Although Oregon’s statewide mask mandate has been lifted, venues may have their own health guidelines in place. We advise directly checking the specific protocols for an event before heading out.

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Jump to: Comedy | Festivals & Community | Film | Food & Drink | Live Music | Performance | Readings & Talks | Sports & Recreation | Visual Art

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COMEDY

Amanda Seales Like Add to a List
Amanda Seales is no ordinary comic—the Columbia University grad tackles serious topics like racism, rape culture, and police brutality with humor and intelligence. You might know Seales from her role as Tiffany DuBois on HBO's Insecure; she's also the host of NBC's Bring the Funny and the Small Doses podcast. Expect a blend of laughs and uplifting Black advocacy in Seales's performance—she founded Smart Funny & Black Productions to produce and create art as "edu-tainment."
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Sat Aug 13)

Celeste Barber: Fine, Thanks. Like Add to a List
You might know Celeste Barber from her frank, funny celebrity photo parodies, which have attracted over 8.1 million followers to the comic's Instagram account. The Aussie "Queen of Comedy" is currently shooting the Netflix comedy series Wellmania, based on the novel Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness—meanwhile, she'll stop by Portland, hopefully with more jokes about hot people.
Keller Auditorium, Downtown (Wed Aug 17)

Comedy Bang! Bang! Like Add to a List
Reliably hilarious podcast Comedy Bang! Bang! probably predates your fave—funnyman Scott Aukerman has hosted the show for over 13 years. Blending interviews, improv, and silly, surreal antics, Comedy Bang! Bang! has heard from guests like Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, and Seth Rogen, so you know the jokes will be on point for this live performance.
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Thurs Aug 11)

Hari Kondabolu Like Add to a List
Brooklyn-based comedian, writer, and podcaster Hari Kondabolu is an incisive voice in the stand-up world, deemed "one of the most exciting political comics in stand-up today" by The New York Times. Catch the adventurous comic for this performance, where he'll probably share more thoughts on racial justice, representation, and white chocolate. (Heads up, he's got some thoughts about Portland's progressive vibe.)
Helium Comedy Club, Hosford-Abernethy (Aug 18-20)

Howie Mandel Like Add to a List
Bring Dad along for this stand-up set from comedy icon Howie Mandel, Emmy-nominated host of America's Got Talent and Deal or No Deal. 
ilani Casino Resort, Ridgefield (Sun Aug 7)

John Mulaney Like Add to a List
Ah, John Mulaney—if you're familiar with his buttoned-up comedy style, you probably love him, and if you really love him, you already know that he's been through...a lot of changes lately. Catch the contemporary legend's massive tour and you might hear him spill the tea. (We'd check it out ourselves, but "we are very small, and we have no money, so you can imagine the kind of stress that we are under.")
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Fri Aug 12)

Kiran Deol Like Add to a List
You might know Kiran Deol from her roles on Sunnyside, How to Get Away with Murder, and Modern Family, but the Emmy-nominated actress is also a stellar stand-up comic in her own right. Catch Deol on stage at Polaris Hall, where she'll share more Greta Thunberg-approved comedy.
Polaris Hall, Humboldt (Fri Aug 5)

Neal Brennan: Unacceptable Like Add to a List
Neal Brennan may be an Emmy-nominated writer, correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, producer, director, and all-around successful dude, but that doesn't mean he's not awkward! Brennan digs into his own "defects" in this performance, grappling with why he never seems to fit in. Don't worry, it's still a fun time—The New Yorker called the performance "sharp and entertainingly droll."
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Sat Aug 6)

Nimesh Patel Like Add to a List
Emmy-nominated writer and funnyman Nimesh Patel has been a common face in NYC's comedy scene for the last decade—he's a regular at the famed Comedy Cellar, and has opened for Chris Rock and Aziz Ansari. Patel brings more chill, open-minded comedy to this performance. (Will his parents find out?)
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Fri Aug 12)

FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY

Chinese Festival Like Add to a List
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture during this celebration, which will feature performances, an art show, craft activities, Chinese food, public health outreach, and more.
Pioneer Courthouse Square, Downtown (Sat Aug 6)

Clark County Fair Like Add to a List
Spotlighting the region's heritage with agricultural and educational programs, the Clark County Fair also includes performances by Daughtry, Cheap Trick, Martina McBride, and others. Stick around for the monster truck rallies and the diaper derby.
Clark County Fairgrounds, Ridgefield (Aug 5-14)

Festival of Fiber Arts Like Add to a List
Quilting! Felting! Weaving! Spinning! That's right, fiber fans—you won't won't wanna miss this funky festival. Catch the live sheep shearing demo, then participate in artist-led activities for a full day of free, family-friendly fun. We know you've got a stash of unused yarn sitting around, so bring it to the fair to exchange for fresh goodies.
Maryhill Museum of Art, Goldendale (Sat Aug 6)

Ghosts of Summer Halloween Market & Convention Like Add to a List
Real Halloween fans know that the time to start planning for the spooky celebration is now. Ghosts of Summer Halloween Market & Convention inspires fright lovers with a "scare zone" of mini-haunted houses and escape games, plus a horror-tinged theater performance, eerie film screenings, and creepy vendors and workshops.
Oregon Convention Center, Lloyd District (Aug 5-6)

Hawthorne Street Fair 2022 Like Add to a List
If you've lived in Portland for more than a year or two, you've probably stumbled across this daylong party between SE 30th and SE 39th. Stroll down Hawthorne for the sunny street fair, which includes musical performances, food, and wares on display from local businesses. (Street fairs not your thing? Avoid driving around Hawthorne on the 28th.)
Hawthorne District (Sun Aug 28)

India Festival Like Add to a List
Spearheaded by the India Cultural Association of Portland, this outdoor festival brings India's vibrant culture to Portland's living room with music, dance, fashion, art, history, and tasty food. Now in its 28th year, the annual event is always held in mid-August to celebrate India's independence day.
Pioneer Courthouse Square, Downtown (Sun Aug 14)

Multnomah Days 2022 Like Add to a List
The charming neighborhood of Multnomah Village presents their annual open-air, family-friendly street festival with musical acts, street entertainers, over 100 art and vendor booths, a kid's zone, and food carts with outdoor street dining. Although the street fair is one of Portland's oldest, it still has new tricks up its sleeve: A brand-new community stage will make its debut this year, featuring local talent and opportunities to explore community involvement.
Multnomah Village, Multnomah (Sat Aug 20)

Obon Fest 2022 Like Add to a List
Observed in the summertime, Obon Fest is a Japanese/Japanese American festival that pays tribute to one's ancestors: "In their honor, lanterns are hung, Bon Odori (Obon dance) is performed, memorial visits are made, and food is offered at home butsudans (altars) and temples." The hosts of Portland's Obon Fest emphasize that their Bon Odori is not a performance, but rather a joyous community dance where everyone is welcome. Additionally, you can learn about Buddhism at the event's temple talk, partake in food and drinks, and more.
Oregon Buddhist Temple, Creston-Kenilworth (Sat Aug 6)

Oregon State Fair 2022 Like Add to a List
Save room for corn dogs and funnel cake this month—the Oregon State Fair will return with performances by TLC, Nelly, Shaggy, and more, plus livestock displays and horse shows, classic carnival rides, tasty treat competitions, and all the quintessentially American fried foods your heart desires.
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem (Aug 26-31)

Portland Hip-Hop Week Like Add to a List
Founded by the late Idris “STARCHILE” O’Ferrell and David “O.G.ONE” Jackson, Portland Hip-Hop Week marks its seventh year with live performances, workshops, rap battles, dance parties, and more across different venues. 
Various locations (Aug 20-26)

Sneaker Week Like Add to a List
Positive vibes only at this week-long festival, which celebrates the global sneaker community and Portland's booming footwear industry with workshops and themed festivities.
Various locations (Aug 4-10)

Washington Park Summer Festival Like Add to a List
The cherished outdoor summer festival is back with performances from dance/music crew Fiesta Flamenca, opera singer Angela Brown, jazz ensemble Greater Kind, and a screening of Questlove's Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul. 
Washington Park Amphitheater, Washington Park (Aug 5-7)

FILM

Cryptozoo Like Add to a List
The film industry has churned out 29 Marvel movies we didn't ask for, so it's nice to see that there's still some funding left for visionary, wackadoo projects like this. Comic book writer-turned-director Dash Shaw's Cryptozoo tells of a dream-eating creature and the cryptozookeepers who hope to find it. Set in '60s San Francisco, a pair of lovers become entangled in the tale's experimental, kaleidoscopic imagery. (Seriously, pop an edible and watch the trailer.)
Whitsell Auditorium, South Park Blocks (Fri Aug 12)

I Love My Dad Like Add to a List
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature and Narrative Feature Competition Audience Award at SXSW, I Love My Dad stars (ultra-lovable) Patton Oswalt as an estranged dad who desperately wants to reconnect with his son, Franklin. Things get weird when he starts catfishing Franklin, causing him to fall in love with an imaginary woman. (Haven't we learned yet that catfishing is wrong?!)
Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District (Aug 5-11)

Memoria in 35mm Like Add to a List
Palme D’or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul has made waves with lush, liminal spaces in Tropical Malady and Cemetery of Splendor. The Thai director's latest film stars Tilda Swinton as a Scottish woman who begins to have unexplained symptoms after experiencing a strange sonic phenomenon in the jungles of Colombia. If you haven't yet seen the film, catch it while you can for this one-night screening—Weerasethakul is using a "never-ending" release strategy, meaning Memoria will screen "in front of only one solitary audience at any given time."
Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District (Thurs Aug 25)

Neptune Frost Like Add to a List
Multi-talented artist Saul Williams's punky sci-fi vision comes to life in Neptune Frost, a turbulent, Afrofuturist thrill ride. The musical film blends thoughts that William explored in his 2016 album MartyrLoserKing with input from co-director Anisia Uzeyman, a Rwandan-born artist. Neptune Frost follows a gaggle of anti-colonial miners-turned-computer hackers in the Burundi hilltops, and sends a powerful message of technology's capacity for progression and radical change.
Whitsell Auditorium, South Park Blocks (Sat Aug 6)

Outdoor Movies in Oregon State Parks Like Add to a List
If there's one thing Oregonians love more than watching movies, it's being in nature. Why not both? Hollywood Theater has teamed up with the Oregon State Parks Department to offer a series of screenings in scenic state parks throughout the summer, including a sweet screening of magical sing-along flick Encanto at Champoeg State Heritage Area on August 6.
Champoeg State Heritage Area, St. Paul (Sat Aug 6)

SAM NOW Like Add to a List
Blending Super 8, home video, and modern-day digital footage, SAM NOW follows Seattle documentarian Reed Harkness, his half-brother Sam, and their family over the course of 20 years as they grapple with Sam's mother's sudden disappearance.
Whitsell Auditorium, South Park Blocks (Fri Aug 5)

FOOD & DRINK

A Culinary Tribute: Forever Brophy Like Add to a List
The late chef Dan Brophy's students from the Oregon Culinary Institute will honor him with a five-course family-style dinner inspired by his teachings, with wine pairings from Alumbra Cellars. All proceeds will go to Beaverton's Domestic Violence Resource Center.
Alumbra Cellars, Dayton (Sat Aug 27)

Alibi 75th Anniversary Luau Like Add to a List
The iconic, kitschy Alibi Tiki Lounge is one of the longest-running tiki bars in the country. Help them celebrate their 75th birthday with plenty of colorful orgeat-based beverages, off-key karaoke, and "tons of fun events throughout the day."
The Alibi, Overlook (Sat Aug 27)

5th Annual PDX Hot Sauce Expo Like Add to a List
If you're the kind of person who always craves a little more heat and keeps a bottle of Cholula stashed in your bag like Beyoncé, then you definitely won't want to miss this hot sauce extravaganza. The spicy festivities also include wrestling, craft beers, specialty cocktails, and plenty of food.
(OMSI, Central Eastside (Sat Aug 13)

Portland Mercury’s Burger Week 2022 Like Add to a List
Don your finest stretchy pants and get ready for the meat sweats because the Portland Mercury’s Burger Week is back! All week, you’ll find one-of-a-kind burgers at loads of Portland’s finest establishments for a mere $8 each. Burger Week is brought you by Jim Beam, Laurelwood Brewing, Electric Lettuce, and yours truly.
Various locations (Aug 15-21)

Portland Mercury's Summer of Slushies 2022 Like Add to a List
The coolest, most delicious event of the summer is finally here! The Merc and Jim Beam present Summer of Slushies, which brings boozy, frozen, custom-made treats to the frugal and thirsty denizens of Portland at just $6 a pop.
Various locations (Aug 1-14)

2022 Vancouver Summer BrewFest Like Add to a List
Enjoy beers from 25 different Washington breweries within the stunning surroundings of Vancouver's Esther Short Park. You'll also be able to grab nosh from food trucks like Big Dogs Grill, Poblano Pepper Mexican Food, and Southern Girl Delights and take in live music performances.
Esther Short Park, Vancouver (Aug 12-13)

Viking Beer Fest Like Add to a List
If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to live as a Scandinavian seafaring warrior, here's your chance. You'll get to see demonstrations and historical reenactments from the living history group the Timberhaven Vikings, check out the historic log house Fogelbo, try tastings of local beer provided by beer hall Loyal Legion, and enjoy Nordic food, mead, and aquavit from restaurant Broder Söder. You can also browse goods from vendors, play Viking chess, check out live music performances, and see a replica of a Viking ship.
Nordic Northwest, Metzger (Sat Aug 20)

LIVE MUSIC

Action Bronson Like Add to a List
The Queens-hailing rapper, TV star, and food connoisseur Action Bronson will make his way back to Portland on a tour supporting his latest album, Cocodrillo Turbo, which Pitchfork described as "a hallucinatory, fuzzed-out journey into the wilderness."
Roseland Theater, Old Town-Chinatown (Sat Aug 27)

Alanis Morissette with Garbage Like Add to a List
Iconic Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette will be joined by fellow rock powerhouses Garbage on her latest world tour celebrating 27 years of Jagged Little Pill (originally meant for the 25th year, but was delayed due to you-know-what). Get ready to scream-sing along to Morissette’s beloved hits like "Ironic," "You Oughta Know," and "One Hand In My Pocket."
Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend (Tues Aug 2)

Alicia Keys: The World Tour Like Add to a List
The classically-trained pianist and 15-time Grammy Award-winner brings her soulful blend of R&B, hip-hop, and jazz to the Theater of the Clouds for a rare Portland performance supporting her 2021 album, Keys.
Theater of the Clouds, Lloyd District (Wed Aug 31)

Amos Lee Like Add to a List
Perennial Starbucks-soundtracker Amos Lee will take his night of singer-songwriter vibes to the next level with an outdoor show just steps away from the historic Grand Lodge. Anticipate hearing tracks off his pandemic-inspired album, Dreamland, in which he opens up about his own struggles with isolation, anxiety, and past trauma through hopeful mantras and soulful hooks.
McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove (Fri Aug 5)

Animal Collective Like Add to a List
Kings of experimental indie rock Animal Collective will bring their whimsical and at times chaotic sounds to town supporting Time Skiffs, the quartet’s first album in six years. Arrive in time to catch an opening set from the Baltimore future-pop project Tomato Flower.
Crystal Ballroom, West End (Thurs Aug 11)

Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour Like Add to a List
After a round of COVID-19-related tour cancellations, the well-coiffed, nostalgia-pop-belting blood brothers of the Backstreet Boys will finally grace Portland with their irresistible hits and iconic dance moves on their DNA World Tour. Backstreet's back, alright?
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Mon Aug 22)

Banks: The Serpentina Tour Like Add to a List
The cover of her 2016 album The Altar presents Banks unadorned by the trappings of the typical pop diva. It’s this starkness that permeates her complex, emotional songcraft, with startlingly raw concepts that push and embrace the incredibly intelligent production into a genius elixir of technology and human drama. Her mastery of poetic openness draws the listener inside modernist beats by sprinkling trembling ribbons of libido over every emboldened chorus. The resulting magic is both addictively accessible and introspectively enlightening. Some critics may try to tag her sound as "alternative R&B" because of her white skin, but this label is just an extremely glib interpretation of what Banks' music represents—it’s an exciting expression of electronic soul injected with a warrior’s wisdom that breathes with an essential quality that is achingly absent from most mainstream avenues. CHRIS SUTTON
Roseland Theater, Old Town-Chinatown (Mon Aug 8)

Bonnie Raitt: Just Like That...Tour with Mavis Staples Like Add to a List
Back in 2016, Mercury writer Mark Lore wrote: "Bonnie Raitt didn't make herself really known until she was in her 40s, finally letting the rest of us in on her bottleneck guitar prowess. While some of her recorded output leans toward the adult contemporary stratum, she's one of the best—if not the best blues player alive." The veteran singer-songwriter will return to town with a sold-out show in support of her 18th studio album, Just Like That... Don't miss a supporting set from national treasure and R&B vocalist Mavis Staples.
Edgefield, Troutdale (Fri Aug 26)

The Chicks Like Add to a List
Adored country trio The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks) will ignite stage with the empowering feminist anthems from their 2020 album, Gaslighter, which is the group's first record in fourteen years. The night will get started with a performance from the legendary country-folk singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith. 
Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend (Tues Aug 9)

Cake Like Add to a List
Widely worshipped '90s rockers Cake will bring their buoyant basslines, deadpan vocals, and unique trumpet flourishes to a sold-out crowd as part of Edgefield's Concerts on the Lawn series. Considering that they haven't released new music in over a decade, brush up on your lyrical knowledge of classics such as "Short Skirt Long Jacket," "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle," and  “The Distance."
Edgefield, Troutdale (Fri Aug 19)

Coheed and Cambria Like Add to a List
Move over Rush—Coheed and Cambria could very well be the nerdiest band on the planet. How else would you describe a progressive-rock band that writes concept albums based on a science-fiction story line? The albums are but a gateway to the "Amory Wars," tales that lead vocalist/guitarist Claudio Sanchez portrays in both comic- and full-length book form. Sanchez's distinctive high-pitched voice is a unique characteristic of Coheed and Cambria, especially when partnered with their often huge, Zeppelin-like riffs. Regardless of how much commercial success C&C attain, their die-hard fans will keep this wonderfully quirky band going as long as the story line permits. KEVIN DIERS
Edgefield, Troutdale (Wed Aug 17)

Daddy Yankee: La Última Vuelta World Tour Like Add to a List
Puerto Rican rapper and "king of reggaeton" Daddy Yankee is hitting the road for one last world tour before retiring from the music industry for good. Celebrate (or mourn) his three-decade-long career with bangers from his conclusive album, Legendaddy, which he describes as encapsulating "all the styles that have defined me."
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Wed Aug 10)

Echo & The Bunnymen Like Add to a List
You can easily identify the illustrious post-punk quartet Echo & The Bunnymen for their full-bodied vocals, ethereal instrumentation, and wind-tossed hairstyles (in place with lots of hairspray, of course). Let them add some moodiness to your summer with songs like "The Killing Moon" and "Lips Like Sugar." 
Roseland Theater, Old Town-Chinatown (Wed Aug 31)

Father John Misty with Suki Waterhouse Like Add to a List
Singer-songwriter and former Fleet Foxes drummer Father John Misty will bring his Laurel Canyon-esque folk tunes and cult-leader stage presence to the PNW supporting his latest release Chloë and the Next 20th Century, which has led to comparisons to Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman with heavy influence from big-band jazz and pop standards.
Pioneer Courthouse Square, Downtown (Sat Aug 27)

Franz Ferdinand Like Add to a List
Scottish alt-rockers Franz Ferdinand saw an abundance of success during the early 2000s post-punk revival era alongside The Strokes, The Killers, Modest Mouse, and more. The band has evolved its sound with the changing times, moving into dance-oriented beats and glitzy guitar riffs, as heard on their 2018 album, Always Ascending. Expect to hear a variety of tunes from throughout their career as they support their recently released greatest hits collection, Hits to the Head.
McMenamins Grand Lodge (Sat Aug 27)

Goose Like Add to a List
Connecticut-based indie groovers Goose are known for their spirited live performances with improvisational renditions of their songs that are "only possible among small town and longtime friends," according to press materials.
Pioneer Courthouse Square, Downtown (Thurs Aug 25)

Hanson: Red, Green & Blue Tour Like Add to a List
Prominent brother trio Hanson have weathered 25 years in the music biz since their certified pop banger "MMMbop" dropped (you know it, you love it). Now on their eighth studio album, Red Green Blue, the brothers have flipped the script with a cohesive release made up of five solo tracks from each member, with genres spanning Americana, classic rock, blues, and soul.
Crystal Ballroom, West End (Sun Aug 28)

The Head and the Heart: Every Shade of Blue Tour Like Add to a List
Indie folk band The Head And The Heart, who got their start busking on Seattle street corners, will play a hometown show supporting their new album, Every Shade of Blue. Folk-rock outfit Dawes will support.
Edgefield, Troutdale (Tues Aug 16)

Here And There Festival Like Add to a List
Australian indie-rock sensation Courtney Barnett will host this one-day, one-stage "boutique touring festival" with a rotating cast of indie royalty. For this date, Barnett will be joined by legendary PNW rockers Sleater-Kinney, folk-rock maestro Waxahatchee, and former SNL and Portlandia funnyman Fred Armisen. 
Edgefield, Troutdale (Sat Aug 20)

Kendrick Lamar: The Big Steppers Tour Like Add to a List
Influential rapper and Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar will stop by on tour supporting his highly anticipated fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which is widely recognized as his most ambitious yet, boasting appearances from Beth Gibbons (of Portishead), Sampha, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah and more. Grammy-winning artist (and Kendrick's cousin) Baby Keem will support along with rising rapper Tanna Leone, who was recently signed to Lamar's label pgLang.
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Fri Aug 26)

Kid Cudi: To The Moon World Tour Like Add to a List
3...2...1…Blast off! Celestial rapper, producer, actor, and noted fashionista Kid Cudi will stop by Portland on his way to the moon in support of his 2020 album, Man On The Moon III, and upcoming album, Entergalactic, due this fall. Fellow rappers (and frequent collaborators) Don Toliver, Denzel Curry, and Strick will come along for the ride. 
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Lloyd District (Thurs Aug 18)

The Killers Like Add to a List
If you've been experiencing a resurgence of middle-school angst and/or nostalgia in recent years, come out of your cage to catch alt-rock heroes The Killers on the local stop of their Mirage tour. You'll be doin' just fine as you listen to tracks from their last two albums, Imploding the Mirage and Pressure Machine, as well as old favorites like "Mr. Brightside" and "Somebody Told Me." 
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Sun Aug 21)

La Luz: 10th Anniversary Show Like Add to a List
"I will never cease to extol the immeasurable brilliance of La Luz," wrote former Portland Mercury writer Ciara Dolan, "The now-LA-based four-piece's doo-wop harmonies are beguilingly sweet, hypnotizing listeners until guitarist/singer Shana Cleveland's agile shredding solos strike with unmerciful venom." Don't miss the quartet for an intimate show as they celebrate ten years as a band, surrounded by the pastoral views of Sauvie Island. Locally sourced food and drinks will be available on-site, but bring a blanket or lawn chair if you want to get extra comfy.
Topaz Farm, Sauvie Island (Thurs Aug 11)

Leon Bridges: The Boundless Tour Like Add to a List
Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges is known for bridging the gap between '60s soul and contemporary indie rock with smooth and soulful croons reminiscent of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. He will support his latest release Gold-Diggers Sound, named after the East Hollywood "studio, hotel, and bar/speakeasy" where he lived while writing and recording the album. Swedish electronic group Little Dragon will support. 
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Mon Aug 29)

Maren Morris: Humble Quest Tour Like Add to a List
In 2019, Stranger editor Sean Nelson wrote of country queen Maren Morris: "Listen, not everyone has a soft spot for massively overproduced basically, technically country pop around these here parts, and I don't know if I do either. But I do know that "'80s Mercedes" is the kind of hit you'll claim to hate for a year before realizing that, in fact, you secretly loved it all along." She will support her new album, Humble Quest, alongside rising Americana trioThe Lone Bellow.
Edgefield, Troutdale (Sun Aug 28)

Mitski: Laurel Hell Summer Tour Like Add to a List
After the release of her critically acclaimed fourth album, Be The Cowboy, Mitski turned from cult favorite to one of the biggest names in indie rock. On her new album, Laurel Hell, she tackles the complexities of success, transformation, and contradictory realities through built-up tensions that bloom into '80s dance beats with synth flourishes. Mitski has that special gift of turning the saddest song you've ever heard into a dance floor anthem, and if her live shows are anything like her songs, you’d better be ready to cry and dance simultaneously.
Edgefield, Troutdale (Tues Aug 9)

Modest Mouse Like Add to a List
Portland-via-Issaquah indie rockers Modest Mouse will play two consecutive hometown shows as a part of the summer music series PDX Live. Give their latest album, The Golden Casket, a listen so that you can sing along. Our fingers are crossed that they will play some older material, too.
Pioneer Courthouse Square, Downtown (Aug 19-20)

Mt. Joy Like Add to a List
Fresh off the release of their new album, Orange Blood, the Los Angeles-via-Philadelphia indie quintet will return to town with glistening psych-folk that's perfectly summed up by the title track's lyrics: "Acid took us on a date, orange blood dripping from the sun."
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Fri Aug 12)

My Morning Jacket Like Add to a List
Indie-rock five-piece My Morning Jacket crafts tunes that are just as pleasant as their name implies, swimming with soulful vocals, blissful psychedelic jams, and cathartic lyricism. They will support their self-titled ninth studio album alongside singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun, who will play tunes from her acclaimed release, In Defense of My Own Happiness.
Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend (Fri Aug 12)

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Like Add to a List
Denver-based singer-songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff and his band will bring their signature blend of whisky-soaked rock, soul, and roots music back through town supporting their album, The Future, which Rateliff wrote " from a place of hope" in the midst of the pandemic. Indie-folk singer-songwriter Bahamas will start the show with tracks off of his latest album, Sad Hunk.
Edgefield, Troutdale (Thurs Aug 11)

PDX Pop Now! 2022 Like Add to a List
PDX Pop Now! is your annual reminder of the vibrant music scene that exists within our city. The free festival will spotlight local musicians across eleven venues, with a lineup including interdisciplinary rapper MAARQUII, R&B-pop queen Kingsley, garage rock outfit Club Deluxe, and plenty more.
Various locations (Aug 22-28)

Phoebe Bridgers: Reunion Tour Like Add to a List
Indie-folk phenomenon Phoebe Bridgers will bring her somber tunes and skeleton suit to town performing songs off her timely 2020 album, Punisher, which NPR noted tackled themes of "missed connections, the tension between the inner and outer self, [and] the lonely ache of watching things end." LA-based singer-songwriter (and frequent collaborator) Christian Lee Hutson will get things started.
Edgefield, Troutdale (Thurs Aug 25)

Pickathon 2022 Like Add to a List
After a dark, two-year, COVID-induced hiatus, Pickathon will finally return, August 4-7, to its iconic Pendarvis Farm location in Happy Valley, OR. The festival will showcase a plethora of excellent, wide-ranging acts: indie rock mainstay Built to Spill, NYC hip-hop duo Armand Hammer, folk/blues/gospel artist Valerie June, Australia-based hip-hop artist Sampa the Great, English jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia, electric blues guitarist Cedric Burnside, San Diego soul band Thee Sacred Souls, experimentalist/multi-instrumentalist L’Rain, psychedelic alt-rockers Inner Wave, and many more. JENNI MOORE
Pendarvis Farm, Happy Valley (Aug 4-7)

The Psychedelic Furs: Made of Rain 2022 Tour with Special Guest X Like Add to a List
We could all use a little escapism right about now. Your best bet is to sink into the soft, forgiving nostalgia of the Psychedelic Furs—“Love My Way” and “Pretty in Pink” remain evergreen post-punk gems of the ’80s—and see if you can forget the past three years ever happened. NED LANNAMANN
McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove (Mon Aug 8)

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Like Add to a List
Former Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant is still going strong after all these years, currently touring with his frequent collaborator, bluegrass sensation Alison Krauss. The duo will perform songs from their new album, Raise the Roof, which includes eclectic covers of The Everly Brothers, Allen Toussaint, Bert Jansch, and more.  
Edgefield, Troutdale (Sat Aug 27)

Rostam Like Add to a List
Acclaimed musician, producer, and Vampire Weekend founding member Rostam will stop by on a tour supporting his latest solo album, Changephobia, which seamlessly brings together elements of baroque music, jazz, pop, and psychedelic folk. Don't miss an opening set from country singer-songwriter Sam Buck who takes inspiration from eclectic artists like My Bloody Valentine, Arthur Russell, and Shania Twain.
Polaris Hall, Humboldt (Wed Aug 3)

Sabrina Claudio: Based on a Feeling Tour Like Add to a List
Soundcloud-bred R&B singer-songwriter Sabrina Claudio will bring her vocal prowess to Portland on her Based on a Feeling tour, named after her jazz-infused new album of the same name. 
Crystal Ballroom, West End (Thurs Aug 25)

Santa Fe Klan Like Add to a List
Latin trap rap superstar Santa Fe Klan will stop by on his Mar Y Tierra tour supporting his latest album, Santa Cumbia, alongside kindred rapper Tornillo. 
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Wed Aug 3)

Shakey Graves Like Add to a List
Shakey Graves, the one-man (Alejandro Rose-Garcia) Americana act, has evolved immensely since its early days. His debut album, Roll Your Bones, blew up after being released on the relatively new at the time Bandcamp, and was re-released last year for its 10th anniversary. Rose-Garcia still nods to his roots on the platform, releasing free music every year on February 9th, which was christened Shakey Graves day by his hometown mayor. He will be joined by British singer-songwriter Jade Bird.
Pioneer Courthouse Square, Downtown (Fri Aug 26)

$uicideboy$: Grey Day Tour Like Add to a List
Think critically about your existence to the tune of Southern rap, courtesy of New Orleans-based hip-hop duo $uicideboy$. They'll be joined on their Grey Day tour stop by Ski Mask the Slump God, $NOT, Knocked Loose, Maxo Kream, and DJ Scheme.
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Lloyd District (Fri Aug 19)

Sum 41 & Simple Plan: The Blame Canada Tour Like Add to a List
This lineup is what Hot Topic circa 2009 dreams are made of. Canadian pop-punk hold-outs Sum 41 and Simple Plan will join forces for an evening of skater boy anthems like "In Too Deep" and "Perfect."
Roseland Theater, Old Town-Chinatown (Fri Aug 12)

Train: AM Tour Like Add to a List
Post-grunge rockers turned Top 40 pop mainstays Train will play hits such as "Hey, Soul Sister" and "Drops of Jupiter" sprinkled amongst new material from their album, AM Gold. Don't miss supporting sets from literal folk-pop gem Jewel, roots rock outfit Blues Traveler, and neo-soul artist Thunderstorm Artis.
Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend (Wed Aug 3)

Vanport Jazz Festival Like Add to a List
The 5th Annual Vanport Jazz Festival is adding a lil' somethin' new this year, kicking things off with an opening night event featuring Musiq Soulchild and Kandace Springs. Then, spend the better part of your Saturday taking in some of the smoothest jazz the Pacific Northwest and beyond have to offer with Eric Benét, Marcus Miller, EFX All-Stars, and more.
Colwood Golf Course, Cully (Aug 5-6)

PERFORMANCE

A-WOL Dance presents Art in the Dark Like Add to a List
A-WOL Dance Collective's annual Art in the Dark performance series is an innovative blend of contemporary dance and aerial feats, showcasing local aerial artists in a unique forest setting under the stars to original music composed and presented by electronic musician Eastghost.
Mary S. Young Park, West Linn (Aug 3-6)

Chapo Trap House Like Add to a List
Twitter-happy leftists and absurdist comedy lovers tend to flock to Chapo Trap House, a podcast that's become synonymous with the casual vulgarity of the so-called "dirtbag left." Hosts Will Menaker, Felix Biederman, and Matt Christman will drop by Portland with more skewering commentary, described as "gleefully eccentric" by Jia Tolentino.
Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn (Thurs Aug 4)

The Fall of the House of Usher Like Add to a List
This blood-curdling opera is based on a short story by Edgar Allen Poe (we highly recommend listening to this eerie reading of The Fall of the House of Usher if you're unfamiliar). Hauntingly melancholy music by Phillip Glass is the perfect fit for the story's pervasive, gloomy atmosphere, which stage director Kevin Newbury describes as "a combination of Alfred Hitchcock...[and] Sunset Boulevard."
Lincoln Hall, South Park Blocks (Aug 25-28)

Let's Not Meet: A True Horror Podcast Like Add to a List
If you've ever gotten lost in the spine-tingling scenarios on the r/letsnotmeet subreddit, you'll probably dig this anthology podcast of terror and suspense. There's something fun and retro about listening to scary stories told out loud; it's a little like swapping ghost tales around a campfire. Fans of Andrew Tate's Let's Not Meet: A True Horror Podcast seem to agree—the podcast has garnered 50 million downloads since its inception in 2017. What makes it special? Well, supposedly the stories shared on Let's Not Meet are all real. Sleep tight!
Polaris Hall, Humboldt (Fri Aug 26)

L'Orfeo Like Add to a List
Composed in 1607 by Claudio Monteverdi, the story of Orpheus and Eurydice still manages to feel relevant and modern. Over the last 400 years, L'Orfeo has been reinterpreted in dance, visual art, and writing—the story continues to endure and inspire. Performed here in its original operatic format, L'Orfeo follows the musician Orfeo, who journeys to hell and back to reunite with his beloved Euridice.
Lincoln Hall, South Park Blocks (Aug 4-7)

tick, tick … BOOM! Like Add to a List
Fans of Rent will love this hilarious rock musical, a semi-autobiographical tale of playwright Jonathan Larson's struggle to make his mark in the theater industry. (Larson went on to shake the world with Rent, for which he won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize, so get ready to feel inspired.)
Portland Center Stage, Pearl District (Aug 20-31)

Violet Chachki Presents “A Lot More Me” Like Add to a List
RuPaul's Drag Race season seven winner, tiny-waisted icon, and "one-of-a-kind collectible" Violet Chachki will bring a flawless blend of burlesque, circus, and runway-ready drag fashion to the stage for this gaggy solo show.
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Wed Aug 3)

READINGS & TALKS

Brian Doherty Like Add to a List
The '60s-era "comix" movement shifted the comic book genre from Sunday funnies and superheroes to transgressive sex, gross-out imagery, and drug use. Brian Doherty's Dirty Pictures tells the whole story. Hippies and creatives dug the medium's new direction, and comix thrived in zines and underground publications, with panels drawn by weirdo masterminds like R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, and Harvey Pekar. What started with wacky humor made a lasting cultural impression—comix reframed popular thinking on the war, racial justice, gender expression, and more.
Powell's City of Books, Pearl District (Wed Aug 10)

Chantel Prat in Conversation With Andrea Stocco Like Add to a List
In celebration of the release of her book The Neuroscience of You: How Every Brain is Different and How to Understand Yours, University of Washington professor Chantel Prat will discuss brainy business and more with computational cognitive neuroscientist Andrea Stocco.
Powell's City of Books, Pearl District (Tues Aug 9)

Kevin Sampsell, Janice Lee, and Jay Ponteri Like Add to a List
Inspired by William S. Burroughs's wild cut-ups, Kevin Sampsell's collage art is on full display in I Made an Accident, complete with jokey compositions, cultural jabs, accidents, and surprises. Sampsell will chat with Janice Lee, author of the complex, meditative poetry book Separation Anxiety, and Jay Ponteri, PNCA professor and author of the experimental, multi-genre Someone Told Me, in this talk.
Powell's City of Books, Pearl District (Thurs Aug 4)

Mona Awad in Conversation With Iain Reid Like Add to a List
Margaret Atwood deemed Mona Awad's previous novel Bunny "genius," so she must be doing something right. Awad's newest novel, All's Well, follows a troubled theater professor convinced that Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well will cure her woes. The book takes a weird turn when she meets three unusual benefactors. (Atwood digs this one, too—she described Awad's prose as “no punches pulled, no hilarities dodged.” Awad will be joined in conversation by Iain Reid, author of creepy novel-turned-Netflix-flick I'm Thinking of Ending Things.
Virtual via Powell's City of Books (Wed Aug 3)

Slamlandia Like Add to a List
Join host and "professional daydreamer" Julia Gaskill for this free monthly open mic of poetry, which aims to cultivate a safe space for sharing work and building community.
Literary Arts, Southwest Portland (Thurs Aug 18)

SPORTS & RECREATION

PDX Adult Soapbox Derby Like Add to a List
Remember when you were a kid and an adult of questionable responsibility helped you build a death machine to ride down a hill in? Well, now you're the adult of questionable responsibility and you can build yourself a soapbox racecar! Portlanders will zoom down Mt. Tabor at crazy speeds in their own handmade contraptions, which makes for the perfect circus to watch on a sunny summer day.
Mt. Tabor Park, Mount Tabor (Sat Aug 20)

Pedalpalooza 2022 Like Add to a List
This summer-long festival of bikey fun is an annual Portland highlight, and this year will mark its 20th anniversary! Riders of all ages are welcome to join hundreds of events independently organized by community members like you. From a denim vest ride to a Phish-themed ride, there's plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded cyclists.
Various locations (Aug 1-31)

Providence Bridge Pedal and Stride Like Add to a List
Cyclists of all ages and skill levels are invited to Providence's annual celebration of biking on bridges. Different routes are available, ranging from crossing two to nine Willamette River bridges, and including a unique chance to bike across car-free upper decks of the Marquam and Fremont. If a leisurely stroll sounds more your speed, take part in the Bridge Stride, a five-mile walk across the Fremont and Steel bridges.
Various locations (Sun Aug 14)

VISUAL ART

Dinolandia Like Add to a List
Whimsical illustrator Mike Bennett presents his latest installation, a two-story immersive museum filled with illustrated life-size dinosaurs. Who needs a trip to Jurassic Park when we've got Dinolandia in the heart of Portland?
710 SW Yamhill St., Downtown (Aug 2-31)

Forces of Nature: Ecology in Japanese Prints Like Add to a List
Natural imagery is a longstanding tradition within Japanese art of all forms—for centuries, artists in Japan have pondered the relationship between humans and their environment. In Forces of Nature: Ecology in Japanese Prints, Japanese artists grapple with more recent ecological disasters, including the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster. This series of prints, including vibrant works by pop artist Aoshima Chiho, ranges from frank depictions of everyday life to dystopic visions and dreamy abstractions.
Portland Art Museum, South Park Blocks (Aug 3-31)

In My Own Little Corner: Willie Little Like Add to a List
The final exhibition in Oregon Contemporary's Site program, an exhibition series that replaced the Portland2021 Biennial, Willie Little's In My Own Little Corner explores the artist's North Carolina hometown and childhood. Revealing the shrouded stories of rural Black childhood through found objects, photographs, and a sound installation, Little delves into the turmoil that gay children faced in the '60s and '70s, a time of repression and radical hope.
Oregon Contemporary, Kenton (Aug 5-28)

Perspectives Like Add to a List
This justice-minded exhibition compiles works by local BIPOC photographers who documented the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020. Perspectives includes over 60 images by Emery Barnes, Joseph Blake, Linneas Boland-Godbey, Daveed Jacobo, Mariah Harris, and Byron Merritt, encouraging visitors to relive this transformative moment in social justice history and consider Portland's role in the ongoing dismantling of white supremacy.
Portland Art Museum, Southwest Park Blocks (Aug 3-31)