
City Cast Portland
🎭 A new theater venue downtown?
September 11, 2026 · — Giulia Fiaoni
Good morning! The Oregon Zoo is hosting Zootoberfest this weekend, starting today. I went a couple of years ago — there's nothing like sipping a frothy brew and looking at bats (and other majestic animals).
This weekend is also your last chance to get out and pick some fresh sunflowers at Bella Organic Farms on Sauvie Island.
Or if you're looking for something indoors, head to OMSI and check out the Titanic exhibition — there are over 100 authentic artifacts from the 1912 shipwreck for you to explore.

What's CITY Talking About
City Council Holds Back Money for Downtown Venues
Portland City Council passed a resolution this week to continue discussing the future of the Keller Auditorium — and another potential large venue on Portland State University campus. District 1 Councilor Loretta Smith made it clear that they were not yet committing funding to the project, but the resolution opens the door to collaborating with PSU on plans for a future venue, as well as continuing to weigh options for the Keller Auditorium (the only venue in town that's large enough to host traveling Broadway shows). [OPB]
Say Hello to Campesinos Boulevard
For months, local leaders have debated what to rename César E. Chávez Boulevard, given the allegations of sexual abuse against the farmworker union leader it was named for. This week, city counselors voted unanimously to officially change it to Campesinos Boulevard — the Spanish word for "farmworkers." Although the change was approved, it might take more than a year to make the new signs. [OPB]
Why You Should Know About the Multnomah County Chair Race
Today on the podcast, we're talking about why you should be invested in the race for Multnomah County chair, and also why Oregon electricians support data centers. Plus, looking at the massive traffic jam that starts today. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Where Is It?

Only one of you was able to identify the location of this mural in Vancouver, Wash.
"This one is across the river near the Vancouver waterfront. When I bicycle across Interstate 5 and exit the bridge, I am at two roads both named Columbia. One leads to the new waterfront development. The other leads to Esther Short Park. This is on one of the most recent buildings," writes reader Stephan Vertral, who submitted the photo.
"I walk by it all the time. Near the waterfront," writes reader Lu E., who correctly identified the location. A shout-out to them for being the only one!
This week's scavenger hunt is for a sculpture:

Do you know where this sculpture is — and do you recognize the waterfall?
Please click here to submit the location — and, for unofficial bonus points, anything you know about it.
If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt every Friday. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll reveal the answer and shout out the first 10 readers who respond correctly.
📸 Want to submit a photo? Please email me a snapshot of somewhere in the Portland metro area, and we’ll consider it for an upcoming “Where Is It?” segment!

What To Do
Friday, Sep. 11
- 🧠 Geek Week PDX | Various Locations
- 🧠 Rose City Comic Con | Oregon Convention Center
- 🎭 Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival | Various Locations
- 🎉 Portland Staycation | Downtown Portland (various locations)
- 🍺 Zootoberfest | Oregon Zoo
- 🎵 Weezer | Moda Center
- 🪩 Decadent 80s Dance Party | Crystal Ballroom
- 🎵 AMP Fest | Star Theater (Old Town)
- 🎤 "I Want to Remember": The X-Files Drag Show | Clinton Street Theater
Saturday, Sep. 12
- 🧠 Geek Week PDX | Various Locations
- 🧠 Rose City Comic Con | Oregon Convention Center
- 🎭 Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival | Various Locations
- 🎉 Portland Staycation | Downtown Portland (various locations)
- 🐱 14th Annual Catio Tour | SE Portland (multiple stops)
- 🎻 Cello: Music in the Garden | Portland Memory Garden (Centennial)
- 🍅 Tomato Fest | Wellspent Market (Richmond)
- 🏮 Mid-Autumn Festival | Shun Fat Supermarket (Jade District)
- 🐉 Portland Dragon Boat Festival | Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- 🛍️ Clinton Street Fair | SE Clinton Street (Hosford-Abernethy)
- 🍺 Zootoberfest | Oregon Zoo
- 🎵 AMP Fest | Star Theater (Old Town)
- ⭐ OMSI Star Party | L.L. Stub Stewart State Park (Buxton, Ore.)
Sunday, Sep. 13
- 🚴 Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways | Downtown Portland streets
- 👴 National Grandparents Day| Portland Memory Garden (Centennial)
- 🧠 Geek Week PDX | Various Locations
- 🧠 Rose City Comic Con | Oregon Convention Center
- 🎭 Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival | Various Locations
- 🎉 Portland Staycation | Downtown Portland (various locations)
- 🐉 Portland Dragon Boat Festival | Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- 🏮 Mid-Autumn Festival | Shun Fat Supermarket (Jade District)
Before I go, updated COVID-19 shots are now available at pharmacies across Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority broadly recommends annual COVID-19 and seasonal flu shots ahead of the fall and winter season — COVID-19 rates are currently low, but increasing across the country.
Free · Daily



