Support Smart, Local Journalism
Make a Small Monthly Donation

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for October 13-19

This week: mushroom education, cut-up comedy, and plenty of contemporary art.

Not typically the type to check out gallery shows? Consider stretching your self-image this week. Lumber room will exhibit organic works by Louise Bourgeois (of gigantic spider sculpture fame), and Emily Counts’ gleaming ceramic moth flutters into the city. Plus, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art will open their first post-Time-Based Art Festival show, and it […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for October 6-12

New performance art pairs well with Portland Fermentation Festival’s kimchi and kombucha.

Sure, a certain someone claims you live in a war-torn hellscape pockmarked by domestic terrorists, fire, and whatever brimstone is. But it’s a gorgeous day, right?! You’ve got many reasons to wear your little fall outfit this week, as the leaves gently turn and the National Guard is less gently told they can’t come to brunch. […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for September 29-October 5

This week: Bijoux Cone’s benzo-pop, cruelty-free fragrance, and a Portland Poetry Confluence.

If you’re wondering whether the city is, indeed, “war ravaged,” the answer is no, as evidenced by this colossal autumn leaf pile of EVENTS. It’s almost October, which is soOoOo crazy if you think about it. Stave off the chill with a hot pile of wings this week, then check out Paul Thomas Anderson’s shift […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for September 22-28

The autumn equinox brings fuzzy textiles, Spike Lee joints, and Portland Playhouse’s season opener.

Warmish days be damned, because Christian Girl Autumn has officially begun. This week offers many reasons to head indoors, like Spike Lee’s Kurosawa-inspired film Highest 2 Lowest, Amanda Lepore’s club kid glamour, and ’70s art rockers Sparks. Plus, Freddie Robins installs knitted horses at Cooley Gallery, and the storytelling show Be Gay, Do Crime centers […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for September 15-21

Your end-of-summer plans include healing jazz, slime sculptures, and a trippy Hungarian film.

I don’t want to alarm you, but autumn is almost here, people. September 15-21 is the last week before the equinox, and fortunately for us, Portland has plenty of creative and apparently candlelit events planned. On the docket are astral jazz, Sasha Fishman’s slime sculptures, and vampire baseball set to a live orchestra. Plus, you’ll […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: September 1–7

This week: ambient drone, lowriders, and a gay carnival. Plus garlic. Lots of garlic.

Summer’s winding to a close, but don’t even think about hibernating. This week, the city will keep your cup full and the loneliness (and vampires) at bay with a fresh hop beer fest serving whiffs of harvest heaven and festivals of the garlic-loving, rich-people-hating, and poetry-celebrating varieties. The Time-Based Art Festival gets going, too, and comedian […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: August 25–31

This week: Lodestars of Portland’s grunge-pop and soul history, plus a tropical sundae.

Good news for those who deserve a little treat. This week serves layered sundaes, State Fair elephant ears, and a lilting farewell set by consummate indie-poppers Tennis. For something heartier, catch cool jazz at wine and cheese bar Négociant or a performance by Ural Thomas, the King of Portland Soul. Indulge accordingly. Monday, August 25 […]

Posted inNews

Updated: County Declares Emergency as Portland Faces Dangerous, Extended Heat Wave

Multnomah County will open two daytime cooling centers and extend hours at three libraries. 

Update: 11:45, Monday, August 25: Multnomah County announced it won’t reopen cooling centers today, as temperatures have fallen below emergency thresholds. The forecast still predicts hot weather (low 90s) through Tuesday evening, so health officials advise people to maintain heat precautions, especially those particularly susceptible to heat-related illness.  Update: Noon, Sunday, August 24: Multnomah County’s […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: August 18–24

This week: Ethereal indie, cinema with snacks, and more art at Lloyd Center.

In the words of contemplative poet Mary Oliver, “August of another summer, and once again/I am drinking the sun.” Are you drinking the sun yet? There are a number of methods with which to achieve this, but all of them require going outside. Luckily for you, there are many reasons to leave home this week, […]

Posted inNews

Daytime Cooling Centers Reopen In Portland Tuesday Amid Extreme Heat Wave

Multnomah County declared a state of emergency due to prolonged high temps. Three cooling sites will stay open until 9 pm Tuesday, with libraries open until 8 pm.

Originally published: Monday, August 11 With temperatures soaring around 100 degrees Monday and Tuesday, Multnomah County residents can find reprieve from the extreme heat wave at cooling centers and local libraries.  Multnomah County has declared a state of emergency, and reopened three daytime cooling centers at noon today. Four county library branches—Albina, Central, Gresham, and […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: August 11–17

Four comedians and an Afrobeat legend take the stage this week, as do burgers.

If your dream is to eat a burger every day this week, we say go for it. But there are some pretty chill cultural supplements to this week’s noshing, too. Femi Kuti will bring Afrobeat grooves to Revolution Hall with his Positive Force crew, and the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby puts art on wheels, then […]

Posted inDo This, Do That

The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: August 4–10

This week: pugs, hot sauce, and two of the buzziest names in indie rock.

If last week’s Do This, Do That left you with a bit of a cultural hangover, firstly: I understand. It’s not easy eating pizza and watching ’90s comedies and partying in the summer sunshine. That said, you’ve got more work to do this week. On the roster are archival films, a hushed evening reading party […]

Gift this article