What follows is one of the many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Food Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds.
The Portland Mercury’s Summer of Slushies
JULY
(FOOD/DRINK) Get ready for the coolest, most delicious event of the summer! The Merc presents Summer of Slushies, which brings boozy, frozen, custom-made treats to the frugal and thirsty denizens of Portland at just $10 a pop, all July long. (Various locations, $10/slushie, more info) MERCURY STAFF
Pretty, Witty, and Gay
THROUGH AUGUST 1
(FILM) In the wake of artist David Hockney’s death, PAM CUT’s Pretty, Witty, and Gay series feels bittersweet—the series curates films in conversation with Portland Art Museum’s sprawling Hockney exhibition. Much like his most famous compositions, the lineup of films screening on weekends at the Whitsell trends colorful, queer, and suffused with solitude beneath palm trees and sunshine. Fans of yearning and the paint swatch section at Home Depot will appreciate it; I’m partial to Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s vibrant, yet harrowing Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (screening July 12) and Safe, Todd Haynes’ pastel ode to health anxiety (screening July 19). (Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park, various times through August 1, $15/screening, $10 for members, more info) LINDSAY COSTELLO
Harriet Tubman Center Museum
THROUGH JAN 3, 2027
(VISUAL ART) 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) LC
Portland Arts Week: Good Game
JULY 10
(VISUAL ART) Chaired by gallerist Elizabeth Leach, the inaugural Portland Arts Week (July 9-12) will introduce itself with a wide range of shows and arts happenings centering an “Art & Sports” theme. Screenings, conversations, and Park Blocks activations make the week one to watch for, but I’m particularly jazzed for Good Game at PICA, which will transform into the Portland Institute for Contemporary Athletics on the night of July 10. Teams of all-star artists and athletes will compete in creative challenges—grab a hot dog and cheer on your faves. (Portland Institute for Contemporary Athletics, 15 NE Hancock, 8 pm, sliding scale $20-$50, pica.org) LC
Hilary Duff: the lucky me tour
JULY 14
(MUSIC) 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, $100.45+, cascadesamphitheater.com, all ages) SHANNON LUBETICH
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
JULY 17-19
(MUSIC) 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, jazzoregon.org, all ages) KATHERINE CHEW HAMILTON
Fuji to Hood
JULY 18
(FOOD/DRINK) 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, fujitohood.com, all ages) KCH
Joji
JULY 18
(MUSIC) 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, $63.50+, rosequarter.com) JANEY WONG
The Portland Mercury’s Get Out & Eat Bike Ride
JULY 18
(FOOD/SPORTS) Come celebrate the launch of the Mercury’s food issue—the very issue you’re holding in your hands—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, shift2bikes.org, all ages) KCH
OMSI Star Parties
JULY 18 and AUGUST 12
(COMMUNITY) 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.” 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, omsi.edu, all ages) LC
Hedwig and the Angry Inch with James Cameron Mitchell
JULY 19
(FILM) A must-see in the queer cinema canon, John Cameron Mitchell’s 2001 classic, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, is an off-the-rails, musical extravaganza about a gender-queer punk rocker who tours America singing autobiographical numbers while stalking the ex-boyfriend who stole her songs. And in this special 4K screening, Rev Hall welcomes Mitchell who will provide a live director’s commentary during the film—which is worth the price of admission alone, right? But wait, there’s more! Come early dressed as your fave Hedwig character for a super fun costume contest (with prizes!), and then stick around after the film for a special acoustic musical performance from Mitchell himself! (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 1:30 pm, $45.96-$173.66, revolutionhall.com, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Ocean Vuong in Conversation with Dao Strom
JULY 22
(READINGS/TALKS) You likely already know this, but Ocean Vuong made major waves in 2019 with the release of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, an epistolary novel; he’s also a celebrated poet, whose collection Night Sky With Exit Wounds won the T. S. Eliot Prize. The MacArthur Genius, American Book Award winner, and onetime Boston Market server will discuss his new book, The Emperor of Gladness, with Portland interdisciplinary poet/writer Dao Strom. Before the event, I recommend (re)visiting Vuong’s tear-inducing March 2020 interview with Krista Tippett, in which he casually says things like “I want to take off the shoes of my voice, so that I can enter a place with care, so that I can do the work I need to,” and “When the apocalypse comes, what will you put into the vessel for the future?” (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 7:30 pm, $13.62+, revolutionhall.com, all ages) LC
Portland Sketchfest
JULY 22-25
(PERFORMANCE) If your goal is to gain the most laughs per capita, then the annual Portland Sketchfest is the event for you! Held at the Siren Theater, Sketchfest spotlights the best in local and national sketch comedy troupes, and the festival’s curation is always sharp, on point, and improves year over year. In this edition, the surefire bets to see are definitely Portland’s own the Aces, D&D, Lone Wolves, and Phil Schallberger (whose video-assisted sketches are a wonder to behold), but we’re also very interested in checking out Hot Dog Tony (Greensboro, NC), Collette Gregory (Chicago), Dad Skeleton (San Diego), and the terminally cute Spoucho (Columbus, OH). But no matter which night you pick, you’ll be entertained… so why not attend all of ‘em? (Siren Theater, 3913 N Mississippi, Thurs 7 pm, Fri 6:30 pm, Sat 6 pm, $18-$95, sirentheater.com, all ages) WSH
World Naked Bike Ride
JULY 25
(SPORTS) The most famous Bike Summer ride of them all is back: the World Naked Bike Ride, a 22-year-old Portland tradition. It’s nudity with a purpose—protesting reliance on fossil fuels—and as many as 10,000 people show up, riding at dusk wearing as much or as little clothing (or body paint) as they prefer. (But for everyone’s sake, please wear underwear if you’re gonna ride a Biketown bike.) It’s loud, it’s crowded, there are lots of flashing lights, and it’s fun to watch drivers get annoyed—a quintessential Portland bucket list item. (Wilshire Park, 4116 NE 33rd, meet 6:30 pm, ride 8:30 pm, FREE, pdxwnbr.org) KCH
Pickathon
JULY 30-AUGUST 2
(MUSIC) If you don’t recognize many of the names on the 26th annual Pickathon lineup, never fear—this fest has always been about musical discovery. Every artist plays two sets over the four-day schedule, giving you ample opportunity to find your new favorite band (fun fact: Geese played Pickathon back in 2024). Bigger names like influential ’90s rock band Built to Spill and bluesy Americana artist Shakey Graves might draw you in, but don’t sleep on Portland Afrofuturists the Cosmic Tones Research Trio or Seattle’s psychedelic electro-cumbia project Terror/Cactus, among many others. Pickathon is more than just a music festival; it’s an experience with different “neighborhoods,” family-oriented activities, and unique highlights like a whimsical wooded path connecting parts of the grounds. (Pendarvis Farm, 16581 SE Hagen Rd, Happy Valley, $215+, pickathon.com, all ages) SHANNON LUBETICH
Northwest Hardcore Fest
AUGUST 1-2
(MUSIC) After a successful inaugural year, the Northwest Hardcore Fest is back to deliver a two-day affair of the stuff Portland hardcore punks used to only dream of. The lineup of over 30 bands features headlining sets from ’90s metalcore band All Out War, hardcore SoCal punks Soul Search, and self-described Thailand-based “Bangkok Evilcore” group Whispers. Other bands on the lineup have macabre names like As The Life Leaves Your Eyes and Sewn Shut, so you know it’s gonna get dark and go hard in all the best ways. (The Off Beat, 8440 N Interstate, 12-10 pm, $90, friendsofnoise.org, all ages) SL
The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi and Russell Daniels Live!
AUGUST 2
(PERFORMANCE) If you’re anything like me, you can’t bear happy people or anyone who seemingly “has it together”—I mean, like, how dare they, amirite? That’s why the world desperately needs The Downside, a podcast starring the hilarious Gianmarco Soresi and Russell Daniels, in which they dig deep into the lives of their guests… with a special focus on their bitchy complaints and personal neurosis. And in this live, onstage version, you can expect a raucous, raunchy evening that will include a lot of side-splitting crowdwork—a particular talent of Soresi’s. Get ready to laugh, and leave your stupid “silver linings” at home! (Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, $32.33, aladdin-theater.com, all ages) WSH
Portland Fire vs. Toronto Tempo
AUGUST 6
(SPORTS) Portland Fire fans, get ready: The battle of the WNBA expansion teams is heading to the Rose City. The Fire/Tempo game will mark the first time the two newest teams in the league have faced one another since May 23, when Portland thrashed the Tempo 99-80. The Fire’s players aren’t the only ones being tested: the Tempo is coached by longtime WNBA veteran Sandy Brondello, who will be looking for payback against newcomer Alex Sarama. The Fire also can’t count on a surefire win this time around, as far too many weeks will have transpired since that first match and both teams have been doing a lot of growing. That’s where you come in: snag some tickets, get some merch, practice your basketball chants and cheers, and get ready to support the home team as loudly as possible! (Moda Center, 1 Winning Way, 7 pm, $16 & up, fire.wnba.com, all ages) STEPHANIE KALOI
Ali Wong
AUGUST 7-8
(PERFORMANCE) The ceaselessly hilarious Ali Wong swings by Portland for another one of her crowd-pleasing nationwide tours. Blasting onto the scene with her 2016 Netflix comedy special Baby Cobra, Wong has expanded her reach into films (Birds of Prey, Always Be My Maybe) and TV (Fresh Off the Boat, Beef), and continues to be one of the sharpest voices in comedy today. If you love whip-smart stories and rants on the topics of sex, feminism, post-divorce dating, and more sex, then the lewd and wonderful Ali Wong is exactly the night of entertainment you ordered. (Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 7 pm, $66.20-$352.75, portland5.com, probably not for kids) WSH
PDX Pop Now!
AUGUST 7-9
(MUSIC) Returning this summer to the Midtown Beer Garden, PDX Pop Now! has celebrated local music with its free, all-ages, volunteer-run festival since 2004. This year’s installment is no exception, with the organizers teasing a lineup of more than two dozen artists spanning a variety of genres, over 25 food carts, craft vendors, kids activities, and more. It’ll be the most fun in the sun you’ve had since, well, the last PDX Pop Now! Don’t forget to support the nonprofit’s endeavors by making a donation at the fest or purchasing its curated annual compilation album on Bandcamp. (Midtown Beer Garden, 431 SW Harvey Milk, FREE, pdxpopnow.com, all ages) SL
Lloyd Center Funeral Procession
AUGUST 8
(COMMUNITY/SPORTS) Some Bike Summer rides are joyful; others are a time to mourn. This one, sadly, is the latter. August 8 is the last day of the Lloyd Center as we know it, so don your best funeral wear (or Tonya Harding outfit) for a bike ride through the Lloyd’s many maze-like parking structures. Afterward, riders will take to the ice rink for one last open skate. I hope Joe Brown will still have some of their famous caramel corn that day, too. (Holladay Park, NE Holladay and NE 11th, meet 1 pm, ride 1:30 pm, FREE, shift2bikes.org, all ages) KCH
