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.

Recent Articles

Dig! XX Revisits the Friendship and Fall Out of Two Famously Eccentric Indie Bands

Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre were best-friend bands that eventually became bitter-enemy bands.

Portland's Folk Festival Breaks Down the Genre's Walls

Acoustic in Lola's Room, bands in the Crystal Ballroom, and your plans for the weekend—all set.

Where's Portland Music Month This Year?

MusicPortland put the annual celebration on pause for 2025, citing complications from the election and a desire to expand its vision.

Music Oct 2 3:00 PM

Portland Opera Makes
History Come Alive

Our Oregon debuts commissioned work about poet and advocate Shizue Iwatsuki.

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Fall Arts 2024 Sep 5 3:40 AM

Portland Opera Makes
History Come Alive

Our Oregon debuts commissioned work about poet and advocate Shizue Iwatsuki.

Music May 9 2:28 PM

Spend the Night Celebrates Nine Years of Electronic Dance Music Parties

Todd Edwards and Conducta headline the anniversary at Holocene, which also features STN resident DJs tag-teaming the warm up set.

Movies & TV Apr 17 10:15 AM

The Hype About The People’s Joker Is Entirely Warranted

The hilarious debut feature from Vera Drew parodies comic book icons to tell a trans coming out story.

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Spring Arts Preview 2024 Mar 18 3:54 AM

Portland Has Two Great Listening Bars, Both Alike in Dignity

We compare Sonder Listening Bar and Decibel Sound & Drink, and recommend they swap names.

Theater & Performance Feb 22 12:30 PM

Theater Review: Oregon Ballet Theatre's Peter Pan Is Exciting for Kids and Enthralling for Adults

Trey McIntyre's choreography excentuates the divide between youth and adulthood that is so central to J.M. Barrie's treasured tale.

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Theater & Performance Feb 19 2:00 PM

Prolab Dance’s Latest Work Unfolded Physically, Virtually, and Upon the Ceiling of Kendall Planetarium

when we were Ocean was intentionally overwhelming but delightful in its exploration.

Music Feb 13 12:30 PM

North Portland Jazz Club the 1905 Announces Reopening Plans

The Mississippi district music venue closed suddenly in November 2023; new management claims to have remedied its financial issues.

Music Nov 17 7:40 AM

The Rumors Are True—North Portland Jazz Club, the 1905, Is Closing

The club built a reputation for top-tier talent performances, but could not escape its looming financial problems.

Fall Arts 2023 Sep 6 3:47 AM

Works in Progress

Checking in with two of Portland’s most important art projects:  the Doug Fir and Tomorrow Theater.

Music Jul 5 10:00 AM

Candid Ramblings Rhymes with Refreshing Directness

Being in Portland helped rapper Lakeeyscia Griffin find the confidence to write a song about her partner.

Movies & TV Jun 27 10:01 AM

Clinton Street Theater's Hanabi Japanese Film Festival Celebrates Cult Cinema and Local Businesses

See Tampopo on the big screen, while snacking on goods from nearby Japanese convenience store Kashiwagi.