Introducing Chatter PDX, a new performing arts series in Portland, Oregon. Inspired by the success of the innovative Chatter series in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which has captivated audiences for over 15 years, Chatter PDX brings a unique blend of music, spoken word, coffee, and reflection to the vibrant cultural landscape of Portland.
July 27, 2025
SUNDAY
@ 10:30am
Pacific Center, 851 SW 6th Ave, PDX
Adults – $20
Students and under 30 – $10
Children under 13 – $5
Spohr & Chacon
Raven Chacon (Bury Me) Where The Lightning [Will] Never Find Me
Louis Spohr Octet
James Shields clarinet / bass clarinet
Jeff Garza, Alicia Waite horn
Shengnan Li, Emily Cole violin
Deanna Mustain, Hillary Oseas viola
Valdine Mishkin cello
Jason Schooler bass
Michael Roberts percussion
Christopher Diaz spoken word
UPCOMING SHOWS
August 3, 2025
Poulenc’s Babar
Francis Poulenc Flute Sonata
Germaine Tailleferre Sonata for Clarinet Solo
Francis Poulenc Babar
Abby Mages flute
James Shields clarinet
Bill Crane piano
Marilyn Caskey actor
Joshua Merritt spoken word
August 10, 2025
Rosebud String Quartet
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet In F Minor - Hob. III:35 - Op. 20 No. 5
C.M. von Weber Clarinet Quintet
James Shields clarinet
Rosebud String Quartet
Aaron Schwebel, Michael Gurevich violin
Keith Hamm viola
Leana Rutt cello
Sherri Levine spoken word
August 17, 2025
Beethoven’s 13th Quartet
L.v Beethoven String Quartet No. 13, Op. 130
Emily Nebel, Searmi Park violin
Michael Gurevich viola
Trevor Fitzpatrick cello
Sid Ghosh spoken word
August 24, 2025
Danzmayr & Park
W.A. Mozart Violin Sonata in E Minor K. 304
Phillip Glass Mad Rush
Amy Beach Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23
Pablo de Sarasate Romanza Andaluza, Op.22, No.1 for Violin and Piano
Aromi Park violin
David Danzmayr piano
Allison Cobb spoken word
August 31, 2025
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Keyla Orozco Viajeros
Felix Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream (arr. for piano 4-hands)
Maria Garcia piano
Yoko Greeney piano
Katherine Quevedo spoken word
September 7, 2025
Marilyn’s Brazil
Silvia Goes Suite Chiquinha Gonzaga
Heitor Villa-Lobos Quarteto No. 5
Jovino Santos Neto A Espera from Suite Brasileira de Natal
Hermeto Pascoal Frevo em Maceió
Arthur Barbosa Neto “Choreando”
Vijeta Sathyaraj, Shin-young Kwon violin
Haojian Wang viola
Marilyn de Oliveira cello
Melody Wilson spoken word
September 14, 2025
Bunch & Ohuchi
Maurice Ravel Piece in forma de habanera arr. for clarinet piano
Gabriel Fuaré Sicilienne arr. for clarinet piano
Claude Debussy La fille aux cheveux de lin arr. for clarinet piano
York Bowen Viola Sonata No. 1
James Shields clarinet
Kenji Bunch viola
Monica Ohuchi piano
Susan Moore spoken word
September 21, 2025
Beethoven’s Opus 131
Oliver Messiaen Appel intersellaire
L.v Beethoven String Quartet No. 14, Op. 131
Jeff Garza horn
Sarah Kwak, Ling Ling Huang violin
Haojian Wang viola
Seth Biagini cello
Donna Printzmetal spoken word
September 28, 2025
Elderflora
Jukka Tiensuu Plus III
Elderflora Works for voice, cello, and electronics
James Shields clarinet
Maeve Stier accordion
Majel Connery voice/electronics
Felix Fan cello
Lex Runciman spoken word
TICKET BUNDLES
August Ticket Bundle
Purchase a pass to all of our August shows in one convenient package! Sorry, no refunds or exchanges.
September Ticket Bundle
Purchase a pass to all of our September shows in one convenient package! Sorry, no refunds or exchanges.
The Chatter Experience
Chatter performances occur weekly at 10:30am and give audiences the opportunity to hear a wide variety of classical chamber music and spoken word performed by local artists.
Coffee and mingling with the audience and performers before and after the show is an essential part of the Chatter PDX experience!
SUNDAYS
@ 10:30am
Doors open at 9:30am
Music starts at 10:30am
Open seating – first come, first serve
Credit: 45th Parallel / Rachel Hadiashar
MEET OUR TEAM
James Shields became Principal Clarinet of the Oregon Symphony in 2016 after holding similar titles in the Canadian Opera Company and the New Mexico Philharmonic.
Canadian/American cellist Trevor Fitzpatrick joined the Oregon Symphony in 2005 and has since embedded himself into the musical community around him.
A classically-trained musician and graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, Steve began his career as a freelance trumpet player and educator in Portland, performing with…
Justin Rigamonti teaches English at Portland Community College and serves as the Program Coordinator for PCC’s Carolyn Moore Writing Residency. His poems have been recently…
Rachel Modlin is a pianist from Portland, OR and currently serves as the Assistant Collaborative Pianist at Reed College. She frequently works with a wide array of organizations including…
Will Pyle is a saxophonist and media artist working to capture fleeting moments of beauty, dissonance and connection in everyday existence. He lives and appreciates nature…
SUPPORT STAFF
Lev Pearlman, Baking Coordinator
Allison Howard, Volunteer Coordinator