seeing things

The Best Shows and Events in Portland This Week

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

06/02/2026 By Matthew Trueherz, Rebecca Jacobson, and Margaret Seiler

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

seeing things

Fat Ham, a Queer Black Take on Hamlet

Also: a Pickles documentary, and shows in Portland this week.

04/16/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

seeing things

How to Be an Antiracist Author Ibram X. Kendi Is in Town

Also: Jacqueline Novak, and other Portland shows and events this week.

03/19/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

Bookshelf

Why Can’t a 5-Year-Old Write a Memoir?

Kevin Sampsell’s novel Baby in the Night is as sweetly hilarious and poignant as baby talk gets.

03/13/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

Seeing Things

A David Hockney Blockbuster at PAM

Also: Peaches is in town, and other shows in Portland this week.

03/12/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

Branching Out

Multnomah County Retrofits Its Libraries for the People

A $387 million bond, designs informed by hundreds of patrons, and a radical shift in what libraries are for.

03/09/2026 By Brian Libby

seeing things

Punk Progenitor Richard Hell’s Book Tour Comes to Powell’s

A St. Vincent show at the Schnitz, and other things to do.

03/05/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

seeing things

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

A word from Sister Corita Kent, a Spanish-language play, and a breakdancing benefit.

02/26/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

Words with Friends

How to Make Book-Loving Friends IRL in Portland

Recite poems from memory. Share a work in progress. Read to Clive the dog. Nerd out on graphic novels.

02/20/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

“America’s Game”

Chuck Klosterman’s Football Journeys into America’s Media-Addled Soul

The Portland author’s latest book unpacks football’s unique perch atop the flaming pyre of a dying monoculture.

02/06/2026 By Jordan Michelman

seeing things

45 Years of Elizabeth Leach Gallery

Also: 20 years of Typhoon, and other events in town this week.

01/22/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

seeing things

Brooklyn Author Colm Tóibín Is at the Schnitz

An elegant art of numbers, and other events in town this week.

01/15/2026 By Matthew Trueherz and Alex Frane

Required Reading

Must-Visit Portland Indie Bookstores

Our list of more than 20 shops spotlighting the African diaspora and children’s books, sci-fi and fantasy, artist monographs, comics, and…yarn?

12/22/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Movies

Kristen Stewart’s Chronology of Water Captures the Book’s Emotional Force

The Twilight star’s directorial debut stays true to Oregon author Lidia Yuknavitch’s intimate portrait of reclaimed agency.

12/15/2025 By Chase Hutchinson

seeing things

A Holiday Market of Glossies and Art Books

The Portland Art Book Fair, Little Women, and other events in town.

12/11/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Bookshelf

Portland Monthly’s Best Books of 2025

Our favorite fiction and nonfiction, children’s books, cartoons, and comics of the year by Oregon authors.

12/08/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

seeing things

To Nutcracker or NOT-Cracker?

Two takes on the classic ballet, and other events in town.

12/04/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

seeing things

Portland Authors Present Norwegian Film Dreams at the Tomorrow Theater

Plus the history of Portland concert posters at Mint Gallery Records, and more.

11/13/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Seeing Things

Craig Thompson at the Portland Book Festival

Also: the Decemberists with the symphony, and other events in town this week.

11/06/2025 By Matthew Trueherz