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The history of First Saturday PDX  is deeply entwined with the opening of the Portland Lan Su Chinese Garden (originally Lansuyuan, Garden of the Awakening Orchid)  in September, 2000. Modeled after the literati gardens of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this landscaping achievement literally has roots dating back thousands of years and transplanted from Portland's Sister City of Suzhou.   Like its ancient forebears, Portland's Chinese Garden has many layers of hidden meanings.   Full appreciation of the garden requires a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, history, and traditions, particularly those from the Ming Dynasty - thus our program was born.   Our logo, the white peony, is an auspicious traditional floral symbol of China, with beneficial medicinal properties, representing spring, female beauty, prosperity, and honor. 
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What began as a continuing education program for the Garden’s docents expanded to include any interested in broadening perspectives about China and its impact on the world.  As a not-for-profit  organization dedicated to building bridges and increasing awareness,  First Saturday PDX  is proud to offer all of our presentations free of charge.   We are able to do this from the generosity of our guest speakers, our programming committee members, and faithful volunteers, all of whom donate their time and expertise - as well as an invaluable suppoort from Portland State University's Institute for Asian Studies and Northwest China Council.

Since 2001, ​First Saturday PDX  has offered over 180 public programs.  Following the academic calendar,  our season runs from September to June on the first Saturday of every month from 9:30 - 11:00 am, and is free and open to the public. Our onsite location on the Portland State University campus is on the second floor (Rm 230), has an elevator and is wheelchair friendly, with unrestricted viewing and comfortable desks for taking notes.  Each presentation is typically followed by a no host lunch  with our presenter where we continue the discussion and have some good food, Chinese style. 

Following the  social distancing guidelines and directives issued by the Oregon Governor's Office and CDC, our events are now online presentations.  These are followed by a "First Saturday PDX Tea House" where we stay online and chat for half an hour - please join us. 
Videos from our 2020 - 2021 Season are available on our First Saturday PDX YouTube Channel here   
​See our  Upcoming Presentation and register for online attendance for our  upcoming webinar and Tea House! 
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Our program series has support from Portland State University's Institute for Asian Studies, and is free and open to the public.   PLEASE REGISTER  on our Upcoming Presentation page to receive online attendance details.