Plus: Soul food to warm your heart (and belly).
 
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Today’s Forecast

51º | Partly cloudy | 19% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:31 a.m. | Sunset 5:18 p.m.
 
💎 Shine bright like a diamond
Alternating photos show scenes form the Portland Winter Light Festival.
Portland Winter Light Festival’s estimated economic impact for 2023 was $4,434,000. | Photos by Brooke Hoyer | Andy Batt | Amrik Kerketta
The Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF) is certainly a bright spot during the dark and dreary season. Each February, the free, renewable energy-powered event is put on by The Willamette Light Brigade, the non-profit arts organization in charge of lighting Portland’s bridges since 1987.

Today, PDXWLF organizers flip the switch on the ninth annual event (Feb. 2-10) — this year’s theme is “What Glows Under Pressure.” More than 200,000 people are expected to visit the 160+ pop-ups, interactive experiences, and innovative art/technology installations at businesses, private residences, and public spaces across the city.

Many locations are accessible via public transportation and within walking distance of each other; anchor sites at Pioneer Courthouse Square, the World Trade Center, and the Electric Blocks serve as good jumping off points for your scintillating scavenger hunt.

Looking at the PDXWLF map can be overwhelming, so allow us to share some… highlights.

A small child stares starry eyed at a light saber they hold in their hands, while other kids touch a glowing squishy looking art installation at the Portland Winter Light Festival.

There’s plenty of family fun to be had.

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Photo by Brooke Hoyer

  • Garnish Fire Conclave | Friday, Feb. 2 | 7 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave. | For more than two decades, this fire performance troupe has brought their heat to Burning Man; now they will bring it to the Rose City.
  • Illuminated Bike Ride | Sat., Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | Rose’s Equipment Annex Parking Lot, 125 SE Clay St. | Put some lights on your bike, grab a coat, and get ready to pedal on this 2.6-mile ride through downtown.
  • Cocreating Dragons | Friday, Feb. 9 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave. | Gaze in awe as carvers use their chainsaws to shape a literal ton of ice into draconic creatures during the day, which then light up when night falls.
  • LED Hula Hoop Flash Mob & Glow Jam | Friday, Feb. 9 | 8 p.m. | Salmon Springs Fountain, 1010 SW Naito Pkwy. | Feel the flow as luminous choreography comes to life before your eyes.
 
 
Events
 
Friday, Feb. 2
  • Jewelry Swap | Friday, Feb. 2 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Kindred Homestead Supply, 606 Main St., Vancouver | Free | Bring gently-used and unwanted pieces in the spirit of sustainability.
  • Pride Night | Friday, Feb. 2 | 3-10 p.m. | Portland Winter Ice Rink, 499 SW Naito Pkwy., Portland | $12-$20 | Express yourself on the ice and enjoy skating with the Winterhawks and Rosebuds dancers, and a performance from Poison Waters and other local drag artists.
  • The Truffle Trail 2024 | Friday, Feb. 2-Thursday, Feb. 29 | 5-9 p.m. | SubTerra Kitchen & Cellar, 1505 E. Portland Rd., Newberg | $15-$95 | Start your exploration of everything truffle at this restaurant offering a la carte dishes or a tasting menu.
  • Portland Winterhawks vs. Kelowna Rockets | Friday, Feb. 2 | 7 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, Portland | $28.50-$68 | Let’s cheer on the hometown squad and make sure the visitors fail to launch.
Saturday, Feb. 3
  • Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play! | Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts, 1000 SW Broadway, Portland | $25-$35 | Meet “bestus friends” Gerald the Elephant and Piggie the Pig who explore friendship’s biggest moments, like sharing a toy and dressing up for a fancy party.*
  • Vive L’Amour A Love Themed Variety Show | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | JaJa PDX, 819 SE Taylor St., Portland | $20-$30 | Theater, sketch comedy, music, and the circus arts come together for one unforgettable night of entertainment.
  • Jenny Don’t & The Spurs | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 9 p.m. | The Showdown, 1195 SE Powell Blvd., Portland | $16 | Portland’s own “Cowpunks Out West” are back in town.
Sunday, Feb. 4
  • Free Trivia Sundays at The Sweet Hereafter | Sunday, Feb. 4-Sunday, June 30 | Times vary | The Sweet Hereafter, 3326 SE Belmont St., Portland | Free | Finish your weekend by flexing your brain for fun prizes.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
History
  • The Albina Community Archive is live. The repository of photographs, documents, music, film, and oral histories was curated by Albina Music Trust to preserve and celebrate the neighborhood that once served as the hub of Portland’s Black community. Hear how the project developed at Saturday’s release party at Oregon Historical Society. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Try This
  • It’s never too early to make Valentine’s Day plans with your person. Nostrana, an Italian restaurant in the Buckman neighborhood, is offering a three-course dinner to celebrate your someone special for $135. The fixed menu features mouthwatering dishes like grilled scallops and pork saltimboca, with add-ons like caviar croque monsieur. Reserve your table.
Plan Ahead
  • “Rhythm and Autism” is an interactive musical and comic performance from Andee Joyce which marches the audience to a unique rhythm, taking them back through time to explore what it was like growing up autistic amid the pop culture cheese of the 1960s and 1970s. Grab tickets for the Feb. 25 + 26 shows.
Development
  • With an assortment of new policies approved this week, Portland City Council is laying the foundation to facilitate cheaper inclusionary housing construction. This “regulatory relief” package will give developers more flexibility when it comes to 15 zoning and permitting requirements; for example, residential units could be built on the ground floor. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Eat
  • Pining for a po’ boy? Can’t shake that fried chicken craving? Eater Portland put together a tantalizing list of the city’s soul food restaurants. From Dirty Lettuce to Heavy Plays, the meals will make you feel warm and wholesome, so treat yourself. (Eater Portland)
Announced
  • Congratulations to our survey winner, Rachel M., for winning $500! Thank you to everyone who took the time to take our survey. We’re excited to continue providing positive news and events in our free newsletter.
 
The Buy
 
A portable phone charger that’s credit card-sized and fits right on the back of your smartphone. Choose your color and store the slim, lightweight device in your pocket or bag.
 
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The Wrap
 
Today’s edition by:
Ben
From the editor
Portland may not have an NFL team, but it will still be sending two superstars to the Big Game in Las Vegas. K9 Jacky and Officer Charlie Berry were selected to go to the Super Bowl, where the duo will be on the lookout for explosives (and perhaps a Taylor Swift sighting).
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