the Schnitz: Michael Lewis, whose books are frequently made into movies (The Blind Side, Moneyball, The Big Short), will chat with Literary Arts' executive director Andrew Proctor about his latest nonfiction book Going Infinite, which recounts Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX scandal. And Viet Thanh Nguyen, the New York Times columnist, USC professor, and Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist (The Sympathizer), will chat about his new memoir, A Man of Two Faces, with the novelist Tommy Orange.
It does feel a bit silly to carve out a hierarchy here, as the entire lineup brims with stars, especially local ones. With that in mind, we've put together a reading list of some of our favorite Portland-written books featured at this year's festival. Just like in high school, you can no doubt attend without having first read the book. (Also as in high school though, prefacing a question with, "Haven't read the book, BUT…" is a bad look.) It is, however, always more fun if you've managed to do your homework.
Literary Arts' annual Portland Book Festival is held at the Portland Art Museum and surrounding venues Saturday, November 4 from 10 a.M.–6 p.M.$15 advance, $25 day of; kids get in free. See the organizer's website for details.
Cookbooks
Aaron Adams & Liz CrainFermenter: DIY Fermentation for Vegan Fare 10 a.M. Winningstad Theatre
Local cookbook author Liz Crain and vegan chef Aaron Adams cataloged the plant-based recipes he cooks (and grows) at his Southeast Portland restaurant, Fermenter. The book leans accessible (see our excerpted kombucha recipe). Crain and Adams will sit on an all-star panel with Kann chef and owner Gregory Gourdet, who penned his own James Beard Award–winning cookbook, Everyone's Table, back in 2021, and regular New York Times Cooking contributor Hetty Lui McKinnon, who is bringing her latest book, Tenderheart, which Nigella Lawson calls "almost a memoir in recipes."
Novels Lydia Kiesling, Mobility5 p.M. Miller Gallery at PAM
In Kiesling's second novel, Mobility, Bunny cultivates an increasing interest in petropolitics as a teenager when her father, a US foreign service officer, is stationed in Azerbaijan in the late '90s. As an adult, she finds herself working for an energy company in Texas, seemingly forced into the very industry she resents. The LA Times called Mobility "an emotionally and geopolitically savvy coming-of-age story about … America's evolving reliance on oil." At the festival, Kiesling, who recently moved to Portland from LA, will chat with Portland novelist Patrick deWitt.
Patrick deWitt, The Librarianist 5 p.M. Miller Gallery at PAM
Known for his breakout, dark-hued western, The Sisters Brothers, which was adapted into a movie of the same name starring Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly, deWitt has since moved toward more nuanced character studies, and away from the action-packed plot of his big break. The new book is set in Portland, in 2005, around the life of a septuagenarian retired librarian. Bob, the titular librarian, lives an introvert's life, scarred by his wife's running off with his best friend decades ago. DeWitt will chat with fellow Portland novelist Lydia Kiesling.
Nonfiction
Erica Berry, Wolfish 1:15 p.M. The Old Church
Berry's buzzy debut book (read our full review) contrasts her own coming of age with the much-publicized journey of OR-7, the first wolf to return to Oregon after the species' local extinction 50 years prior. More than a science-focused book, Wolfish is a memoiristic investigation—citing tweets, fairy tales, political speeches, and classic literature—into what wolves symbolically mean to society. It juxtaposes the nuance of justifiable fears against the historical tendency to scapegoat irreconcilable traumas onto available proxies: blame it on the wolves. Berry will discuss her book with the New York–based science writer Sabrina Imbler and writer and Live Wire host Elena Passarello.
Mitchell S. Jackson, Fly 10:15 a.M. The Old Church
Though technically an Arizona resident these days, the Pulitzer Prize–winning writer and Portland native will always be a local to us. Fly: The Big Book of NBA Fashion, is a "coffee table book" with a powerful message. Through the league's nearly eight decades—from Wilt Chamberlain to Jordan to Lebron—Jackson traces how players' off-court outfits have directly related to public affairs, namely with clothes as indicators of where Black people are in their struggle for civil rights. Jackson will chat with OPB's Paul Marshall.
Poetry
Anis Mojgani, The Tigers, They Let Me 10:15 Brunish Theatre at Hatfield Hall; 1:30 p.M. First Congressional United Church of Christ
You can read our profile of Mojgani, Oregon's current poet laureate, who published his sixth collection of poetry, The Tigers, They Let Me, this summer. Though he's known for his immensely engaging performances (he came up in slam poetry), Mojgani manages to capture that same energy on the page. And the poems collected in this latest book continue his themes of human connection, oftentimes through narratives. Mojgani will discuss his book with acclaimed poet Charif Shanahan; later in the day, he will moderate a discussion between Pulitzer-winner Paul Harding (This Other Eden) and Utah poet laureate Paisley Rekdal (West: A Translation).
Billy Strings, Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, More Lead Inaugural Big As Texas Festival Lineup
Big As Texas, a new, independently produced country music festival set to take place on May 10th–12th, 2024 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds outside Houston, TX, has announced an ambitious artist lineup topped by contemporary bluegrass superstar Billy Strings and country charts champions Thomas Rhett and Dierks Bentley.
Other rising stars and longtime country staples set to perform at the first-ever Big As Texas festival in 2024 include Morgan Wade, Dwight Yoakam, Tracy Byrd, Clay Walker, Warren Zeiders, Maddie & Tea, Breland, Anne Wilson, Drake Milligan, Midland, Jamestown Revival, Amanda Shires, Buffalo Nichols, Braxton Keith, and Montgomery County's own Kate Watson.
Billy Strings is not the only notable deviation from the mainstream country formula on the lineup. Nestled among the 30+ performers are a handful of variety bookings including The Fearless Flyers, the Vulfpeck-adjacent speed-funk supergroup featuring Cory Wong, Joe Dart, Mark Lettieri, and Nate Smith; Los Lobos, the eclectic chicano-rock stalwarts; and Paul Wall, the beloved Houston rapper.
"We are stepping out in grand fashion for our inaugural year, and I couldn't be more excited about the stellar music lineup we have curated for next May. It's ultimately meant to be representative of the many facets of Country and Americana music because we like to think there is something for everyone at Big As Texas Fest," said Big As Texas co-executive producer and talent buyer Steve Said, best known for his work supporting famed Spring, TX country music venue Dosey Doe.
With Lone Star State-sized aspirations for the new event, organizers have promised dozens of Texas vendors and artisans alongside custom exhibitions, immersive art installations, live-fire grilling, carnival games, and a "chainsaw-wielding wood carver," among other attractions.
"We already have a lot of amazing plans in store for our fans, and I'm hopeful Texans will show out in major form to support our independent locally-owned festival," said co-executive producer Trey Diller, a lifelong resident and community advocate based in the Conroe community.
The three-day festival will be hosted outdoors in one of the fast-growing counties in the country—Montgomery County—which also happens to be facing an unprecedented and rapidly rising rate of suicide deaths. Due to these alarming statistics, the organizers of Big As Texas have pledged to donate ten percent of net ticket proceeds from each individual ticket sold to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that promote suicide death prevention both in Montgomery County and across Texas.
GA and VIP tickets for the inaugural Big As Texas are now on sale via the festival website. Purchasers may choose from a variety of ticket packages and payment plan options.
Click below to check out the complete lineup for Big As Texas 2024.
Big As Texas 2024 Artist Lineup (in alphabetical order)
49 WINCHESTERALANA SPRINGSTEENAMANDA SHIRESANNE WILSONBABY BASHBILLY STRINGS **BRAXTON KEITHBRELANDBUFFALO NICHOLSCHASE MATTHEWCLAY WALKERCOLT FORDCOREY KENTDIERKS BENTLY **DRAKE MILLIGANDREW PARKERDREW RYNDWIGHT YOAKAMFEARLESS FLYERSHANNAH DASHERJAMESTOWN REVIVALJEAN WATTSJULIA COLEKATE WATSONKIDD GLOS LOBOSMACKENZIE PORTERMADDIE & TAEMIDLANDMORGAN WADEPAUL WALLSCOTTY ALEXANDERTHE HEELSTHOMAS RHETT **TRACY BYRDTRENT COWIEWAR HIPPIESWARREN ZEIDERS
** denotes 2024 headliners
NOLA Funk Fest, Alabama, A Jazzy Beatles Set: Music In New Orleans For Oct. 19-25, 2023
Live music options this week include a three-day funk festival, a legendary country band and much more.
NOLA FUNK FESTFriday-Sunday, New Orleans Jazz Museum
The inaugural NOLA Funk Fest serves up funk and funk-adjacent local acts on two stages on the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave. Friday's lineup is the Funky Uncle Allstars, the New Orleans Suspects featuring singer Maggie Koerner, Irma Thomas, Ghost Note featuring bassist Tony Hall and Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli's Experiencing the Meters.
On Saturday, pioneering New Orleans funk band David Batiste & the Gladiators kicks off at noon, followed by Ivan Neville, the Krasno Moore Project, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and more.
Sunday boasts a tribute to the late Russell Batiste Jr. — who had been scheduled to perform — plus George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Erica Falls & Vintage Soul and the Bucktown Allstars.
Single-day tickets are $45; a three-day pass is $100 (VIP options are available). Additionally, the Passing the Torch Stage, which can be freely accessed along Barracks Street, features student musicians from Loyola University and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.
NOLA Funk Fest is the inaugural public event of the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, the proposed music museum along the Mississippi riverfront. The Funk Fest also includes symposiums on Earl King and Dave Bartholomew, plus a new exhibit on Bartholomew and Fats Domino that will be at the Jazz Museum for six months. Go to www.Nolafunkfest.Com for details.
The New Orleans-based Americana band Loose Cattle features, from left, violinist Rurik Nunan, guitarist Michael Cerveris, singer Kimberly Kaye, bassist Rene Coman (standing) and drummer Doug Garrison.
PROVIDED PHOTO LOOSE CATTLE'S STAMPEDE! DEUX3 p.M. Sunday, the Broadside
New Orleans-based Americana band Loose Cattle pulls together numerous musical strands. Guitarist and co-founder Michael Cerveris is a dual Tony Award-winner for his acting and singing in Broadway musicals. Co-founding singer Kimberly Kaye's background includes performing arts training programs and covering the arts for various publications. Rurik Nunan is a classically trained violinist from Atlanta now based in New Orleans. And bassist Rene Coman and drummer Doug Garrison are primarily known as the Iguanas rhythm section. On Sunday afternoon, Loose Cattle presents a musical roundup called "Stampede! Deux" at the outdoor Broadside. In addition to Loose Cattle, the show features a solo performance by Lydia Loveless; Jay Gonzalez, of the Drive-By Truckers; pianist and songwriter Lilli Lewis; and Americana frontman Dave Jordan. The Stampede runs from 3 p.M. To 8 p.M. Tickets start at $25.
Singer Randy Owen left, and bassist/vocalist Teddy Gentry of the country band Alabama.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY TYLER LEAMAN OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWSDeer Tick rocks Chickie Wah Wah on Thursday with Country Westerns opening ($55).
Country music institution Alabama headlines the Smoothie King Center on Friday as part of the Roll On 2 North America Tour. Jake Hoot opens the show, which was postponed from its original Feb. 24 date. Only the arena's floor and lower bowl will be open for this reduced-capacity show. Tickets start at $35.
Cuban-born, New Orleans-based percussionist Alexey Marti powers his Carnival-themed show Friday at Snug Harbor, which now starts its shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.M. Nightly ($30).
Garage-pop duo Generationals headlines Tipitina's on Friday ($25).
The Original Pinettes Brass Band fires up at d.B.A. On Friday ($20).
Blues guitarist Little Freddie King plugs in at Chickie Wah Wah on Friday ($15 advance).
The Lost Bayou Ramblers render adventurous Cajun music with a rock band's energy at Tipitina's on Saturday ($20).
The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. Does Mardi Gras Indian funk at the Maple Leaf on Saturday ($15 advance, $20 door).
Traditional Cajun bandleader Bruce Daigrepont leads a fais do-do at Tipitina's on Sunday starting at 5:15 p.M. ($10).
Phillip Manuel Swings the Beatles perform at the Zatarains/ WWOZ Jazz Tent Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. (Photo by Dmitriy Pritykin, NOLA.Com l The Times-Picayune)
Jazz singer Phillip Manuel and an all-star band "Swing the Beatles," presenting a program of rearranged Beatles songs at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Sunday. His band for the night includes saxophonist Tony Dagradi, pianist Michael Pellera, bassist Max Moran and drummer Doug Belote. Shows are at 7:30 p.M. And 9:30 p.M. Tickets are $30 for the early show, $20 for the late show.
The George Porter Jr. Trio plays at 7 p.M. And 10 p.M. Monday at the Maple Leaf ($15 advance, $20 door).
Michelle Malone and Paul Sanchez team up on Tuesday at Chickie Wah Wah ($20 advance).
Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers stage their "Halloween Special" at Chickie Wah Wah on Wednesday ($20 advance).
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