Summer Shred brings 14 local rock, metal, and punk bands to the stage—completely free. Enjoy live performances, a beer garden with brews from top Portland breweries, a curated merch booth, local artist and maker vendors, live painting, and the Youth Guitar Shred-Off Contest. No tickets, no gates—just a full day of accessible, high-energy music for everyone.

📍SE 2nd Ave. & Morrison St.

Depave kicks off six weeks of summer pop up plaza events with ‘4th Annual Big Break Block Party’

This Saturday’s party celebrates Depave’s ‘Future Green Plaza’ at SE 7th & SE Sandy with live bands, skating, free drinks, and a living stage created by local artists

From August 9th to September 19th, community-powered Portland nonprofit Depave and partners will demonstrate a ‘future green plaza’ planned for the intersection of SE 7th and SE Sandy Blvd in Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District. 

The summer pop up features a series of free events beginning with the 4th Annual Big Break Block Party from 5-11 pm Saturday, August 9th, which activates the plaza with a mini skate park built by Concrete Collective and co-sponsored by Push Movement and Seek Skate Camp, performances by 7 local bands, and free drinks from Portland Coffee Roasters, Happy Mountain Kombucha, Breakside Brewery, and Living Haus Beer Co. 

The plaza design project team will chat with the public about current plans to retrofit the sprawling intersection for safe bike and pedestrian passage, park space, traffic calming, and expanded tree canopy. Volunteers and the nonprofit Ground Score Association will maintain the plaza over the course of the 6 week activation, which overlays the space with temporary planters and greenery according to PBOT permits.

Depave also announces the hire of a new Executive Director, Malena Marvin, as it grows to take on larger collaborative placemaking projects with an emphasis on inclusion and serving those at the frontlines of the climate crisis. No stranger to Portland, Malena graduated from Reed College in ‘01 and brings 20 years of nonprofit, environmental justice, and entrepreneurial start-up experience to Depave. 

“I’m thrilled to join Depave’s spirited network of volunteers, nonprofit and business partners, local government programs, and thoughtful donors. In a time of intensifying crises, it’s good to get together and celebrate what we can do for our communities from the ground up,” said Marvin. 

Block party organizer Katherine Rose, Depave’s Communications and Engagement Manager, has curated 6 weeks of events celebrating community-driven multimedia art, healing, music, food, local crafts, skating, and place-making. 

“With events like a night art market and dance party hosted by Art Heaux Studio, to a Photobooth for the Future Fundraiser for plaza partner Portland Indigenous Marketplace, and a Push Movement Skate Party, we’re conjuring vibrant, multicultural community space in the heart of the Central Eastside,” said Rose. “We put a lot of work into making this dream a reality and we invite the public to help us create the new plaza.”

The Big Break Block Party and summer plaza activation is sponsored by Travel Oregon, Portland Parks Foundation, and by Depave’s partners, donors, and supporters. Those wishing to help underwrite the design and construction of the future green plaza may make tax-deductible contributions at Depave.org/donate.

Join us on August 8, 2025, from 10 am – 12 pm for a community cleanup in collaboration with SOLVE and Depave where you can roll up your sleeves, meet great people, and get ready for Depave’s 4th Annual Big Break Block Party.

We’ll provide water, snacks, and all the cleanup supplies you’ll need. Come pitch in, do some good, and help make the Central Eastside shine! All ages are welcome.

Address: 737 SE Sandy Blvd Portland, OR 97214 | Map Link

Volunteers will meet in the parking lot. Keep an eye out for SOLVE signs!

Whether you're a new CEIC member or member-curious, this one’s for you!

Join us Tuesday, August 5 from 4-6 pm on the rooftop at KEX (Sunset Room) for cold drinks, tasty snacks, and easy conversation. We’ve got an open bar, great views, and even better company–all to welcome you to our wonderful business community. Come mix it up with your Central Eastside neighbors. RSVP to let us know you're coming!

📍KEX (Sunset Room) | 100 NE MLK Blvd.

New to the Central Eastside and not sure how to get involved? Become a CEIC member for free within the first year of operating your business in the District.

Sign up today for access to our exclusive updates, networking events, and more.

Our “Coffee Break Series” is back and we’re kicking things off with Multnomah County Commissioner Meghan Moyer on Friday, August 1 from 10-11am. Commissioner Moyer represents District 1 which includes the Central Eastside. This casual, town hall–style event invites CEIC members to connect directly with local civic leaders, ask questions, and share what’s on your mind over coffee and pastries, of course.

📍The Loft at 8th Avenue | 2010 SE 8th Ave.

This event is free for CEIC members with code available in the Members Portal. Non-members are welcome and can purchase a $10 ticket. RSVP required.

This is the first in our relaunched Coffee Break Series, with more events to follow including a session with Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang on Tuesday, October 21 from 9-10 am. More info about this one coming soon!

Help us give back to the planet and get ready for one of the district’s most colorful cultural events, Portland Thai Festival. This vibrant celebration highlights Thailand’s rich traditions, heritage, and regional cuisine through food, performances, and interactive experiences.

We’re organizing a community clean-up event with SOLVE to help create a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy the festival. Join us in making a difference—in our community and at the celebration!

Advanced Registration: Is required. Please sign up (green button below) ahead of time to guarantee your spot.

Meeting Location: We will be meeting at the Subaru of Portland.

Address: 321 NE Davis St, Portland, OR 97232

What to Bring: Please wear closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, and bring a backpack for hands-free convenience. Feel free to bring your personal tools if available and a reusable water bottle to support our sustainability efforts.

What's Provided: Water and snacks.

Restrooms: Inside the Roseline Coffee.

Parking: off street parking

Transit: Trimet and other public transportation options.

Accessibility: This area is accessible for folks with mobility concerns.

Translation Services: There will be a Spanish speaker present at this event.

Participant Age Guidelines: Recommended for Ages 13 and Up

Groups: If you'd like to register a group, please create a team first. For detailed instructions, review our Teams Guide.

This event is proudly sponsored by the Better Together Grant.

ADX is transforming a 3,000-square-foot lot at SE 11th & Stark into a year-round outdoor community gathering space. The installation will be facilitated in collaboration with City Repair who believes in the power of communities to transform their urban spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity and community life. Snacks, lunch and beverages provided.

Presented by: Art Design Xchange, KB+BA Architecture, Fox Fern Tattoos, and Alchemik Native Made Pottery

You can buy tickets ($25 each) to hop on the streetcar at either 7-8 pm or 8-9:30 pm for a rolling comedy show you won’t forget. The show is 21+.

Not riding the streetcar? No problem! We’ll also be gathering at Pacific Standard (100 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.) right where the show boards. We’ve got a reserved spot for anyone who wants to come hang out and be part of the fun from 6 - 8:30 pm.

Whether you’re rolling with us or staying posted at the bar, it’s all one big ongoing party.

CEIC Member Exclusive: Free drink at Pacific Standard 6–8:30 pm. No ticket required. Join us!

This event is proudly sponsored by the Better Together Grant.

A celebration of local circus arts and creativity, Down to Clown PDX offers hands-on workshops, artistic exhibitions, and lively performances that foster inclusivity and education. The free event welcomes all to experience the magic of the circus arts.

Presented by: Jaja PDX, Jaja Circus, Dream Big City, and Fam Jam

Let’s give back to the district this Earth Day and show some love for the planet! 

Join us on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 9 am – 12 pm for a community cleanup in collaboration with SOLVE, where you can roll up your sleeves, meet great people, and help clear trash along the Eastbank Esplanade. We’re teaming up with local businesses and community members to make a real impact.  

We’ll provide water, snacks, and all the cleanup supplies you’ll need. Come pitch in, do some good, and help make the Central Eastside shine! *We recommend volunteers be over 13 years old.

We invite you to attend an informational session and Q&A with the Multnomah County team to learn more about the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project. This is a critical infrastructure project designed to ensure a seismically resilient crossing in downtown Portland.

Date: Tuesday, March 4
Time: 1–2 pm
Location: Multnomah County, Room 204 | 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

This session will provide an opportunity to hear directly from the project team, ask questions, and learn about the design phase, construction timeline, and how the project will impact and benefit the Central Eastside Industrial District.

Please RSVP to Lesslie Lopez, TDM and Program Manager, at lesslie@ceic.cc