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.
April 19, 2026
SUNDAY
@ 10:30 am
Pacific Center, 851 SW 6th Ave, PDX
Adults – $20
Students and under 30 – $10
18 and under – $5
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
UPCOMING SHOWS
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
Aidan Ip, Yuqi Li violin
Wanlin Cui viola
James Shields clarinet
Kim Stafford spoken word
May 24, 2026
Symphonie & Seascape
Ruth Gipps Seascapes
Sergei Prokofiev (arr. Tarkmann) Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet
Charles Gounod Petite Symphonie
Zach Galatis, Emily Stanek 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
June 7, 2026
Roots & Reverberations
Jennifer Jolley Lilac Tears
Christina George the bitter root
Clara Schumann Three Romances
Fernande Decruck Sonata in C#
William Pyle saxophone
Rachel Modlin piano
Tish Jones spoken word
June 14, 2026
Schumann & Dohnányi
Robert Schumann Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
Ernő Dohnányi Sextet
James Shields clarinet
Jeff Garza horn
Inés Voglar-Belgique violin
Hillary Oseas viola
Trevor Fitzpatrick cello
Susan McDaniel piano
Danez Smith spoken word
June 21, 2026
Mozart's Gran Partita
Timo Andres Loud Ciphers
W.A. Mozart Gran Partita
Melissa Peña, Jason Sudduth oboe
James Shields, Jackie Glazier, Andrew Brown, Louis DeMartino clarinet
Kai Rocke, Marissa Olegario bassoon
Joseph Berger, Alicia Waite, Margarite Waddell, Daniel Partridge horn
Jason Schooler bass
Anis Mojgani spoken word
June 28, 2026
Duo Calisto
Duo Calisto explores contemporary repertoire for soprano and cello, highlighting compositions by women, non-binary and LGBTQ+ composers, including composers Jessie Montgomery, Heather Gilligan, and arrangements by the duo.
Danielle Buonaiuto soprano
Jules Biber cello
Claire Forstman piano
RJ Ingram 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
