Arts & Culture

MUSIC

Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair to Kick Off US Tour in Portland

The dream of the '90s will return to Portland when Billy Corgan’s beloved band starts a 19-city tour at the Schnitz in March. Tickets go on sale Friday.

02/02/2016 By Fiona McCann

HISTORY

Here's How Bad the Corruption Was in Prohibition Portland

A new book on local crime and vice makes Portland's modern-day "scandals" seem quaint.

02/01/2016 By Marty Patail

MUSIC

February 2016: A Month of Portland Concerts in 20 Songs

Troye Sivan visits from South Africa, Julia Holter comes from Los Angeles, and lots of local artists offer lively performances during the month of love.

02/01/2016 By Jack Rushall

2016 ELECTION

Promises, Promises: Five City Government Candidates on the Arts

Is the arts an election issue? Portland's mayoral and City Council candidates showed their cards on culture at a packed debate on Tuesday.

01/28/2016 By Ramona DeNies

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Jan 28–31

Unknown Mortal Orchestra brings home the Multi-Love, the hilarious Hari Kondabolu calls us names, Mavis Staples hits the screen, and mochi gets made at PSU. Go crazy, Portland.

01/28/2016 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS

Passages Bookshop Opens Its Doors . . . Again!

After basement beginnings and a recent eviction, Portland's beloved purveyor of rare books is back.

01/28/2016 By Fiona McCann

THE ESSENTIALS

February's Pop Culture Hot List

The art, the film festival, the concert, and the book you can't miss this month.

01/27/2016 By Fiona McCann

MUSIC

Listen to New Move’s New Album Right Here Right Now

Plus front man Jesse Bettis on how a knife in his side altered the album's course.

01/27/2016 By Fiona McCann

MUSIC

Portland-Born Trumpeter Chris Botti on Why the Kardashian Approach Doesn't Work for Jazz

But it's still fun to play with Lady Gaga and hang out with Sting.

01/26/2016 By Jack Rushall

TELEVISION

How One Portlander Went from Jefferson High to Hollywood

After roles on True Blood and Rectify, Johnny Ray Gill returns to the small screen in a new series about the Underground Railroad.

01/25/2016 By Fiona McCann

MUSIC

What’s Next for Portland’s Legendary Music Scene?

From dystopian hip-hop to sexy, space-age doo-wop, five fascinating artists craft a wild new soundtrack for the city.  

01/25/2016 By Casey Jarman

REPORT

While New York Sleeps, Self-Published Authors Are Taking Over Literature

A new breed of Portland writers goes solo.

01/25/2016 By Zach Dundas

ART

The "World's Greatest Cat Painting" Is Coming to the Portland Art Museum

Long before the masses shared their cat photos on Facebook, aristocrats commissioned oil paintings.

01/22/2016 By Marty Patail

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Jan 21–24

Epic charisma alert! On stage this weekend: Josh Ritter, Nathaniel Rateliff, Nathan Brannon, and Bri Pruett. Plus Book of Mormon packs up.

01/21/2016 By Ramona DeNies and Sylvia Randall-Muñoz

THEATER FESTIVAL

Five Picks for the Fertile Ground Festival

Dozens of new, homegrown works of theater and performance will hit stages over the next 11 days. Here are the five shows we’re most looking forward to.

01/20/2016 By Ramona DeNies and Fiona McCann

MUSIC

The Crystal Ballroom Turns 102, and Everybody Is Invited

Portland's iconic venue is turning 102 on Sunday, and throwing a mighty, musical birthday bash. For free.

01/20/2016 By Jack Rushall

NEWS

Ursula K. Le Guin Blasts The Oregonian

Portland's science-fiction trailblazer denounces the newspaper for giving a mouthpiece to the Malheur militias.

01/20/2016 By Rebecca Jacobson

FILM FESTIVAL

POWFest to Host Twilight Director Catherine Hardwicke

Portland's annual women's film festival is bringing award-winning director Catherine Hardwicke to town in March, as part of the lineup for POWFest 2016.

01/19/2016 By Fiona McCann

NEWS

This Portland Singer Is Going to ISIS-Controlled Syria for a Peace Concert

He calls himself the “Peace Troubadour,” and has sung in Iraq and Bosnia. Now he's bringing his classical guitar to Syria to "sing prayers of peace."

01/14/2016 By Sylvia Randall-Muñoz

MUSICAL THEATER

Five Things You Should Know about The Book of Mormon Before You See the Show

Broadway smash-hit The Book of Mormon is back in Portland and set to delight and offend, probably in equal measure. For a quick primer—and our takeaway from Wednesday’s opening night—read on.

01/14/2016 By Sylvia Randall-Muñoz, Ramona DeNies, and Fiona McCann