• A Voice of the People Series: Akwaeke Emezi | Monday, Feb. 12 | 7 p.m. | Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $15 | Hear from the multidisciplinary artist and New York Times bestselling author whose work is “rooted in Black spirit, embodiment, legacy, and memory.”
• It’s Gonna Be Okay | Monday, Feb. 12 | 8 p.m. | EastBurn, 1800 E. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Everyone take a deep breath, and exhale with a laugh at this weekly comedy showcase featuring top talent from Portland and nationwide.

• Oregon Wine Symposium 2024 | Tuesday, Feb. 13-Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 8 a.m. | Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland | $40-$325 | Members of the wine industry are invited to connect with exhibitors ranging from label creatives to tank manufacturers on the trade show floor.
• Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | Tuesday, Feb. 13 + Thursday, Feb. 15 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $6+ | This lupine hoops team is in town for two matchups this week and tickets are cheap, so let’s pack the Moda Center — howl ‘bout it?
• Portland Mardi Gras Parade | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 7 p.m. | North Mississippi Avenue, between Humboldt Street + Cook Street, Portland | Free | Put on your favorite beads and get ready to dance in the streets during this family-friendly event hosted by Mysti Krewe of Nimbus.

• Valentine’s Day Murder Mystery Dinner Show | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown, 319 SW Pine St., Portland | $71.95 | Was it a crime of passion, committed by someone at your very table? Watch the hilarious investigation unfold as you enjoy a three-course meal.
• “Casablanca” in Concert | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $39-$75 | Come see one of Hollywood’s most romantic tales on the big screen alongside a live score courtesy of the Oregon Symphony.

• Assembly Brewing Pizza Annex is now open and serving up saucy Detroit-style squares in the Alberta Arts District. The all-ages space speaks to the neighborhood’s creative spirit, its walls adorned with pieces by Theodore Holdt (who painted the original location’s murals). (Eater Portland)

• Bob Moore, the founder and face of whole grain foods brand Bob’s Red Mill, died over the weekend at 94. The Milwaukie-based company started in 1978 serving the Portland area; now its 200+ products are sold in 70 countries. Details on a celebration of Moore’s life are in the works. (KGW)

• Newly digitized photos from the 1860s and 1870s are shining light on the lives of Oregon’s earliest Black residents. The Oregon Historical Society’s collections include images of Allen Flowers, who arrived in Portland after jumping off an ill-fated steamship, and his family’s farm on the slopes of Mount Scott. (OPB)

• What you see as mistakes in the wash are just the forte of Bleached By Josh, the upcycled clothing company whose limited edition Rip City Made collection featured during Saturday’s Trail Blazers game. If you missed it, you can catch Joshua Manus’ designs online or at markets around Portland. (KOIN)

• Northeast 28th Avenue’s new bar Too Soon is a shake on New York City’s signature cocktail creativity (thankfully, Tom Cruise is nowhere to be seen). Bartenders Adam Robinson and Nick Flower, of Deadshot and Teardrop Lounge, respectively, have curated a catalog of 1,000 drinks, accumulated over their careers, for you to explore. (Eater Portland)

• We heard your feedback to our poll about the Oregon Zoo’s priorities, should its new bond proposal be passed by voters in May. All told, 63 of you said enclosure upgrades were most important, followed by conservation efforts (13 responses) and community outreach (2 responses). Emergency climate resiliency was one of six “other” submissions.

• Wedding bands, names of former partners, mustache fingers — these are all tattoos that removal expert Sarah Inloes has helped clients erase from their bodies at her studio Take It Off. The time-consuming, expensive process involves speeding up the body’s natural efforts to chip away at subcutaneous pigments. (Portland Monthly)

• Literary Arts recently announced the finalists for the 2024 Oregon Book Awards. Winners will be announced live at the Oregon Book Awards Ceremony on April 8, hosted by Kwame Alexander. You’re invited to an evening honoring our state’s most accomplished writers in the categories of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young readers, and graphic literature.*

• Discover a brighter financial future with Money Pickle, your gateway to personalized financial advice. Connect with vetted financial advisors, handpicked to provide fiduciary guidance that directly aligns with your goals for investments, retirement, and beyond. Schedule your complimentary video consultation.*

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