Wow, there’s a lot of stuff going on in Portland next week! Barista Nation, SCAA Symposium, SCAA Event, 2012 World Aeropress Championship, 2012 US Tasters Competition, and 2012 United States Barista Championship are all only a few short days away. Portland will be teeming with some of the brightest and best coffee professionals in the world, and we all know that coffee professionals love to party. We’ve combed through official announcements, press releases, Facebook pages, unsolicited tweets, and Myspace events to bring you the most complete listing of parties that are happening this week. If we’ve missed your party, drop us a line and we’ll add it.
Keep this number handy – (503) 227-1212 – that’s a direct connection to Radio Cab, Portland’s half-century old jewel of a car service, with affordable rates, quirky drivers, and 24 hour service.
Here’s what we’ve gathered:
- Tuesday, April 17th
SCAA Kick-Off Party & Latte Art Throwdown
Wonderland Ballroom
6:30PM – 9:30PM
Free! Food! Open bar!
We’re looking forward to the entire program at for Portland’s Barista Nation event. UNIC is premiering its Stella di Caffe DCL Dial Machine, Richard Sandlin from Fair Trade USA will MCing the Latte Art Throwdown. There’s a $5 buy in, with all proceeds go to CARE. The grand prize is a Macap Grinder. There will be meatball sliders and UNIC is sponsoring an open bar. Woohoo!
- Thursday, April 19th
Imbibe / Roast Magazine Party
Spirit of 77
9:00PM – 11:30PM
Invite Only
Imbibe and Roast Magazine are throwing an invite-only party at Spirit of 77, which is definitely going to be party central all week long. Expect top-shelf imbibables from some of Portland’s top bartenders and a curated menu from Spirit’s capable kitchen.
Live Show With DJ Shopping Cart, MSG, and Male Perspective
Stumptown Belmont Cafe
7:00PM
Free!
If you feel like enjoying a low-key quintessentially Portland affair, head over to the Southeast Belmont neighborhood to watch some shreddage from a couple of Stumptown employee bands. MSG, barista Tim Wenzel’s stage name, is an act that’s not to be missed: cassette tape backing band, low-fi keyboards and songs that come deep from within Wenzel’s brain juices. He only performs live as MSG twice a year, so this is a rare treat. There’s sure to be some tasty coffee around, and maybe they’ll save us a date bar?
- Friday, April 20th
Coffeelandia
Portland Roasting Headquarters
7:00PM – 11:00PM
$10 Suggested Donation
Copy and pasteboard: “A block party and fundraiser for Portland Global Initiatives and Global Brigades, COFFEELANDIA will be at 7 p.m. in front of Portland Roasting’s headquarters at 340 SE 7th Avenue, just a half mile from the Oregon Convention Center. Proceeds from the suggested $10 entrance donation will go toward water stewardship projects in Honduras.”
La Marzocco, Stumptown, BMag Happy Hour
Spirit of 77
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Free!
If you feel like staying close to convention land after the first day of SCAA/USBC, go across the street to Spirit for a casual happy hour. Avoid the lines and get in early for a pre-dinner pre-funk.
Red E & Sprudge.com USBC Party
Spirit of 77
10:00PM – 2:30AM
Free! Drink specials!
Sprudge.com and The Red E are proud to present the best DJ in Portland, DJ Beyonda, who will spin her legendary soul set for a late-night evening of dancing and debauchery. Belly up to the bar and order some drink specials, including a spiked Red E Tiki punch, or the “Sprudge”, a beer-and-whiskey combo priced for the traveling barista’s budget. This is a night for dancing, and we’re going to dance dance dance.
- Saturday, April 21st
Tight Shots & Short Cups
The Clubroom
8:00PM
Wristband Required*
Intelligentsia, Chemex, La Marzocco, Caffe Ladro, Verve Coffee Roasters, Marco, and notNeutral are throwing a big party on Saturday night at the Clubroom at the Leftbank Annex, just blocks from Conventionland. There will be small bites from Phresh, beer from Upright, and a special delivery of brew from Chicago notables Three Floyds.
* To make sure you’re granted entry, obtain one of 700 wristbands that will be distributed by the seven sponsors for the event. If you need help sneaking in, talk to us.
Roasters Guild Party
Rontoms
7:00PM – 2:00AM
“Come hang out with the Roasters Guild on Saturday night during the 24th Annual SCAA Event! Grab a bite to eat and a drink at this great venue and get connected with the members and friends of the Roasters Guild. You won’t find a better way or a crazier bunch to relax with and unwind after a long day at the Event.”
Speakeasy In Portland
Jupiter Hotel
8:00PM – ?
Invite Only
“Speakeasy is hosted by the American Barista & Coffee School, Water Avenue Coffee, The Oregon Bartenders Guild and Barista Exchange. We will be throwing a Speakeasy party featuring local spirits and libations, as well as signature cocktails from Portland’s top bartenders. Must have invite to get in, or print this event from Facebook.”
- Sunday, April 22nd
BGA & USBC Party
Spirit of 77
6:00PM – ?
RSVP On Facebook
The final shindig, the party where historically baristas have a lot of fun. There will be folks that will surely be tweeting at 3 that morning with photos of coffee people doing all sorts of things. Get ready.
