Arts & Culture

Music

Portland Monthly’s Essential Spring Playlist

Breezy pop, lush R&B, and Dolly Parton's ode to Oregon: these are your Portland-centric best bets for spring listening.

05/13/2021 By Conner Reed

Comics

Regina King Will Direct an Adaptation of Portland Comic Bitter Root

"I remember going to see Batman in the theater in 1989, and I never thought I'd have the opportunity to experience that in my own way," says the comic’s co-creator.

05/12/2021 By Conner Reed

In Memoriam

Remembering Tempest Storm, Burlesque Legend and Former Portlander

After leaving Portland, Storm dated Elvis and became a national sex symbol. She passed away on April 20 at the age of 93.

05/12/2021 By Andrew Jankowski

Books

This Portlander Can Teach You How to Make Your Own Stylish Shoes

Rachel Corry's new book The Sandalmaking Workshop lays out everything you need—from patterns to step-by-step instructions—to make your own shoes.

05/10/2021 By Eden Dawn

Essay

A Thank You to Portland’s Fashion Scene

Today is my last day as style editor of Portland Monthly after 11 years. Let's walk down memory lane together and check out the hits.

05/07/2021 By Eden Dawn

Essay

Across Three Seasons, Shrill Quietly Revolutionized the Portrayal of Fat Women on Television

The show's success with critics and audiences paves the way for more shows that celebrate fat bodies instead of pathologizing or pitying them.

05/07/2021 By Amy McCarthy Illustrations by Gillian Dreher

Music

An Incomplete Timeline of Portland’s Musical History

From the post-World War II jazz boom to when Courtney met Kurt, these were the moments that shaped Stumptown’s sound.

05/05/2021 By Conner Reed

Style Spotlight

Studio Prismatic Wants to Change Your Ideas About Quilts

The new Portland studio makes bold, colorful quilts out of sustainable fabrics.

05/04/2021 By Reina Harwood

Film

The 8 Best Portland Movies from the Last 10 Years

When Portlandia reshaped our pop culture image, movies didn't get the memo.

05/01/2021 By Conner Reed

Interview

Portland Author Willy Vlautin Talks Gentrification and the Changing City

His new book, The Night Always Comes, is out this month.

04/30/2021 By Fiona McCann

Top Chef

‘Top Chef’ Season 18, Episode 4 Recap: Angry Orchard

The chefs take a trip to Oregon's Fruit Loop, and for some, it’s anything but sweet.

04/23/2021 By Conner Reed

Pomo Picks

Pop Culture Worth Your Time: PoMo Kids’ Picks

The content in our children’s queues, including YA lit, lemurs, hilarious memes, all-caps WEIRD anime, and this obscure show called The Simpsons

04/22/2021 By William Berrier, Gustav Engler, Jane Engler, Cormac McCann Shafer, Finn McCann Shafer, Max Novak, and Moira Novak

Books

New Portland-Produced Book Teaches Kids and Parents about Anti-Asian Hate

A Kids Book About Anti-Asian Hate talks about what it means to be Asian American and how to use your voice to stand up to hatred.

04/20/2021 By Aurora Biggers

Profile

Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner Is Ready to Feel Again

With the release of her first book, Crying in H Mart, and third album, Jubilee, the Eugene native is exorcising her grief and looking for something grander.

04/16/2021 By Conner Reed