Why go?

• Want to get away from it all? It rarely gets more remote than Cordova, which isn’t connected to the road system. There are only two ways to get in or out — by boat or by plane. With the rugged Chugach Mountains for scenery, why would you ever want to leave?
• In May, binocular-toting birders flock to the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival to witness the annual migration of approx. 5 million avian travelers. Photograph species like western sandpipers and dunlins as they forage and flutter among the tidal flats.
• There are world-famous salmon in those waters, just waiting for you to reel them in.

Act like a local

• Shop: If you want to look the part, head straight to Copper River Fleece. The lined jackets are trimmed with nature- and Indigenous-themed designs from local artists and will keep you warm whether you’re hiking, kayaking, or skiing.
• Food: When hunger strikes, look for the red school bus by the harbor. At Baja Taco, you’ll find Mexican Alaskan fare and an espresso bar. Pro tip: Add reindeer sausage or salmon to any breakfast entree for $4.
• Outdoors: Put on your XTRATUF boots and pack your bear spray for a 1.5-mile hike to Sheridan Glacier.
• Learn: Visit the Ilanka Cultural Center to browse exhibits about the Native Village of Eyak’s 10,000-year history in the region.
• Explore: Enlist an outfitter to take you to the literal end of the road to gaze upon Childs and Miles glaciers and the Million Dollar Bridge.

Where to stay

• Vrbo: Seaview condo close to dining options (~$175/night)*
• Airbnb: Remodeled apartment near picturesque Nirvana Park and Eyak Lake (~$205/night)
• Base camp for outdoor excursions: Orca Adventure Lodge (Contact for rates)

• Mickey Darling | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 5:30 p.m. | Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St., Portland | $16 | From making a song as a joke to becoming the “world’s sexiest boyband,” this bedroom pop duo from San Antonio is ready to bring the noise to Portland.
• Bingo + Dog Adoption | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 6-8 p.m. | Level Beer, 5211 NE 148th Ave., Portland | Free | Ready to meet your new best friend? Join this evening of fun games, food trucks, cold drinks, and pups looking for their forever homes.

• Wedding Expo | Friday, Apr. 7 | 5-8 p.m. | The Valiant Ballroom, 111 W. Ninth St., Vancouver | Free | Make your big day special with the help of 15 local vendors, including photographers, coordinators, florists, and even kissing alpacas.
• Bridgetown Boulder Bash | Friday, Apr. 7 | 5-8 p.m. | Portland State University, 1825 SW Broadway, Portland | $5-$10 | Dress in 1980s-themed clothing to get additional raffle tickets at this fun and friendly climbing event, which features competitions for all skill levels.
• Filmed By Bike Ticket Launch Party | Friday, Apr. 7 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont St., Portland | Free | Get discounted pricing on passes for this year’s festival, plus a sneak peek at this year’s lineup, a merchandise fire sale, and news on a skate/bike park coming to downtown.
• Queer Country Night | Friday, Apr. 7 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Doc Marie’s, 203 SE Grand Ave., Portland | Free | Pull on your best boots — the more sequins the better — and prepare to two-step with a free line dancing lesson from Kat.

• Saturday Early Show | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 7 p.m. | Darcelle XV Showplace, 208 NW Third Ave., Portland | $28 | Honor the late and great Darcelle’s legacy by attending a show at the house she built.
• Berklee Indian Ensemble | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 8:30 p.m. | Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta St., Portland | $25-$50 | Celebrate this act’s Grammy-nominated debut album, “Shuruaat,” which bends genres and blends classical, folk, Sufi, and contemporary with Middle Eastern and African influences.

• Sunday Best CHO Wine Tasting | Sunday, Apr. 9 | 1-4 p.m. | Han Oak, 511 NE 24th Ave. Portland, Portland | $35 | Founders Club Members and one guest can enjoy a free tasting from the country’s first Korean-American winemakers; non-members must pay a $35 tasting fee.

• The arts tax, the arts tax. You gotta pay the arts tax, every year you’re livin’, when you don’t file right, Portland comes a lookin’. Residents who made $1,000 or more in 2022 have until Tuesday, April 18 to pay the required $35 sum. If you don’t, additional fines will be levied. (KOIN)

• The Hattie Redmond Apartments, located in the Kenton neighborhood, is Metro’s first bond-funded affordable housing in North Portland. The building opened this week, providing 60 studio apartments through $4.4 million in funding. (KOIN)

• Revolution Hall’s Washington Monroe Field is the site for the return of the Portland Spring Beer & Wine Fest, which is back after a six-year hiatus. Terrapin Events, the company behind fellow sudsy spectacle Bridge to Brews, will take over organizing the event, which is planned for Friday, June 2-Saturday, June 3. (Willamette Week)

• Portland drag star Jinkx Monsoon is setting a course for a different universe and will play “a major role” in the upcoming season of “Doctor Who.” It’s only the latest addition to their resume, which already features appearances on Season 5 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and in “Chicago” on Broadway. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

• One person’s trash is another person’s... fashion? As part of its Conscious Consumption series, Clark County Public Health and Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries are organizing a “Trashion Show” on Saturday, May 13. Creative teens and adults are invited to submit their wearable garment or accessory made with recycled or reusable materials.

• While we all wait for fair weather, golfers have nothing but hitting the fairway on their minds. When it’s time to dust off the clubs, these local, public 18-hole courses offer some of the best play the Portland area has to offer. Each is rated by difficulty, price, and distance from downtown. (Portland Monthly)

• Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Mississippi Records, a North Portland record store and label, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Always aiming outside the mainstream, it commemorated the occasion with song-poems lyrically sourced through a community writing contest and performed live at Hollywood Theatre. (OPB)

• We’re blessed with beer choices in Pour-tland, but that also sometimes makes it difficult to choose just one to try. Willamette Week did the thirsty work of sampling all 50 craft breweries in the city, divulging its must-try for each location. That’s cheers-worthy dedication. (Willamette Week)
• An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.