Stage Fright

Live Nation and AEG Are Racing to Build Portland’s First ‘Small Arenas’

The world’s two largest music presenters partnered with local groups to open the city’s first midsize venues. Is there room for both?

09/30/2024 By Sam Pape Illustrations by Matthew Billington

Aliens

Aliens Descend on McMinnville in Annual UFO Fest

Thankfully, it’s mostly humans and pets in costume at the McMenamins UFO fest which returns for its 23rd year May 19 and 20.

05/10/2023 By Sam Pape

Under the Sea

Keiko's Legacy, 30 Years after Free Willy

After striking box office gold in the 1993 Oregon-shot film, the iconic orca made a huge splash in the world of marine mammal conservation efforts.

02/21/2023 By Sam Pape

Mall Rats

What Does Lloyd Center’s Indie Rebirth Say about Portland’s Future?

Local artists and small business owners are turning things around at a mall that was left for dead.

11/23/2022 By Sam Pape Illustrations by Lars Leetaru

Gaming

The Portland Retro Gaming Expo—And Its Tetris Competition—Returns

After a two-year hiatus, the convention is back, and it’s ushering in a new generation of old-school video game masters.

10/07/2022 By Sam Pape

Business

Can an Indie Takeover Bring Back the Lloyd Center’s Glory Days?

An influx of local, art-focused shops is bringing new life to the iconic mall that plenty of Portlanders had left for dead.

08/11/2022 By Sam Pape

Food News

Portland's Got Its First Classical Music Themed Bar

Mendelssohn's on N Mississippi Ave pairs classical music with classic cocktails and promises monthly Operoke (yes, it's exactly what it sounds like).

07/05/2022 By Sam Pape

Gift Guide

7 Mother's Day Gift Ideas from Black-Owned Portland Businesses

Make mom happy with beautiful tunics, lush plants, delightful CBD cocktail mixers, and more.

05/04/2021 By Eden Dawn and Sam Pape

Cannabis

8 Cannabis Products We Love from Local Black-Owned Businesses

There's no magical panacea. But these come close.

03/23/2021 By Sam Pape

Cannabis

Big Changes Could Be Coming for Cannabis in Oregon

And that's a good thing: the Oregon Cannabis Equity Act would help level the playing field for BIPOC communities.

03/21/2021 By Sam Pape

Design

How Retired MAX Cars Could Help Portland’s Most Underserved Communities

A revolutionary concept dubbed "The Afro-Village Movement" aims to reconstruct the models to offer food, hygiene, and therapy for those experiencing homelessness.

11/23/2020 By Sam Pape

Q&A

Church of Film’s Muriel Lucas Is Praying for the Future of Cinema

“Hollywood was preparing its, like, 65th installment of James Bond when somebody captured something on a cell phone and it ignited a revolution around the world.”

09/30/2020 By Sam Pape