Couve Culture Weekender: May 22nd - May 25th

We’re rolling straight into Memorial Day Weekend—aka the unofficial start of “don’t bother me, I’m outside” season. I’m back into my PNW groove, planning to get happily caffeinated at Kafiex and buy way too many fresh vegetables at the farmers market this weekend. It feels good to be home after a Cabo trip that was a whole lot prettier than I expected.

Seriously, I even spotted Dennis Washington’s smallest (but still bigger than my house) yacht—“Denise Washington,” if you ask the staff. And if you’re headed down there, don’t skip Flora Farms: imagine Edgefield, Stone Brewing, and an actual working farm had a magical dinner party. I’m still coveting their cocktails.

Now, let’s talk business: the in-person meetup poll? Pretty much a dead heat between “brewery bash” and “tequila & tacos.” I’m torn. Where would you want to hang out most? Drop your pick in the poll below! I’ll reach out to a few places and see who’s up for hosting our Couve Culture shenanigans—fingers crossed I’ll have a date and location to announce next week.

Meanwhile, concert season is officially ON! Things kick off with the Outlaw Fest, starring Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, and Lake Street Dive (just typing that makes me need a lawn chair). And if that’s not enough for your playlist, James Taylor and his All-Star Band are here too, ready to serenade Vancouver (technically Ridgefield).

Here are my top picks for this weekend:

Dreaming of an escape? I’ve found some flight deals that might just get you Googling “carry-on hacks” during your lunch break. Quick tip: if you end up in Kauai, do yourself a favor and check out Allerton Garden. I went on a whim last time and my mind is still blown—think Jurassic Park vibes, minus the T. rex. For the Euro-bound, don’t forget Icelandair lets you hop off in Reykjavik on the way to London (or wherever your EU wanderlust leads).

PDX - Kauai 🌺
From $255, normally $740+
Departing AUG - NOV 2025
Delta  or United Airlines
Economy Seating
Layovers
1h14m in Seattle
50m in Seattle (return)
*Price will last ~2-3 days
sample pricing

PDX - London 🇬🇧
From $491, normally $1015+
Departing OCT - DEC 2025
Icelandair
Economy
Layovers
1h45m in Reykjavik
1h35m in Reykjavik (return)
*Price will last ~2-3 days
sample pricing

PDX - Reykjavik, Iceland 🇮🇸
From $366, normally $780+
Departing SEP - OCT 2025
Icelandair
Economy
Nonstop
*Price will last 2-3 days
sample pricing

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project your working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to over 5,000 friends?

I’m mixing up the events this week and just listing them by day. Let me know if you like it better this way or the old way.

Want to feature an event that is important to your business? Click below to share it with 5,000+ locals looking for something to do.

Thursday, May 22 | Sip and Paint | 14 Acres Vineyard | $45
🎨 Get artsy with your wine at 14 Acres! Join local talent @taldewitt_artist for a paint party where the only rule is: more sips = more creative masterpieces (or at least more interesting ones).
🔗 Tickets Here

Thursday, May 22 | The Siege of Ape Canyon | Kiggins Theatre | $13–$15
🦍 Bigfoot, mayhem, and Mount St. Helens—oh my! Dive into the 1924 Ape Canyon "attack" with a film screening and Q&A that'll have you rethinking every rustle in the woods.
🔗 More Info

Friday, May 23 | James Taylor And His All-Star Band | Cascades Amphitheater | $60–$200+
🎸 James Taylor in Ridgefield. This isn’t a drill. Grab your tickets and tell your parents—they probably already have theirs.
🔗 Tickets Here

Friday, May 23 | Date Night Pottery Wheel Class | Kilnfolk Studio & Gallery | $195 per couple
🫛 If your idea of romance involves mud, spinning things, and a healthy dash of competition, this is your love language. Perfect for couples, friends, or that sibling who claims they're "artsy."
🔗 Register Here

Friday, May 23 | Madson Madness Rocks | Billy Blues Bar and Grill | $10
🎸 Live, loud, and back at Billy Blues! Madson Madness is ready to remind you what Friday nights are all about—friends, fun, and a serious lack of bedtime.
🔗 More Info

Friday, May 23 | Family Paint Party | Feral Public House - Heathen | $45.34
🖌️ Grab your kids, your neighbor’s kids, or just your inner child and get ready for some guided paint-and-sip shenanigans. Artistic talent not required, snacks and giggles strongly encouraged.
🔗 Tickets Here

Friday, May 23 | CherryBomb & Blind Side Billy | Georgie's Garage and Grill | Free
🤘 Hair metal isn’t dead, it just moved to Georgie’s for one glorious night. Expect big hair, big riffs, and an even bigger urge to relive the ‘80s.
🔗 More Info

Friday, May 23 | Kill the Headlights and the Shrunks | Cascade Bar and Grill | Free
🎶 Vancouver rockers Kill the Headlights join forces with Portland’s indie darlings The Shrunks. Catchy originals, energetic covers, and possibly a band member with a keytar (not confirmed, but highly probable).
🔗 More Info

Friday, May 23 | Cosmic Soundbath | Soul Ascension Studio | $15–$25+ (suggested)
🧘‍♂️ Stress floating around like space debris? Melt it away with a “cosmic soundbath” of bowls, gongs, and 3D sound wizardry—your third eye might just open and ask for coffee.
🔗 More Info

Friday, May 23 | Tchotchke Swap! | Kindred Vancouver | Free
🔄 Have a closet full of doodads, knick-knacks, and questionable décor choices? Bring 'em to Kindred and swap for someone else’s treasures—zero judgment, maximum fun.
🔗 More Info

Saturday, May 24-25 | Vancouver Farmers Market | Downtown Vancouver | Free
🥕 Vancouver’s happiest traffic jam is back with 100+ vendors, live music, pet treats, and the chance to impulse-buy more tomatoes than any sane person needs.
🔗 More Info

Saturday, May 24-25 | Columbia Dance Spring Showcase Performance | Skyview Concert Hall | $15 youth/seniors, $20 adults
🩰 Watch local dance talent leap, spin, and twirl their way into your heart—short shows for the squirmy, longer ones for the die-hards. Ballet shoes optional, enthusiasm required.
🔗 Tickets Here

Saturday, May 24 | Outlaw: Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings & Lake Street Dive | Cascades Amphitheater | $67–$200+
🤠 Legends, guitars, and good vibes collide. See icons like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan on one stage—bring your hat, your friends, and maybe a lawn chair for dramatic effect.
🔗 Tickets Here

Saturday, May 24 | Adrenaline Rush | Cascade Bar and Grill | $10
🥁 Calling all prog-rock fans! Vancouver’s own Adrenaline Rush pays tribute to RUSH with a setlist as epic as their drum solos. Air guitar strongly encouraged.
🔗 More Info

Saturday, May 24 | FoghorN with Leader-1 | Heavy Metal Pizza & Explorer Brewing Co | $10
🎸 Two bands, one stage, all the reasons to bring your earplugs and your inner headbanger.
🔗 More Info

Saturday, May 24 | Night Rose | Billy Blues Bar and Grill | $10
🌹 Saturday night plans = locked. Night Rose brings the good vibes and killer tunes to Billy Blues. Get there early for a seat—your future self will thank you.
🔗 More Info

Saturday, May 24 | Timbers vs Orlando City | Trap Door Brewing | Free
⚽️ Beer, Timbers, and big screens—sometimes happiness really is that simple. Wear your scarf, bring your loudest cheer, and pretend you know the offside rule.
🔗 More Info

Saturday, May 24 | Plas Newydd Farm Arts Initiative “Creating Space” For Fine Arts Show | Plas Newydd Farm | Free
🎨 Hilltop farmhouse + local art + live music = an artsy Clark County day trip. Don’t miss the Saturday artist reception at 1pm or the hands-on activities!
🔗 More Info

Sunday, May 25 | Vancouver Farmers Market | Downtown Vancouver | Free
🥕 Double the market, double the snacks, double the chance to come home with a plant you don’t need.
🔗 More Info

Sunday, May 25 | Summer Breeze | ilani | Free
🎤 Lan Nha, Tang Phuc, and a whole crew of performers are turning ilani into a festival of summer vibes. No tickets, no stress, just pure entertainment.
🔗 More Info

Sunday, May 25 | Queer Crafting Circle | Kindred | Free
🧶 Come as you are and craft as you please! Queer Crafting Circle is about connection, creativity, and random supplies—Zoom option for the homebodies, glitter encouraged.
🔗 More Info

Sunday, May 25 | Craft Club: May Junk Journal/Collage Party Meet Up | Burnt Bridge Cellars | $33.85
📔 Junk journalers, scrapbookers, and sticker fiends unite! Mystery scrap bags, guided tutorials, snacks, and a craft swap—if you leave without glitter on you, did you even go?
🔗 Tickets Here

Sunday, May 25 | Vancouver Volcanoes Home Game | Hudson's Bay High School | $10 General Admission, $5 seniors/students, kids under 5 free
🏀 Family-friendly pro basketball—cheer on the Volcanoes and pretend you totally understand their defensive strategy.
🔗 More Info

Sunday, May 25 | Tiffany Bird | Lobby Bar & Bistro, ilani | Free
🎶 Soul, country-pop, and some seriously smooth vocals—Tiffany Bird hits the Lobby Bar for a Sunday night that’s equal parts relaxing and impressive.
🔗 More Info

Sunday, May 25 | MOVIE NIGHT @ THIRSTY SASQUATCH | Thirsty Sasquatch | Free
🎬 Pizza, beer, and a movie on the patio. Bring your friends, or just your appetite—bonus points if you quote every line.
🔗 More Info

Saturday, May 31 | Tide and Terroir | Confluence Estate | $75
🦪 West Coast oysters, sashimi, and wine pairings, all in the great outdoors—this is not your average “dinner and a show.” Live music, sunset, and maybe a little culinary enlightenment.
🔗 Tickets Here

Friday, June 6-7 | ZooBrew | Oregon Zoo | $60
🍻 50+ breweries and cideries, live music, keeper chats, and the zoo at night. Sorry, this one’s 21+—your inner child will have to stay home while your outer adult has a blast.
🔗 Tickets Here

SATURDAY, May 31, 2025 @ 8pm | Ben Schwartz & Friends | Cowlitz Ballroom | From $49 | 🎭 Tickets Here

SATURDAY, May 31, 2025 @ 6:30pm | Hardy | Cascades Amphitheater | From $68 | 🎭 Tickets Here

MONDAY, Jun 23, 2025 @ 7pm | Pierce the Veil | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater | From $49 | 🎤 Tickets Here

THURSDAY, Jun 26, 2025 @ 7pm | Halsey | Cascades Amphitheater | From $69 | 💫 Tickets Here

WEDNESDAY, Aug 13, 2025 @ 7pm | Creed | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater | From $90 | 🤘 Tickets Here

SUNDAY, Aug 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm | Cyndi Lauper | Cascades Amphitheater | From $44 | 🤠 Tickets Here

FRIDAY, Aug 22, 2025 @ 7:30pm | Parker McCollum | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater | From $44 | 🤠 Tickets Here

SATURDAY, Aug 23, 2025 @ 7pm | Pantera | Cascades Amphitheater | From $55 | 🤘 Tickets Here

THURSDAY, Sep 4, 2025 @ 7pm | The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World & New Found Glory | Cascades Amphitheater | From $52 | 🤘 Tickets Here

THURSDAY, Sep 11, 2025 @ 6pm | Kidz Bop Live | Cascades Amphitheater | From $50 | 👧👦 Tickets Here

FRIDAY, Sep 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm | Billy Idol & Joan Jett and The Blackhearts | Cascades Amphitheater | From $44 | 🎸 Tickets Here

FRIDAY, Sep 26, 2025 @ 7:30pm | Thomas Rhett | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater | From $47 | 🤠 Tickets Here

THURSDAY, Aug 21, 2025 @ 7pm | Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, and Spin Doctors | Cowlitz Ballroom | From $50 | 🎸 Tickets Here

And that’s a wrap for this week’s Couve Culture! If you hit any of these events, try a new local spot, or see me at the farmers market valiantly pretending I know what to do with Swiss chard, say hey. I love hearing what you think—good, bad, or “please add more dog photos.” If you’ve got the inside scoop on a new spot, or you want to see your own event featured, just reply to this email and make my inbox a little less lonely.

Don’t forget to vote on our next meetup location in the poll above—I’ll do my best to wrangle us a spot that serves hops and/or tacos. Expect final details soon. And as always, thanks for reading, sharing, and keeping our local scene weird (in the best way). Have an awesome Memorial Day weekend!

Cheers!
Jay Letlow