Couve Culture Weekender: Sept 4th - Sept 7th

It’s Thursday September 4th in the Couve…

… and my wife and I are heading to the Parade of Homes—without the kids this time (we’ve tried it before… never again). Between jaw-dropping kitchens and wine cellars I can’t afford, I’ll be filing ideas under “someday.”

If you’re not into peeking at dream houses, don’t worry—there’s still plenty: The Offspring tearing up your 90s playlist, tequila tastings that’ll make Sunday brunch interesting, and Pizzametalpalooza (yes, that’s a real thing). And of course, First Friday downtown to remind us why we love living here—even when parking makes us question it.

On a personal note, I was just laid off from my day job thanks to tariff pressure on costs. If you know anyone looking for a world-class sales professional who also happens to run your favorite local newsletter, send them my way.

Here are my top picks for this weekend:

• First Friday in Downtown Vancouver

• GRO Parade of Homes

• Pizzametalpalooza 2025

• The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World & New Found Glory

• Tequila Festival

BTW, follow us on Instagram for even more weekend ideas & event updates. Last week we posted about Willie Nelson’s brief time living in Vancouver.

✈️ Cheap Flights

Okay, I get it—you’ve had your fill of drizzle and strip-mall parking lots. This week’s flight deals are pure wanderlust fuel: think Marrakesh souks, Iceland’s lava fields, or sipping coffee in Costa Rica where it’s grown.

Honestly, the biggest layover you’ll face is deciding which friend gets to feed your plants while you’re gone.

PDX - Marrakesh, Morocco 🏜️🐪⛰️
From $538, normally $950+
Departing DEC 2025, JAN - MAY 2026
Delta Airlines
Economy
Layovers
3h6m in Atlanta
3h55m in Atlanta (return)
*Price will last ~2-3 days
sample pricing

PDX - Iceland 🇮🇸🌋
From $371, normally $780+
Departing OCT - DEC 2025
Icelandair
Economy
Nonstop
*Price will last ~5-6 days
sample pricing

PDX - San Jose, Costa Rica 🇨🇷🌴☕️
From $276, normally $750+
Departing OCT - NOV 2025, JAN - FEB 2026
American Airlines
Economy
Layovers
1h0m in Dallas
3h41m in Dallas (return)
*Price will last ~2-3 days
sample pricing

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First Friday Events

Art at the Cave | 108 E Evergreen Blvd | SOIL, CULTURE AND THE INVISIBLE STRUCTURES OF BELONGING — works by Eduardo Cruz, Zhanna Tsytsyn, and Nho Ngyuen. A reflection on roots, foundations, and flourishing.

Burnt Bridge Cellars | 1500 Broadway St | Local art + Moroccan three-course dinner ($34) + acoustic music by Owen Kortz.

Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary | 109 W 7th St | Project huddle for unfinished knit/crochet work + featured artist Kristie Winther.

Ronald Records | 6:00–7:00 PM | 1005 Main St | Gretta Seabird live in-store performance celebrating debut EP “Cycling.” Vinyl available.

AQUA Gallery | 3:00–9:00 PM | 400 Quayside Pl | “River Walk” — paintings of NW light and landscapes by Marila + sculptures by Ford.

Art For Life | 108 E 7th St | One-night pop-up sale featuring artists touched by cancer. 100% proceeds benefit American Cancer Society. Hosted by El Coyote Tacos y Tequila.

Aurora Gallery | 1004 Main St | “A BIG Show” featuring 10–13 large, never-before-seen artworks.

Hook & Needle | 621 Broadway St | Yarn Swap! Bring skeins, tools, books, or project bags to exchange. Free and open to all.

Hotel Indigo Vancouver | 5:00–7:00 PM | 530 Waterfront Way | Art Walk stop featuring 12+ creators, local drinks, cocktails, and community vibes.

Jebale Coffee | 2007 E 12th St | Roots & Resonance multimedia showcase + $2 off tonic drinks all day + coffee-themed crossword challenge.

Kādence Collective | 214 E McLoughlin Blvd | Live Japanese “raku” pottery firing demo in the parking lot.

Melt Glass Art Supply | 502 Washington St | First Friday Fused Mini-Class. Make your own glass nightlight, suncatcher, or votive holder. Materials provided, preregistration required.

Pour Choices Pub | 6:00–7:00 PM reception | 1919 Main St | Artist of the Month: Meme Redwood (oil on canvas) + live music starting at 7 PM.

The Culinary Collective | 1012 Washington St, Ste 120 | Live mural painting by Ana Gabriela + snacks + sneak peek of new kitchenware store and teaching kitchen.

theARTScentered | 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd | SW Washington Watercolor Society Juried Fall Show + live demos + info on upcoming workshops.

Featured Event

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Thursday, September 4th

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | East Vancouver Farmers Market | Columbia Tech Center | FREE
🥕 Stock up on weekend veggies, flowers, and that one jar of jam you’ll definitely “save for guests” and then eat yourself.
Shop the Thursday market lineup

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Salmon Creek Farmers Market | Legacy Hospital | FREE
🌽 Hyper-local produce, handmade goodies, and neighborly vibes—like Nextdoor, but with berries instead of complaints.
Plan your Salmon Creek haul

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | The Southern Sons | Cameo Cafe | FREE
🎸 Country rock, diner comfort vibes, and a perfect excuse to call it “date night” on a school night.
Catch the show details

7:00 PM | Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone Trivia | Firehouse Axes | $5
🧙‍♂️ Sharpen your spells and your smack talk—winner gets bragging rights and probably a sore shoulder from axe-throwing after.
Summon your team here

7:00 PM | The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World & New Found Glory | Cascades Amphitheater | From $52
🤘 Your inner 90s teen is freaking out—loud guitars, sing-alongs, and maybe even cargo shorts making a comeback.
Snag your tickets here

Friday, September 5th

Sep 5–21, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM | GRO Parade of Homes | The Nines at Camas Meadows | $15
🏡 Peek inside designer dream homes and steal ideas you’ll definitely add to your “someday” list.
Tour info & tickets

12:00 PM (approx) | Classic Car & Hot Rod Ride-Out to Long Beach | Safeway Parking Lot (Hwy 99) | FREE
🚗 Cruise squad to Rod Run—chrome, camaraderie, and a scenic roll past the Cathlamet hills.
Coordinate the convoy

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | First Friday Unplugged | LiveWell Camas | FREE
🎶 All-ages, sober-friendly live music that still feels like a night out—no hangover, just hometown talent.
See who’s playing

Sep 5–7, Fri & Sat 7:00 PM; Sun 12:00 PM | Spirit Tales of the Vancouver Barracks | Across from the Grant House | $15–$20
👻 Haunted history on Officers Row—more chills than a sunset breeze off the Columbia.
Book your ghost walk

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Yoga + Sound Bath | Stavalaura Vineyards & Winery | $45
🧘‍♀️ Gentle flow, crystal bowls, then a complimentary glass of wine—namast-hey that’s a good Friday.
Register to unwind

6:30 PM | City of Ridgefield Community Dragon Boat Paddles | Ridgefield Waterfront Boat Launch | FREE
🚣 First-timers welcome—show up, suit up, and paddle like you’re racing the I-5 drawbridge lift.
Reserve your seat in the boat

8:00 PM | Fire and Ice: A Pat Benatar Experience | Cascade Bar and Grill | FREE
🔥 Love is a battlefield, but the cover charge isn’t—belt the hits and order the fries.
Event details

Saturday, September 6th

Sep 6–7, Various Times | APPLETREE Marathon, Half & Sunset 5K | Officers Row | $50–$110
🏃‍♀️ Flat, fast, and scenic—the only time Pearson Field traffic is a flex for runners.
Race schedule & registration

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Ridgefield Farmers Market | Davis Park | FREE
🧺 Small-town charm, fresh produce, and crafts that pair perfectly with coffee and people-watching.
Market info

Sep 6–7, Sat 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | Vancouver Farmers Market | Downtown Vancouver | FREE
🍓 100+ vendors, live tunes, and snacks—plan for “just a quick stop” and lose two happy hours.
Weekend market details

3:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Tequila Festival | The Neighborhood Refuge | $25
🥃 Three tasting tokens, a custom glass, and pop-ups—Uber is your spirit guide.
Grab tickets

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Twenty One Pilots Listening Party (Early Listen) | Ronald Records | FREE
🎧 Hear BREACH a week early and snag exclusive picture disc pre-orders like a true fan.
Save your spot

7:00 PM | Pizzametalpalooza 2025 | Heavy Metal Pizza & Explorer Brewing Co. | $10
🤘 Shred, slice, repeat. Rock ’n’ roll with a side of mozzarella and mild tinnitus.
All-ages rock info

8:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Fun Quirky 80s + 90s Night (Lip Bomb) | Cascade Bar and Grill | $5
🪩 From Prince to Blink-182—dance like parking on Main didn’t take 20 minutes.
Get the setlist tease

Sunday, September 7th

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | A Day On The Farm: Petting Zoo & Market | Victor 23 | FREE
🐐 Meet Jake the Donkey, grab farm-fresh goodies, and live your wholesome PNW fantasy.
Event details

3:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Live DJ on the Patio | Thirsty Sasquatch | FREE
🎧 Day-party mode: activated. Patio beats, pints, and a breezy Columbia River sunset finish.
Patio party details

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Dinner & Jazz at the Grant House | The Grant House | $20
🎷 Last lawn concert of the season—reserve early, then sway under the trees on Officers Row.
Reserve a table

Looking Ahead

Sep 14, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Plant Swap | River Maiden Coffee | FREE
🪴 Bring a plant, leave with a new green roommate—plus caffeine to fuel your repotting spree.
Swap specifics

The Tape Deck

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project your working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to over 11,000+ friends?

Concert Calendar

SATURDAY, Sep 13, 2025 @ 9pm | Thanh Xuân | Cowlitz Ballroom | FREE | 🎶 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 | Cascades Amphitheater | From $47 | 🤠 Tickets Here

WEDNESDAY, Oct 1, 2025 @ 7pm | Breaking Benjamin & Three Days Grace | Cascades Amphitheater | From $30 | 🤘 Tickets Here

SATURDAY, Oct 25, 2025 @ 8pm | Kool & the Gang | Cowlitz Ballroom | From $99 | 🤘 Tickets Here

FRIDAY, Nov 7, 2025 @ 8pm | An Evening with Jeff Foxworthy | Cowlitz Ballroom | From $— | 😂 Tickets Here

And that’s it.

That’s it for this week—whether you’re rocking out with Offspring, swapping plants, or just dodging road closures downtown, there’s no excuse to be bored. See you out there, probably circling the block looking for parking by Esther Short.