If you’ve been to Japan—or watched any Japanese film or television show that features schoolchildren—you’ve seen a randoseru backpack. There’s no way you haven’t. The rounded-yet-blocky leather shape is on the back of pretty much every child in Japan. It’s so common that there are anime shows about “randoseru girls.” There are even randoserus for […]
Melissa Locker
Melissa Locker is a podcaster and journalist. You can follow her @woolyknickers, but not in real life.
Posted inFall Arts 2024
Randoserus in Portland
Tsuchiya Kaban opens its first US retail space in the city’s Downtown.
If you’ve been to Japan—or watched any Japanese film or television show that features schoolchildren—you’ve seen a randoseru backpack. There’s no way you haven’t. The rounded-yet-blocky leather shape is on the back of pretty much every child in Japan. It’s so common that there are anime shows about “randoseru girls.” There are even randoserus for […]
Posted inMusic
Foo Fighters Rock the Hell Out of Portland’s New 30,000-Seat Stadium
Providence Park’s concert mode is a great addition to the city, and those complaining about it uphold a time-honored tradition.
On Friday, Providence Park unveiled her new, stadium-show look. She’s simultaneously louder than a sports game (bass! fireworks!) and a great place to have your face rocked off.
Providence Park: Concert Mode is a great addition to the city.
“The way the stage was set up, even the rich zaddies at Multnomah Athletic Club couldn’t sneak a peak, despite the fact that the sound was undoubtedly blowing them out of their Reeboks.
Posted inQueer Guide 2024
Kathleen Hanna Is Making a Documentary About Darcelle XV
Fun fact: The riot grrrl punk singer is Walter Cole’s second cousin.
Riot grrrl punk singer Kathleen Hanna is making a documentary about Portland drag royalty and Guinness Book World Record holder Darcelle XV.
Posted inMusic
Popular Music From Parenthetical Girls
Zac Pennington and Prudence Rees-Lee’s album Minor Works includes a 17-piece Russian chamber orchestra that was recorded via Zoom.
“It’s like men will literally pay thousands of dollars to make an indie rock record before they go to therapy.”
You may remember Popular Music’s Zac Pennington from defunct Portland band Parenthetical Girls. His new group Popular Music plays Holocene on May 17.
Posted inSports
The People’s Courts Serves up Pickleball With a Side of Apizza Scholls
The Portland rec center opened to much fanfare last August. Here’s how it’s doing.
The People’s Courts, an Actual Review
The People’s Courts Serves up Pickleball Courts With a Side of Apizza Scholls
The Portland rec center opened to much fanfare in August 2023. Here’s how it’s doing.
Rec center and pickleball stronghold, the People’s Courts opened to much fanfare last August. Here’s how it’s doing.
Posted inMusic
Sleater-Kinney Gives Hometown Portland the Eras Treatment
Nothing says “We love our fans,” like a five-song encore.
New York welcomes its heroes home with a ticker tape parade; Portland does it with a Friday night slot at Crystal Ballroom in front of a jubilant crowd. “We are very happy to be home in Portland,” Sleater-Kinney singer and guitarist Carrie Brownstein announced from the stage. “This has been a very long tour and […]
Posted inMusic
Live Show Review: Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville 30th Anniversary Tour
The Portland stop was a happy-sad, nostalgia-induced crying jag trip through time.
Read this review of Liz Phair at Revolution Hall in Portland and instantly get “Flower” stuck in your head. Melissa Locker waxes nostalgic on the Exile in Guyville Guyville 30th Anniversary Tour.
Posted inFood and Drink
The Return of Portland Fermentation Festival Is a Big Dill
After a three year hiatus, the 2023 fest promises snacks, a Bacterial Petting Zoo, and a DIY attempt at the lost Neusihin’s pickle recipe.
If you’re looking for something to do on Thursday night, there’s no dill-ema. Portland Fermentation Festival’s return is a big dill.
“Our fest has always been such a stinky in-person endeavor,” festival co-founder Liz Crain told the Mercury.
Sample lost pickles