Hear in Portland: Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme Holiday Shenanigans at the Schnitz

Plus, the Thesis celebrates nine years of lit, local-focus hip-hop and Ms. Arietta Ward throws you a party for HER birthday.

Dracula, a Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really Is Easy, Entertaining, and Empowering

Portland Center Stage got you horror for the holidays.

Zupan's Adds Hanukkah Menu, Curated by Jacob & Sons Chef Noah Jacob

The fall of a bakery and lox-maker may end up elevating the deli of Portland's gourmet grocer.

Hear in Portland: A New Jazz Night at Keys Lounge Draws Fans of the 1905

The new Covi. and Drae Slapz joint EP is addictively fun, and a New Year's Eve Cowboy Prom? We're There.

MusicOregon Awards $57,000 in Grants to 18 Portland- and Vancouver-Area Musicians

The Echo Fund supports a historically overlooked creative pursuit: popular music.

New Thing in the Lloyd Center: Secret Room Workshop Pop-Up

Through December 23, the little gallery will host art shows, present workshops, and sell riso-printer art.

HEAR IN PORTLAND: Friends of Noise Fundraising for an All Ages Venue

Ural Thomas and the Pain shine on a stacked New Year's Eve bill, and Portland rapper-producer Fountaine's farewell DJ dance nights.

This Billie Eilish Cover by Wonderly Is Filled With Joyful Irony

We spoke with Portland music duo Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk about the new music video from their album of covers.

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.

Live Show Review: Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville 30th Anniversary Tour

The Portland stop was a happy-sad, nostalgia-induced crying jag trip through time.

Hear in Portland: Vagabon Evolves at Mississippi Studios

Plus, Portland rapper Jordan Fletcher on a stacked Kelly's bill, and the Oregon Symphony's adds more diverse holiday concerts.

Film Review: Todd Haynes' May December Is a Lifetime Movie With a Semiotics Degree

This holiday season, Julianne Moore gives us one of cinema's greatest lisps.

Portland, Appreciate A Wynne When You Have One

The rapper's homecoming show promises bad-bitch anthems, special surprises, and fans screaming her complex, confident lyrics.

At Portland Fall Art Shows: Flemish Snack Bags, Sculptures of Daily Detritus, and Other Wonders

Find a visual feast at Portland art galleries like SE Cooper Contemporary and Japanese American Museum of Oregon.

Hear in Portland: Say Yes to the RENAISSANCE / RENAIDDANCE Beyoncé Dance Night

Plus, Federale and the Prids co headline Crystal Ballroom, and two Portland rap projects score a feature from Fatboi Sharif.

What Happens at a Shrek Rave?

In which a Mercury writer considers Judith Butler, on a dance floor full of gender-swapped Shreks and Fionas.

Oregon Jazz Legend Dan Balmer to Release New Album on Local Label

An offshoot of the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, PJCE Records has comissioned new arrangements of Balmer's music for his record release show.

Should You Eat an Edible Before Seeing Priscilla?

Sofia Coppola's Priscilla Presley biopic is a great stoner flick. Hear me out.

The Wandering Drones of Water Shrew Trio

The local label supergroup of Bud Tapes' Emmet Martin and Oranj Discs' Skyler Pia release a studio album with Boreen's Morgan O’Sullivan.

Theater Review: Blood Wedding Soars and Stumbles

Frederico García Lorca's tragedy of doom and revenge is so relevant, we wonder if Shaking the Tree is psychic.

Hear in Portland: Pickathon Favorites Butcher Brown to Play the Get Down

This show-heavy music news update has details on Portland's date with Wynne, and Revolutions Per Movie's first live podcast taping—with R.E.M.'s Peter Buck!

Author Q&A: Intersex Activist Alicia Roth Weigel on Her New Memoir Inverse Cowgirl

A visit to Powell’s City of Books uncovered no books about intersex experience, so she vowed to write one.

Hear In Portland: Mal London Drops a New Single and Headlines the Thesis in November

Bad Bunny's Portland show tickets are in the wind; Moorea Masa and the Mood's latest track is "Magic."

Theater Review: Portland Center Stage’s Hair “Lets the Sunshine In”

A gifted cast sings new life into the anti-war Vietnam-era musical.

Hear in Portland: Dress Up Like a Record for Mississippi Records

Dial into the slowed down + reverb version of Karma Rivera and Chilifa Nem's “Taraji P," and imagine Providence Park's glow-up possibilities.

See Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour as Big as You Can

The movie version of the exorbitantly-priced stadium show is an equalizer.

The Return of Portland Fermentation Festival Is a Big Dill

After a three year hiatus, the 2023 fest promises snacks, a Bacterial Petting Zoo, and a DIY attempt at the lost Neusihin's pickle recipe.

The Portland Mercury's 2023 Corn Maze Reviews

Five Portland-area corn mazes, ranked by the philosophical depth of their rustling stalks.

Hear in Portland: Brown Branch Big Band Honor Jazz Legend

Plus, Portland-based Nigerian singer-songwriter Izzy Baba Melo has "Something Huge," and A Beat Happening's free Lolo Pass showcase is stacked.

Kickstand Comedy Announces First Show In New Brick and Mortar

Los Angeles comedy troupe Holy Shit Improv kicks off a series of monthly shows with rotating out-of-town talent.

Multnomah County Library Opens Temporary Northeast Portland Location

MCL users can expect to use University of Oregon's Library and Learning Center through the summer of 2024.

Highlights at Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023

PGRE is one of the most approachable cons in town, thanks in part to how much there is to actually do there.

David Byrne Takes Over Tomorrow Theater's Opening Weekend

A look inside the renovated former adult movie house that Portland Art Museum turned into a 250-seat movie and performance venue.

Hear in Portland: Chris Slusarenko's New Podcast Talks Stop Making Sense

Plus, sobbing about Dame D.O.L.L.A.'s "Farewell," and vibing with A Beat Happening at OMSI.

As No-No Boy, Dr. Julian Saporiti Turned His Research Into Brainy, Bright Folk Songs

"Empire Electric" sounds like Sufjan Stevens' 50-albums-for-50-states project, but about Asian experience in America.

Hear in Portland: NYC Rap Duo Armand Hammer Heat up Polaris Hall

Plus, PDX Pop Now! for fall, and Dame D.O.L.L.A shot a video in Portland's Rose Test Garden with Rexx Life Raj.

Oregon Cartoonist Breena Bard Draws a Climate Change Story From a Middle-School View

Wildfire shows practical ways kids can participate in activism—even if they don't want to march.

Red Door's Streamlined Evolve Experience Is Ready for the Road

The hot button show about police and the public is not trying to entertain. That doesn't mean it's not engrossing.

Portland's Coolest New Record Shop Is Three Record Stores, a Bookstore, a Radio Station, and a Label

2023 Was the Summer of Closed Libraries in Multnomah County—Here's Why

Hear in Portland: Don't Sleep on the Final Doug Fir Lounge Shows at Jupiter Hotel

Plus, Bijoux Cone's powerful song about trans erasure, and Dani Danger's sultry pool views in her "Addicted to Love" music video.

Forced to Suspend Its 2023/24 Season, Artists Repertory Theatre Keeps Building

Fly Is Mitchell S. Jackson's Survey of NBA Player Fashion Across Decades

Finally, the Music of Mort Garson Presented as It Should Be: WITH LASERS

OMSI will host a custom light show set to the music of the synth pioneer.

At Lil' Dame, Matta's Chef Richard Văn Lê Plans to Lean Harder Into Vietnamese Flavors

Oregon Symphony's Deanna Tham Helps Us Unpack the Greatest Modern Film Composer

Portland Book Festival 2023 Authors, Ranked by Lit Crowd Gasps

Jonathan Lethem returns, Fermenter chef Aaron Adams co-authored a cookbook with Liz Crain, and Naomi Alderman sneaks Portlanders some preview copies of The Future.

Fall 2023 Visual Art Picks: Converge 45 and Other Portland Art Shows That Look Good

Hear in Portland: Wynne Plays the Bachelorette on Her New Single “High Standards”

Plus, Schaus' Holocene record release show is stacked, and Travis Scott added another Portland Utopia tour stop.

Show Recap: The Thesis Yacht Party on September 7, 2023

Fierce performances, surreal moments, luxurious snacks, and a reminder that smoking pot on the Portland Spirit is not allowed.

Portland Film Festivals to Fit Your Zodiac Sign

YOUR SUNDAY READING LIST: City Council Screws Up Again, Proof Portland Isn't Dying, and Ninja Supplies Desperately Needed!

How Is It Possible That "Black Artists of Oregon" Is the First of Its Kind?

Family Worship Center’s Big Band Rock Lives Inside a Pocket of Time

The faux cult’s debut full length, Kicked Out of the Garden, shows nostalgia for rock and roll grandstanding.

Portland's Time-Based Art Festival (TBA) Goes Time-Released

Hear in Portland: Karma Rivera Headlines the Thesis Yacht Party

Plus, new records from intimate songwriters Small Million and family-folk teacher Red Yarn.

YOUR SUNDAY READING LIST: The City Council Candidate Tsunami Approaches, Protecting Portland Trees, and Workers Push Back!

Bottoms Is the Horny Gay Teen Comedy of My Dreams

Also worth noting: Former Seahawks running back—and Portland restaurateur—Marshawn Lynch is amazing in his supportive acting role.

Here's "Portland's Funniest Person" for 2023

Self-described "Gen Z piece of shit" Cameron Peloso won Helium's annual stand-up comedy contest.

YOUR SUNDAY READING LIST: Sketchy Legal Summons, Portland's New Districts, and Stock Up on Snacks, Stoner!

HEAR IN PORTLAND: Jackpot Records Celebrates 25 Years, Moorea Masa's Summer Jam, and Let's Drink Up Some Pink Martini

Get the latest music news and hottest bops to put in your ears.

Six Records for Rotation Before The Elephant 6 Recording Co.

C.B. Stockfleth's new documentary digs into the '90s music collective behind Neutral Milk Hotel, Of Montreal, and the Minders.

An LA Comics Fest Comes to Create Permanent Damage in Portland

Floating World hosts the grimy indie comics fair in Lloyd Center's old Ulta Beauty salon.

Hear in Portland: Orquestra Pacifico Tropicale Promises New Songs and a Third Album

Plus, Dani Danger's gorgeous new "Addicted to Love" is good listening for the inevitable traffic jam at the 50 Cent concert.

Knot Springs and the Hot Tub Financial Disparity Machine

Visiting Portland’s fanciest spa, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the cold plunge.

Prepare for Lindy West's Every Castle, Ranked Portland Tour Date

What has she been doing? Adult braces! Throuple! And more in this informative, spoiler-free Q & A.

Portland Is Losing Its Babytooth

Co-released by local labels Antiquated Future Records and Bud Tapes, the excellent debut is both a hello and goodbye, for now.

YOUR SUNDAY READING LIST: Traffic Violence, the Glory of Pickathon, and Is This Portland's Best Bagel?

The Mercury's Favorite Moments of Pickathon 2023

"The volunteers were kind. The music was excellently curated, and I again came out of it appreciating new artists."

Photo Essay: Pickathon 2023 in Pictures

Trippy art and unforgettable live shows from the annual music festival at Pendarvis Farm.

Hear in Portland: A Bittersweet Final Maarquii Show

Plus, Dame D.O.L.L.A's album release announcement and the second year of Kidz Outside Festival in St. Johns.

Portland Bagel-Off: Year One—Is the Bagel War Finally Over?

Spielman and Honey weren't in the competition, so probably not.

Hilarious Hard Rock Trio Tacos! Has a New Album Out on Portland Label Nadine

Eating tacos (the food) with Tacos! (the band)!

Get Farm-Zoned With the Mercury's Pickathon 2023 Picks

Lee Fields, Thee Sinseers, GEL, W.I.T.C.H., and many more play the best darn little music festival held 16 miles outside of Portland.

Hear in Portland: Karma Rivera's 2023 Singles Show an Irresistible Bass-Forward Direction

Plus, a rare Zyah Belle live appearance at Peter's Room, and THIS IS NOT A DRILL—Wynne is going on tour.

The Agony and Ecstasy of the Portland 48-Hour Film Project

What's fun about making a short film, in an extreme time crunch, on no sleep?

Montavilla's Zuckercreme Will Strawberry Museum All Summer Long

If you like strawberries, this is your thing.

Prodigal Portlander Drowse Returns to the Gloom

Kyle Bates on pursuing a doctorate in composition, the long, warm drones he's been making with Chicago sound artist Lula Asplund, and his upcoming show at Mississippi Studios.

Hear in Portland: Jazz and Groove-Driven Trio Greaterkind Gets Steamy

Plus, a Heavy Gold label night at the Fixin' To, a new collab from Mal London and JxJury, and Dame D.O.L.L.A. tells us "The Way It Goes."

FairWell Festival Favorites: Five Country-ish Bands We Loved

FairWell's first year drew tens of thousands to Redmond, Oregon for a Lollapalooza of "good country" music.

Barbenheimer: A Purely Scientific Review of Two Very Dissimilar Films

We compared Barbie and Oppenheimer on their reframing of iffy history, portrayal of the legal system, ken-ergy, and HORSES.

Portland Composer Saloli's Enchanting Synth Portrait of a Bear

Mary Sutton's new record draws in the classic and the personal—from Erik Satie to a painting by her father, Cherokee artist Jerry Sutton.

Hear in Portland: What's Hotter—the Cover of Wynne's New EP or Her Jaw-Dropping Tracks?

Plus, Nonbinary Girlfriend plays Live on KEXP, and a rare KAYTRAMINÉ show at Edgefield.

Hear in Portland: On Red Head Redemption Jinkx Monsoon Reveals They've Moved Back to Portland

Plus, an excellent new summer anthem collab from JxJURY and Mal London, and a promising upcoming free Sunday show at Rontoms!

Order Everything on the Menu at Pastificio d'Oro

Chase Dopson and Maggie Irwin’s capable hands rolled Pastificio d'Oro into a new St. John’s landmark.

The Mercury's 48-Hour Drag-A-Thon Live Blog

Darcelle XV Showplace and Wildfang broke a Guinness World Record—here's what happened!

Old Portland Is Alive (and Maybe Performing Live) at Foster-Powell Neighborhood's Starday Tavern

Our city's "Most OKest Bar" is actually pretty great.

Hear in Portland: Neo-Soul Singer Lo Steele Is a Portland Soul Legacy

Plus, Sarah Clarke co-headlines with Lyle Divinsky, and Mic Check celebrates seven years of showcases and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

Goths on Cabaret at PETE's Cardiac Organ

Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble starts dark but stays camp with "Cardiac Organ: A Goth Cabaret."

HEAR IN PORTLAND: Popular Farm Music Fest Pickathon Posts a Plea for Its Future

Plus, Thirsty City showcase celebrates nine years at the Goodfoot, and who should be on your radar at the Waterfront Blues Festival?

Hi Honey, I'm Homo Is History That Won't Depress You During Pride

Culture critic Matt Baume not only recounts Sitcom TV's tea—he reads the leaves.

Just in Time for Pride, a Popular Portland Gay Bar Reopens

Iconic queer nightlife spot Local Lounge is reborn as Back 2 Earth—a much needed win for Portland’s gay bar scene.

You Don’t Have to Be Drunk to Love Drunk Herstory

Creator and host Shandi Evans says the comedy drag night's first sober storyteller told "hands down the most insane story we've ever done."

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.

Photo Essay: A Glimpse of the 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo

The sold-out event was organized by Portland-based photographer Ivan McClellan, who has been documenting Black cowboy culture across North America for the better part of the last decade.

Crafting Pinocchio Spotlights the Stop-Motion Animation That Made the Movie Come Alive

Portland Art Museum presents an up-close view of Guillermo del Toro's unique vision and ShadowMachine's masterful craft.

NAYA Hosts a Destination for the Whole Community at the Cully Farmers Market

The Cully Farmers Market, hosted by the Native American Youth and Family Center, runs every Thursday this summer in Portland, highlighting about a dozen Indigenous vendors.

Hear in Portland:  Oregon Trail Sessions Is Bringing Beats to the Woods

Plus, Wynne's "Hot Friend," freestyle on Sway, and three Portugal. The Man music videos you can't see outside Movie Madness.

Black Drag Artists Tell the History of Black Drag in Portland

For a second year, Race Talks presents a panel telling stories guaranteed to bring joy, tears, chills, and something you didn't know.