Five Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers Association fiddlers won awards at the National Grand Championship Fiddle Contest at Weisler, Idaho, including Luke Price of Portland, who repeated as the 2015 National Oldtime Fiddle champ. Price is an instructor of fiddle and jazz violin at Lewis & Clark College.
The others who placed high: CJ Neary, a 9-year-old from Bend; Kian Dye, Portland, Young Adult Division; Starr McMullin, Corvallis; Donna Foreman, Estacada.
Velodrome racing
Many things happen at the Alpenrose Dairy property, 6149 S.W. Shattuck Road, including some high-level bicycle racing, especially in the Velodrome Challenge, a 16th annual event that will be held July 17 through 19. It draws riders from around the world, including some Olympians.
The Velodrome is one of only 25 bicycle racing tracks in the nation, and its known for its incline 43-degree angles on the corners, meaning racers must maintain a speed of 12.5 miles per hour to remain upright. Its also a unique track because its concrete; most others are wooden.
Velodrome bikes have no brakes, and they have a single fixed rear gear, or cog.
For info: www.alpenrosechallenge.com.
Garden art
Want to take a road trip and enjoy some art? Art in the Garden will be featured again at The Oregon Garden in Silverton, and it includes outdoor art installations by David Hillesland, Tyler Brumfield and Paul Jenkins, July 10 through Sept. 30 (www.oregongarden.org).
Matthews 50th
A lot of Portland music fans venture to the Gorge Amphitheatre near Quincy, Wash., for concerts and many will likely be there Sept. 4 through 6 for some milestone events. The Dave Matthews Band returns to the venue for its traditional Labor Day weekend shows, and Sept. 6 will mark the bands 50th show there. For more: www.davematthewsband.com.
Nikkei benefit
The Oregon Nikkei Endowment celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Japanese American Historical Plaza and Bill of Rights Memorial with a benefit banquet at 5 p.m. July 18 at the Hillton Portland and Executive Tower, 921 S.W. Sixth Ave. Special guest remarks will be made by Gov. Kate Brown.
Cost is $125 per person. To register, contact the Oregon Nikkei Endowment at 503-224-1458 or info@oregonnikkei.org, or register online at www.oregonnikkei.org.
State of Oregon Craft film
The Portland Tribune last month wrote about the Museum of Contemporary Crafts State of Oregon Craft exhibit, which runs through Aug. 15. The museum also partnered with a local filmmaker and producer, Blacktop Films, to document and engage selected makers in the exhibition, illustrating the uniquely Oregon story of craft.
The nine films can be viewed online at www.mocc.pnca.edu and on Vimeo (www.vimeo.com/craftmuseum); info on Blacktop can be found at www.blacktopfims.com.
Mermaid by the river?
Marina Duran-Anderson, who plays a mermaid and entertains people in tanks and pools around the nation, will stop in Portland this week no confirmation, yet, on whether shell be sliding up from the depths of the Columbia River to perform at the Red Lion at the Quay in Vancouver, Wash., July 10 through 12, at the Tiki Kon event.
A native of the Caribbean, shes an avid diver, aquarist and boater, and a retro artist whose tank features underwater dance and theater. According to a news release: Once submerged, her long, flowing black hair frames her angular face in slow motion as she glides effortlessly across the glass viewing area. Quickly shell appear, flicking her long, multicolored tail fin. Perhaps shell pause for a moment or two; then and with the snap of her tail she disappears off stage. Its a mesmerizing game of hide and seek as patrons strain their necks hoping shell soon reappear. Occasionally, when cavorting for her audience, shell stop and knock on the glass, quickly followed by a wink or to blow a bubbly kiss at a startled patron.
Duran-Anderson, nicknamed the Fishtailed Floozy, performs mostly at the Wreck Bar at the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel in Florida. For more: www.tikikon.com.