Senior editor Rebecca Jacobson steers Portland Monthly’s news and city life coverage and writes about the more-than-human world, history, and arts and culture. She previously served as the magazine’s arts editor and digital editor. A former editor at Willamette Week and The Berliner as well as a contributor to several Wildsam field guides, she has an MFA in creative writing from the University of Montana.

seeing things

Things to Do in Portland This Week

Steve Law at Powell’s, a rolling Dolly Parton tribute, Orquestra Pacifico Tropical at the Den, and Converge 45’s opening weekend.

08/26/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Margaret Seiler

Bike Summer

Check Out These August Pedalpalooza Rides

Learn about levees, honor Dolly Parton, or sign up for a scavenger hunt.

08/25/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Margaret Seiler

Recap

Top Performances of Pickathon 2026

Including a Portland cumbia group and Sam Cooke’s granddaughters.

08/11/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Think Pink

A Coos Bay–Born Showgirl Bets on a Scrappy Corner of Old Town

Welcome to the newly christened Pink Light District.

08/11/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in August

Beach volleyball in Seaside, watermelon seed spitting competitions in Hermiston, and Pig-N-Ford races in Tillamook.

07/28/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Advice Booth

8 Tips for Surviving and Thriving at Pickathon

First, shoes. Second, forget about catching every band. Third, baby wipes.

07/22/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Procrastinators Unite

9 First-Come-First-Served Campgrounds for Last-Minute Adventures

Did you fail to reserve your spot six months ago when summer felt so far away? All is not lost.

07/16/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Things to Do

The Best Shows and Events in Portland, July 2026

The Hollywood Theatre turns 100, Pride, Pickathon, and competitive fencing.

07/01/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson, Margaret Seiler, and Matthew Trueherz

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in July

Chainsaw races, lavender trails, a hazelnut festival, and dory boats on parade.

06/29/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Queer Bars

Portland’s Best LGBTQ+ Bars, Clubs, and Parties

Historic gay bars, iconic drag revues, and roving lesbian dance parties, these are the top spots to celebrate Pride in Portland.

06/17/2026 By Andrew Jankowski, Rebecca Jacobson, and Portland Monthly Staff

Maximum Fun

The 22 Best Summer Events in Oregon

When it comes to festivals and fairs, our state doesn't mess around.

06/05/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson Illustrations by Davide Comai

Seeing Things

The Best Shows and Events in Portland, June 2026

Kristina Wong, Broadway’s Mamma Mia, a rodeo, and a bike play.

06/01/2026 By Matthew Trueherz, Rebecca Jacobson, and Margaret Seiler

Sports!

How I Fell for the Portland Fire

The arena is a thrill. The players are making real money. And the team is scrappy and fun—and they’re even winning.

05/28/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in June

Astoria celebrates Short Circuit, the rodeo ropes Sisters, and a Sasquatch fest stomps through Glide.

05/28/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

What a Blast

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play Around Mount St. Helens

Pyroclastic mounds, pumice plains, lava tubes, big burgers, and juicy hucks.

05/18/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

seeing things

The Best Shows and Events in Portland This Week, May 2026

The concerts, readings, plays, art exhibits, movies, stand-up sets, drag performances, and block parties we’re catching around town.

05/05/2026 By Matthew Trueherz, Rebecca Jacobson, and Margaret Seiler

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in May

Sip cider in Hood River, ride a fat-tire bike in Cannon Beach, and party with aliens in McMinnville.

04/28/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Wheelie Good

Portland’s Essential Annual Bike Rides and Events

Bike plays, bridge takeovers, and naked rides—few cities have livelier bike calendars than ours. Here's what you can't miss.

04/07/2026 By Katherine Chew Hamilton and Rebecca Jacobson

PDX Index

How Franz Bakery Makes 1 Million Buns Every Day

Running the numbers on the Portland company, which got its start 120 years ago.

04/06/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson