Arts & Culture

PROFILE

Ursula K. Le Guin Is Breathing Fire to Save American Literature

At 85, she may be Portland’s greatest writer. She may also be the fiercest.

07/20/2015 By Taylor Clark

CULTURE CALL SHEET

The Latest in Portland Arts News—Portlandia Meets Pickathon

Plus Wild Kratts is Portland bound, Hollywood Theater's birthday celebrations, and Fight Club rock opera, anyone?

07/16/2015 By Fiona McCann

MUSIC

Damian Lillard's Top 5 Rap Verses of All Time

Dame DOLLA just released his first single, but the Blazer star has been at it for a while.

07/16/2015 By Marty Patail

COMEDY

Jim Gaffigan, Portland, and Food: a Love Story?

Six reasons why TV's king of clean comedy will find Portland a tasty stay.

07/16/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS

'My Whole Life is Kind of a Feminist Directive'

The acclaimed writer and critical thinker Maggie Nelson talks to Portland Monthly about gender fluidity, motherhood, and why the notion of a book about family is “super bleugh”

07/16/2015 By Fiona McCann

JAZZ

Is This Man Portland's Best Kept Jazz Secret?

He’s played with Billie Holiday and John Coltrane, had Lead Belly in his living room, and was a member of the Bill Evans Trio. Now Portland’s best kept jazz secret Chuck Israels is releasing a new record, and he’s hoping his hometown will get behind it.

07/16/2015 By Fiona McCann

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: July 16–19

This weekend, we're laffin' with Jim Gaffigan, rocking with Badbadnotgood (and Blondie!), getting Zen with zines, and going Psycho on Gus Van Sant.

07/16/2015 By Ramona DeNies

OPERA

Behind the Scenes with the Funny Man of the Portland Opera

Stephen Condy talks Seinfeld and snake oil, and why opera doesn’t have to be a serious business.

07/15/2015 By Fiona McCann

GET OUT

Your Guide to the Perfect Portland Weekend: July 17-19

Each week throughout the summer, we’ll share dozens of ways to make the most of your days off!

07/14/2015

BOOKS

Lewis and Clark 2.0? Oregon Author Benjamin Percy Reimagines Discovering the West

Benjamin Percy's latest project? A post-apocalyptic reimagining of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Here, he talks Oregon, the environment, and counting Stephen King among his fans.

07/10/2015 By Fiona McCann

CULTURE CALL SHEET

The Latest in Portland Arts News—Tender Loving Empire's Expansion

Plus, a Portland play opens Off-Broadway, a Gus Van Sant-related time machine, and the Mississippi Street Fair's musical extras

07/09/2015 By Fiona McCann

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: July 9–12

Tanlines, Marc Maron, the Decemberists with Calexico, Helen Mirren, AND the World Domination Summit? A weekend of such heavy hitters surely calls for a nice crisp pint of lager. You're in luck, Portland!

07/09/2015 By Ramona DeNies

MUSIC

Heather Woods Broderick's Top Ten Portland Spots

Heather Woods Broderick's new album, Glider, may be informed by her life on the road, but she hasn't lost her ties to Portland. Here, she picks the ten local haunts—from coffee shops to record stores—that bring her back to Stumptown.

07/09/2015 By Fiona McCann

VISUAL ART

The PDX Carpet Comes to an Art Gallery Near You

It's been the inspiration for albums full of Instagram photos, the backdrop for thousands of shoe snapshots. And now the old PDX carpet is getting its own gallery show, with art inspired by—and in some cases made from—the one-time airport staple.

07/08/2015 By Megan Haverman

DANCE / THEATER

Everything You Need to Know About the Risk/Reward Festival

A chamber play, a “Butch Queen,” an attack on the self-help industry, and a line of naked butts? You may be wondering what in the world the Risk/Reward Festival is all about, so we've put together a quick primer for you.

07/07/2015 By Fiona McCann

VIDEO

'Wild' Author Cheryl Strayed Calls on Millennials to Step Up on Climate Change

Portland's own Queen of Letters Cheryl Strayed has lent her voice to a new video on climate change, an environmental call to arms for millennials .

07/07/2015 By Fiona McCann

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: July 2–5

This weekend, we only want to see you in the Purple Rain. Ok, not true—let's also meet up at First Thursday, the Waterfront Blues Fest, and the Portland Cello Project's (free!) outdoor show.

07/01/2015 By Ramona DeNies

CULTURE CALL SHEET

The Latest in Portland Arts News—Modest Mouse's Mad New Video

Plus new digs for OBT, Portland Art Museum's new curator, and the countdown to TBA

07/01/2015 By Fiona McCann

VISUAL ART

Artwalk: Six Shows to See this First Thursday

Desolate landscapes, not-so-geometric patterns, spiraling planets and Cartesian grids—these are some of the elements awaiting you this First Thursday.

07/01/2015 By Lisa Borst

MUSIC

Road Trip! One Portlander's Musical Journey Across America

Take one Portlander, one playlist, one continent and one Mini Cooper Clubman van and what do you get? Cover of America, is what...

07/01/2015 By Fiona McCann