Summer is in full flex, so let’s get right to it: Hilary Duff is decidedly not so yesterday; actually, she’s she’s on tour with a new album, called luck…or something. Plus, Pride festivities hit a fever pitch, heavy riffs collide with a little late-night stargazing, and the Merc‘s own Katherine Chew Hamilton and Taylor Griggs lead a bike ride to the best food cart, soft serve, and slushie spots. Not to be all “there’s something for everyone” on the schedule this week, but… it’s kinda true. Read on for the hard evidence.
MONDAY, JULY 13
Hollywood Theatre 100
On July 17, Portland’s beloved Hollywood Theatre turns a dignified 100 years old! It’s celebrating the grand anniversary with a week of—mostly sold out—special screenings. In fact, the programming itself is a great showcase of the theatre’s ongoing series, like Kung Fu Theater, Repressed Cinema, and Can You Blame Her? The only reason there are still tickets to see a new 4K restoration of Mikey and Nicky (Peter Falk and John Cassavetes) is due to multiple showtimes—from Friday through Sunday. The same can be said for Christopher Nolan’s new epic The Odyssey, which opens a day early at the Hollywood on Thursday, showing in both digital and 70mm formats. On July 17 proper, we’re told all the theater’s showings come with a complimentary cake day slice. (Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, more info) SUZETTE SMITH
Also worth it:
PNW Climate Week, various locations, more info
Billed as the “first cross-region climate week in North America,” PNW Climate Week offers collaborative ecology chats, nature documentary screenings, bike rides, and a weekend festival.
TUESDAY, JULY 14
Hilary Duff: the lucky me tour
After 18 years away from performing live music on stage, Hilary Duff wowed the audience at a London venue back in January. Duff released her chart-topping album Metamorphosis when she was just 15, eventually stepping away from music to focus on acting and raising a family. Luckily for us, she returned to pop music with the release of her first record in 11 years this February; luck…or something tells the story of a failing relationship and traumatic divorce in a style that feels like a combination of Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and Lily Allen. Don’t miss your chance to see the pop star’s second coming with support from Grammy Award-winning synthpop group La Roux and rising queer Canadian singer Jade LeMac. (Cascades Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel, Ridgefield, WA, $100.45+, more info, all ages) SHANNON LUBETICH
Also worth it:
Rose Lewis: Respect and Admiration, Mudd Palace, more info
Portland State University MFA candidate Lewis presents drawings that trace a lineage of “resistance and romance through Communard anarchism, wartime cinema, [and] the French New Wave,” among other surprising places.
Sons Of (Sam Prekop and John McEntire), Tone Poem, Holocene, more info
Prekop and McEntire of the Sea and Cake will live record the sophomore LP for their synth-heavy project, Sons Of; dreamy local shop/label Tone Poem DJs. Peep the Mercury‘s Prekop/McEntire primer before the show.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
Harriet Tubman Center Museum
To fully appreciate the impact of the Harriet Tubman Center Museum, first you’ll need to understand an acronym: KSMoCA, AKA the King School Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s an ongoing social practice art project headquartered in a NE Portland elementary school, founded by Portland State University professors/artists Lisa Jarrett and Harrell Fletcher. For this exhibition, Jarrett collaborated with curators from the Harriet Tubman Center for Expanded Curatorial Practice—that’s a group of KSMoCA 4th and 5th graders—pulling together works from PAM’s collections that might surprise you. Expect a show “shaped by emerging curatorial voices and multigenerational knowledge.” (Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park, 10 am-5 pm Tue-Sun, FREE-$27.50, more info, all ages) LINDSAY COSTELLO
Corrosion Of Conformity, Whores, Crobot
Hell fuckin’ yeah. We aren’t really worthy, as a society, of a band like Raleigh, NC stoner metal deities Corrosion of Conformity still touring or to be visiting a spot as small as Hawthorne Theatre in support of their long-awaited new record, Good God / Baad Man. This is a real bang-for-your-buck show, too, with sludge metaliers Whores (who get local metal expert Nate Carson’s seal of approval) and Philly’s stoner shredders Crobot filling out the bill. If you’re looking to get lost in some heavy riffs and have complicated feelings about Sleep’s lineup changes, you’ll kick yourself for staying home this evening. (Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE 39th, 7:30 pm, $47.88, more info, 21+) HOLLY HAZELWOOD
THURSDAY, JULY 16
Shady Pines Festival
Shady Pines Festival is like Pickathon’s younger sister—she’s got all the coolest homies and knows how to throw a killer party. Now in its fifth year, beloved community radio station Shady Pines Radio takes over Camp Tasty’s in scenic Sandy, OR for a four-day campout rager packed with Cascadia’s coolest acts. This blurb could just be us rapid-fire naming killer acts, “We Didn’t Start the Fire”-style, from Johnny Franco (yes, and his real brother Dom) to Jonny’s Day Out, Mike Coykendall, Mic Crenshaw, Night Heron, and Gretta Seabird. There’s no wrong way to hit this festival, other than not hitting it at all. (Camp Tasty, 12960 SE Ten Eyck, Sandy, through July 19, day passes $70, weekend passes $140+, children under 12 free, more info, all ages) HH
Shade Equity Bike Ride
A 100-degree day in Portland hits differently when you don’t have the refuge of shady trees to help keep things cool. But that’s the reality in many parts of Portland—areas where many low-income and BIPOC Portlanders live. This ride is now in its fifth year, and thanks to projects like PCEF’s Equitable Tree Canopy Program, riders will visit the cute lil’ baby trees that have been planted as a result of these efforts. The night kicks off at 6 pm with an action night from environmental group 350 PDX, and the hour-ish long bike ride starts at 7 pm, finishing up in Laurelhurst Park. (Lents Park, 4808 SE 92nd, 6 pm, more info, all ages) KATHERINE CHEW HAMILTON
FRIDAY, JULY 17
Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
The Original Practice Shakespeare Festival brings its productions outdoors each summer, interpreting the Bard’s work in the classic First Folio style (that means limited rehearsal, an onstage prompter, and a fast-paced, improvisational feel). “Shakespeare should feel a little dangerous,” the fest’s organizers explain, and nothing sounds more dangerous to me than hopping on stage in front of a crowd to perform a barely rehearsed Elizabethan play. Check out the calendar for dates and locations of plays performed in parks across the city, including tales of heartbreak, murder, ghosts, and political intrigue. (Various locations and times, Fri-Sat and select Weds through Aug 29, FREE, more info, all ages) LC
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
Now in its 45th year, this completely free festival features three whole days of live jazz—listen up and take in the sunshine, with the St. Johns Bridge serving as a picturesque backdrop. There’s all kinds of jazz on offer over the weekend, including zydeco music from Swamp Thang, drum-driven grooves from Alley-Oop, and soulful vocals from Julia Logue. There’ll also be food vendors on site—all you need to do is bring a low chair or blanket. (Cathedral City Park, 6635 N Baltimore, July 17 4:30 pm-10 pm, July 18 1 pm-9:30 pm, July 19 1 pm-8 pm, FREE, more info, all ages) KCH
Califone, Corrina Repp
Tim Rutili’s Califone is one of those bands that isn’t technically a Portland act, but that doesn’t mean the connection isn’t there. For over a decade, the band’s beautiful and strange output has been released by your friends at Jealous Butcher Records, including their last proper full-length, Villagers, a spectacular late-night album you probably haven’t spent enough time obsessing over. If you heard 2009’s exquisite All My Friends Are Funeral Singers but never kept up with the Midwest’s answer to the Notwist, come down to Mississippi Studios and let Rutilli force you to wonder why you haven’t been obsessed with them for years. (Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $28.25, more info, 21+) HH
SATURDAY, JULY 18
Portland Pride Parade and Waterfront Festival
While Pride is certainly celebrated throughout June and most of July, the undisputed, largest event in Oregon is the annual Portland Pride Parade and accompanying Waterfront Festival, which attracts tens of thousands of happy, vibrantly clothed (or unclothed) individuals every year. The parade kicks off at 11 am on July 19 at NW Broadway and Davis, takes a hard right on NW Naito, and ends at SW Harvey Milk, where the fun of the Waterfront Fest awaits. While Pride Northwest had not released their entertainment schedule by press time, it’s not unusual to see multiple stages jam-packed with top queer talent, a LGBTQ+ makers market, lots of food and drinks, and, OF COURSE, all sorts of naughty frivolity. (Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Harvey Milk & Naito, Sat noon-8 pm, Sun 11:30 am-6 pm, $10 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds, more info, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
The Portland Mercury‘s Get Out & Eat Bike Ride
Come celebrate the launch of the Mercury’s food issue Pedalpalooza-style, along with managing editor/food editor Katherine Chew Hamilton and news reporter/soft serve specialist Taylor Griggs, who are both big bike nerds. We’ll ride our bikes (or skates or skateboards), to some of Portland’s best food carts and soft serve spots featured in the issue, and those of age can also grab boozy slushies to celebrate the Mercury’s Summer of Slushies. You might even be able to score some exclusive Mercury swag. (Sewallcrest Park, SE 31st & Market, meet 12 pm, ride 12:30 pm, FREE, more info, all ages) KCH
Fuji to Hood
Fuji to Hood is a beer festival, but it’s also much more—it’s a collaboration and exchange of Japanese and Oregonian culture, held in alternating years in Portland and Japan. This year’s lineup includes 25 brews, made collaboratively with Oregon and Japanese breweries and cideries, plus sips from some local wineries and distilleries. Look for a lager with peach smoked malt or IPAs made with soba noodles. There will also be taiko, judo, and even sumo performances, plus Japanese crafts from pottery to cat stamps. A dozen food vendors will keep you fed, including Behind the Museum Cafe, Soen, and Obon Shokudo. (The Redd on Salmon Street, 831 SE Salmon, 1 pm-8 pm (VIP-only 11 am-1 pm), $35 GA, $50 VIP, free for designated drivers and under 21, more info, all ages) KCH
Joji
George Kusunoki Miller has come a long way from his days as a supreme internet troll (folks might barely recognize him as Filthy Frank or other chaotic personas—or even as the originator of the “Harlem Shake” meme). These days, the Japanese American artist known as “Joji” makes lo-fi R&B, crooning forlorn lyrics with buttery vocals. In a 180 from his former internet presence, Joji the musician is an elusive figure, only emerging on tour and during album cycles. Catch him on this excursion for his latest album, Piss in the Wind, which features guest appearances from Giveon, Don Toliver, and Portland’s own Yeat. (Moda Center, 1 Center Court, 6:30 pm, $63.50+, more info, all ages) JANEY WONG
Shane Torres
You can’t talk about Portland comedy legends without mentioning Shane Torres. While hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Torres eventually landed in Portland where he developed his high level stand-up chops, entertaining crowds for years before branching out to become a national treasure. His list of credits are far too lengthy to include here, but Torres has been seen on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan, NBC’S Last Comic Standing, and IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang! just to name a very few, and his 2023 standup special The Blue Eyed Mexican, landed on Vulture’s top ten comedy special list. And now? He’s crafting material for a brand new special, and wants to try it out on YOU. Rest assured, this new, one-night only show called ”Shane Torres Works It Out” will demonstrate this lovable, whip-smart comedian at the top of his craft. (Kickstand Comedy, 1006 SE Hawthorne, 7 pm, $15-$20, more info, all ages) WSH
OMSI Star Parties
Light pollution be damned. You can scope out your fair share of planets and stars, the moon, and other celestial sights from the darkness of L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, where Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will host two special lunar viewings this summer. Rose City Astronomers and reps from Oregon Parks and Recreation will be on site, and astronomy nerds of all ages and experience levels can gaze their awe-filled little hearts out through “telescopes and binoculars of all sizes.” Oh, and save the date: On August 12, parties at both L.L. Stub and Rooster Rock State Park will scope the spectacular Perseid meteor shower. (L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, Buxton, and Rooster Rock State Park, Corbett, 8 pm-12 am, $10/vehicle, more info, all ages) LC
SUNDAY, JULY 19
Chai & Roses Pride Party
For the third year, DJ’s Anjali and Black Daria host a Sunday evening tea dance to cap Portland’s Pride parade weekend by centering QTBIPOC folks on the “liberation dance floor.” This is a dance party with history; it’s a place to sip on vegan chai made by Chaiwallah PDX and watch Jungle Candy Henna draw gorgeous designs. Bring cash dollars for queen performers like Anna Karenema, Chiffon Chérie, Hibiscus Lust, Willy Wankme, and MC Princess Mercury. [No relation, but we sure wish. -eds]. (Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 7 pm, $18, more info, 21+) SS
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
