Books & Talks

EDITOR'S PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Apr 9–12

Nikki Glaser kills at Helium, Cyrano gets a slam poetry makeover (watch the nose!), Belle and Sebastian go clubby, and the dragtastic Rory ONeal pulls hats out of his act at Blackfish.

04/09/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS ON SHAME

Haven’t Yet Read These Books On Shame? Shame On You!

Two visiting authors weigh the merits of public humiliation: Jon Ronson (bad!) and Jennifer Jacquet (good!)

04/07/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BALLET

Can Oregon Ballet Theatre Take On Race?

In a talk with Darrell Grand Moultrie, OBT aims to diversify its audience and enter the national conversation about race. Should ballet be about more than beauty?

04/02/2015 By Ramona DeNies and Fiona McCann

TALL TALES

Why Do We Love Storytelling on Stage?

Portlanders are flocking to live storytelling events, with five local organizations offering them up. This month, RISK! comes to town to vie with the homegrown options for your confessional throw-downs. So what’s to gain from public humiliation?

03/26/2015 By Rene Bermudez

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Portland's Poet David Biespiel Talks Politics and Going Viral

With National Poetry Month just around the corner, poet David Biespiel talks about Portland's poetry scene, Michael Brown as poetic subject, and the legacy of America's longest-running newspaper column on poetry

03/25/2015 By Larisa Owechko

BOOKS

Barney Frank on Why Today's Right-Wingers Are the Worst of All Time

The gay rights icon and ex-Massachusetts congressman visits Portland for some 'Frank' talk.

03/24/2015 By Zach Dundas

BOOKS AND TALKS

Children’s Author Rilla Alexander on Ideas and Inspiration

Creative Mornings puts Portland-based designer, illustrator, and children’s book writer Rilla Alexander on the stage to talk about procrastination and the creative process.

03/19/2015 By Larisa Owechko

EDITOR'S PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Mar 12–15

This weekend, it's Adam Carolla's road well traveled, rocker Juliana Hatfield's dream of the 1990s, kidnapped futures traders, Treasure Island, and Thomas Lauderdale's piano.

03/12/2015 By Ramona DeNies

PORTLAND ARTS 101

A Beginner's Guide to the Portland Literary World's Major Landmarks

Mapping the gateways to the city's writing and reading scene—from the coffee shop most frequented by writers and poets to the Portland Poetry Slam

03/02/2015 By Kevin Sampsell

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Feb 26–Mar 1

The next four days bring a "triple threat" bluesman, a nettlesome monopolist, high drama from two very different feuding families, and Failure (Timmy, that is).

02/26/2015 By Ramona DeNies

INTERVIEW

Q&A: Carson Ellis is In Your House

The Decemberists' style maker and children's book artist pens a new picture book on "homes"—from beehives and birds’ nests to undersea palaces and space stations.

02/26/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS & TALKS

The Epitome of Cool: Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon Wrote a Memoir

The famously reserved rock star joins local jack-of-all-arts Jon Raymond March 3 at Powells. And as it turns out, Jon's a big fan.

02/26/2015 By Rene Bermudez

EDITOR'S PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend

Romance: whether you prefer it smokey, doomed, or very scientific, this Valentine' Day weekend has your perfect match. Light it up, Portland!

02/12/2015 By Ramona DeNies

#OREGONWOMAN

Writer and Private Investigator Rene Denfeld on Portland Sexism

"The women are going to raise the kids and the chickens, and the guys are going to drink beer, look like lumberjacks, and throw darts."

02/05/2015 By Zach Dundas

EDITOR'S PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Feb 5–8

Sprezzatura! Over the next few days, that spirit of continental grace is on full display, from swanky new PAM exhibit Italian Style to James Franco and Chris O'Dowd's effortless mastery of both Mice AND Men.

02/05/2015 By Ramona DeNies

COMEDY RECORDING

Ian Karmel on Splitting Life Between LA and PDX

The once-local comedian is back in town from LA (and a new gig on the Late Late Show with James Corden) to record an album this Saturday at Mississippi Studios.

02/04/2015 By Cervante Pope