Portland Events, Music, Art, Entertainment, Sustainability | PDXPIPELINE.com

Posted By Meagan Kate

Saturday kicks off the second annual Support Women Artists Now Day celebration (or SWAN Day, as the kids call it). The event's collection of imaginative minds and bright eyes is something that Portland thrives on; we are a city of artists and of those who appreciate creativity.

It will not just be SWAN Day here in Portland on March 28th – it will be SWAN Day in 11 countries, at approximately 160 individual events. Ana Ammann is the reason we in Portland will be able to participate in this experience.

Ana's connection to Portland women in the arts led her, about a year ago, to information for this brand new international celebration. March 28, 2008 would be the first time SWAN Day would come to life – and Ana only had a few weeks to make something happen in Portland.

Through her connections to Siren Nation, POW Fest, pdx CreativeXchange and many other women's groups in the Portland area – Ana was able to have an entire exhibit hall at the Better Living show donated for the event. Ana's connections to writers, performers and to … well, artists – helped to slate the schedule for the day.

This free two-day event is a place for those who appreciate writers, actors, painters, sculptors, rock stars and everything in between, to meet others with a passion and excitement for the idea of women's equality in the arts.

This Saturday's events will focus around the written word, with readings and performances by writers and playwrights like Melissa Lion and Pema Teeter.

Sunday's festivities and discussions will focus on women and music with performances by Beth Willis and Carley Baer. Ana holds a special place in her heart for women and music, as she is a founder of the Rock & Roll Camp for Girls and a facilitator for the ROCKRGRL Music Conference.

Ana told me that the community and city's support has been overwhelming and she hopes for more people to get involved for next year's celebration. If you're interested in doing just that, contact Ana at swandaypdx@yahoo.com – I know I'm jumping on this bandwagon!

WHAT: SWAN Day Celebration
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday March 28-29, 1-4pm
WHERE?: Portland Expo Center (connector Hall, between E and D hall)
HOW MUCH?: FREEEEEEEEE!

For more information and a full schedule, check out the SWAN Day PDX website!

——————————Related Posts & Weekend Events–

• Portland Sustainability: Better Living Show | March 27-29 @ Expo Center
• Interview: Aysia Wright of Green Loop | Better Living Show
• 75+ Portland Weekend Events: March 26-29
• 2009 Portland Women's Film Festival (POW Fest): March 19-21