Apr 012013
 
Central European Events in Portland, Oregon, in April 2013

When it comes to Central/Eastern European events here in Portland, Oregon, April’s looking a bit slow. I will update the list as I discover new events. Updated 4/19/2013 Czech/Slovak Republics: Hospoda, 4/2 Tuesday, April 2, 6:00 p.m.–close McTarnahans Taproom, 2730 NW 31st, Portland Free The monthly gathering of Portland’s Czech and Slovak community. Guests welcome. The Balkans: Kafana Klub, 4/2 Tuesday, April 2, 7:00 p.m. dance lesson, 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. live music Al Forno Ferruzza, 2738 NE Alberta St., Portland, Oregon $3-$5 cover Join us for the unbeatable combination of […] Continue reading >

Mar 012013
 
Central European Events in Portland, Oregon, in March 2013

Don’t believe everything you hear about March being dominated by St. Patrick’s Day. These Central/Eastern European events in March will delight just as well, if not better, even sans green beer and whiskey. All information comes from event websites or organizers. The list will be updated, if needed. Update: 3/21/2013 Eclectic: March Fourth Marching Band, 3/3 and 3/4 Sunday, March 3 at 4:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; Monday March 4, 9:00 p.m. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside, Portland March 3 all ages, March 4 only 21 and over 3/3 […] Continue reading >

Jan 092013
 
Central European Events in Portland, Oregon, in January 2013

With a bit of a delay but by popular demand, here’s a list of upcoming Central European events this month and February 1. All information comes from event websites or organizers. Bulgaria: Dancing with the Bulgarians, 1/10 & 1/24 Thursday, January 10 and 24, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Podkrepa Hall, 2116 North Killingsworth St, Portland Free [American Robotnik note: bring something to share for the potluck] Come and join us for a fun night of dancing and learning.

Nov 012012
 
Central European Events in Portland, Oregon, in November 2012

Enjoy these Central European events. Czech/Slovak Republics: Hospoda, 11/6 Tuesday, November 6, 6:00 p.m.–close McTarnahans Taproom, 2730 NW 31st, Portland Free The monthly gathering of Portland’s Czech and Slovak community. Guests welcome. The Balkans and Beyond: Krebsic Orkestar with Moh Alileche and MWE, 11/15 Thursday, November 15, 9:00 p.m. Mississippi Pizza,  3552 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR $10; 21+ only Event page A Very Special evening of Eastern Music: the big Balkan brass of Krebsic Orkestar with Moh Alileche and very special guests from the Bay Area, MWE, supplying “a […] Continue reading >

Oct 012012
 
Central European Events in Portland, Oregon, in October 2012

Just when you thought September was a busy month for Central European events comes a packed October. Enjoy these wonderful events! Event copy and images are from the local media and event organizers. As usual, the list will be updated as I learn of additional events. Czech/Slovak Republics: Hospoda, 10/2 Tuesday, September 2, 6:00 p.m.–close McTarnahans Taproom, 2730 NW 31st, Portland Free The monthly gathering of Portland’s Czech and Slovak community. Guests welcome. The Balkans: Kafana Klub, 10/2 Tuesday, October 2, 7:00 p.m. (7 p.m. dance lesson, 8 p.m. live […] Continue reading >

Aug 272012
 
Central European Events in Portland, Oregon, in September 2012

‘Tis the festival season! Plenty of Central European fun in and around Portland in the coming weeks, starting this Thursday, all the way through October. Event copy and images are from the local media and event organizers. Bulgaria: Angel Nazlamov & Daniela Ivanova-Nyberg, 8/30 Thursday, August 30, 7:30 p.m. Podkrepa Hall, 2116 North Killingsworth St., Portland, Oregon Suggested donation $8-$10 at the door A great warm-up for balkanalia 2012! In honor of our Thursday dances we are going to treat ourselves with live music by special guest, accordion player Angel Nazlamov from […] Continue reading >

Apr 232012
 
Between East and West Is a Long Road

Eighteen years ago Anne Applebaum traveled through the flat lands between Russia and Poland and documented her journey in "Between East and West: Across the Borderlands of Europe."  At first glance, it was a different time: Communist governments had toppled a few years before and the chaos of transition to democracy pervaded all life. But, Applebaum presages what Anne Porter documented in last year’s "The Ghosts of Europe": history casts a long shadow across time. Shifting borders, clashing empires, and old conflicts turn making sense of the borderlands into a daunting […] Continue reading >

Mar 232012
 
Particles in a Kaleidoscope

In a certain sense I can consider myself a typical Eastern European. It seems to be true that his differentia specifica can be boiled down to a lack of form—both inner and outer. His good qualities—intellectual avidity, fervor in discussion, a sense of irony, freshness of feeling, spacial (or geographical) fantasy—derive from a basic weakness: he always remains an adolescent, governed by a sudden ebb or flow of inner chaos. Form is achieved in stable societies. My own case is enough to verify how much of an effort it […] Continue reading >

Feb 092012
 
You Must Go and Be Yourself: An Interview With Alina Simone

When I read "You Must Go and Win," I knew I not only had to review it on account of its subject matter’s relevance to American Robotnik, but also try to interview the author Alina Simone. We talked yesterday via Gmail Chat about Russia and Russianness, about music and writing, and about doing your own thing. The first question was hers, about my experience reading her memoir: "Are you scarred?" American Robotnik: In your New York Times T Style interview, you talk about growing up as an American kid and, later, […] Continue reading >