Run Oregon loves running – that’s no surprise. But we also love the Pacific Northwest and all that it has to offer. Running is a part of us, but it does not fully define us. In our new “Make a Day of It” feature, we aim to showcase some great local non-running events and highlight where to run and how to make the most of your experience!
Running is easily one of my favorite ways to catch up with a friend, but going to a performance at Portland Center Stage is a treat too … I get to go without my kids, I get to dress up, and I get to see entertainment created for grown-ups that doesn’t always result in everyone making friends and sharing cookies. (Note: I encourage sharing cookies and making friends, but that’s not the real world, folks.)
Lauren Weedman Doesn’t Live Here features amazing music and the big hair to go with it. Weedman’s credits include The Daily Show, Hung, and Looking; she’s also written and performed more than 10 solo plays, appeared in some films, and authored two books.
Lauren Weedman Doesn’t Live Here Anymore is hard to put in a nutshell. It’s not technically a musical, but music is a huge part of the show – and in this case, a lot of that is classic country music.
This one-woman show featuring Weedman includes music that spans her tastes from Loretta Lynn to Neil Sadaka, Ludacris to one of my favorite examples of a country “story” song: Jeannie C. Riley’s Harper Valley PTA. I’m going to have to hold myself back from singing along as I go on this ride with Weedman for a peek into her mind. The story explores the strength of women and how it’s evidenced through “love and heartbreak,” using genius lyrics from songs like “Jolene” (Dolly Parton) and “Whats Up” (4 Non Blondes). This is the type of performance that gives you plenty to talk about on your next run with a friend!
For this performance, I think a fitting route is an out-and-back on a wide-open road; anywhere you can create your playlist of fight songs, going-out jams, and the songs that you always have to sing along to at the top of your lungs. Get some ideas from Lauren Weedman’s PDX mix, from which she drew inspiration for the show; or poll your friends on social media for the songs that remind them most of your friendship. Figuring out exactly what’s going on with your life isn’t always neat and tidy, but as long as you’ve got friends along for the ride – and some good music – it’s usually a pretty fun trip!
Here are few of my favorite out-and-back or loop routes – nearly all are a single road or trail where you can log upwards of 8 miles:
- The waterfront trail in Portland – including Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the Steel Bridge, the Eastbank Esplanade, the Springwater Corridor to Oaks Park, the Sellwood Bridge, the Westside Riverfront Trail, and Riverplace
- Willamette Boulevard in North Portland, running along the bluff and past the University of Portland
- The Leif Erickson Trail in Forest Park
- The Willamette River trails in Eugene – from Valley River Center to the I-5 overpass near Springfield
So make a playlist, grab a friend, and let the tunes take you through the miles as you catch up. If you do listen to Lauren Weedman’s playlist, you can count on more than an hour of good running tunes.
Lauren Weedman Doesn’t Live Here Anymore opens tonight with Preview Performances at Portland Center Stage and runs through April 30. Tickets start at $25 and are available online here, rush tickets are $20 and there are also premium seat discounts for students and patrons 30 and under.
