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.
November 16, 2025
SUNDAY
@ 10:30am
Pacific Center, 851 SW 6th Ave, PDX
Adults – $20
Students and under 30 – $10
Children under 13 – $5
Coleridge-Taylor Clarinet Quintet
L.v Beethoven Grosse Fugue, Op. 133
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Clarinet Quintet, Op. 10
James Shields clarinet
Ling Ling Huang, Margot Schwartz violin
Amanda Grimm viola
Marilyn de Oliveira cello
Cindy Williams Gutiérrez spoken word
UPCOMING SHOWS
November 23, 2025
Mysteries of the Macabre
J.S. Bach/Kurtag Sonatina BWV 106 "Actus tragicus"
Igor Stravinsky Five Easy Pieces for Piano 4-hands
Claude Debussy Petite Suite
György Ligeti Mysteries of the Macabre
Madeline Ross voice
Rachel Modlin piano
Rebecca Stager piano
Makayla Terrell spoken word
November 30, 2025
Bacewicz & Prokofiev
Sergei Prokofiev Overture on Hebrew Themes
Grażyna Bacewicz Piano Quintet No. 1
James Shields clarinet
Emily Cole, Ling Ling Huang violin
Laura Steiner viola
Kevin Kunkel cello
Judith Gordon piano
Carmen Barroso spoken word
December 7, 2025
Shostakovich & Osberg
Kimberly Osberg Conversations for Clarinet and String Quartet
Dmitri Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8
James Shields clarinet
Yuqi Li, Ruby Chen violin
Haojian Wang viola
Trevor Fitzpatrick cello
Adam Falkner spoken word
December 14, 2025
Baroque Solstice Party
Antonio Vivaldi Clarinet Concerto no. 2, “La Fenice”
Olli Mustonen Nonet No.2 "Kammermusikfest Lockenhaus"
J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto no. 3
James Shields clarinet
Ling Ling Huang, Ron Blessinger, Emily Cole, Shanshan Zeng violin
Deanna Mustain, Haojian Wang, Adam LaMotte viola
Trevor Fitzpatrick, Mario Bastea-Forte, Felix Fan cello
Jason Schooler bass
Joyce Chen harpsichord
Ginette DePriest spoken word
December 21, 2025
Beethoven’s Opus 135
Eugène Ysaÿe Sonata for Two Violins
L.v Beethoven String Quartet No. 16, Op. 135
Sunmi Chang, Searmi Park violin
Hillary Oseas viola
Pansy Chang cello
Emmett Wheatfall spoken word
December 28, 2025
Suite Talk
J.S. Bach Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 arr. for bass clarinet
J.S. Bach Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
Trevor Fitzpatrick cello
James Shields bass clarinet
Amy Baskin spoken word
January 4, 2026
Olmos Ensemble: Sound and Sanity
Richard Strauss Don Quixote (arr. Vargas)
Olmos Ensemble
Ilya Shterenberg clarinet
Jeff Garza horn
Eric Gratz violin
Colin Brookes viola
Julian Schwarz cello
Elizabeth Dorman piano
Marc Jannsen spoken word
January 11, 2026
Anthea Kreston: A Memoir in Music and Stories
Anthea Kreston Crescendo: A Memoir in Music and Stories
Including works by O’Connor, Bach, Eugène Ysaÿe, Portland’s own Kenji Bunch, and Schubert.
Anthea Kreston violin
Judith Montgomery spoken word
January 18, 2026
Dark Wind
W.A. Mozart Fantasia in D minor K. 397
John Cage In a Landscape
John Cage Dream
John Luther Adams Dark Wind for Bass Clarinet, Vibraphone, Marimba, and Piano
James Shields bass clarinet
Stephen Kehner vibraphone
Michael Roberts marimba
María García piano
Sarah Cook spoken word
January 25, 2026
Motion in Sound: Music from Latin America
Heitor Villa-Lobos Trio for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon
Astor Piazzolla Tango Etude No. 3
Manuel Matarrita Cuatro Estampas para Oboe, Fagot y Piano
José Siquiera Three Etudes for Bassoon and Piano
Harrison Linsey oboe
James Shields clarinet
Carin Miller bassoon
María García piano
Cate Lycurgus spoken word
TICKET BUNDLES
December Ticket Bundle
Purchase a pass to all of our December shows in one convenient package! Sorry, no refunds or exchanges.
January Ticket Bundle
Purchase a pass to all of our January 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
SUPPORT STAFF
Lev Pearlman, Baking Coordinator
Allison Howard, Volunteer Coordinator