White Bird

Mission

White Bird strongly believes in making dance exciting, educational, equitable and accessible to everyone, young and old, of all social backgrounds.

Bottom Line for Portland

We make dance exciting, educational, equitable, and accessible by:

Keeping ticket prices affordable for patrons, with discounts for students, educators, artists, Oregon Trail Card Holders, and others.

Continuing our NEST (No Empty Seats Today) program, which invites clients of health and human service organizations to attend performances for free.

Holding free and pay-what-you-can community outreach events in neighborhoods throughout Portland.

It is only with the support of our community that we can continue these efforts and ensure everyone has a chance to be inspired.

Quote

“ I have the great opportunity to travel the world and everywhere I go I seem to hear about the incredible White Bird program. Portland has become an even better place because of White Bird.” - Michael Curry ,  Emmy and Tony award-winning theatre designer

"You have created something unique with White Bird. There are not many dance-only presenters left in the U.S., and I know that White Bird is the only one in the Western states. White Bird has been leading the way in programming the most adventurous and high-quality dance companies from around the world for many, many years." - Mikhail Baryshnikov, world-renowned dancer, choreographer, and artistic director.

"It was beneficial to me because it helped me stay focused on my recovery by giving me a different outlet to help keep my mind off of drinking. It was always something new and I always enjoyed myself." - S.E., Client of The Resilience Initiative with QUEST Center for Integrative Health.

“White Bird is way more than an organization that brings to Portland some of the greatest dance companies in the world. White Bird is family! ...Simply said, White Bird is a place of magic, joy and beauty.”

-Raquel V., White Bird volunteer since 2012 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Highlighting the work of underrepresented artists is important to White Bird. Of the nine companies we will present in our 2024-25 season, four are BIPOC-led, five prominently feature a street or traditional dance style (both of which are poorly represented in concert dance), and five are either solely woman-led or have mixed-gender leadership.  

Our NEST Program is our most direct method of serving marginalized Portlanders. Our NEST partners (and the specific populations they serve) include Artist Mentorship Program (homeless youth), CAPs/Aging Well (adults living with or affected by HIV), HOLLA Mentoring (black and brown youth), and Flip the Script (formerly incarcerated BIPOC adults).

Incentives

We appreciate all gifts, no matter the size. This year we are working with many of our close partners in the community to offer rewards for giving at various levels. Mark your calendars now for the best chance at winning one of these exciting prizes:

Nov 6-12

The first 3 people to give $20 or more will receive a pair of drop-in tango lessons at Tango Berretin. ($30 value)

Nov 13-19

The first 4 people to give $25 or more will receive a Cielo Home gift card. ($50 value)

Nov 20-25

The first 8 people to give $30 or more will receive (1) 4-class card to use towards open adult classes at Steps PDX. ($55 value)

All donations received this week will be allocated towards gifting tickets for our NEST partner: QUEST

Nov 26-Dec 2

The first 4 people to give $40 or more receive a pair of tickets to see Open Space: NOT-Cracker. December 6-8, Newmark Theatre. ($64 - 90 value)

Dec 3-10

The first 10 people to give $50 or more will receive two tickets to see Oregon Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker. Dec 7-24, Keller Auditorium ($90 -146 value)

Dec 11-17

The first 4 people to give $60 or more will receive a BODYVOX class card for 5 classes. ($80 value)

Dec 18-25

The first 4 people to give $75 or more will receive a $100 White Bird gift card.

Dec 26-28

The first 2 people to give $90 or more will receive a Mother's Bistro & Bar gift card ($100 value) AND two tickets to see Martha Graham Dance Company on January 22, 2025. ($136 value)

Dec 29-31 | Grand Prize: A Night Out with White Bird!

Help us end 2024 strong. ALL donations over $24 given* from Dec 29 - 31 this day will be entered into our grand prize drawing. The winner will receive: 

Dinner for two at Bullard Tavern ($100 value)

Two tickets for Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo, February 12, 2025 ($136 value)

Pre-show backstage tour of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (priceless!)

*up to the first $9,900 received.

Partner(s)

White Bird would like to thank our amazing business partners:  

Quest Center for Integrative Health, which has been a NEST partner with White Bird since 2016.

Magaurn Video Media, which produced the “Why Give to White Bird” video linked on this page.

Bullard Tavern, which generously donated a $100 gift card towards our grand prize!

Cielo Home, which donated four gift cards for our campaign.