A former intern, Conner served as Portland Monthly's arts and culture editor from 2019 until 2022.

Interview

Denial Presents a Compellingly Low-Key Vision of Post-Revolution Portland

The latest book from author/screenwriter Jon Raymond depicts transformative climate action ... and then whatever comes next.

07/22/2022 By Conner Reed

Movie Theaters

How the Clinton Street Theater’s New Owners Are Bringing It into the Future

The 107-year-old Southeast Portland punk palace is getting a light makeover—but its spirit is staying the same as ever.

07/19/2022 By Conner Reed

Events

20 Totally FREE Things to Do in Portland This Summer

Music, movies, plays, and more: you can catch ’em all for an unbeatable price at these in-city events.

07/12/2022 By Matthew Trueherz, Michelle Harris, and Conner Reed

Pop Culture Deep Dive

Mid-Year Pop Culture Report

From Big Thief to Marcel the Shell to a kinetic new take on Chekhov, these are the pop culture nuggets that have spoken to us most directly.

07/08/2022 By Conner Reed

Performance

How I Learned to Hula-Hoop from Cirque du Soleil Artists

In Portland for their production of ‘Alegría,’ the world's greatest contortionists face their toughest challenge yet.

06/29/2022 By Conner Reed

Music

Portland Monthly’s Essential Summer 2022 Playlist

From Portugal. the Man to Yeat to Pink Martini, give this list of summer songs from Portlanders—old and new—a spin this season.

06/24/2022 By Conner Reed

Concerts

McMenamins Has Launched a New Concert Series in Forest Grove

Imagine Edgefield on Xanax and you're most of the way there.

06/17/2022 By Conner Reed

Juneteenth

Here’s Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in Portland

From parades to a bike ride to a Black book festival, here’s where to go and what to do to commemorate the holiday in the Rose City.

06/16/2022 By Dalila Brent and Conner Reed

Theater

Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble Is Transporting Chekhov to the Arctic

This ‘Cherry Orchard’ shifts the Russian playwright's setting to the Arctic.

06/16/2022 By Conner Reed

Music

The 1985 Kate Bush Classic Resurrected by Stranger Things Is the Song of the Summer

Resurrected by Stranger Things, the 1985 jam has been heard all over Portland–from Fred Meyer to Providence Park and beyond. Have you noticed?

06/15/2022 By Margaret Seiler and Conner Reed

Dance

Northwest Dance Project's Latest Brings Little Women to Life

The contemporary dance company's summer premieres will include a Greta Gerwig-inspired ode to the Louisa May Alcott tale.

06/09/2022 By Conner Reed

Pride

Portland’s Pride Guide 2022

What’s new for the LGBTQ?

06/08/2022 Edited by Conner Reed Illustrations by Dorothy Siemens

Pride

What Does the Future Look Like for Darcelle’s?

Checking in on what lies ahead for the standby Old Town drag club.

06/08/2022 By Conner Reed

Pride

All-Ages Pride Events for Families and the Under-21 Crowd

Gay Skate at Oaks Park, the big party at Waterfront Park, plus more Pride 2022 events in Portland and beyond

06/08/2022 By Conner Reed Illustrations by Dorothy Siemens

Events

A Rundown of Portland’s Biggest Summer 2022 Concerts and Events

An incomplete guide to Portland’s best summertime cultural offerings: Pickathon, Chekhov, Waterfront Blues Fest, and more

06/08/2022 By Conner Reed

Oregon Coast

Find a Wild Writer’s Retreat and The Ring Vibes in Newport

Lincoln City has the casino and the kite festivals, but Newport, along with tourist draws like the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Ripley’s Believe it Or Not, has that certain air of mystery.

06/07/2022 By Conner Reed

Music

‘Backup Plan’ Pulls Dakota Theim's Music to the Present

The Portland singer/songwriter's latest single bridges his love of Harry Nilsson with contemporary bedroom pop.

06/03/2022 By Conner Reed

Breakfasts of Champions

The 12 Best Breakfasts in Portland

From classics to newcomers, these are the defining morning meals in Portland right now, including French toast, dim sum, tacos, and breakfast sandwiches.

05/31/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Karen Brooks, and Conner Reed

Theater

How Portland Center Stage Is Refreshing Rent

The iconic rock musical is stubbornly of its time. In a new production, Portland's largest theater company hopes to locate its contemporary resonances.

05/27/2022 By Conner Reed

Events

6 Can't-Miss Speakers at TEDx Portland 2022

An anonymous poet, a Meow Wolf cofounder, a stripper-slash-writer, jazz drummer, and plenty of others will grace the Moda Center on May 28.

05/24/2022 By Conner Reed