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Mercury Staff
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.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Lindsay Costello and Mercury Staff

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 […]

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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. 
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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 […]

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

This week: Ethereal indie, cinema with snacks, and more art at Lloyd Center.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Lindsay Costello and Mercury Staff

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, […]

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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.
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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 […]

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

Four comedians and an Afrobeat legend take the stage this week, as do burgers.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Lindsay Costello and Mercury Staff

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 […]

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

This week: pugs, hot sauce, and two of the buzziest names in indie rock.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Lindsay Costello and Mercury Staff

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 […]

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Portland Mayor Mandates Compliance With Trump Policies in Effort to Retain Federal Funds

Mayor Keith Wilson issued an executive order halting some DEI programs as the federal government threatens to withhold millions from jurisdictions that don’t comply. Lawyers estimate 75 city programs will be impacted.
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Three weeks after warning city residents that Portland may have to cave to the Trump administration to keep millions in federal funding, it appears that’s now happening. In a news release, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said Thursday that he issued an executive order requiring the city to “adjust any programs or policies at risk of […]

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The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: July 28–August 3

From wild cherry pizza to ’70s sci-fi, this week’s events are a summer fever dream.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Lindsay Costello and Mercury Staff

I don’t want to jinx it or anything, but this week’s round-up seems…kind of perfect? Portland has splashy river parties, French sci-fi deep cuts, neo-Neapolitan pizza topped with cherries (yes, really), and a big ol’ birthday bash for your favorite alt-weekly (that’s us!!!) on the docket. Oh, and ya know, Pickathon. Whether you’re gallery-hopping or […]

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Do This, Do That: How to Have a Súper Ultra Tropi-Tóxic Summer

The Mercury‘s event picks for July 21-27: Bike rides and hot shows! Power, ponies, and booty bangers!
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Good afternoon, my lieges. Your suggested itinerary for this week is as follows: Emo bike ride—I have your least waterproof mascara at the ready—or an Oasis book without Oasis at the forefront of its story. Perhaps I can interest you in a comp drop or a sketch fest? A World Naked Bike Ride or a […]

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The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: July 14–20

How often can you view a shark dissection and listen to ambient music in a sun-dappled garden in the same week?
Avatar photoAvatar photo Lindsay Costello and Mercury Staff

We’re back! This week, the Crystal Ballroom becomes a portal for both shark innards and Y2K-era heartbreak—who knew such a mash-up was possible? A Ghanian highlife legend and Pattie Gonia’s environmental drag will keep things particularly sparkly, too, and Moment’s garden gathering of experimental musicians offers a soothing sonic balm. But before that, Ari Aster’s […]

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The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: July 7–13

Outdoor parties, an AANHPI market, and a dog-friendly bike ride signal that summer is alive and kicking.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Lindsay Costello and Mercury Staff

If you’re anything like us, you spend the non-summer seasons of the year wistfully planning everything you’re going to do once July swings around. Coast trips, reading All Fours outside, lounging at a rooftop bar with a cute little beverage—it’s all valid. But here is a hard truth you might not be fully appreciating yet: […]

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The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: June 30–July 6

This week: Wu-Tang Clan, ceviche, queer cinema, and a friendly reminder not to traumatize dogs.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Lindsay Costello and Mercury Staff

One of your most important missions this week is to find a copy of the Mercury‘s 2025 Queer Guide, but that’ll take you what, a few minutes? That leaves you with roughly 10,076 minutes to fill. Read on for why you should spend at least a few of them listening to hip-hop revolutionaries, watching comedy sets […]

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