FREE TICKETS THURSDAY: Enter to Win Free Tix to See Ta-Nehisi Coates, Haley Heynderickx, Sprints, and MORE!

Portland Opera Makes
History Come Alive

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

Pasar Is the Snack Sister of Beloved Portland Indonesian Restaurant Wajan

This Northeast Alberta spot is all about sampling smaller plates of Jakartan street food.

An Abridged Oral History of Seattle’s Greatest Rock Band, Pretty Girls Make Graves

"Our first or second show was opening up for Fugazi. That’s amazing, right?"

Illuminati Hotties' Sarah Tudzin on Writing All Rippers, No Filler

The not-so-secret Arthur Russell fan could see herself writing a folk record in the future—a folk record that rips!

FREE TICKETS THURSDAY: Enter to Win Free Tix to See Shannon and the Clams, Soul Asylum, The Psychedelic Furs & The Jesus and Mary Chain, and MORE!

Comedian Tina Friml on Being “Unforgettable”

Two performers dig into what's so funny about disability.

Megalopolis is Francis Ford Coppola's Gloriously Dumb and Luminous Opus

When it's truly singing, the infectious film gestures at the passion and poetry that come from an artist with nothing left to prove.

Film Review: My Old Ass Is a Horny Teen Sex Comedy Meets Time Travel Tearjerker

It's Fall! So here's your pansexual Hallmark movie.

Portland Opera Makes the Forgotten Resistance of Shizue Iwatsuki Come Alive

FREE TICKETS THURSDAY: Enter to Win Free Tix to See Summer Salt, the Portland Erotic Ball, ScareGrounds PDX, and MORE!

What Art Goes
With Your Job?

Make art, truth, and beauty
work for you for a change.

TBA Review: Yelling Choir by Maxx Katz Commands Sonic Space

Freed from the confines of predictable harmony, riotous sound can stimulate emotional release.

Beatlemania Through the Eyes of a Beatle

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm provides the ultimate insider’s view of a singular cultural event.

Risk/Reward’s Election Anti-Party Is a Variety Show (for the Politically Overwhelmed)

Randoseru-Makers Tsuchiya Kaban Launch a US Outpost in Downtown Portland

TBA Review: Goner Contains Some of the Best Booty-Shaking You'll Ever See

Is Malik Nashad Sharpe's choreography a means of torture, escape, or memory?

Hear in Portland: Lose Yr Mind Fest Adds Afterparty Dance Nights

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with Alana Rich, and give Oh, Rose's new record some love.

Dreamgaze PDX Revives Portland Shoegaze With a Two-Day Fest in St. Johns

A Look at Portland’s Arts Funding Upheavals, One Year In

Portland no longer runs its arts grants program exclusively through the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC); here's what's changed.

John Early Isn’t Afraid to Be the Asshole

The comedian talks Britney and brattiness ahead of his Portland show.

TBA Review: Te Moana Meridian Proposes Moving the Prime Meridian

Sam Hamilton makes a solid proposal; Mere Tokorahi Boynton sings it in te reo Māori.

Carson Ellis Draws a Snapshot of Old Portland in Her New Diary Memoir, One Week in January

Dyke Hoops Courts Community in Portland's Queer Sports Scene

A growing pickup basketball group ensures all players can shoot their shot.

The Mercury's Time-Based Art Festival Picks

Don't miss the dance parties, itty bitty music collages, and complete cacophonies—planning your TBA 2024 itinerary is an art form in itself.

A Moment of Appreciation for Comedy in the Park

In its fourth year, Kickstand's outdoor comedy experiment continues to expand—with its first-ever, all-day fest!

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.

City of Portland Gets Back With the RACC to Distribute Small Arts Grants

After last year's contentious fallout between the the Regional Arts & Culture Council and Commissioner Dan Ryan's office, many worried RACC would be shut out.

In the Shadow of Writer's Block, Blind Pilot Triumphantly Returns

Last summer, frontman Israel Nebeker suddenly found a path through his eight-year compositon drought.

Hear in Portland: Wynne's "Dog In Me" Is an Unapologetic Bop

Plus, a rebrand of the beloved summer block party in front of Green Muse, and Greaterkind's long-awaited Change of Plans.

Photo Essay: Pickathon Night Mode

Our annual photo essay brings you beautiful live music moments from Elephant Revival, Durand Jones, and Pahua.

Pickathon 2024 Maintains the Live Music Magic

The farm music fest sent everyone home with a new favorite band—we were surprised to find plenty were from Portland!

Portland's Favorite Experimental, Time Based Art Festival Bounces Back

On the TBA 2024 schedule: weird music, Black horror, and an opera about the prime meridian.

The Mercury's Guide to Pickathon 2024: Nine Music Picks You Must Not Miss

Listen for La Lom, Andi Oasis, and Lo Steele. Plus, our hot anticipation for Geese's Justin Bieber cover

Behind the Project Pabst Unicorn With Matt Slessler

The music festival returns to Portland with a bill where Billy Idol follows T-Pain, an onsite dive bar, and a brand new big unicorn.

Three Country / Folk-Rock / Psych-Rock Acts That Stood Out at FairWell Festival's Year Two

If you didn't make it down to Deschutes County Fairgrounds last weekend, you should still hear Adeem the Artist, S.G. Goodman, and Black Opry Revue.

Portland Pickles’ Ten Cent Beer Night: Bad Idea Gone Good?

Big professional sporting events kind of suck now; it’s an open secret that neighborhood games with good snacks are what’s actually fun.

Hear in Portland: Oregon Wildfires Ignited Inspiration on Rasheed Jamal's The Mandala Effect

Plus, Blossom and Night Heron split the bill at Hey, Love and a Beat Happening lands at L’Atelier Yaffe.

Remembering Chef Naomi Pomeroy, Whose Vision Cemented Portland’s Rustic Yet Refined Reputation

The culinary force behind Beast, Expatriate, Ripe Cooperative, and recently Cornet Custard, Pomeroy still had so much left to share.

Would a Lloyd Center Music Venue Answer Live Nation's Portland Incursion?

Local promoter Monqui teams up with AEG to compete with reviled music monopolist that is currently being sued by the DOJ.

HEAR IN PORTLAND: We Hear Destiny's Child in Majik9's Catchy New Anthem

Plus, Lambo Lawson headlines the Thesis, and Childish Gambino says he's retiring his stage name—right after all these releases and tour dates.

Where To Get a Great Sandwich AND AN EQUALLY GOOD Chocolate Chip Cookie

Portland is home to many fine sandwich makers; some of them are also cookie bakers!

Tracing the History of Queer Spaces in Portland

Silverado was once Flossie's; Lowensdale Park was once a place to cruise—take a brief dive into a history of our city's queer spaces.

Portland Drag Clown Carla Rossi Climbed Jeffery Gibson's Installation at the 2024 Venice Biennale

Artist Jeffery Gibson invited Carla Rossi to climb his installation on the US pavilion.

The Cowboys Are Back in Town

Ahead of the 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo, bullfighters and riders amble through Portland's nightlife.

Hear in Portland: Live Local Music Pride With Karma Rivera at Lollipop Shoppe

Plus, Nonbinary Girlfriend on the Rontoms Summer Sessions patio, and Wynne gives us some welcome “Rug Burn."

Portland Chefs Again Win Top Honors at the James Beard Awards

Oh, we were actually just talking about Langbaan and Gregory Gourdet being wonderful.

Hear in Portland: Soulful Singer Dani Danger Releases "Break This Spell"

NBD, acclaimed rapper Donte Thomas casually drops four new songs, is Aminé's Best Day Ever festival actually a best weekend?

Ponder the Mysteries of Greg in Middletown Mall

Third Rail Repertory Theatre closes out their season in a mall wasteland.

Portland Playwright Mikki Gillette Imagines Warhol Superstars Behind the Scenes

Candy Darling, Holly Woodlawn, and Jackie Curtis never quite escape the Factory of Blonde on a Bum Trip

Ten Years of Food Reviews (and One Apology)

Portland food critic Andrea Damewood revisits three restaurants and one food cart that have deliciously endured.

Hear in Portland: Maita Announces New Album want, Teases "girl at the bar"

Plus, Jeffrey Silverstein's “Gassed Up” Psychedelia Folk Rock, and Freddy Trujillo's Record of Chicano Experiences

Mercury Music Picks: Seattle Hardcore Band Blood Brothers Reunite for US Tour

Pickathon delivers second 2024 lineup, Babehoven headlines Polaris Hall

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.

Theater Review: Hand2Mouth's Spring Show Speaks With the Living, the Dead, and Death

Memento Mori unfolds as a series of sketches, and when the actors speak, they kill.

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.

HEAR IN PORTLAND: Nonbinary Girlfriend, Moorea Masa & The Mood, and New Music from Talilo Marfil

Get the latest music news (and latest tunes) to stick in your ears.

Evil Does Not Exist Is About Glamping and Other Forces Beyond Our Control

The new film from Drive My Car director Ryūsuke Hamaguchi strays from the clean conservationist message that would typically accompany such beautiful cinema of the natural world.

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.

Monét X. Change's Life Be Lifin’ Tour Delayed, "But She's Still Coming Mama"

Former Portlander Kevin Bertin says they want to take a step back to focus on writing music.

Hear in Portland: Could the New Anthem for Women’s Basketball Come from a 14-Year-Old Portland Rapper?

The long-awaited Nasalrod split album is finally here; get frenetic at the Polaris Hall vinyl release show.

Theater Review: Shaking the Tree Simmers the Bones of a Fairy Tale Into a Feast

If you see one play about loss and rebirth this spring, The Brother and the Bird should be it.

Photo Essay: Portlanders Young and Old Celebrate Earth Day With Making Earth Cool

Under the pomp and ceremony of a costume parade on a beautiful spring day lay a deep reservoir of disquiet for what the future might hold.

Heck Yes to More Pacific Northwest Non-Alcoholic Beer!

From the founder of Suckerpunch comes a zero-proof craft brewery focused on local hops and flavors.

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.

Photo Essay: Biking in Circles at the Ladds 500

The seventh "First Annual" Ladds 500 attracted more than 1,000 people to Southeast Portland's Ladd's Addition for a non-competitive relay race.

Hear in Portland: St. Johns Rapper Mat Randol's The World Keeps Spinning

Plus, soul singer-songwriter Julia Logue at Jack London Revue, and we hear Kyle Smyle Again.

The Beast Is a Sci-Fi Time-Traveling Romance Alive With the Anxiety of 2024

Bertrand Bonello crammed so much into this film that it threatens to tear at the seams, but Seydoux’s and MacKay’s chemistry holds it together.

Theater Review: Don't Google Nassim

The co-production of Boom Arts and Portland Center Stage shouldn't be spoiled, but we have a few tips you can know.

Sleater-Kinney Gives Hometown Portland the Eras Treatment

Nothing says "We love our fans," like a five-song encore.

Mercury Music Picks: Blonde Redhead, Drew McDowell, Xavi, Kath Bloom

Sleater-Kinney's Crystal Ballroom show is strangely affordable right now on the resale sites.

Dev Patel's Directorial Debut Monkey Man Is a Paean to Visceral Movie Violence

And my god, it’s invigorating.

Food Month Sobrang Sarap, or "Very Delicious," Celebrates Portland-Area Filipino Chefs

Created by three local Filipina women, the "food tour" spans Beaverton to Troutdale and changes weekly.

Chastity Belt’s New Album Live Laugh Love Is Tongue-In-Cheek and Totally Serious

Who knew comic bangers could also be honest confessions about frustrated aimlessness, loneliness, and finding purpose? This Seattle indie band did.

Hear in Portland: Pickathon's 2024  Lineup, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs' Broken Hearted Blue

Orquestra Pacifico Tropicale, Caicedo, and Seattle's Terror/Cactus play a cumbia-forward show you must not miss.

Future Now at Portland Art Museum Unboxes the Future of Sneakers

Candid Reflections From Music Pioneer Laurie Anderson on Releasing Rage, Yoko Ono, and Amelia Earhart's Legacy

Anderson brings her Let X = X tour to Portland with New York jazz ensemble Sexmob handling the horns.

Portland Has Two Great Listening Bars, Both Alike in Dignity

Spring 2024 Gallery Shows in Portland: A Chorus of Art About Work

Five Laurie Anderson Songs That Aren’t “O Superman”

Hear in Portland: Hip-Hop Night the Thesis Moves to Lollipop Shoppe

Jakki and the Pink Smudge's sunny new single “Going Up,” and country-tinged, rock-infused Chris Stapleton at Ridgefield.

Ian Karmel's Memoir T-Shirt Swim Club Covers the Comedian's Weight Loss and the Immaculate Snacks of His Youth

His two stand-up shows at Revolution Hall will steer clear of memoir material, but probably still include funny party stories.

Film Review: Problemista Is a Bizarre, but Surprisingly Honest, Movie About US Immigration

The comedy genius behind Los Espookys and that SNL "Papyrus" sketch, Julio Torres' first feature is queer, surreal, and over the top.

Hear in Portland: You'll Want the Foamboy Eating Me Alive Bandcamp B-Sides

Earthgang’s WowGr8 and Wynne "Cut & Paste," China Forbes adds a second record release night at the Reser.

Film Review: Love Lies Bleeding Is a Bold Newcomer to the Erotic Thriller Canon

Director Rose Glass’ second film tells the sleazy, sexy story of two star-crossed sapphic lovers.

Father Fannie's Funhouse Is Constantly Changing

The latest ILY2 Too Lloyd Mall resident curates artworks and workshops focused on community and Black joy.

Do You Remember Content? The Hotel Room Takeover Art Installation Event Returns

Artists at this unique Portland showcase include eco-friendlies Making Earth Cool and local music supporters Friends of Noise.

Theater Review: Sanctuary City Follows Two Undocumented Teens Through the Chaos of the US Immigration System

Third Rail Repertory deftly adapts Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok's gorgeous mosaic of lived experience.

Project Pabst Music Festival Provides the Portland Piece in STRFKR's 2024 Tour

Okay sure, Billy Idol is playing, but look at this local lineup: Gossip, Alien Boy, Glitterfox, and even La Luz swooping in from Seattle.

Hear in Portland: Ben Harper to Headline the 2024 Waterfront Blues Festival

Young Gifted and Black plan a party to rebrand; rapper Milc and producer Televangel collab on Extra Phish.

Poison Waters Turns Up the Heat at Her Own Charity Roast

The Portland drag icon returned shade upon her roasters and raised over $3000 for a Cascade AIDS Project summer camp.

Hear in Portland: Rappers Fountaine and Silv Punch Out Bangers on Bare Knuckles Collab

Where to catch the next single and DJ set from Zyah Belle; Khruangbin plays two epic live shows this summer.

Film Review: Hold Your Water, Dune: Part Two Is Worth the Wait

Denis Villeneuve crushes our senses beneath the magnificence of space opera scale and spectacle.

Theater Review: Shaking the Tree Explores the Overlap Between Posession and Inspiration

Even if you're not a fan of poetry, you can still appreciate the horror in Portland Playright Ken Yoshikawa's We Wrote This With You in Mind.

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.

Film Review: In The Taste of Things Simple Pleasures Shine

Trần Anh Hùng’s portrait of 19th century French countryside haute cuisine sizzles with scintillating restraint.

Hear in Portland: Portland-Based Vocalist and Violinist Chibia Opens an Excellent Leap Day Show

Plus, rockers Sheer Mag deliver a call to arms, and a survey of local Black jazz, soul, improvisation-based artists at Holocene.

L'Orange Culinary Delights Linger on the Mind

It’s French, it’s Pacific Northwest, it’s a little bit Mediterranean, and it’s probably my favorite new restaurant.

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.