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

Theater Review

Shaking the Tree’s Chick Fight Is a Thrilling Live Wire

The Southeast Portland company returns with a devised play that's funny, fierce, and memorable.

03/17/2022 By Conner Reed

Travel

The Ultimate Guide to the Columbia River Gorge

Waterfalls, hikes, history, breweries, wineries, great food, a historic post office, and views galore

03/17/2022 Edited by Gabriel Granillo By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Conner Reed, Margaret Seiler, Julia Silverman, and Matt Wastradowski

Gorge Guide

Where to Eat, Stay & Play Closest to Portland in the Columbia River Gorge

1920s-era spring-fed bathhouses, piled-high soft serve, and waterfalls galore.

03/17/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Conner Reed, and Julia Silverman

Music

Song of the Week: ‘I Feel Fine’ by Reptaliens

The husband-and-wife-fronted band face the indoor doldrums on this track from their January LP Multiverse.

03/11/2022 By Conner Reed

Arts News

The NW Film Center Is Now PAM CUT. What Does That Mean?

Inside the 51-year-old institution’s rebrand to the Center for an Untold Tomorrow.

03/09/2022 By Conner Reed

Books

Literary Arts Announces 2022 Oregon Book Award Finalists

The winners will be announced in a ceremony on April 25 at the Armory.

03/07/2022 By Conner Reed

Music

Song of the Week: ‘Dancing Dimensions’ by Ural Thomas & the Pain

The Portland soul legend is back with a spacey, satisfying new single.

03/04/2022 By Conner Reed

Music on Film

Onry’s ‘1955’ Braids Together James Baldwin, Emmett Till, and Ouija Boards

The viral Portland opera star’s new short film is part of an upcoming visual EP.

03/03/2022 By Conner Reed

Music

MAITA on Open Mics, Avoiding Clichés, and Straining to Feel Wild

The Portland indie rocker's sophomore LP, I Just Want to Be Wild for You, dropped February 18 on Kill Rock Stars.

02/24/2022 By Conner Reed

Dance

Oregon Ballet Theatre Prepares to Draw Blood with Dracula

The Portland dance company’s latest effort is its grandest undertaking since COVID hit.

02/17/2022 By Conner Reed

Music

5 Can’t-Miss Shows at the 2022 PDX Jazz Festival

Local legend Mel Brown, four-time Grammy winner Robert Glasper, and (many) more will bathe the Rose City in sound throughout the rest of February.

02/16/2022 By Gabriel Granillo and Conner Reed

Song of the Week

Song of the Week: ‘What, Me Worry?’ by Portugal. The Man

The driving, tongue-in-cheek anthem is the first new, solo material we've heard from the Lords of Portland in roughly four years.

02/11/2022 By Conner Reed

Valentine's Day

Build-a-Bear’s Adult V-Day Collection, Ranked by How Much I Want to Date Each Character

Pawlette just has a vibe.

02/10/2022 By Conner Reed

Events

10 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Portland

Film festivals, art shows, a Black Panthers retrospective, and more fill the Rose City's calendar this year. Here's what we have our eyes on.

02/08/2022 By Karly Quadros, Conner Reed, and Shannon Daehnke

News

A Kids Company About Pulls Podcasts from Spotify

The Portland-born media company announced the move on February 4.

02/04/2022 By Conner Reed

Film

NW Film Center Announces 2022 Cinema Unbound Award Honorees

Carrie Brownstein and Shirin Neshat join five other filmmakers and artists in this year's lineup.

02/02/2022 By Conner Reed

In Memoriam

5 Reasons Bud Clark Was Portland’s Most Unforgettable Mayor

The pub owner turned two-term mayor, who bucked convention and exposed himself to art, died this week at age 90.

02/02/2022 By Fiona McCann, Conner Reed, Margaret Seiler, and Julia Silverman

Music

Song of the Week: ‘Twilight’ by Ruth Radelet

The Chromatics vocalist covers the crushing Elliott Smith cut for Kill Rock Stars’ 30th anniversary

01/28/2022 By Conner Reed

Festivals

5 Things to Check Out at the 2022 Fertile Ground Festival

This year’s virtual performance fest will bring 38 new works to our screens. Here’s what we’re looking forward to.

01/27/2022 By Conner Reed

Film

The First Teaser for Guillermo del Toro’s Portland-Made Pinocchio Is Here

Ewan McGregor voices a mustache-clad cricket in the brief, beguiling clip from the forthcoming stop-motion feature.

01/24/2022 By Conner Reed