News in Portland
The History of Concrete Follows the Fracture
Through three seasons of his HBO documentary series How To with John Wilson, filmmaker John Wilson has crafted mini-masterpieces of rambling nonfiction storytelling—wrapped up in the thin guise of a helpful guide for, say, making perfect risotto or finding a public restroom. His…
Ticket Alert: Lizzy McAlpine, Carly Rae Jepsen, and More Portland Events Going On Sale Soon
Did someone say girl power? Indie pop singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine has announced a world tour supporting her recently released fourth album, Angel. Pop’s poet laureate Carly Rae Jepsen gets us dancing “Day and Night” after dropping a genre-spanning record. Plus, synthpop…
How Portland Became a Player in the Comic Book Industry
It may surprise you to learn that Portland, Oregon, a mid-sized America city known for its rain and its many river spanning bridges, is a global hotbed for the production of comic books. A new documentary for OBP’s Oregon Artsbeat, Indie Comics City: How Portland Built Its Own…
Mercury Music Picks: Geordie Greep Grips Rev Hall, Jane Remover’s Glitchy Electronic, and Abel Selacoe at the Oregon Symphony
Dear readers, I have finally arrived back in the Mercury office after a cool 19 days on the road. As glamorous as DIY tour life can be (sleeping on floors, squeezing into a car like a sardine, etc.) it is also incredibly fulfilling (I definitely teared up at every show thinking…
THE BLACK BYLINE: Mitch Green & Macklemore’s “Spicy” White Dissent
They tryin’ to shut down the clubs that my city rocks / Now Mr. Mayor why would you enforce an ordinance?/ Music it saves lives, these kids out here are supporting it/ And through the artform we’ve learned the importance of community—Macklemore, “The Town” (2009) In true election…
OK Omens Will Close, Goodbye to Oven and Shaker, and a New Brazilian Cafe and Bar Is On the Way
After a summer largely spent welcoming new restaurants and gearing up for further openings, September concluded with the news that several beloved spots wouldn’t make it to 2027, including wine bar OK Omens—marking the end of the nearly 30-year legacy started by Castagna. Still,…
Good Morning, News: Governors’ Debate, “Weaponized Charges of Antisemitism” in Portland, Blazers Announcer Works a Fraction of a Scaramucci, and France in Flames
If you appreciate the Mercury‘s interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good morning, Portland! It’s looking…
“Weaponized Charges of Antisemitism”: Human Rights Advocates Reject Councilors’ Characterizations of Investment Policy
“You get two Jews in a room, you’re going to get three different opinions,” Kelcie Smolin Grega, a Jewish resident in City Council District 4 says. It’s an old joke—one that was echoed by others who spoke to the Mercury after recent calls for the city to divest from companies…
The homeless community that became a self-governed village
One evening a few months ago, the awkward details of a love triangle spilled out in a humble plywood structure next door to a municipal composting facility in Portland, Oregon.
FREE TICKETS THURSDAY: Win Tix to See Everclear, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and MORE!
Who’s ready to have some fun? Well, the Mercury is here to help with FREE TICKETS to see some of Portland’s best concerts and events; our way of saying thanks to our great readers and spread the word about some fantastic upcoming performances! (Psst… if you want to say thanks to…
Good Morning, News: Kotek Says She Would Separate State Psychiatric Hospital from OHA, Egg Prices Are Down, and SNAP Admin Costs Are Going Up!
If you appreciate the Mercury‘s interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good Morning, Portland! Today’s…
In defense of a little Halloween nostalgia
When something scares me, my eyes start to water. This is a known and observed phenomenon. Someone tells me a spooky story, and immediately, my eyes are watering. And it’s a fun thing, to be a little scared. I believe in getting spooked. The first time I remember this happening…