Mission Theater

Discover the rich history of Oregon's original theater pub on our Mission Theater History & Art Tour! Hear all the dramatic details, from our Swedish Mission days to hosting Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country to the playhouse whose short-lived residency may or may not have had something to do with "the Scottish Play," and beyond!

Tour will take about 60-75 minutes; entrance is at the main doors of Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209). Doors open approximately 15 mins before the tour starts, and entry may not be guaranteed after 1pm.

Please note: Tour may include stairs and standing for extended periods of time.

Passport holders: This tour is eligible for the Mission Theater location stamp and an Attend a History Sponsored Event experience stamp.

For private group tours, contact [email protected]

Taylor Bickett is a storyteller at heart. Hailing from Indiana, she's been writing music since before she can remember. Taylor's intimate lyrics and outstanding vocal range gracefully overlay organic indie pop production to create introspective singer/songwriter tunes. After her wistful, Gen Z anthem "QUARTER LIFE CRISIS" hit the internet in 2022, the track compelled a generation struggling with their newfound adulthood to share their own photos and stories on TikTok soundtracked by her song. The trending audio amassed nearly half a million fan-made videos, and celebrities including Drew Barrymore and Kevin Jonas showcased their own transformations since age sixteen atop Taylor's track, which features the lyrics, "I swear 16 was yesterday, but now I'm closer to 28."

Taylor's subsequent 2023 EP grown up and lonely demonstrates her knack for writing honest and unfiltered songs that resonate with an entire generation. She kicked off 2024 with her single "I Like Mondays" which resonated with fans when she quickly wrote and posted the song on the 1st of January (a Monday). After spending the spring on the road, Taylor released her second EP, This Isn't Me Missing You, on September 19th.

Taylor spent 2024 touring with artists like Ron Pope, Blü Eyes, Andi and Áine Deane, which took her all over the US and UK. Her new song "The Crime," based on a traumatic incident that sparked a passion for ending violence against women, will come out in honor of Women's History Month in March of 2025. She is currently writing new music for her debut full length album.

All Ages // 6 PM Show // Tickets $24

Taylor Bickett is a storyteller at heart. Hailing from Indiana, she's been writing music since before she can remember. Taylor's intimate lyrics and outstanding vocal range gracefully overlay organic indie pop production to create introspective singer/songwriter tunes. After her wistful, Gen Z anthem "QUARTER LIFE CRISIS" hit the internet in 2022, the track compelled a generation struggling with their newfound adulthood to share their own photos and stories on TikTok soundtracked by her song. The trending audio amassed nearly half a million fan-made videos, and celebrities including Drew Barrymore and Kevin Jonas showcased their own transformations since age sixteen atop Taylor's track, which features the lyrics, "I swear 16 was yesterday, but now I'm closer to 28."

Taylor's subsequent 2023 EP grown up and lonely demonstrates her knack for writing honest and unfiltered songs that resonate with an entire generation. She kicked off 2024 with her single "I Like Mondays" which resonated with fans when she quickly wrote and posted the song on the 1st of January (a Monday). After spending the spring on the road, Taylor released her second EP, This Isn't Me Missing You, on September 19th.

Taylor spent 2024 touring with artists like Ron Pope, Blü Eyes, Andi and Áine Deane, which took her all over the US and UK. Her new song "The Crime," based on a traumatic incident that sparked a passion for ending violence against women, will come out in honor of Women's History Month in March of 2025. She is currently writing new music for her debut full length album.

Goldie is a Portland-based artist creating alternative-pop that blends a sense of nostalgia with a distinctly modern sound. Drawing inspiration from artists both past and present, her music is rooted in honest songwriting, warm melodies, and an ever-evolving approach to pop. With four singles released, Goldie is currently working on her debut EP and carving out a sound entirely her own.

Tuesday, November 3 6pm doors, 7pm presentation All ages welcome at Mission Theater

Georgia Parker is a singer-songwriter from Kent, England, now based in Los Angeles. She released her debut album, Same Time Tomorrow, in August 2024, establishing herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary folk and indie music. Her sophomore album, Pumpkin (March 20, 2026), is largely self-produced and further defines her richly textured, sonically delicate sound.

Rooted in indie folk, chamber pop, and indie rock, Pumpkin explores the limits of emotional self-protection. Beneath that guarded exterior, the songs return to an inner child still longing for safety, tenderness, and rest - a theme distilled, somewhat wryly, in the album's title and final track, "Pumpkin," a term of endearment that gestures toward softness rather than defense. Haunting, cinematic, and deeply reflective, Parker crafts immersive, emotionally resonant songs that balance vulnerability with sharp, intelligent lyricism.

We've all heard the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Turns out, nature seems to agree! From the fossil record to the animals living around us today, evolution has a funny habit of coming up with the same solutions again and again. Different animals can end up looking remarkably alike and sometimes even behaving alike despite evolving completely independently. This fascinating phenomenon is called convergent evolution.

In this fun and fascinating pub talk, paleontologist Nico Spadafora will take you on a journey through the weird, wonderful, and oddly repetitive world of convergent evolution. We'll explore how it happens, why evolution keeps repeating itself, and what these evolutionary "reruns" can tell us about the incredible diversity of life on Earth.

Science Pubs are a casual lecture series located in fun venues across the region, recommended for ages 10 and over.

Science Pub Mission Theater is a monthly event that is open to anyone and everyone. No scientific background required. Just bring your curiosity, sense of humor, and appetite for food, drinks and knowledge! For more information or to sign up for our mailing list, email: [email protected].

Discover the rich history of Oregon's original theater pub on our Mission Theater History & Art Tour! Hear all the dramatic details, from our Swedish Mission days to hosting Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country to the playhouse whose short-lived residency may or may not have had something to do with "the Scottish Play," and beyond!

Tour will take about 60-75 minutes; entrance is at the main doors of Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209). Doors open approximately 15 mins before the tour starts, and entry may not be guaranteed after 1pm.

Please note: Tour may include stairs and standing for extended periods of time.

Passport holders: This tour is eligible for the Mission Theater location stamp and an Attend a History Sponsored Event experience stamp.

For private group tours, contact [email protected]

All Ages // 7 PM Doors // Tickets $25

The Gully Boys origin story begins in the aisles of a Minneapolis thrift shop. Vocalist/guitarist Kathy Callahan (she/her) and co-worker Nadirah McGill (they/them) spent their days sharing dreams and building a friendship amongst racks of forgotten treasures. When Kathy confided her desire to sing in a band, it set off a groundswell of events: Nadi grabbed a pair of drumsticks, and the two invited middle school friend Natalie Klemond (she/her) to join on bass. From there, a cover of Best Coast's "Girlfriend" marked the start of a journey fueled by undeniable chemistry, channeling the raw energy of legends like No Doubt, Garbage, and Hole into a sound that's galvanizingly Gully.

Two years of relentless gigging followed, and earned Gully Boys the Best New Band crown by their local Minneapolis City Pages in 2018, shortly after the release of their debut demo collection, Not So Brave. Their anticipated follow-up EP, Phony, arrived in late 2019, just months before the live music world came to a halt. Inspired by this break in the action, the band added lead guitarist Mariah Mercedes (they/them), and worked with producer Zach Zurn at Carpet Booth Studio to release their Favorite Son EP (2021) and standout singles "See You See" (2022) and "Optimist" (2023).

Grounded in a bond as fierce as their sound, Gully Boys' electrifying live performances have earned them spots on SXSW stages, Audiotree sessions, and tours alongside Nova Twins, Motion City Soundtrack, Destroy Boys, Bad Bad Hats, and more. From the iconic stage at Minneapolis' First Avenue to national gigs that defy expectations, Gully Boys capture an ethos of equal parts anger and tenderness-fueling a journey that feels like it's just getting started.

Pollyanna are a three-piece New Jersey band - Jill Beckett (vocals/guitar), Daniel McCool (drums), and Brandon Bolton (bass) - blending elements of loud rock, pop and punk into an emotional roller coaster of fury and catharsis. Born from the DIY touring scene, Pollyanna have become a force in the tri-state music scene, fusing pissed-off, "burn the world down" energy with moments of queer joy, trans pride, and raw vulnerability.

Following their I Surrender Records debut "Slime", the band are keeping momentum high with their razor-sharp new single "Gravedigger," recorded with Brett Romnes (Hot Mulligan, Mom Jeans, The Front Bottoms). With their new sophomore album, "Weirdo", Pollyanna are taking bold new steps, articulating the journey of trading hatred for joy, and they're just getting started.

The Gully Boys origin story begins in the aisles of a Minneapolis thrift shop. Vocalist/guitarist Kathy Callahan (she/her) and co-worker Nadirah McGill (they/them) spent their days sharing dreams and building a friendship amongst racks of forgotten treasures. When Kathy confided her desire to sing in a band, it set off a groundswell of events: Nadi grabbed a pair of drumsticks, and the two invited middle school friend Natalie Klemond (she/her) to join on bass. From there, a cover of Best Coast's "Girlfriend" marked the start of a journey fueled by undeniable chemistry, channeling the raw energy of legends like No Doubt, Garbage, and Hole into a sound that's galvanizingly Gully.

Two years of relentless gigging followed, and earned Gully Boys the Best New Band crown by their local Minneapolis City Pages in 2018, shortly after the release of their debut demo collection, Not So Brave. Their anticipated follow-up EP, Phony, arrived in late 2019, just months before the live music world came to a halt. Inspired by this break in the action, the band added lead guitarist Mariah Mercedes (they/them), and worked with producer Zach Zurn at Carpet Booth Studio to release their Favorite Son EP (2021) and standout singles "See You See" (2022) and "Optimist" (2023).

Grounded in a bond as fierce as their sound, Gully Boys' electrifying live performances have earned them spots on SXSW stages, Audiotree sessions, and tours alongside Nova Twins, Motion City Soundtrack, Destroy Boys, Bad Bad Hats, and more. From the iconic stage at Minneapolis' First Avenue to national gigs that defy expectations, Gully Boys capture an ethos of equal parts anger and tenderness-fueling a journey that feels like it's just getting started.

Pollyanna are a three-piece New Jersey band - Jill Beckett (vocals/guitar), Daniel McCool (drums), and Brandon Bolton (bass) - blending elements of loud rock, pop and punk into an emotional roller coaster of fury and catharsis. Born from the DIY touring scene, Pollyanna have become a force in the tri-state music scene, fusing pissed-off, "burn the world down" energy with moments of queer joy, trans pride, and raw vulnerability.

Following their I Surrender Records debut "Slime", the band are keeping momentum high with their razor-sharp new single "Gravedigger," recorded with Brett Romnes (Hot Mulligan, Mom Jeans, The Front Bottoms). With their new sophomore album, "Weirdo", Pollyanna are taking bold new steps, articulating the journey of trading hatred for joy, and they're just getting started.

Saturday, November 7 7:30pm doors, 8:30pm show All ages welcome at Mission Theater

7:30pm doors, 8:30pm show · All ages welcome

Discover the rich history of Oregon's original theater pub on our Mission Theater History & Art Tour! Hear all the dramatic details, from our Swedish Mission days to hosting Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country to the playhouse whose short-lived residency may or may not have had something to do with "the Scottish Play," and beyond!

Tour will take about 60-75 minutes; entrance is at the main doors of Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209). Doors open approximately 15 mins before the tour starts, and entry may not be guaranteed after 1pm.

Please note: Tour may include stairs and standing for extended periods of time.

Passport holders: This tour is eligible for the Mission Theater location stamp and an Attend a History Sponsored Event experience stamp.

For private group tours, contact [email protected]

Join us for an evening of storytelling, science, and community exploration in partnership with the Oregon Mycological Society. This special edition of Forest Pub dives into the fascinating world of fungi and their essential role in forest ecosystems-from decomposition and soil health to the hidden underground networks that connect trees and support forest resilience. Guests will hear from local mycology experts, learn how mushrooms shape forest ecology and climate health, and discover how fungi support both natural systems and human understanding of the forest. As always, Forest Pub blends science with storytelling in a relaxed, social setting designed to spark curiosity and conversation over a shared love of forests.

Join us for a pint & learn about our forests!

Step into the world of our forests at Forest Pub, a monthly program brought to you in partnership with McMenamins History at the Mission Theater in NW Portland. Every second Monday, we bring in dynamic guest speakers to explore how forests touch every part of our lives - from the natural wonders we depend on to the creativity, culture, and cutting-edge solutions they inspire. Whether it's science, stories, or the latest breakthroughs in innovations, Forest Pub connects the dots between our forests and our world.

Following a string of encounters too strange to be coincidence, Robbie Kingsley, Franco Solari, Dylan McCue and Zach Levy came together to form The Hails. Despite first playing in an insular Miami high school music scene, the band officially formed at the University of Florida in Gainesville, turning the tattered carpeting and beer bottle lined shelves of their shitty college house into a distinct, refined sound that is now synonymous with their name.

After graduation, the group made the pilgrimage back to their home of Miami, the city that directly influenced the sound of their early shimmering singles "Younger" and "Stay," debut EP He Seems Upset (2020), and the subsequent Alive in Strange Ways (2021).

After releasing their debut album What's Your Motive (2023) and gaining international praise, The Hails have created their own unique style of collaboration with band members living in Miami, DC and Brooklyn. Recent highlights of the road include holding court at festivals like Governors Ball, III Points and Okeechobee, interspersed between sold-out headline shows and tour support for The Revivalists, Quarters, The Beaches, flipturn and the moss. This year will see The Hails back out on the road as they ready for the release of their second full-length album later this year.

Meldrop is a five-piece jazzy indie rock group hailing from the Seattle/Tacoma, WA area. The band originally started as a four-piece in the fall of 2022, when River Esqueda, Elijah Tuncap, Kirran Medchill, and Aidan Goodman worked together at a Tacoma restaurant called the Lobster Shop. After a routine night of bussing tables, the boys got to talking and learned that they all shared a passion for playing music. They immediately planned a jam session later that week and what followed was a spark that inspired them to practice and write together over the next 6 months. Meldrop made their live debut at a college house venue called Cush Hill in April 2023, and continued playing shows through the spring and summer. However, tragedy struck in August amidst the recording of their debut project, when a pipe burst in their practice space, flooding the building and destroying their equipment. A week later, Medchill had to step away due to his ongoing struggle with addiction, forcing the band to cancel their upcoming shows. They spent the next 2 months finishing the EP before resuming rehearsals and bringing in a new member, Aidan Maggi, to fill the vacancy. The new lineup took to the live scene in November, just in time to play a show celebrating the release of their self-titled EP around Christmas time.

In the new year, the band continued playing shows and growing their following into the Seattle scene, also taking the time to record new singles "Coyote Country" and "Nude Walter Beach." During this time, they had planned on letting Maggi step out upon Medchill's return, but when the time came to make the switch, the boys realized that they all meshed together too well to let anyone go. It was clear that yet another lineup change was in order. In June 2024, the band returned to Cush Hill to unveil Meldrop's final form, a five-piece consisting of Esqueda and Medchill both on guitar and vocals, Tuncap on drums and vocals, Maggi on bass, and Goodman on keys. The new-look Meldrop's style blends influences of jazz, rock, and the blues into a truly unique and smooth sound that has encapsulated listeners in the Seattle area and all around the world. Driven by a genuine love for their craft, the band continues to experiment with new ideas, pushing their music to new places and chasing their dreams of pursuing music full-time.

Discover the rich history of Oregon's original theater pub on our Mission Theater History & Art Tour! Hear all the dramatic details, from our Swedish Mission days to hosting Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country to the playhouse whose short-lived residency may or may not have had something to do with "the Scottish Play," and beyond!

Tour will take about 60-75 minutes; entrance is at the main doors of Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209). Doors open approximately 15 mins before the tour starts, and entry may not be guaranteed after 1pm.

Please note: Tour may include stairs and standing for extended periods of time.

Passport holders: This tour is eligible for the Mission Theater location stamp and an Attend a History Sponsored Event experience stamp.

For private group tours, contact [email protected]

2010's DANCE PARTY ALERT!

Get ready to rewind to the era of skinny jeans, Tumblr crushes, and iPod Touch playlists - when the world felt upside down but the music absolutely slapped.

We're diving head-first into 2010s recession pop: the glittering, chaotic, high-energy anthems that carried all of us through the mess with eyeliner smudged and hands in the air.

Ke$ha. Gaga. LMFAO. Rihanna. Icona Pop. Katy Perry.
Breakups you live-tweeted.
Lip gloss, neon lights, and bass drops.
The hits that defined a decade of pure, shameless fun.

Grab your friends. Charge your phone (for the mirror selfies, obviously). And get ready to dance like it's 2010 all over again.

Let's rage.

Discover the rich history of Oregon's original theater pub on our Mission Theater History & Art Tour! Hear all the dramatic details, from our Swedish Mission days to hosting Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country to the playhouse whose short-lived residency may or may not have had something to do with "the Scottish Play," and beyond!

Tour will take about 60-75 minutes; entrance is at the main doors of Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209). Doors open approximately 15 mins before the tour starts, and entry may not be guaranteed after 1pm.

Please note: Tour may include stairs and standing for extended periods of time.

Passport holders: This tour is eligible for the Mission Theater location stamp and an Attend a History Sponsored Event experience stamp.

For private group tours, contact [email protected]

On November 17, Portland will recognize its first annual day honoring the life and legacy of Will Vinton as proclaimed by Mayor Keith Wilson.

The event celebrating this momentous occasion will take place two days prior on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at McMenamins Mission Theater. This event is free and open to the public.

We will be displaying pioneering stop motion equipment from Will Vinton Studios, screening his award winning short films, and hearing about his impact on the world from friends, family, and fans.

About Will Vinton

Will Vinton was an award winning stop motion animator and filmmaker who called Oregon home. He laid the groundwork for Portland's animation scene, and today the city is widely considered to be the stop-motion capital of the world.

Vinton first gained notoriety in 1975 when his short film Closed Mondays won an Academy Award, the first film produced in Portland to do so. From there, Vinton opened the doors of his stop motion animation studio in the heart of Portland’s Nob Hill district. He would go on to produce numerous short films, television series, music videos, commercials, and special effects which are still influential today; such as The Little Prince (1979), Moonlighting (1987), Disney’s Return to Oz (1985), The PJs (1999 – 2001), and The California Raisins.

Later in life, Vinton branched into live action and CGI work, taught at The Art Institute of Portland, and created a musical titled The Kiss.

By the end of his career, Vinton had accumulated one Academy Award and three Primetime Emmy Awards alongside multiple nominations for both.

About MOSMA

This proclamation and event are spearheaded by MOSMA (the Museum of Stop Motion Animation). MOSMA is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2022 by president Brian Capati. We have been collaborating with local businesses and theaters to host various programming including quarterly screenings of stop motion films at the Hollywood Theatre, community collaborative animation workshops, and speaking events with industry professionals.

We are centered around strengthening the bonds between art, community and industry in efforts to establish a permanent stop-motion museum.

MOSMA’s Mission Statement

The Museum of Stop Motion Animation is a creative nexus between local industry and the global community. Building upon Portland's unique legacy in this remarkable medium, our goal is to enrich the public’s understanding and appreciation by inviting them to peer behind the curtains of this intriguing art form.

Stop motion is a symphony of artists who contribute their gifts to create truly handmade cinema. We seek to preserve stop motion animation and promote a united passion for it, so that this wondrous art form may continue to evolve and enchant audiences.

Website: mosmapdx.org

Dev Lemons has built a career by refusing to fit neatly into a single lane. Equal parts alt-pop artist, songwriter, comedian, and internet personality, she has cultivated a fiercely loyal audience through her sharp wit, fearless authenticity, and genre-blurring music that balances vulnerability with humor.

Originally gaining attention through her viral online content, Dev quickly proved she was far more than a creator making music, she's an artist whose songwriting explores the awkward, chaotic, and deeply human moments that define modern relationships and self-discovery. Her music effortlessly shifts between infectious pop hooks, alternative production, indie textures, and emotionally raw lyricism, creating a sound that's as unpredictable as it is instantly recognizable.

Across multiple releases, Dev has amassed millions of streams while continuing to grow an engaged fanbase that connects with her brutally honest storytelling and unmistakable personality. Whether she's writing about heartbreak, anxiety, dating disasters, or finding confidence in the absurd, her songs feel like conversations with a close friend who isn't afraid to say exactly what everyone's thinking.

Beyond music, Dev has become known for her comedic voice across social media, where her sketches and commentary have reached millions of viewers. Rather than separating her artistry from her personality, she's built a world where both coexist naturally-earning a reputation as one of the most distinctive emerging voices in alternative pop.

With new music continuing to push her songwriting and production into bold new territory, Dev Lemons is proving that authenticity, humor, and emotional honesty aren't mutually exclusive, they're exactly what makes her stand out.

Discover the rich history of Oregon's original theater pub on our Mission Theater History & Art Tour! Hear all the dramatic details, from our Swedish Mission days to hosting Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country to the playhouse whose short-lived residency may or may not have had something to do with "the Scottish Play," and beyond!

Tour will take about 60-75 minutes; entrance is at the main doors of Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209). Doors open approximately 15 mins before the tour starts, and entry may not be guaranteed after 1pm.

Please note: Tour may include stairs and standing for extended periods of time.

Passport holders: This tour is eligible for the Mission Theater location stamp and an Attend a History Sponsored Event experience stamp.

For private group tours, contact [email protected]

Formed by lead vocalist/lead guitarist Sage Collette, Crooked Looks is a hard rock band that rides the wave of fierce, fuzzy sounds made popular.

by Queens of the Stone Age and fellow Pacific Northwest band Soundgarden. Light melodies and firm riffs paired with lyrics that emanate a youthful but ever-knowing and ever-partying spirit stream from this group's musical subconscious, and in a short span of time Crooked Looks have proven themselves worthy of a spot on the charts.

Ray Ramano sounds like shit but you should still give it a listen.

Hazy textures, towering walls of guitar and a beat that leads the march, Ray Ramano sounds like the moment a beautiful memory starts to fall apart. What's not to love?

MECH is a professional rock band from Portland, Oregon that plays original alternative rock music. MECH is inspired by the best in rock, blending their own unique style, innovation, and energy.

MECH formed in the early 90's. They released their first album and played gigs in PDX during the grunge era with similar style, passion and power as Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana and the Foo Fighters.

MECH reformed and released a new album titled Days Around The Sun in 2020 available on all streaming platforms. They are actively playing gigs in the NW and plan to release a new EP in late 2026.

Tinhorn is a guitar-driven, groove-oriented rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1997. Built on grit, groove, and big choruses, Tinhorn's songs build with intensity and break open loud, with just a hint of twang woven into the mix.

Tinhorn writes about the messy human stuff: passion, love, lust, loss, longing, and the search for something real. The songs have heart but don't pull punches. Sometimes they're tender. Sometimes they're dark. Usually, they're both.

Tinhorn released two full-length albums and multiple singles and has played throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. More than 20 years later, Tinhorn begins a new chapter with a renewed perspective and purpose.

Discover the rich history of Oregon's original theater pub on our Mission Theater History & Art Tour! Hear all the dramatic details, from our Swedish Mission days to hosting Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country to the playhouse whose short-lived residency may or may not have had something to do with "the Scottish Play," and beyond!

Tour will take about 60-75 minutes; entrance is at the main doors of Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209). Doors open approximately 15 mins before the tour starts, and entry may not be guaranteed after 1pm.

Please note: Tour may include stairs and standing for extended periods of time.

Passport holders: This tour is eligible for the Mission Theater location stamp and an Attend a History Sponsored Event experience stamp.

For private group tours, contact [email protected]

Get ready to rock around the Christmas tree with Holiday Music Bingo at The Mission Theater! We're putting a festive twist on classic bingo, swapping numbers for your favorite holiday hits! Listen (and sing) to holiday songs, mark your cards, and get ready to shout BINGO! Bring your friends, family, and holiday spirit for a fun-filled and festive celebration. Our 1st-3rd place winners will take home a McMenamins gift card, with plenty of other opportunities to win some swag. This all-ages event is part of the west end holiday celebrations, a festive weekend of fun at the Mission Theater and The Crystal Ballroom.

Help us help Portland!
Give back this holiday season by bringing a pack of socks (any size) with you and get an extra bingo card! Snowcap Community Services will receive all sock donations you bring for this holiday season.

Learn more about Snowcap Community Services at www.snowcap.org

Sound & Vision is an extension of the successful annual David Bowie jazz tribute series Black Tie/White Noise, starring The Christopher Brown Quartet.

This acclaimed ensemble will perform the best and most beloved songs from their six year catalog from BT/WN. These are not just the classics, but also the deep album cuts that The Christopher Brown Quartet has reimagined into new and incredible masterpieces.

Each song will also have an individual video narrative. A myriad of David Bowie content and abstract impressions adding a visual element to the experience.

Discover the rich history of Oregon's original theater pub on our Mission Theater History & Art Tour! Hear all the dramatic details, from our Swedish Mission days to hosting Portland's longshoremen union during one of the largest dockworkers strikes in the country to the playhouse whose short-lived residency may or may not have had something to do with "the Scottish Play," and beyond!

Tour will take about 60-75 minutes; entrance is at the main doors of Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209). Doors open approximately 15 mins before the tour starts, and entry may not be guaranteed after 1pm.

Please note: Tour may include stairs and standing for extended periods of time.

Passport holders: This tour is eligible for the Mission Theater location stamp and an Attend a History Sponsored Event experience stamp.

For private group tours, contact [email protected]

Portland's working river carries many stories - of industry, contamination, community, survival, restoration, and responsibility. The Portland Harbor Superfund cleanup is not only a technical process; it is also a public health, environmental justice, and accountability issue that will shape the future of the Willamette River for generations.

In this talk, Portland Harbor Community Coalition will help audiences understand what is at stake in the cleanup, how decisions about contaminated sediment, restoration, disposal, access, and habitat affect people and place, and why community and Tribal voices must be centered in decisions about the river's future. Through images, stories, and practical examples, this presentation will invite people to ask: Who speaks for the river - and how do we listen?

Science Pubs are a casual lecture series located in fun venues across the region, recommended for ages 10 and over.

Science Pub Mission Theater is a monthly event that is open to anyone and everyone. No scientific background required. Just bring your curiosity, sense of humor, and appetite for food, drinks and knowledge! For more information or to sign up for our mailing list, email: [email protected].

Who will claim the crown and walk away with the 2025 Demolicious Championship Belt?

After its epic relaunch in 2024, Demolicious has quickly become the stage for early-stage founders to show off their boldest ideas and biggest dreams. Every month at the UpStart Collective, these fearless founders have pitched in front of a packed, supportive crowd-honing their storytelling skills, building buzz, and giving us all a glimpse at the next wave of job-creating, game-changing companies.

Now it all comes down to this: the Championship Showdown! We're bringing back all the monthly winners for a high-energy, founder-versus-founder battle. You'll hear the pitches, cheer them on, and-most importantly-you'll decide who takes home the belt, the bragging rights, and cold, hard (non-dilutive!) prize money.

• Be part of the celebration.
• Be part of the energy.
• Be part of the story before these startups take off.

Join us for a night of competition, community, and future-shaping innovation at Demolicious 2025!

All proceeds from net ticket sales will go to the winner of this year's Demolicious: Champion of Champions

Underground electronic music producer Alejo joins forces once again with Portland resident & long time visual collaborator 3NA to bring their 2026 national tour ‘Nerves | The Live Audiovisual Experience’ to the Mission Theater in Portland, OR. The evening will feature a dynamic array of electronic music accompanied by spectacular visuals from some of the nation’s top underground acts in a one-of-a-kind “cinema style” experience. For this tour stop, Alejo & 3NA are joined by a laundry list of high caliber musical acts including DRRTYWULVZ (Austin, TX), Slayde (Bellingham, WA) & Jonah Hodges (Portland, OR); as well as powerhouse visual/video support from Sosawry (Portland, OR). We will be kicking things off at 6:30 PM with a special Welcome Party/Cocktail Hour and exclusive access to ‘Nerves’ Tour Merchandise.

Guests are invited to engage in a formal dress code for this special one-time only experience.

Presented by Colony Productions, Ethos Audio & Objective Presents.

Apes of the State is an independent Lancaster, PA-based folk punk band.

Apes of the State was born from the post-rehab bedroom folk punk project of singer/songwriter April Hartman in 2015. In her words: "I picked up a guitar and started writing about s*** instead of doing drugs about it." Their sound is a distinct blend of classic folk punk, emo, pop punk, folk, and bluegrass with righteous, anger-fueled vocals and clever lyrical wordplay throughout. The current lineup consists of April Hartman on vocals and acoustic guitar, Mollie Swartz on violin, Ian Cornele on drums, and Moth Rogers on bass.

Despite their growth, Apes of the State remains fiercely independent and practices a DIY ethos. They hope to serve as an example that you can achieve success outside of the traditional music industry framework. In April's words, "We don't beg for anyone to pay attention to us and give us opportunities - we create them for ourselves and our community."

Apes of the State is an independent Lancaster, PA-based folk punk band.

Apes of the State was born from the post-rehab bedroom folk punk project of singer/songwriter April Hartman in 2015. In her words: "I picked up a guitar and started writing about s*** instead of doing drugs about it." Their sound is a distinct blend of classic folk punk, emo, pop punk, folk, and bluegrass with righteous, anger-fueled vocals and clever lyrical wordplay throughout. The current lineup consists of April Hartman on vocals and acoustic guitar, Mollie Swartz on violin, Ian Cornele on drums, and Moth Rogers on bass.

Despite their growth, Apes of the State remains fiercely independent and practices a DIY ethos. They hope to serve as an example that you can achieve success outside of the traditional music industry framework. In April's words, "We don't beg for anyone to pay attention to us and give us opportunities - we create them for ourselves and our community."

Embrace the magic of the season with an evening of confidence, creativity, and captivating burlesque at our Winter Showcase on December 12th, where every body shines and self-love takes center stage.

Our performers bring you a dazzling night of shimmying, sparkling winter warmth, and irresistible tease - lighting up the stage with heart, humor, and plenty of frost-bitten glitter in a joyful celebration of body love, artistic expression, and unapologetic confidence.

From sultry to playful, every act brings its own unique blend of cozy glamour, festive storytelling, and unforgettable performances. Grab your seats today to join us for this saucy winter tradition!

Welcome Fall with an evening of confidence, creativity, and captivating Burlesque at our Fall Showcase, where every body shines and self-love takes center stage.

Our performers have been hard at work (play?) to bring you a dazzling night of shimmying, sparkling, irresistible tease. Lighting up the stage with heart, humor, and plenty of glitter in a joyful celebration of body love, artistic expression, and unapologetic confidence.

From sultry ShowBabes to playful performers, every act brings its own unique blend of glamour, storytelling, and unforgettable performances.

Tables and Balcony Seats regularly sell out before the show

Prices go up Day of Show

First come, first seated by section

18+

Venue is ADA accessible, please purchase a Limited Mobility Ticket. You will be seated on the showroom floor, near the VIP Tables. You may email info(at)bodymagicktemple.com in advance to plan seating or use of the ramp.

IMPORTANT SHOW INFO
BodyMagick Temple celebrates sensuality and joy through Burlesque and Variety Arts.

We ask you to respect performers and fellow patrons. Any behavior toward performers, patrons or staff that is perceived as disrespectful or threatening will be grounds for immediate removal and a permanent ban from all BodyMagick Temple events and classes.

No photos or video allowed during the stage show.

Dr. Brady Smith, DDS, the Spokane native returned to his home state of Washington, where he established his Comfort Dental practice in Camas. Inspired to give back, Brady launched the popular DRILLED with Dr. Brady, a podcast to help educate and demystify dentistry. Now a father of four, Dr. Brady enjoys playing basketball with his sons between saving smiles. Dr. Brady Smith isn't just fixing teeth, shattering stereotypes of what a dentist can be. By day, he transforms smiles in the dental chair, but by night, he's tearing up comedy stages with his no-holds-barred humor and razor-sharp wit.

Make your plans now for New Year's Eve shenanigans, and get ready for a night packed with dancing and live music!

Check out live music below...

Garcia Birthday Band, based in Portland Oregon, isn't your mother's Grateful Dead cover band. Playing for over 20 years, GBB has evolved into something far deeper than the sum of its parts. The beating heart of the Pacific Northwest's GD community, the band's ever-expanding fanbase is an experience unto themselves. Using the Dead's repertoire as a springboard for limitless potential and improvisation, Garcia Birthday Band are a cornerstone of the modern Grateful Dead universe, and their fans have come to expect the unexpected as the norm.

Placing no boundaries on eras of the Dead's career or catalog, and drawing on decades of individual and shared experience, GBB play the music through an auditory kaleidoscope. Composed of some of the most ace players of the Oregon live music community, the band makes every show an act of exploration, both musically and spiritually. United hearts and minds blur the line between the stage and crowd - a carnival of human potential. If you're new to Garcia Birthday Band, their doors are always open, and you'll recognize it as something familiar when you first walk in: home.

You may recognize the fellas in GBB from acts such as Nine Days Wonder, Cubensis, Shafty, Turkey Bouillon Mafia, The Campfire Boys, Deadhenge, Shadow of Sound, The Buds of May, The Ike Willis Band, Dead Sessions, and Dark Matter Transfer.

Fresh off a TV pilot filmed for FX, TJ is back on the road with new jokes about love, death, grief, and immigration. Come for the same fresh, incisive, and caustic wit, stay for the poetry of laughter to be found within the darkest of subjects.

The Alien Everywhere is TJ's third standup tour. Following successful stints in North America and Europe, he's ready hit the road again and bring jokes from the singular Haitian perspective to the rest of the English speaking world. He's also planning to add a few more countries, and even continents to this one. He hopes to see you in a room, wherever in the world you live, laughing together at the human condition.

TJ (Tanael Joachim) is a Haitian born stand-up comedian who is currently based in New York City. TJ has a very laid back, smooth, and conversational style. He jokes about race, society's idiosyncrasies, and the inherent contrast between life in Haiti and America. He has made appearances on Gotham Comedy Live (AXS TV) and Good Day New York (FOX).

TJ is a paid regular at the Comedy Cellar and Gotham Comedy Club in NYC. He has performed all over the world. He recently returned from a small European tour where he performed in English and French.

He has opened for Colin Quinn, Janelle James, Maria Bamford and Sean Patton. He has also been a featured performer at numerous festivals like Netflix Is A Joke Festival, SF Sketchfest and the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival.

TJ is also an Op-Ed contributor for The New York Times. You can watch his special, JANUARY 3RD, on Amazon and listen to his album, SON OF HAITI, on all audio platforms. Check out his Don't Tell Comedy set on YouTube.

44phantom is an anomaly. Raised in rural Oklahoma, the one-time All-District high schoolquarterback became a major label alt-pop wunderkind by age 19. MGK tapped him for a collaboration that generated over 45M streams and the two artists toured European and US arenas together. He'd lived most people's version of the rock and roll dream by the time he could legally buy a beer.

Now just 24 years old, 44 has released the most timeless record of his career, IN RETROSPECT. There's still all his signature angst and overdrive, but these are anthems full of self-reflection at the cross-section of adolescence and adulthood. On project opener "BLUEBERRY COFFEE" 44 croons, "Let's key a car, just for the fuck of it, and complain about our distrust of the government. My grandfather died at his childhood residence, now I take it out on the Applebee's management."

This isn't his magnum opus, it's just the beginning of a new era - and one we're fortunate to witness. 44phantom will tour the West Coast in January of 2027, with a brand new project due Spring / Summer ‘27.

Alt Bloom is an alternative soul artist from Montana who discovered his passion for music at a young age singing and playing with anyone he could while growing up. After honing his craft in various bands and solo projects, Alt Bloom emerged as a culmination of love and passion for self and music. He's an explorer of new sounds and places, and his style blends together elements of soul, rock, and R&B with his own unique palette.

Currently living in a converted school bus near his studio in LA, Alt Bloom's music reflects his unconventional lifestyle. He's collaborated with a range of notable musicians, including Oak, John Hill, The Orphanage, Noel Zancanella, Common Kings, Rebelution, Double Camp and Shinedown, showcasing his versatility as a musician and songwriter.

Alt Bloom has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Andy Grammar, Lukas Graham, and Caye, and his music leaves a lasting impression on his listeners with its soulful vocals, pulsing beats, and thought-provoking lyrics. Whether he's experimenting with new sounds or delivering heartfelt performances on stage, Alt Bloom is sure to leave an impression that lingers long after the music stops.

The title of folk pop duo Sarah Julia's debut album, The Fear That This Is Real, refers to the gray area of indecision. A change is needed, undoubtedly, but you don't yet dare cross the threshold. Standing on the precipice of the unknown, do you take a cautious step or leap forward?

Sarah and Julia, however anxiously, chose to jump. In the Fall of 2025, the sisters traveled from Amsterdam to Saugerties, New York, to record with Philip Weinrobe (Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker, Florist, Hand Habits). For six days, the sisters sat in a circle and recorded 12 songs with a group of near-strangers. The sisters had felt stuck in their heads during previous recording sessions, and Weinrobes' communal, headphones-off approach allowed them to channel deeper feelings from the gut. Sometimes, late at night, the group turned off all the lights and played in candlelight. It was different from anything the sisters had previously experienced. There was no time to mind any fear.

This was real.

Music was not the sisters' first artistic pursuit. Their mother had been shy as a child, so she enrolled her daughters in theater classes. Though Julia, the younger one, says she still turned out fairly shy, both sisters took to acting and performed in a variety of musicals, TV shows, and movies in their native Netherlands. "It took us quite a long time to figure out that we should make music together," says Sarah. "We were used to having a script-" "Telling other people's stories," agrees Julia, finishing her sister's sentence, as they both frequently do. "So it took us a while to find what we wanted to write about. That really changed when we both picked up the guitar."

Julia, especially, clicked with the guitar-Sarah is drawn to the "tiny instruments" like the mandolin. They shared a love of folk music, having internalized the Cat Stevens and Jim Croce played by their parents during their childhoods. Sarah Julia's debut EP, 2024's How Do We Go Back To Being Normal? channeled these gentle melodies into deeply personal songs that grappled with distrust and a changed family dynamic. The follow-up, 2025's Only Making It Worse, made space for the feelings that come later, when a wound is beginning to scar. The songwriting process was intimate and unblinking from the start. "It feels easy to be upfront when we write," Sarah says, noting that Dutch people are known for their bluntness. "And then as sisters, we're able to say everything to each other, that's our bond and our connection."

Sarah Julia's early songs were intentionally based around shared experiences. "That would mean that we would both feel it, and we want to make sure that we both feel equal in this project," explains Sarah. "Before writing the songs for this album, we knew it would be more of our own worlds." They discovered that seeing different sides of the same coin inspired empathy and constructive pushback; if one sister was struggling with a noncommittal partner, the other had been in the shoes of the person afraid of love. Even if vulnerability comes naturally to the sisters, they encourage each other to look beneath the surface-is there a greater truth that you're afraid to face?

The Fear That This Is Real is pockmarked with heartbreak, resignation, longing, hope, and pain. Sarah Julia approach each with self-awareness, gazing inward and outward with equal intensity. "Going, Going, Gone" depicts a scene of self-sabotage and avoids confrontation while also imploring "Move me." These feelings run deep."Guess I'm still feeling the guilt from that day," Sarah sings on "Bee Museum."

But just because human experiences and emotions can be textured doesn't make them easier to process or understand. Cozy though it may sound, "Therapist's Daughter" depicts a complicated dynamic: A friend is in a bad way, you are nothing but supportive; they get to a better place and distance themself. "You're a link to the past and all they've been through," says Julia. "So it's easier for them to shy away because you're stained." These are painful truths that can go beyond our control. Atop steady, stunning guitar, "She Won't Believe" laments "drifting away from someone you loved because the new person in their life is insecure about your presence," explains Julia. "Halloween/It felt ironic I was the one painted green/She threw a glass/She couldn't get that I don't want another chance."

That's the sort of memory and immovable opinion that might inspire a lot of ruminating and contemplation. Julia tends to begin composing guitar melodies when her mind is wandering, perhaps as Sarah is playing some Joni or Judee. Throughout the album, phrases recur like mantras. "Open up your eyes," "Everything's temporary," "What really matters?" The latter question is posed on the clear-eyed "Bigger Picture." Written after the passing of a family member, the song reflects a moment in which "nothing and everything made sense," says Sarah," and you're forced to zoom out and let go of the small things. The sisters trade lines with an intuitive ease, and their luminous harmonies cut through the darkness: "I don't know where I'm going, but I'll get there."

Sarah and Julia both describe the process of recording The Fear That This Is Real as grounding, giving them a glimpse of life's bigger picture. The result sounds like an unburdening, as if the ensemble and environment allowed this music to exhale, to indulge in contemplation. The arrangements unfurl into places both spacious and sparse, sonically and emotionally. Initially colored with frustration, sadness emerged when a song like "Touchdown" was given space to breathe in the studio. Full of meditative picking and twinkling synths, it's about wanting to be a stable and reliable person, about facing oneself fully: "I don't know if I can do it, but I promise that I'll try." The Fear That This Is Real offers a reassuring hand to step into the unknown, together.

With humble small-town beginnings, Canadian singer-songwriter, Alex Sampson knew he was born to perform at just nine years old when he entered a school talent show for the first time singing GOLD by Owl City.

"Not a day went by when music wasn''t playing throughout my house" he says talking about his Childhood." The multitalented 20-year-old spent most, if not all of his days growing up singing his heart away. But everything changed once he posted his first cover on the social media giant, Tik-Tok in early 2019.

He released his first single Stay Here on November 15th,2019,and has made Thousands fall in love with his beautiful lyrics, voice, and personality.

"I like to write music about things that are happening in my life at the moment in time so that when people are listening, it's like they're living a little bit of my life with me.

I truly wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the fans, so them I thank from the bottom of my heart. I love you all so much. Keep streaming."

Keo's debut album Put A Smile On For Me is an unfiltered examination of shame, accountability, memory and vulnerability, with frontman Finn Keogh confronting the parts of himself he would rather avoid. Recorded mostly live and self-produced by Finn alongside guitarist Jimmy Lanwern in a matter of weeks, the album feels like a document of a band figuring things out in real time, turning confusion, contradiction and self-doubt into something loud, immediate and alive. There is humor in it, but also a real sense of self-recognition, as though the songs are finding their shape at the same time Finn is finding his own. It moves between ragged guitars, bruising emotion and huge, undeniable melodies, holding onto all the chaos and uncertainty that made it worth making in the first place. Sitting somewhere between post-grunge and 90s alt rock, Keo - composed of Finn, Conor, drummer Oli Spackman, and guitarist Jimmy Lanwern - draws on the emotional intensity of Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, while embracing the textured, shoegazey weight of The Smashing Pumpkins.

From their beginnings on London's underground circuit, Keo have quickly graduated to some of the biggest stages of their career, supporting Wolf Alice before returning to Reading & Leeds for a Main Stage appearance this past summer. The band is currently on their sold-out UK headline tour and this momentum now carries into 2027 with their biggest show to date, this spring at the O2 Academy Brixton in London, which sold out before the release of Put A Smile On For Me. But for all the numbers around the band, it is the connection in the room that has always felt most powerful. With very little reliance on social media, Keo have built their audience through word of mouth, relentless touring and the palpable feeling that something is happening when these songs are played in a room full of people.

Keo's debut album, Put A Smile On For Me charted at #2 on the UK Official Albums Chart, selling 23,500 units in its first week. This makes Keo the first UK band in over two years to surpass 20,000 units with a debut album during week one on the UK Official Albums Chart. Put A Smile On For Me also debuted at #1 on the UK Physical Albums Chart and at #1 on the UK Vinyl Albums Chart.