classes & Events
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Oregon is second in the nation in substance use and misuse among adults and adolescents.
Oregon is dead last in the nation in availability of treatment and services for people facing addiction.
We’ve all grown tired of the phrase “now more than ever.” We’ve heard it so many times over the last several years, especially in regard to the need for community support — be it emotional, financial, or otherwise. Tired as it may be, it’s true. Oregon remains in the throes of the worst addiction and overdose crisis in the country — our state is second in the nation in substance use rates among adults and adolescents and dead last in the nation in availability of treatment and services. Concurrent to that ongoing crisis is a renewed crisis in funding. Between July, 2024 and June, 2025 the Alano Club lost 15% of its operational income due to reductions in funding at the municipal, state and federal levels. In the coming year, we will lose an additional 15% of our remaining funding.
A community is only as strong as its most vulnerable members, and we’ve been reminded time and time again that our community at the Alano Club is vibrant, compassionate, and incredibly strong. To trot out that same phrase, but perhaps with renewed meaning: now more than ever before, we need each other. We need your support. We’re in this together, each and all of us, one day at a time.
Supporting our Give!Guide campaign doesn’t just provide life-saving resources to those in need, it also offers you the opportunity to win some incredible donor incentives, both through the Give!Guide’s Big Give Day giveaways, and through our own donor incentives, offered through our community partners! To learn more and donate, visit our Give!Guide page!
The Break
The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not required to self-identify as being in recovery to participate. Over the quarantine, The Break has had several guest instructors as well, with graphic novelist Erin Williams leading recovery-based drawing activities, memoirist Leslie Jamison leading essay writing, and poet Angel Nafis playing poetry games with the group. Regular attendees often share major life and creative developments, and the group continues to grow both in headcount and in pedagogical conceit!
Kaveh Akbar is a poet, writer, teacher and the poetry editor for The Nation. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, Paris Review, Poetry, Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. His New York Times bestselling debut novel, Martyr! was published by Knopf in 2024; he is also the author of the poetry collections Pilgrim Bell (Graywolf, 2021), Calling a Wolf a Wolf (Alice James, 2017), and Portrait of the Alcoholic (Sibling Rivalry, 2016). Kaveh was born in Tehran, Iran, and teaches at Purdue University and in the low-residency MFA programs at Randolph and Warren Wilson Colleges.
Virtual/remote, Zoom.
Community Reading Series
In partnership with Tin House, The Alano Club Community Reading Series is a monthly open-mic for writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and hybrid genres, generously hosted by Portland’s premier queer-owned and operated bookstore, Bishop & Wilde. This structured yet unscripted gathering is an occasion to share works in-progress and experience the rich overlap of Portland’s literary and recovery communities. While readers are not required to self-identify as being in recovery, we will maintain a sober-friendly environment for all sessions. We encourage readers of all experience levels to sign up for a guaranteed reading slot of 10 minutes or less, though two slots per session are reserved for first-time readers!
Community Reading Series
In partnership with Tin House, The Alano Club Community Reading Series is a monthly open-mic for writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and hybrid genres, generously hosted by Portland’s premier queer-owned and operated bookstore, Bishop & Wilde. This structured yet unscripted gathering is an occasion to share works in-progress and experience the rich overlap of Portland’s literary and recovery communities. While readers are not required to self-identify as being in recovery, we will maintain a sober-friendly environment for all sessions. We encourage readers of all experience levels to sign up for a guaranteed reading slot of 10 minutes or less, though two slots per session are reserved for first-time readers!
The Break
The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not required to self-identify as being in recovery to participate. Over the quarantine, The Break has had several guest instructors as well, with graphic novelist Erin Williams leading recovery-based drawing activities, memoirist Leslie Jamison leading essay writing, and poet Angel Nafis playing poetry games with the group. Regular attendees often share major life and creative developments, and the group continues to grow both in headcount and in pedagogical conceit!
Kaveh Akbar is a poet, writer, teacher and the poetry editor for The Nation. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, Paris Review, Poetry, Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. His New York Times bestselling debut novel, Martyr! was published by Knopf in 2024; he is also the author of the poetry collections Pilgrim Bell (Graywolf, 2021), Calling a Wolf a Wolf (Alice James, 2017), and Portrait of the Alcoholic (Sibling Rivalry, 2016). Kaveh was born in Tehran, Iran, and teaches at Purdue University and in the low-residency MFA programs at Randolph and Warren Wilson Colleges.
Virtual/remote, Zoom.
An Evening with Hanif Abdurraqib, Kasey Anderson, Melissa Febos, Anis Mojgani, and Lizzie No
Join Hanif Abdurraqib, Kasey Anderson, Melissa Febos, Anis Mojgani, Lizzie No and special guests for an evening of reading, performance and conversation benefitting the Alano Club of Portland.
GENERAL ADMISSION AND FULLY SEATED. THIS EVENT IS 21 AND OVER. NO MINORS.
VALID US OR CANADA ID REQUIRED FOR ENTRY. GUESTS TRAVELING FROM OUTSIDE US/CA MUST PRESENT A VALID PASSPORT.
ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.
The Break
The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not required to self-identify as being in recovery to participate. Over the quarantine, The Break has had several guest instructors as well, with graphic novelist Erin Williams leading recovery-based drawing activities, memoirist Leslie Jamison leading essay writing, and poet Angel Nafis playing poetry games with the group. Regular attendees often share major life and creative developments, and the group continues to grow both in headcount and in pedagogical conceit!
Kaveh Akbar is a poet, writer, teacher and the poetry editor for The Nation. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, Paris Review, Poetry, Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. His New York Times bestselling debut novel, Martyr! was published by Knopf in 2024; he is also the author of the poetry collections Pilgrim Bell (Graywolf, 2021), Calling a Wolf a Wolf (Alice James, 2017), and Portrait of the Alcoholic (Sibling Rivalry, 2016). Kaveh was born in Tehran, Iran, and teaches at Purdue University and in the low-residency MFA programs at Randolph and Warren Wilson Colleges.
Virtual/remote, Zoom.
Recovery in Practice
Recovery in Practice—a free two-day conference—will take place October 24-25, 2025, in NW Portland, uniting artists, authors, activists and researchers for workshops, panel discussions, and community events that celebrate the broad and diverse national recovery community. This annual event was previously hosted in NYC (2023), the United Kingdom (2024), and at Virginia Commonwealth University early this year.
Recovery in Practice
Recovery in Practice—a free two-day conference—will take place October 24-25, 2025, in NW Portland, uniting artists, authors, activists and researchers for workshops, panel discussions, and community events that celebrate the broad and diverse national recovery community. This annual event was previously hosted in NYC (2023), the United Kingdom (2024), and at Virginia Commonwealth University early this year.
Recovery in Practice
Recovery in Practice—a free two-day conference—will take place October 24-25, 2025, in NW Portland, uniting artists, authors, activists and researchers for workshops, panel discussions, and community events that celebrate the broad and diverse national recovery community. This annual event was previously hosted in NYC (2023), the United Kingdom (2024), and at Virginia Commonwealth University early this year.
Write Around Portland Writing Workshop
Do you want to explore new worlds? Do you want to express your thoughts & feelings freely? Do you want to share your ideas with others? Join us with Write Around Portland to write, share, and learn in community.
Open to all members. Great for new and experienced writers.
Weekly sessions include writing, sharing, giving and receiving encouraging feedback, and looking back at your writing.
Publish your writing in an anthology & the opportunity to share it at a public reading.
Writing journals, pens, and light snacks provided. Let us know of any accommodations!
Write Around Portland Writing Workshop
Do you want to explore new worlds? Do you want to express your thoughts & feelings freely? Do you want to share your ideas with others? Join us with Write Around Portland to write, share, and learn in community.
Open to all members. Great for new and experienced writers.
Weekly sessions include writing, sharing, giving and receiving encouraging feedback, and looking back at your writing.
Publish your writing in an anthology & the opportunity to share it at a public reading.
Writing journals, pens, and light snacks provided. Let us know of any accommodations!
Write Around Portland Writing Workshop
Do you want to explore new worlds? Do you want to express your thoughts & feelings freely? Do you want to share your ideas with others? Join us with Write Around Portland to write, share, and learn in community.
Open to all members. Great for new and experienced writers.
Weekly sessions include writing, sharing, giving and receiving encouraging feedback, and looking back at your writing.
Publish your writing in an anthology & the opportunity to share it at a public reading.
Writing journals, pens, and light snacks provided. Let us know of any accommodations!
Write Around Portland Writing Workshop
Do you want to explore new worlds? Do you want to express your thoughts & feelings freely? Do you want to share your ideas with others? Join us with Write Around Portland to write, share, and learn in community.
Open to all members. Great for new and experienced writers.
Weekly sessions include writing, sharing, giving and receiving encouraging feedback, and looking back at your writing.
Publish your writing in an anthology & the opportunity to share it at a public reading.
Writing journals, pens, and light snacks provided. Let us know of any accommodations!
The Break
The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not required to self-identify as being in recovery to participate. Over the quarantine, The Break has had several guest instructors as well, with graphic novelist Erin Williams leading recovery-based drawing activities, memoirist Leslie Jamison leading essay writing, and poet Angel Nafis playing poetry games with the group. Regular attendees often share major life and creative developments, and the group continues to grow both in headcount and in pedagogical conceit!
Kaveh Akbar is a poet, writer, teacher and the poetry editor for The Nation. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, Paris Review, Poetry, Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. His New York Times bestselling debut novel, Martyr! was published by Knopf in 2024; he is also the author of the poetry collections Pilgrim Bell (Graywolf, 2021), Calling a Wolf a Wolf (Alice James, 2017), and Portrait of the Alcoholic (Sibling Rivalry, 2016). Kaveh was born in Tehran, Iran, and teaches at Purdue University and in the low-residency MFA programs at Randolph and Warren Wilson Colleges.
Virtual/remote, Zoom.
Community Appreciation Night
Join us as we celebrate National Recovery Month and our community with free food and zero-proof drinks from 5:00pm - 7:00pm in the Cafe!
We will also have snacks and zero-proof drinks out from 11:30am - 1:30pm in the Cafe.
Thank you for making our work possible and our community what it is!
Write Around Portland Writing Workshop
Do you want to explore new worlds? Do you want to express your thoughts & feelings freely? Do you want to share your ideas with others? Join us with Write Around Portland to write, share, and learn in community.
Open to all members. Great for new and experienced writers.
Weekly sessions include writing, sharing, giving and receiving encouraging feedback, and looking back at your writing.
Publish your writing in an anthology & the opportunity to share it at a public reading.
Writing journals, pens, and light snacks provided. Let us know of any accommodations!
Write Around Portland Writing Workshop
Do you want to explore new worlds? Do you want to express your thoughts & feelings freely? Do you want to share your ideas with others? Join us with Write Around Portland to write, share, and learn in community.
Open to all members. Great for new and experienced writers.
Weekly sessions include writing, sharing, giving and receiving encouraging feedback, and looking back at your writing.
Publish your writing in an anthology & the opportunity to share it at a public reading.
Writing journals, pens, and light snacks provided. Let us know of any accommodations!
Restaurants for Recovery
During National Recovery Month, the Alano Club of Portland is partnering with some of our favorite restaurants to raise awareness and support for recovery and overdose prevention resources.
Participating restaurants are donating a portion of sales on a non-alcoholic cocktail or dish to support the low-barrier, cost-free programming at the Alano Club.
The Break
The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not required to self-identify as being in recovery to participate. Over the quarantine, The Break has had several guest instructors as well, with graphic novelist Erin Williams leading recovery-based drawing activities, memoirist Leslie Jamison leading essay writing, and poet Angel Nafis playing poetry games with the group. Regular attendees often share major life and creative developments, and the group continues to grow both in headcount and in pedagogical conceit!
Kaveh Akbar is a poet, writer, teacher and the poetry editor for The Nation. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, Paris Review, Poetry, Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. His New York Times bestselling debut novel, Martyr! was published by Knopf in 2024; he is also the author of the poetry collections Pilgrim Bell (Graywolf, 2021), Calling a Wolf a Wolf (Alice James, 2017), and Portrait of the Alcoholic (Sibling Rivalry, 2016). Kaveh was born in Tehran, Iran, and teaches at Purdue University and in the low-residency MFA programs at Randolph and Warren Wilson Colleges.
Virtual/remote, Zoom.
The Break
The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not required to self-identify as being in recovery to participate. Over the quarantine, The Break has had several guest instructors as well, with graphic novelist Erin Williams leading recovery-based drawing activities, memoirist Leslie Jamison leading essay writing, and poet Angel Nafis playing poetry games with the group. Regular attendees often share major life and creative developments, and the group continues to grow both in headcount and in pedagogical conceit!
Kaveh Akbar is a poet, writer, teacher and the poetry editor for The Nation. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, Paris Review, Poetry, Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. His New York Times bestselling debut novel, Martyr! was published by Knopf in 2024; he is also the author of the poetry collections Pilgrim Bell (Graywolf, 2021), Calling a Wolf a Wolf (Alice James, 2017), and Portrait of the Alcoholic (Sibling Rivalry, 2016). Kaveh was born in Tehran, Iran, and teaches at Purdue University and in the low-residency MFA programs at Randolph and Warren Wilson Colleges.
Virtual/remote, Zoom.