Welcome to the Mercury's Do This, Do That! Not that we think we're the experts or anything (okay, we definitely think we're the experts), but our new round-up of the week's best arts and entertainment events should make filling your calendar just a smidge easier. Expect nachos galore, cinematic poetry, a dairy-fueled bike ride, the city's most merciful sisters, and a girlypop robot trying to kill us all. Let's go.
Monday, June 23
The Portland Mercury’s Nacho Week
Not only are nachos the Platonic ideal of bar food, they also present a wonderful canvas for creativity: Crunchy tortilla chips (or tots or what have you) provide a base for whatever toppings your heart desires. The Portland Mercury’s annual Nacho Week demonstrates the dizzying versatility of the beloved Tex-Mex dish with exclusive specials created by chefs all over Portland for a mere $10 each. Plot your itinerary, round up some friends, and go share some full-sized plates of hearty nachos smothered in melty cheese until you fist-fight over the last bite. (Various locations, through June 29, $10, map here) JULIANNE BELL
Also worth it:
Esme Patterson at Mississippi Studios, 8 pm, tickets here
Tuesday, June 24
Alison Jean Cole: A Rockhound's Guide to Oregon & Washington
Rocks are cool and all, but I'll be honest: I wasn't losing sleep thinking about them until I started following Alison Jean Cole's Instagram account. Cole's enthusiasm for rocks brings up all sorts of questions. What is a thunderegg, really? And have I missed my calling? Should I have been a professional rockhounder, traversing the orangey badlands and desert canyons wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a bolo tie?? I am still wondering these things, and maybe you are, too. If so, head to this talk, where Cole will chat about her new book, A Rockhound’s Guide to Oregon & Washington. The book covers your bases on geologic history, where to start rock hunting, driving directions (right down to GPS coordinates), collection limits, and rockhounding safety tips. (Powell’s City of Books, 1001 W Burnside, 7 pm, free, more info here) LINDSAY COSTELLO
The Color of Pomegranates
Soviet director Sergei Parajanov’s magnum opus is an abstract, color-soaked foray into the textures and sounds of 18th-century Armenian poet-bard Sayat-Nova’s life. The Color of Pomegranates is the kind of film that your Criterion-loving friend counts among their favorites; it might be the closest thing to cinema-as-poetry that exists, and although it may sound heady and esoteric, it’s absolutely worth your time. Just let the imagery wash over you. Much like poetry, whatever you take away from the film is the right interpretation. (Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton, 7 pm, $10, not rated, tickets here) LC
Wednesday, June 25
Dough
If you’re looking for reliable laughs, then Dough—a weekly comedy show at Mississippi Pizza—is just what you need to beat the Wednesday doldrums. Hosted by former Mercury Geniuses of Comedy Adam Pasi and Sir Lance Edward, along with Sam Whiteley, Dough can be counted on to provide a mix of well-established and new-to-you standups that will keep the laughs rolling. Plus, this trio of hosts have an easy, hilarious chemistry that makes this one of the fave comedy nights of many local comedians. This week’s lineup of laff-makers includes David Tveite, Ash Allen, Chris Hudson, and Gabe Dinger, so don’t miss it! (Mississippi Pizza Pub & Atlantis Lounge, 3552 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $10, 21+, tickets here) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Ice Cream Social Bike Ride
Summer evenings are for bike rides and ice cream. So why not do both at the same time (well, maybe not the exact same time, but you know what I mean), and meet some new bike buddies while you’re at it? Around Portland Tours is hosting an ice cream social bike ride for just this purpose. The ride will be between six and eight miles long, with stops at Portland’s best spots for frozen treats. True ice cream lovers will get a cone at each stop, but you’ll be forgiven for selectively indulging. Around Portland says they have up to 10 bikes and helmets for rent ($20 each) for those who need wheels. Otherwise, come prepared to taste test Salt & Straw’s June lineup and make some new friends. (Meet at Around Portland Tours, 833 SE Main Ste 124, 6:30 pm, free, except for the ice cream, more info here) TAYLOR GRIGGS
Thursday, June 26
Kelly Ramsey in Conversation With Emma Pattee
Wildfires are here to stay, so it behooves us to stay curious about how we fight them, and what we're asking from the people who do. Wildfire Days: A Woman, a Hotshot Crew, and the Burning American West is the memoir of Kelly Ramsey, who worked on a team of elite wildland firefighters for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In addition to the worldwide pandemic, and those years' historic California blazes, Ramsey was also initially the only woman on her crew. Celebrated local environmental journalist and Tilt author Emma Pattee joins Ramsey to discuss all things aflame and climate apocalyptic. (Powell's City of Books, 1001 W Burnside, 7 pm, free, more info here) SUZETTE SMITH
Whiskey Tango: AI Will Not Replace Us?
Longtime fans of improv comedy, prick up those ears! After a too-long hiatus, one of Portland’s best improvisation troupes of the 2010s are reuniting for one gut-busting night of comedy. Whiskey Tango—featuring the solid talents of Leon Anderson, Jed Arkley, Sam DeRoest, Gabe Dinger, Nathan Loveless, and Jake Michels—are getting the band back together for a show titled “AI Will Not Replace Us?” And while no one knows what the evening will hold (not even the performers), you can bet that this group, which has been featured at Canada’s Vancouver Improv Festival, Austin’s Out of Bounds fest, and the SF Sketchfest, will not disappoint. (Kickstand Comedy, 1006 SE Hawthorne, 10 pm, $7-$10, 21+, tickets here) WSH
Also worth it:
Alembic Artists in Performance at Performance Works NW, June 26–29, more info here
Friday, June 27
M3GAN 2.0
How did a psychopathic robot dressed like a little girl become a queer icon? Many have pondered this question needlessly. M3GAN is FIERCE, and M3GAN doesn’t want to be in the CLOSET. This lil robot is so self-aware that the first film M3GAN (2022) became sentient and soon evolved into campy bloodshed. Will M3GAN 2.0 live up to the first’s bruising, backbiting heights? (Maybe we just projected our queerness onto M3GAN?!) Director Gerard Johnstone and screenwriter Akela Cooper would like to install murderbot updates. (Various theaters, opens June 27, PG-13, trailer here) SS
Oregon Midsummer Festival
Sunshine, flower crowns, maypole dancing. The Oregon Midsummer Festival is like stepping into Ari Aster's Midsommar with none of the body horror (Florence Pugh sadly not included either) and all of the lovely bits. Raise your beverage of choice with a hearty exclamation of "skål!" at this two-day festival celebrating all things Scandinavian. Hosts Nordic Northwest invite folks to beat the crowds on Friday night with a dance-filled evening and bonfire for Saint John's Eve. While the campus's restaurant Broder Söder will be open on Saturday with its requisite Swedish fare, hungry revelers can also enjoy baked goods from Jamie's Kafferep, Hygge Chocolates, and Swedish pancakes made by Harmoni Lodge. (Nordic Northwest, 8800 SW Oleson, June 27 5–9 pm and June 28 10 am–5 pm, $19, tickets here) JANEY WONG
The Sisters of Mercy
One of the best sketch comedy troupes in town, The Sisters of Mercy, have a “magical” night of comedy planned with their latest show, “Thank God, It’s Magic!” featuring an entirely new lineup of rock-solid sketches addressing all things “supernatural.” The hilarious femme energy of this group never disappoints, and if this latest Sisters show—written and performed by Shelley McLendon, Laura Sams, Lori Ferraro, and Erin O'Regan—is anything like their other performances, you can expect a raucous night of smart, wildly creative, and knee-slappin’ comedy. (Siren Theater, 3913 N Mississippi, June 27–28, 7:30 pm, $20-$35, tickets here) WSH
Also worth it:
Nothing Left to Lose Summer Festival at Shaking the Tree Theatre, June 20–28, more info here
Saturday, June 28
SE Industrial Dock Party
Block parties are so last summer. Head down to the SE Industrial Dock Party as chefs and local vendors spark their creative energies for a firecracker of a night. There's three ways to participate: A ticket to the cross dock dinner will offer tapas-sized dishes from participating chefs from Javelina, Oma's Hideaway, and Tournant, plus access to an exclusive hang-out area around Takibi firepits. For those interested in a lower-commitment hang, simply roll up to the party and grab food from the stationed food trucks and pop-up vendors. Local DJs will stoke the "fire-forward vibes" while party people pick their poison between the beer garden, wine tasting, craft cocktails, and more. Fiery folks who want to bring the heat home should hit up the dock sale, which will sling cooking accoutrements like live-fire gear and outdoor cooking tools; spices, rubs, and sauces; and small-batch food and pantry items; and more. (133 SE Salmon, 2–9 pm, $0-$75, tickets here) JW
Brentwood-Darlington Artisan Market
One of the most delightful elements of Portland summers is strolling the abundance of neighborhood pop-up markets. Maybe you’ll find a new piece of artwork to inspire your space, or your new favorite pair of earrings, while supporting local makers. The semi-annual Brentwood-Darlington Artisan Market returns this weekend at the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center in SE Portland. The market offers visitors the chance to peruse the crafty wares of several makers and artists in a low-key setting. Think of a stripped down version of the Portland Saturday Market with more kitsch and less tourists. (Brentwood-Darlington Community Center, 7211 SE 62nd, 10 am–3 pm, free, more info here) COURTNEY VAUGHN
Sunday, June 29
ASS, CASH, & GRASS: Ellen O’Shea, Will Zeng
You might assume that ASS, CASH, & GRASS focuses on, well, the aforementioned trio of topics. But artists Ellen O’Shea and Will Zeng think beyond the ‘70s-era hitchhiking slogan with ruminations on desire, gender conditioning, consumption, ornamentation, and car culture. Their exhibition features O'Shea's "mudflap girl"-inspired sculptures, while Zeng's Devon Aoki-inspired works replace the supermodel's image with a masculine figure. June 29 is the show’s last day, so go forth for a blend of homoeroticism, tongue-in-cheek odes to kitsch, and clapbacks at misogynistic cultural norms. (Well Well Projects, 8371 N Interstate #1, Sat–Sun 12–5 pm, free, more info here) LC
Carny Cumm / Bottom Blade / Unspeakable Carnage
Named after one of the rarest, most sought after substances on earth, Portland’s Carny Cumm is a simultaneous, multifaceted assault on all senses—including the sixth one (my deepest condolences to Haley Joel Osment). The band’s wall-of-noise flavored industrial music is the sonic equivalent of someone taking steel wool to your fresh stick-n-poke dragon tattoo while an ex holds your favorite soft serve just out of reach. Carny Cumm isn’t for the faint of heart. But then again, neither is carny cum. The real rocker asses Bottom Blade crush the middle slot, with the Unspeakable Carnage deathgrinders opening up this dark carnival. (Swan Dive, 727 SE Grand, 8 pm, 21+, tickets at the door) NOLAN PARKER
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
