NEW OPENINGS AND RETURNS

Boxer
The fast-casual ramen chain debuted a location in Beaverton last week, serving fan favorites like tonkotsu ramen and okonomiyaki tots.
Beaverton
Pickup, delivery, dine-in

Are you looking for a hilarious, live comedy show where YOU can walk away with a fabulous PRIZE (or two)?

Well, you're in luck, because Mercury Geniuses of Comedy, Arlo Weierhauser and Kate Murphy, are your hosts for the most diabolical, hilarious, and EVIL live game show in town… TWO EVILS! Join Arlo and Kate as they ask a series of truly evil questions, and it’s up to our special guest contestant and the audience (who will vote on their phones) to decide which is the lesser of TWO VERY EVIL ANSWERS. Are there prizes? You bet your butt! Is there comedy? Oh, absolutely! And even better, this will be our special ho-ho-HOLIDAY EPISODE! 🎄🎅💀

Plus, this time around we'll be welcoming special guest comedian (and "Portland's Funniest Person" recipient, ADAM PASI! Oh, and guess what? If you bring a can of food or non-perishable food donation for Urban Gleaners (helping those suffering from food insecurity) you'll be entered to win a wickedly sweet PRIZE!

SO GET THOSE TIX QUICK NOW AND HERE! 

Don’t miss the most delightful and morally corrupt comedy game show of the century… TWO EVILS with Arlo & Kate!

WHEN: Wednesday, December 13, doors 7 PM / 7:30 pm show

WHERE: The Siren Theater, 3913 NE Mississippi

TICKETS: $15 advance, $20 door

Presented by your pals at the Portland Mercury!

There's no short supply of holiday cheer this weekend, thanks to cheap and cheerful events from ScanFair to The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition. Plus, pick up the perfect gift at an array of holiday markets including Crafty Wonderland, Portland Bazaar, and Unique Markets. For more ideas, check out our guide to the top events of the week.

FRIDAY

FOOD & DRINK

Edgefield Pomegranate Cider Tasting
Tart, juicy, ruby-red pomegranate is a perfect match for autumnal apples. McMenamins will show off this harmonious union in a refreshing cider "crafted with those unexpectedly gorgeous winter sunny days and warming weather in mind."
(23rd Avenue Bottle Shop - McMenamins, Northwest Portland)

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support!

Good Morning, Portland! Amidst the spectral remnants of revelry, this ensorcelled soul now endeavors to chronicle the morning's enigmatic tidings. Each keystroke is akin to the ominous tolling of a cursed bell heralding the dire revelations ahead. Shadows linger, as does the malevolent haze of the night prior, shrouding the fragile remnants of coherence in a ghastly embrace. (Translation: I am hungover from the Mercury holiday party. Here's the news.)

IN LOCAL NEWS:
• Thursday night marked the first evening of this year's Hanukkah celebrations. The eight-day festival of lights—which celebrates a day's worth of lighting oil that lasted for eight nights in 200 BCE—is a relatively minor Jewish festival. Over the years it's been pumped up to oppose the far more dominant Christian Christmas. If you're a Mercury reader, you can likely differentiate between Israel (the country)'s intense bombing of the Gaza Strip—which has pulverized buildings and led to a tremendous loss of civilian life— and Hanukkah, a tradition celebrated by Jewish people worldwide. You know who can't differentiate? The protesters who disrupted last night's big menorah lighting ceremony in Pioneer Square. 

• In related news, cameras outside Sunlan Lighting, in North Portland, recorded video of a person on a bike approaching the shop and throwing a brick at the store's beloved, eccentric, and ever-changing visual display—which we included in our Say Nice Things About Portland guide. The shop's owner, Kay Newell, told KPTV that the window display had just been changed to include "Hanukkah symbols... a Nativity set for the Christians, and a prayer rug and a picture of a gentleman saying his prayer for Ramadan and the Muslim community." 

• The ongoing atmospheric river confluence dries out a little today, but don't put your booties away. Saturday and Sunday are gonna be WET again. Also, I don't think you were going to swim in the Willamette but there's sewage in there right now.

• That pilot who says he was dealing with the after effects of a mushroom trip when he tried to crash a plane, with 80+ people onboard, has been released on bail. That's unexpected! This week his charges of 84-counts of attempted murder were revised to 84 counts of misdemeanor reckless endangerment, so that probably had something to do with it.

• In a move to become even more ineffectual as a city politician, Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez announced that he is running for mayor yesterday. News Editor Courtney Vaughn can fill you in on the deets.

Kachka
Bonnie and Israel Morales' beloved restaurant will once again have the "Latke Party" spread of your dreams available for dine-in, with 12 crispy potato pancakes, a beet walnut salad, and eight show-stopping accompaniments, one for each night of the holiday: coriander-spiced quince and apple butter, mushroom soko ketze, house-cured trout roe, beet and horseradish cured salmon, chicory salat, smoked whitefish salat, fresh chives, and house smetana. Persimmon pishki (Russian yeasted doughnuts) are also available for purchase. The meal even comes with a dreidel and gelt to play with while you wait. Select items are available for pre-order via Kachka Lavka.
Buckman
Pickup, dine-in

The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie are coming to Portland on their newly extended Give Up & Transatlanticism 20th anniversary tour. The Red Hot Chili Peppers will show their fans unlimited love in Ridgefield next spring. Plus, comical broad Ilana Glazer will bring her quick quips to the Newmark Theatre stage. Read on for details on those and other newly announced events, plus some news you can use.

ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8

MUSIC

Adam Ant
Elsinore Theater (May 3, 2024)

Alexandra Savior
Revolution Hall (Mar 14, 2024)

Attila & Born of Osiris
Bossanova Ballroom (May 14, 2024)

Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez announced Thursday morning that he is running for mayor.

Gonzalez is the second person on Portland City Council to announce a mayoral bid for the 2024 council race, after Commissioner Mingus Mapps launched his campaign for mayor earlier this year. Gonzalez and Mapps join Durell Kinsey Bey, a youth coordinator and political newcomer whose campaign marks his first run for office.

Gonzalez, who was elected to council in 2022, has won over a swath of conservative voters with a hard-line stance on homelessness, and drug use, while alienating progressives who claim his policies have harmed vulnerable Portlanders.

Who's ready to have some fun? Well, the Mercury is here to help with FREE TICKETS to see some of Portland's best concerts and events—our way of saying thanks to our great readers and spread the word about some fantastic upcoming performances! (Psst... if you want to say thanks to the Mercury, please consider making a small monthly contribution to keep us alive and kickin'!) And oh boy, do we some fun events coming at ya this week! CHECK IT OUT!

• ENTER TO WIN FREE TIX to see Fred Armisen on December 15 at the Crystal Ballroom!

Beloved former SNL and Portlandia star Fred Armisen is bringing his hilarious "Comedy for Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome" show to the Crystal (and with musical guest Def Rain)! Get those tickets now or enter to win here!

Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, Fri Dec 15, 8 pm, $35-45, all ages

• ENTER TO WIN FREE TIX to see The Motet & Too Many Zooz on December 29 at the Crystal Ballroom!

The funk six-piece The Motet are known for their immaculate live performances and seamless blend of funk, soul, jazz, and rock. Meanwhile, self-described "Brass House" trio Too Many Zooz combine avant-garde jazz, EDM, punk rock, and sundry other traditions into their own distinctive brand of high-energy dance music. Get your tickets now or enter to win here!

Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, Fri Dec 29, 8:30 pm, $35-$49.50, all ages

• ENTER TO WIN FREE TIX to see Floater on December 30 at the Crystal Ballroom!

With intense and unforgettable live performances, their fan base has grown over the years to a fever pitch and Floater fans are legendary for their enthusiastic dedication. Get your tickets now or enter to win here!

Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, Sat Dec 30, 8 pm, $22-$35,  21+ balcony

GOOD LUCK! Winners will be notified on Monday, and check back next week for more FREE TIX from the Mercury!

BUENOS DIAS, BRAINY BUTT! It's time once again to put your brainy-brain to the test with this week's edition of POP QUIZ PDX—our weekly, local, sassy-ass trivia quiz. And this week, your brain will be tested on how much you know about soaking wet atmospheric rivers, racist local statues, and YOUR VOTE for Portland's next mayor (who isn't an unqualified jerk). 🤔 GOOD LUCK, I GUESS.

But before we continue... HOW DID YOU DO ON THE PREVIOUS QUIZ? Wow, you all did super good on that one! And congrats to the folks of St. Johns whose local bridge has been voted the most fuckable in town. Sorry in advance for all those used condoms you'll find lying around. 😬

OKAY, TIME FOR A NEW QUIZ! Take this week's quiz below, take our previous pop quizzes here, and come back next week for a brand spankin' new quiz! (Having a tough time answering this quiz? It's probably because you aren't getting Mercury newsletters! HINT! HINT!) Now crank up that cerebellum, because it's time to get BRAINY!

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support!

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! You can expect more showers today, but the worst of our very flood-y week is now behind us and we might even see some sun tomorrow. But now let's dip our toes into a mini-flood of NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Portland police have fatally shot another person, and according to their very scanty details, it was someone accused of stealing electricity from a warehouse near a small community of RVs. Two officers have been placed on administrative leave—which is bureau policy for cops involved in shootings—while the event is investigated, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE: If this was a shooting between civilians, Portland Police would have already revealed a LOT about what happened. However, cops were involved, which means they'll wait at least 15 days (if not longer) to reveal the names of the officers involved in the shootings. Our Courtney Vaughn explains this shocking lack of transparency from a publicly funded department.

Police fatally shot a man outside a food processing facility in Northeast Portland Wednesday morning, after responding to a report of someone stealing electricity from a business. The shooting happened near one of several RVs outside the warehouse. https://t.co/UAc0tPzyQ4

— Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) December 7, 2023

• As suspected, another woefully unqualified City Council member has joined Mingus Mapps in the race for Portland's next mayor—Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, a conservative (not a "centrist" as he falsely claims) who time and time again has dutifully followed the whims of the rich developer community, actively tried to harm houseless people, and has not accomplished much of anything in his current job, other than try to sabotage the voter-approved Charter Reform, and slow the expansion of the wildly successful and popular Portland Street Response team. Expect to see a LOT of money thrown at him from the wealthy Portland-haters, which will require YOU to step up and make sure he is never elected to any public office in our state again. (Maybe he'd have better luck if he moved to Idaho with his fellow Republicans.)

perhaps even bigger than political ideology, it's going to be imperative the next Mayor of Portland be a collaborative consensus builder who can guide the new council with a track record of accomplishments for gettin' shit done

anyway rene is none of thathttps://t.co/ro9gXYiUIU

— amb 🚌 (@ambrown) December 7, 2023

Updated: December 8

Portland police identified the victim shot and killed by Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers Wednesday as 27-year-old Isaac L. Seavey.

Seavey was shot Wednesday morning, December 6 in an industrial district near Portland International Airport, as police were responding to a complaint of electricity theft from a nearby business.

It's unclear exactly what happened in the moments prior to the shooting, but PPB confirmed an officer opened fire on an adult man while responding to a "theft of power" call just after 10 a.m. outside a Ventura Foods facility at NE 92nd and Marx. 

According to police, two officers from PPB’s North Precinct responded to an RV parked along the street, when they encountered Seavey and shot him. Seavey died at the scene. Police later reported that a handgun was found near the victim. Court records show Seavey's vehicle was last registered with an address in La Center, Washington. 

It’s cold, it's wet—Portland's holiday weather is now in full swing! Good thing we've got some hot shows to warm you up this week: For starters, the Thesis celebrates nine years of lit, local-focus hip-hop! And one of Portland’s favorite soul singers is throwing a birthday show / fashion pop-up for you—for her birthday! Also, here's your final warning about an unmissable annual extravaganza from two prolific Pacific Northwest drag queens. 

MUST SEE: 

Upcoming local event(s) featuring local artist(s).        

The Thesis 9th Anniversary Show!

How can it be that the Thesis has  been going on for nine years already!? It seems like just yesterday the showcase was celebrating year two and trying to maintain its following; I am officially old. Fast forward to today: The Thesis is no longer just Portland’s premiere monthly hip-hop night, it’s one of the only ones that survived COVID, and it’s known in the scene for being the most consistently lit hip-hop series in town. Since the Thesis just did an epic end-of-summer yacht party, the crew is celebrating nine years with business as usual—though Thesis' version of usual is still unusually good. Thursday's show will honor photographer-filmmaker Nate Ilebode, who regularly documents the showcase, with a photo and video display. The evening's lineup spotlights rappers Vary, Tiff2Icy,  Majik 9, and twOn. We’ll be looking forward to radio-ready melodic rap from DaRoyal, and (hopefully) hearing songs from Majik 9 and Briton M.’s latest project Coast 2 Coast. Recs for that record: the title track, the filthy, upbeat and bouncy “Dash Off,” and the pop and R&B-infused “In My Head.” (Kelly’s Olympian, 426 SW Washington, Thurs, Dec 7, 9:30 pm, $15-20, tickets here, 21+)

Arietta Ward

One of Portland’s most seasoned soul singers, Arietta Ward does a lot of things, including the children’s programming that many enjoyed at Pickathon. Commonly known as Ms. Etta, the Portland-based soul and funk singer will headline an epic and eccentric show, in celebration of her upcoming birthday. At ETTABRATION 23—the "Big Brim Birthday Bash"—attendees are strongly encouraged to wear a brimmed hat 🎩. Don't have one? You can get one at a very special pop-up of Mz. Etta’s Closet—where fans can shop Ms. Etta's fashion picks and help support the completion of her next album. Church Girl & Co (featuring Aléa Loréns) supports the Ettabration as opener. (Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, Thurs, Dec 7, 8 pm, $18, tickets here, 21+)

ADDED TO THE QUEUE: 

Some upcoming music buzz to add to your radar.

The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show

Any reasonable person who has seen Jinkx Monsoon in any capacity, knows she is a comedic genius with undeniable musical talent. After winning season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race, she's gone on to do amazing, hilarious things. Need a refresher? Check out the performer’s music-infused standup special, Red Head Redemption, which is still tearing up streaming services. It's so recommended. But about your holiday hilarity: Back in 2020, Jinkx joined forces with friend and fellow Drag Race star BenDeLaCreme to record their high-camp, COVID-safe holiday special (which you can still stream on Prime Video). Past installments of the duo’s winter holiday shenanigans have seen the two prolific Pacific Northwest drag queens argue about the how to throw a special, interspersed with comedic musical numbers, dance, and interactions with some sentient eggnog. Whatever annual traditions are on your list, this show should be added. (Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Wed, Dec 27, 8 pm, $49.50-99.50, tickets here, show may contain adult themes and language)

A title like Dracula, a Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really defeats the chance of a snappy opening review sentence. It sounds like a '90s emo song title. And the editor in me wants to point out that putting a phrase between two commas suggests a digression. This play, could we call it Dracula Really?

The idea that Portland Center Stage's holiday-timed horror production could be called Dracula Really intrigues me on a number of levels, and—for all its titular problems—Kate Hamill's adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel engaged me the same way. By the ten-minute mark, I was invested and curious about where it all would go.

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! 

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! Whew, it's been wet out there, huh? The (super) rainy weather is set to continue today, and tomorrow, and the next day...but if you need something to look forward to, you can buy your early bird tickets for the 2024! HUMP film festival, on sale for $20 now. 

Now, early birds, here's your news.