- The University of Oregon School of Music and Dance presents guest soprano Lucy Shelton and the University of Oregon faculty ensemble Beta Collide with a performance this Friday at the White Stag Building. 7:30pm, free!

- Portland’s Largest Garage Sale this Saturday at the Portland Expo Center with over 400 garage sale spaces. Admission is $3 from 8:00am – 3:00pm, then free for the final hours 3:00pm – 5:00pm.

- SOLV IT Statewide Event on Saturday from 9:00am – 1:00pm, please visit web site to see a full listing of volunteer opportunities.

- Oregon Historical Society Family Days with free admission for the entire family on Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm with special crafts and activities for the kids all afternoon. Oregon Attorney General John Kroger will also speak in the Miller Pavilion at 1:00pm.

- The Forest Grove Children’s Fair will be held this Saturday on the campus of Pacific University beginning at 9:00am for pre-parade festivities. Free admission and activities for the whole family.

- Hawthorne Family Playschool Annual Dance Party & Silent Auction this Saturday at the Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, 4:00pm – 7:00pm. This free event features dancing, kids’ activities, an art show, entertainment and the auction. Come out and show your support!

- Cappella Nova Concert, “Looking for the Promised Land” this Saturday at 8:00pm at the Evans Music Auditorium on the campus of Lewis and Clark College. Free.

Useful goods exchange: Bring useful goods you no longer want and exchange them for things that others bring. Sunnyside Environmental School, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Art materials swap: Swap unused art materials with others. The 100th Monkey Studio, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Latin American folkloric dance: Families are invited to experience the culture and history of Latin America by learning dances from Mexico, Brazil, and Cuba. Gregory Heights Library, 3:00 pm.

Record Store Day: Visit independently owned record stores for concerts and other special events.

All Weekend:

- The 9th Annual Northwest Pet & Companion Fair this Saturday and Sunday at the Portland Expo Center, please see web site for hours and discount admission coupons.

- Hardy Plant Society of Oregon’s Plant Sale and Garden Festival this Saturday and Sunday at the Portland Expo Center. Free admission to over 100 specialty nurseries, garden artists, garden experts and book sales. 10:00am – 3:00pm.

- The Ultimate Open House New Home Tour concludes this Saturday and Sunday for the chance to tour new construction condos, town homes and custom-designed homes. Free.

- This is also the last weekend for the Hearing Voices Storytelling Festival with free performances in Portland, North Plains, Tigard, Sherwood and Tualatin.

- Willamette Week’s new Cheap Skate Deal Box includes a buy-one-get-one-free deal on tickets for Imago Theater’s “Frogz,” $69 rates at the Jupiter Hotel, a photo contest and more.

From Portland Blogging on the Cheap and Around the Sun