Off Hours

How to spend your free time this month

Mar 3
Pulitzer-winning literary journalist and author TRACY KIDDER shares heroic acts of everyday people he has encountered throughout his storied writing career. Kidder’s most recent book, Strength in What Remains, chronicles a Burundian refugee who became a Columbia-schooled doctor. literary-arts

Mar 5
Relive your lion-like adolescence by watching youngsters spell words like “octothorpe” during the PORTLAND TRIBUNE-COMCAST REGIONAL SPELLING BEE. Contestants will battle for a shot at the big title in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. portlandtribune.com

Mar 17
Whether you consider him a glorified DJ or the most ingenious reinventor of pop since the Rolling Stones stole from Muddy Waters, there’s no denying that Pittsburgh’s Gregg Gillis (a.k.a. GIRL TALK), whose latest album is All Day, stirs up a hellacious dance party with complex, catchy mash-ups of other people’s songs. roselandpdx.com

Mar 20
The James Beard Award—named for our meatiest native son—is the foodie world’s Oscar. This year, the national Beard Foundation will announce nominees right here in Portland. JAMES BEARD IN OREGON’s Sunday-night banquet features all-star local chefs, winemakers, and distillers. jamesbeardinoregon.com