painting by Jake Scharbach
THE OPEN ROAD
a learning community
classes, workshops, performances, et cetera
FALL 2024
The Open Road encourages lifelong learning, and seeks to build a gateless community of people who are curious about everything. Open Road Events (ORE) are initiated by the Open Road; other things in this schedule Open Road Recommends (ORR). All live events in Portland, unless otherwise noted. If you have questions, contact us at stallingsjohnny@gmail.com or 503-347-6869.
classes
¡Bibliophiles Unanimous! (0RE) Friendly online conversation that starts out with books and…meanders. Here’s the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87614013058.
September 15th, 3 pm: Books That Changed the Way You See the World
October 13th, 3 pm: Favorite Poems & Poets
November 17th, 3 pm: Oddball Books
Free
Yoga with Elizabeth (ORR) Elizabeth Domike teaches yoga five mornings a week online. Gentle joint activation movement, with a poem at the end of each practice. Join people from all over the world. To register, contact her at: smallhouse@aol.com.
Monday-Friday 8-8:30 a.m.
$38 per month
Bardaphilia! (ORE) “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players…” If you don’t already love Shakespeare, this class will remedy that. And if you do…you know there’s nothing more fun than reading the plays and poems together with friends. Actor and director Johnny Stallings (stallingsjohnny@gmail.com) is the genial host.
Friday evenings, 7-9 pm, at Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont
September 13th, Muir Hall: Shakespeare the Storyteller (with special guest J Kahn)
October 25th, Artspace Room: Measure for Measure
November 15th Artspace Room: Shakespeare on Film
Free
workshops
Make Books and Zines: Easy, Fun, Fast (ORE) Jill Littlewood teaches different techniques of book making. She will supply materials.
Artspace Room at Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont
Thursdays, from 1-3 pm: September 19th, October 17th, November 14th
maximum of 10 people
suggested donation $5 per class
Class One (September 19): Small Books
We will make small books and add pockets, flaps, envelopes, and tags. All materials provided—just bring your fine self!
Class Two (October 17): Books Made of Fabric
I’ll supply the fabric and everything needed. There will be a tiny amount of sewing, but mostly we’ll be gluing. (If you have special fabric, pictures, buttons or jewelry you want to incorporate bring those.)
Class Three (November 14): Pop-up Books
We will make books that incorporate simple pop-ups. These are perfect for sharing with friends, family, kids and grandkids. One model I will show you how to make has a pop-up house, present and Christmas tree.
All supplies are provided but if you have markers or colored pencils you like to work with bring those.
¡Six Mystics: Han Shan, Hafiz, Thomas Traherne, William Blake, Walt Whitman & Black Elk! (ORE) Explore the mystical visions of six mystics from different times and cultures with Johnny Stallings. If you have questions, or want to register in advance, contact Johnny at stallingsjohnny@gmail.com or 503-347-6869.
Library at Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont
Saturday, November 9th, 10-3 (Lunch from 12-1; bring a sack lunch.)
Free
art exhibit
Jake Scharbach Paintings (ORR) New paintings by New York-based artist Jake Scharbach.
Froelick Gallery (https://froelickgallery.com/exhibitions/)
714 NW Davis Street, Portland
September 3rd-October 12th
performances
An Iliad (ORR) Before taking this show on tour to prisons in Wisconsin, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire, Paul Susi performs this powerful play by Lisa Peterson & Denis O’Hare as part of the Risk/Reward Festival.
Ellen Bye Theatre at Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave.
September 26, at 7:30 pm
Mostly Grimm: Tales in Honor of Samhain and Day of the Dead (ORR) Every Fall, Will Hornyak delights spellbound audiences.
Saturday, October 26th, Kala Performance Space, Astoria, OR, 7 pm $15
Saturday, October 27th, Ledding Library, Milwaukie, OR, 3 pm (Free)
Sunday, October 27th, Ross Island Grocery & Café, 3502 S. Corbett Ave. $20
Thursday, October 31st, Virtual Show, 5 pm (PDT) (Donations Appreciated)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83485831470
Infidel!: The Notorious Robert G. Ingersoll (ORE) Johnny Stallings reads from speeches and essays of 19th Century America’s most eloquent agnostic and humanist, followed by dialogue.
Artspace Room in Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont, Saturday, October 26, 7 pm
Free
Tellebration: Nationwide Storytelling Night (ORR) Will Hornyak and other members of the Portland Storyteller’s Guild regale the assembled multitudes.
Saturday, November 9th, 7 pm
Artichoke Music, 2007 SE Powell Blvd., $15
Dream of a Ridiculous Man (ORE) Johnny Stallings reads his performance version of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s magical final short story, followed by dialogue.
Artspace in Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont, Saturday, November 23rd, 7 pm
Free
The Deck Boys (ORR) Board member Jeffrey Sher plays with The Fabulous Deck Boys. Catch them when you can! (deckboys.com)
Friday evenings, 7 pm: September 13th, October 18th & November 15th
Ross Island Grocery & Cafe, 3502 S Corbett Ave
$5 Suggested
book reading
Canopy of Titans (ORR) Paul Koberstein reads from the book he co-wrote with Jessica Applegate. The book is about the value of protecting forests for the climate. The reading will be followed by a discussion with Paul and Brenna Bell of 350PDX.ORG.
Wednesday, September 18, 6-7:30 pm
Stevens Pavilion, Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd.
snacks and refreshments provided, please bring camping chairs
Free
some of our favorite nonprofit organizations
Open Hearts Open Minds
League of Women Voters
Ko-Falen
Bridgeworks Oregon