Thirteen acts spanning salsa, Japanese drumming, reggae, blues and Motown will take over two stages in downtown Beaverton on Saturday, Aug. 15, when the 3rd Annual Beaverton Music Festival returns to City Hall Plaza and The Round.
The full lineup, reported by the Beaverton Valley Times, brings a multicultural mix that mirrors the city where nearly one in five residents was born outside the United States, according to 2022 Census data.
Son de Cuba, a Portland-based quintet with musicians from Cuba and the U.S., takes the City Hall Plaza Stage at 2:15 p.m. with salsa, timba, son and cumbia.
At 4:10 p.m. on The Round stage, Portland Taiko joins Kalabharathi School of Dance for a performance blending Japanese taiko drumming with South Asian classical dance.
Portland Taiko was founded in 1994 by Ann Ishimaru, Zack Semke and Japanese American community activists. The all-volunteer group has performed more than 1,500 shows for over 1 million audience members, and says its mission centers on affirming Asian American pride, inspiring audiences, building community and educating about heritage and culture.
The City Hall Plaza Stage opens at 1 p.m. with Aaron Nigel Smith's country reggae, followed by the Kivett Bednar Band (blues and soul, 3:30 p.m.), The Flowtenders (Motown and R&B, 4:45 p.m.), REMEDY (classic rock, 6 p.m.) and Golden Hour closing the night with party and dance music from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
The Round stage runs a parallel schedule starting at noon with the Beaverton Community Band, plus Latin dance at 1:25 p.m., a Footloose number by Metropolitan Performing Arts at 3:20 p.m., Mr. Benny & The Dirty Pretties at 5 p.m. and Alana Rich at 6:25 p.m.
Gates open at 11:30 a.m. at 12600 S.W. Crescent St. Food trucks, artisan vendors and a beer and wine garden will be on site. Organizers encourage attendees to bring chairs and blankets. Street parking is limited; two nearby garages charge $1 per hour.
The nonprofit festival is organized by Florian Raquéño Productions and is listed as a city-supported event on Beaverton's official calendar.
Coming up in Beaverton:
- Aug. 14 — Free artist mingle with chalk art and live music, downtown Beaverton
- Aug. 15 — Beaverton Music Festival, City Hall Plaza & The Round, noon–9 p.m.
- Aug. 23 — Picnic in the Park, Beaverton City Park, live music and local brews
