The most 2026 thing has happened. The shuttered Chuck E. Cheese on Powell will turn into a pickleball court. Admittedly, I have been gifted a pickleball set that has never been used. Maybe now’s the time. Anyway, if sports aren’t your thing, maybe a sweet breakfast is more your style.

We’re giving away tickets to Pancakes & Booze at Hawthorne Theatre on May 15. Experience one of North America’s biggest pop-up art movements by celebrating 15+ years of free pancakes and showcasing some of the nation’s top emerging artists.*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Calling all Twin Peaks Fans! Win tickets for a one-day immersive journey into North Bend and Snoqualmie and experience real filming locations, screenings, and that classic Lynchian weirdness.*

• Portland’s conceptual “cave doom” band Creaturess performs at Mississippi Studios this June. The project blends doom metal, black metal, shoegaze, and slowcore.

• 3QUENCY got their start on Netflix’s Making the Band. Catch the R&B girl group at Wonder Ballroom in July for the Girls Talk Tour. 

• Rising country singer Willow Avalon brings her heartfelt lyrics to Wonder Ballroom this July on the Pink Pocket Pistol Tour.

• Indie pop band Willis heads to Mississippi Studios this August, bringing their dreamy melodies and warm, nostalgic sound.

50 THINGS TO DO IN MAY

May is stacked! Our list of 50 things to do is packed with can’t-miss shows and standout moments. Catch Snail Mail’s raw, guitar-driven indie rock, The Dear Hunter’s sweeping, theatrical sound, and Alex G’s offbeat, intimate songwriting. Don’t miss American Football’s shimmering emo classics, Florence + The Machine’s soaring, cinematic anthems, and Dry Cleaning’s sharp, spoken-word post-punk.

• THE DEAR HUNTER @ Aladdin Theater

• SNAIL MAIL @ Wonder Ballroom

• ALEX G @ Roseland Theater

• FLORENCE + THE MACHINE @ Moda Center

• DRY CLEANING @ Wonder Ballroom

• AMERICAN FOOTBALL @ Crystal Ballroom

THIS WEEKEND

LOCALS ONLY

• 10 years. 40 beers. One big party. Great Notion is celebrating its 10th anniversary on June 27, featuring a Beastie Boys tribute band, food, games, a dirty soda bar for kids, and rare barrel-aged beers. Buy tickets!

• Literary Arts just announced the 42nd season of its Portland Arts & Lectures series, featuring 5 authors and kicking off in September.

• Mark May Day (International Workers’ Day) this Friday with events happening across Portland, from rallies and marches to community gatherings.

• How would you like to be the new voice of this newsletter? That’s right, we are hiring a Content Manager for DoPDX. More details here!

WIN STUFF

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I lowkey get giddy for fair season… something about walking around a huge cement lot filled with elaborate food stalls and scary rides (I’m looking at you, Zipper) brings me a childlike joy. If you’re planning on going to the state fair this year, you have 24 hours to get $2.50 tickets!