If your dream is to eat a burger every day this week, we say go for it. But there are some pretty chill cultural supplements to this week's noshing, too. Femi Kuti will bring Afrobeat grooves to Revolution Hall with his Positive Force crew, and the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby puts art on wheels, then rockets it down the slope of Mount Tabor. Plus, peep synth-created video art, Japanese psychedelia, and a new novel by Kelly Reichardt collaborator Jon Raymond—the city really did think of everyone this week. Read on.
Monday, August 11
The Portland Mercury's Burger Week 2025
Since Burger Week is so ingrained in the fabric of Portland’s food history, you may assume that it has been grilling since the dawn of time. But in fact, the inaugural Portland Mercury Burger Week took place in 2013, launching with a lineup of 12 restaurants. As a hands-on experiment with the goal of exposing Portlanders to new neighborhood eateries, the celebration has grown (with the help of our friends at Travel Portland, Jim Beam, Blue Moon, and Biketown) to encompass a staggering 102 participants in 2025 across every quadrant of the city, plus the 'burbs. So how do you begin to tackle such a beefy endeavor? A few simple ground rules: supplement your burgers with sides and drinks, tip generously, don't be a jerk to restaurant staff, and ENJOY YOURSELF. (Multiple locations, August 11–17, $10/burger, map here) BRI BREY
We Are Everywhere Fest
Portland is often cited as having more strip clubs per capita than anywhere else in the nation. Thus, our sex workers are a powerful community of performers who make the city what it is! We Are Everywhere is a collective founded by an intersectional group of queer and POC folks to highlight marginalized artists, in particular sex workers. Find out what they’re all about at this three-day festival, which includes a pole competition at Kit Kat Club, a multi-medium gallery show, and a film showcase of shorts made by and about sex workers. (Multiple locations, August 11–13, $10, more info, 21+) BB
Yeast
Mary Bronstein’s microbudget mumblecore film might be easy to skip if it weren’t for the wildly stacked cast, which includes Greta Gerwig in one of her earliest roles alongside Josh and Benny Safdie. Yeast (2008) predates Frances Ha and Uncut Gems by several years, and its cinematography by Sean Price Williams (Good Time, recent Addison Rae music videos like “Diet Pepsi” and “Aquamarine”) make the film both an interesting time capsule and a strangely prescient look at who would go on to shape the A24 aesthetic. (Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7:30 pm, $10–$12, more info, not rated) LINDSAY COSTELLO
Tuesday, August 12
Club Alive residency
How alive are you willing to be? Artist-experimenter Kye Grant’s genre-fluid queer performance party Club Alive has long held it down at Kelly’s Olympian (with an expansive version of the event staged at PICA as part of last year’s Time-Based Arts Festival). Grant’s three-month residency at Lloyd Center’s ILY2 too brings Club Alive to the mall, and the vibe is “part club house, part party site, part television station, part art gallery, part newsroom, part micro department store.” It can also be part you: Head to Lloyd on August 12 for Club Alive TV (filmed live for TV, Grant explains) or for one of the other prongs of this multi-pronged experience, like the “only child club” (fourth Fridays through October). (ILY2 too, 2201 Lloyd Center G113, Grant’s residency runs August 1–October 26, more info) LC
It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley
A new documentary by Amy Berg (Deliver Us from Evil), It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley offers those who study human memory an excellent examination of what's called a "reminiscence bump." Buckley never had the chance to experience it, since the singer-songwriter drowned at age 30, having only released one full length album, Grace, in 1994. But the portrait Berg assembles shines with the vivid youth he left behind within his work and the memories of those who knew him. Read the Mercury’s full review here. (Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st; Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main, Vancouver, WA, more info, not rated) CHARLES MUDEDE
Wednesday, August 13
Church of Film—Going Out of My Head: Psychedelic Films of the Japanese Underground
One of Portland's weirdest and most beloved cinema treasures will celebrate its 12th anniversary this week with a selection of trippy films from a golden era of Japanese expanded filmmaking. Church of Film will screen works by multimedia and video artists like Toshio Matsumoto and Masanori Oe, whose films look more like heady, hallucinogenic experiments and were developed amid the Zenkyōtō student rebellion. The screening offers an mind-bending pregame for Clinton Street’s upcoming Hanabi Film Festival, which will showcase classic and cult Japanese films August 18–31. (Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton, 7 pm, $10, more info, not rated) LC
Lisa Congdon: The Way Through
Portland-based artist Lisa Congdon shares more of her snazzy visual language of fearless color, patterning, and folk art influence in The Way Through, which hangs fresh paintings and a series of 40 serigraphs (AKA silkscreen prints). The show emerged from a time of recovery for Congdon, who cultivated a daily collaging practice while healing from two surgeries. Congdon describes the resulting folio as “wonky, improvisational, [and] pure”—the collage works inspired the paintings seen in this show, which also pulls influence from nun/designer Corita Kent. (Chefas Projects, 134 SE Taylor Ste 203, Weds-Sat through August 16, free, more info, all ages) LC
Thursday, August 14
Jon Raymond in Conversation With Justin Taylor
Jon Raymond is probably best known for his meditative collaborations with filmmaker Kelly Reichardt (Wendy and Lucy, Showing Up), so who expected him to write the beach read of the summer? But God and Sex is quite a page turner! In it, a woo-woo Oregon writer struggles to finish his “high-end spiritual text” about trees, all while embarking on a steamy affair and clashing with climate disaster. This reading and conversation with Reboot author Justin Taylor provides an avenue to ask about the more Oregon-focused parts of his new novel or if he’s come to any conclusions about the grand questions proposed in the book. Read the Mercury's full review. (Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7 pm, free, more info) MARTHA DAGHLIAN
Kyle Mooney
You probably know comedian Kyle Mooney from Saturday Night Live, and for such memorable characters as the dope-huffing Chris Kirkpatrick and hambone comedian Bruce Chandling—but Mooney is also a stand-up whose forte lies in the never-break-character style of Andy Kaufman. In this national tour, Mooney allegedly wants to reveal to the audience his “true self” as an extremely talented “heart on his sleeve” musician… though he can’t even switch chords without consulting his guitar manual. A self-aware salute to the rock ‘n’ roll dream, Mooney’s hilarious “bad music” is charming, and he often brings audience members on stage to sing along for a night that gets everyone involved in the madcap, absurdist fun. (Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 7 pm, $48.35, more info, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Also worth it:
Midsummer Night's Dream Machine, South Park Blocks, more info
Friday, August 15
Femi Kuti & the Positive Force
Nepo baby (in the best possible way) Femi Kuti is the eldest son of Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, and the grandson of women’s rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Though Femi got his musical start playing in his father’s legendary Egypt 80 band in the late ’70s, he’s carved out a music legacy all his own with his band Positive Force. Firmly rooted in Nigerian Afrobeat, Positive Force pulls influence from other African traditions, funk, psych, highlife, soul, and more. Political at its very core, Positive Force will force you to consider Nigerian, African, and world history in frameworks not understood deeply enough in the US. Lead by Roman Norfleet, Portland’s Cosmic Tones Research Trio gets the lush evening of Black music started—keep an eye on the Trio, they’ve got a new record slated to drop later this year. (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark #203, 8 pm, $38.11–$50.17, more info, all ages) NOLAN PARKER
Rockstar Energy Open
Get ready for three days of hot skateboard action on Portland’s waterfront with the Rockstar Energy Open, which brings the best nationwide talent together to show off their most eye-popping tricks, while also celebrating the deep culture that surrounds skateboarding. Friday kicks off with the women and men’s park and street competitions and over the weekend culminates with the best of the best going into the Sunday finals. In between, you can enjoy food, drink, music from Face to Face, the Story So Far, and Teen Mortgage, and the excitement that comes with watching true masters of the skateboarding arts. (Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 98 SW Naito, Fri-Sat 11:45 am–10 pm, Sun 11:45 am–5 pm, $150–$400, more info, all ages) WSH
Simon Gibson & Joshua Turek
Former Portlander (and hilarious comedian) Simon Gibson returns to his hometown for a night of stand-up, pairing up with also-very-funny guy Joshua Turek. Pre-pandemic, Gibson occasionally popped into town to guest star on the Mercury’s I, Anonymous live show, and absolutely wrecked the audience with his manic, boisterous observations on the ridiculousness of life. Conversely, Turek goes the deadpan route with whip-smart (and often devastating) reflections on shitty landlords, angry drivers, and being called “sir” (“Not my preferred pronoun”). Get ready for a bang-up evening of yin and yang comedy. (Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $26.05, more info, 21+) WSH
Video Sync 2025
Lloyd Center continues to prove to us all that desolate malls can take on curious, arts-driven shapes (see also: Kye Grant’s Club Alive), and one of the figureheads of that movement is Synth Library Portland. This three-day series of video art installations, presentations, and talks will be presented in the Synth Library space, complete with performances on custom modular video synths and general skill-sharing. Friday’s events include Sarah Turner’s presentation on “co-opting NSFW online platforms with experimental video streams”(!) and medieval hermitage sounds by Sean Russell Hallowell. If the words “Interpretation Systems Incorporated VP-8 Image Analyzer” mean anything to you—or, better yet, if they mean nothing to you and you’re intrigued–get thee to the mall. (Synth Library Portland, 1256 Lloyd Center, August 15–17, $30–$80, more info, all ages) LC
Saturday, August 16
Jade International Night Market
Night markets have been popping up left and right in recent years, but Portland’s OG night market is arguably the Jade International Night Market, which has brought shine to the Jade District’s small-business gems since 2014. The ninth annual market features cultural vendors and performances as always, but you can also look forward to pin-making and a zine activity with the O82 Art Crew as part of the Canton Grill Memorial Project. Meanwhile, you'll find me in line for crave-worthy snacks from Tomomochi, Edible Art by Natsuko, and Vietnamese coffee pop-up Beans to Phin. (PCC Southeast Campus, 2305 SE 82nd, 3–10 pm, free, more info, all ages) JANEY WONG
PDX Adult Soapbox Derby
For my money, the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby is THE funnest event of the summer that spotlights everything that makes Portland great: artistic sensibility, thrills ‘n’ spills, and a beer-soaked DIY attitude. And the concept is simple enough—creative locals build their own looney art cars (which in the past have included stylized hot dogs, rocket ships, snails, and even dachshunds) and race them down the steep, winding track at Mount Tabor as tipsy fans (that’s you) cheer them on. Prizes are awarded for best art car, fastest and slowest car, crowd favorite, and a lot more—though the real reward is having the best day of summer ever. (Mt. Tabor Park, SE 60th and SE Salmon, 10 am–4 pm, free, donations appreciated, more info, all ages) WSH
Portland Timbers vs. FC Cincinnati
The two teams have gone head-to-head only three times previously, but FC Cincinnati is fierce competition, taking two wins, with another matchup resulting in a draw. Statistically, they also have a leg up, so our guys in green and gold will have their work cut out for them. Aside from what’s sure to be a riveting 90+ minutes on the field, here’s another reason not to miss the match: 20,000 fans will score bobbleheads of beloved longtime midfielder and team captain Diego Chará. The Timbers are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a club in 2025, making it a golden season to cheer them on. RCTID! (Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison, 7:30 pm, $40+, tickets here, all ages) JW
Also worth it:
Gaza Sunbirds: the international prisoner solidarity ride, Laurelhurst Park, more info
Sunday, August 17
Book Reception: The Italian Summer Kitchen with Cathy Whims
Culinary bookstore Vivienne is celebrating Cathy Whims, six-time James Beard Award nominee and Portland's Italian cooking maven, and you're invited! Released earlier this year, Whims' debut cookbook, The Italian Summer Kitchen: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita, follows the same ingredient-driven philosophy that shaped the kitchen of her flagship restaurant Nostrana: Cucina povera, literally "food of the poor," prizes simple cooking methods. Interested in hearing more? Food consultant and podcaster Judiaann Woo will engage Whims in conversation about her long-awaited collection of stories and recipes while guests enjoy delicious snackies from Nostrana and wine for sale. You can come for the culinary conversation alone or purchase a book for the author to sign (if you already have a copy, she'll sign those as well)! (Vivienne Culinary Books, 2424 NE Alberta, 6–8 pm, $15-$28, more info, all ages) JW
Northwest Hardcore Fest
Ok ok ok, not everyone is aware of this, but Portland has a thriving hardcore punk scene—and it’s (finally) getting the national attention it deserves. Not for lack of punks, the city’s scene saw touring bands large and small skip us again and again because our hardcore scene here was extremely diffused. A bunch of sects of the scene worked independently of one another, but rarely pulled together to throw their collective weight around and make something really big happen. Those days are over. In the last few years, we’ve seen several movers and shakers, both in and outside Portland’s various hardcore scenes, collaborate to push regional bands and events to levels previously reserved for the Bay Area, NY/NJ, and Boston. Case in point: Northwest Hardcore Fest 2025. Organized by 777 Booking and Friends of Noise, it’ll be hosted at Portland Institute for Contemporary Art on August 16-17. These three seemingly unconnected Portland institutions have pooled their collective resources and powers to bring together the hands-down hardest-hitting festival in the PNW this year. (PICA, 15 NE Hancock, August 16–17, 1–10 pm, $50–$80, more info) NP
Solomon Georgio
The disarmingly charming Solomon Georgio is exactly the kind of gay super-comedian we need right now. While he may come across as innocent in his delivery, his material is absolutely savage, covering topics such as being an “aggressively” gay Italian African immigrant, his mother screaming “YOUR GOD IS NOT REAL” in a mosque, and of course, Trump (“He looks like lactose intolerance turned into a person”). Get ready for an evening of absolutely scalding and hilarious truth-spitting. (Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $26.05, more info, 21+) WSH
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
