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.
March 22, 2026
SUNDAY
@ 10:30 am
Pacific Center, 851 SW 6th Ave, PDX
Adults – $20
Students and under 30 – $10
18 and under – $5
Strauss & Pärt
Arvo Pärt Spiegel im Spiegel
Richard Strauss Violin Sonata
Rachel Lee Priday violin
Judith Gordon piano
Jennifer Perrine spoken word
UPCOMING SHOWS
March 29, 2026
Schubert & Fauré with Filippo Gorini
Franz Schubert Impromptu in Gb Major
Gabriel Fauré Piano Quintet No. 1 in D minor
Aromi Park, Inés Voglar Belgique violin
Raúl Gomez Rojas viola
Seth Biagini cello
Filippo Gorini piano
Kurtis Matthew Russell spoken word
April 5, 2026
Golijov & Strauss
Osvaldo Golijov How Slow the Wind
Osvaldo Golijov Tenebrae (Original Version)
Richard Strauss Four Last Songs
Madeline Ross soprano
Zach Galatis flute
James Shields clarinet
Valerie Muzzolini harp
Yuqi Li, Shengnan Li violin
Haojian Wang viola
Emily Brausa cello
David Oates spoken word
April 12, 2026
British & Brahms
York Bowen Phantasy Quintet
Johannes Brahms Sextet in Bb, Mvt. I
Gerald Finzi Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and String Quartet
James Shields clarinet
Emily Cole, Shin-young Kwon, Kaylee Nah* violin
Haojian Wang, Wanlin Cui viola
Trevor Fitzpatrick cello
Marilyn de Oliveira cello
*Young Artists Professional Development Competition Winner
Bobby Elliot spoken word
April 19, 2026
Dancing with the Shadow
Franz Schubert Rondo in D major for Piano 4-hands, D. 608
Eleanor Alberga Dancing with the Shadow
John Harbison Variations
James Shields clarinet
David Felberg violin
Judith Gordon piano
María García piano
Caitlin Dwyer spoken word
April 26, 2026
Aruna Quartet
Claude Debussy Arabesque no. 2 (arr. Andrew Shoen)
Alexander Glazunov Saxophone Quartet in Bb Major, II. Canzona varieé
Gemma Peacocke Hazel
Kenji Bunch String Quartet No. 3, Apocryphal Dances (trans. William Pyle)
William Pyle soprano saxophone
Jose Guzman alto saxophone
Ryan Hill tenor saxophone
Andrew Schoen baritone saxophone
David Rutizer spoken word
May 3, 2026
Breaking the Mold
Felix Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 49, Mvt. 1
Ethel Smyth Double Concerto
Shin-young Kwon violin
Alicia Waite horn
Trevor Fitzpatrick cello
Monica Ohuchi piano
Emily Liu* piano
*Young Artists Professional Development Competition Winner
Betsy Fogelman Tighe spoken word
May 10, 2026
Visions de l'Amen
Olivier Messiaen Visions de l'Amen
Jeff Payne piano
Jill Timmons piano
Andrea Hollander spoken word
May 17, 2026
Boyd Meets Girl
François Couperin / arr. Elliot Cole Les Barricades Mystérieuses
Maurice Ravel / arr. Sean Moran Rigaudon from Le Tombeau de Couperin
Rune Tonsgaard Sorensen / arr. Dana Lyn Shine You No More
Laura Metcalf cello
Rupert Boyd guitar
Yuqi Li, TBA violin
Wanlin Cui viola
James Shields clarinet
Kim Stafford spoken word
May 24, 2026
Symphonie & Seascape
Ruth Gipps Seascapes
Anna Thorvaldsdotir Breathing
Charles Gounod Petite Symphonie
Zach Galatis, TBA flute
Harrison Linsey, Jason Suddeth oboe/english horn
James Shields, Louis DeMartino clarinet/bass clarinet
Joseph Berger, Andrew Warfield horn
Carin Miller, Kai Rocke bassoon
Susan Nguyen spoken word
May 31, 2026
Contrasts: Bartók & Turina
Béla Bartók Contrasts
Joaquín Turina Piano Trio No. 2
James Shields clarinet
Emily Cole violin
Trevor Fitzpatrick cello
María García piano
Judith Barrington spoken word
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
