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music festivals
Posted inMusic

Shady Pines Is a Refreshingly Handmade Music Festival

A recap of the festival, which featured eclectic music, art with audience participation, and an usually warm vibe.
Avatar photo by Corbin Smith

Welcome to Sandy, Oregon, up Highway 26 past Gresham in eastern Clackamas County, where outer Portland Metro’s sprawl is overtaken by the mountains. We are at Camp Tasty’s, an RV campsite and outdoor event center that can host thousands of people. It’s also the home of a former private plane hangar that has been converted […]

Posted inMusic

A Complete Newbie’s Guide to Pickathon

Considering coming out to Pendarvis Farm for the world’s greatest music festival? Let us help make it way less terrifying!
Avatar photo by Holly Hazelwood

Is it already almost time for Pickathon again? It feels like the annual journey to Pendarvis Farm comes quicker every year. Now entering its 26th year, the four-day, genre-agnostic blowout, taking place this year from July 30-August 2, never seems to last long enough. It’s important to squeeze every last bit of juice out of […]

Posted inMusic

The Mercury’s 20 Must-Catch Acts of Pickathon 2026!

Our resident Pickathon ambassador gives you the supernerd scoop on the best and brightest of this year’s lineup.
Avatar photo by Holly Hazelwood

If you ask Pickathon founder Zale Schoenborn about Pickathon’s lineup on any given year, he’ll tell you it’s the best lineup they’ve ever had. While the Happy Valley music festival mainstay has changed a lot in its booking practices, it’s hard for us to argue with Schoenborn’s outlook in 2026. With so many phenomenal, under-the-radar […]

Posted inMusic

Curbside Serenade Makes Portland’s Street Corners More Musical

The nonprofit offers several free, weekly outdoor music performances in Laurelhurst Park, Director Park, and more.
Avatar photo by Cody Tracey

“Hey there!” David Pollack hollers into the microphone in the direction of a passing cyclist, halfway through his acoustic set. “Nice day for a ride!” he shouts before slipping back into an Elvis Costello cover.  The moment unfolds in front of a laid-back crowd on Rainbow Road at SE 28th and Ankeny where the nonprofit […]

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