Steve Humphrey Update, 12:34 am: As things are devolving in the streets of downtown Portland, we are pulling our reporter from the scene. And as you’ll see from one of Alex Zielinski’s last dispatches, emotions are running hot even without the intrusion of the police. This guy revved his car and drove towards the group. […]
Robert Ham
Robert Ham is the Mercury's former Copy Chief. He writes regularly about music, film, arts, sports, and tech. He lives semi-consciously in far SE Portland with his wife, child, and four ornery cats.
Posted inPortland
How Reform Oregon Tattooing is Helping Clean Up the State’s Mess for Tattoo Artists in Oregon
Reform Oregon Tattooing With Multnomah County entering into Phase 1 of Oregon’s reopening plan tomorrow (June 12), dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops are, as you read this, hurriedly making sure they meet the state guidelines to keep customers safe. That includes the city’s many tattoo parlors. (Update, June 11, 7:30 pm: Gov. Kate Brown […]
Posted inNews
Live Updates: Portland’s June 9 Protests Against Police Violence
Wm. Steven Humphrey Update, 12:32 am: The PPB livestream has gone quiet, the few dozen protesters that remain are doing another cycle around the Justice Center before likely breaking up for the evening, and our reporter is on her way home to start celebrating her birthday. For a second night in a row, these demonstrations […]
Posted inMusic
Rising Rapper Bocha Releases Video for “Brown Skin”
Bocha Deontray Henderson Bocha didn’t have plans to make a video for “Brown Skin,” a track from his vibrant new EP I Like U. But just last week, the rising rapper insisted the team at his label EYRST open up their studio and let him film a clip for the song, as he recognized that, […]
Posted inNews
How a 20-Year-Old Organized a Peaceful Protest in Happy Valley
courtesy of Monnie Spears-Rogers The lion’s share of national media has been focused on protests against police brutality in major cities, Portland included. But around the state, in towns as far away as Pendleton and Ontario, concerned Oregonians have been stepping up and raising their voices to honor the Black Americans who have been killed […]
Posted inNews
Live Updates: Protesting Police Brutality in Portland on Friday, June 5
Protesters heading to the Hawthorne Bridge Sergio Olmos UPDATE, 1:20 am The Portland Police have seemingly accomplished their goal of moving the last band of protesters away from the Justice Center. It was, by all reports, a barrage of tear gas and foam bullets and other munitions. As I type this, police vehicles are sweeping […]
Posted inNews
Where Will the Portland Protests Be Happening Tonight, June 5?
Protesters on the Morrison Bridge Steve Humphrey Over the past week, Portlanders have joined forces in huge numbers, taking part in rallies and protests in response to the killing of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department. But as with most mass movements of this kind, it can be a challenge to keep […]
Posted inMusic
Now Hear This: New Music Roundup for the Week of June 5
Bocha courtesy of the artist We’re kicking off a new regular feature where we put the spotlight on exciting new music being released by Portland-area artists and labels, including samples of the tunes and links to where you can stream or buy the stuff that catches your ears. Since April, Bandcamp, the online music marketplace, […]
Posted inMovies & TV
HBO’s I May Destroy You is a Fearless Portrayal of the Aftereffects of Sexual Assault
Michaela Coel HBO If all you know of Michaela Coel is her work in Chewing Gum, the brilliant sitcom she created for BBC Two—and was subsequently streamed on Netflix—you will be ill-prepared for this British talent’s stunning second act, I May Destroy You. In Chewing Gum, Coel was a manic presence, playing a twentysomething, hormone-crazed […]
Posted inNews
Live Updates: Protesting Police Brutality in Portland on Wednesday, June 3
Blair Stenvick Update, 12:28 am: The crowd of protesters has thinned out considerably, with a small contingent of diehards remaining at the fence around the Justice Center. Some have been trying to provoke…something by throwing water bottles over the fence, but have been shouted down the peaceful protesters around them and admonished by the police […]
Posted inFood and Drink
World Famous Kenton Club Plans to Reopen on June 12
Minh Tran I don’t know about you but one of the hardest pills to swallow during the coronavirus shutdown was not being able to kick back at a bar with a friend or two, knock back a few cocktails, and watch a band playing some loud music. If you feel the same, please join me […]
Posted inFood and Drink
Help Support Portland’s Black-Owned Restaurants
Steakadelphia Yesterday we posted a list to help those looking for ways to support Portland’s Black community while educating themselves about America’s systemic racism. Today, we want to take it a step further and provide a list of Black-owned/co-owned restaurants in the city that are still operating during the coronavirus shutdown and could use some […]