Don’t get lost in the clutter; know what you’re buying before putting it inside you
Adult shops are becoming increasingly less scary—that is, they are looking less like the Crypt Keeper’s cobwebby lair and more like regular stores.
Nick’s Porn Store Roundup
A survey of Portland’s best porn outlets
Like Portland’s ridiculously high volume of strip clubs, our adult entertainment industry is second to none. You’ll find more porn stores in Portland and its surrounding area than you ever thought possible.
I know what you’re thinking: How can I ever navigate this lovely mess? Say hello to Nick’s porn store roundup.
Video Arcade Primer
The backroom booths and how to use them
Inside the staggering number of adult shops in town are variety of faith-in-humanity-crushing sexual diversions: fake phalluses, butt plugs, handcuffs, lube, videos, condoms—all of which are par for the course. Simply reading these terms may be a tad icky for you, but they are nevertheless novelty staples of the sex supply industry.
That’s not all, folks!
Final lecture of the Mel Blanc Project discusses Portland’s middle class voting habits
Mel Blanc is known to the initiated as an impossibly influential figure in the entertainment industry, having provided voices for almost every Looney Tunes character ever created. Would you guess he could be a jumping-off point for a lecture on Portland’s middle class?
Feelin’ fresh?
Branx hosts Superfresh 3, a weekend of live music
During the first weekend in February, Branx is hosting a two-day music celebration that draws from a wide range of styles. The event is sure to please even the snobbiest Portland scene-ster.
Theatrical catharsis
Viking alums to perform at The Sanctuary in Big Plastic Heroes
Accomplished storyteller Slash Coleman is coming to town along with Portland comedic heavy-hitter Augi Garred to bring several fun-filled nights of theatrical catharsis to the city. The Coleman and Garred ensemble will be presenting a two-part show titled Big Plastic Heroes at Northeast Portland’s The Sanctuary for six dates that span late January and early February.
Coleman, having produced, written and starred in a prior PBS special, 2008’s The Neon Man and Me, will be performing a piece to be featured in an upcoming PBS special. Each show will be different but still carry the same basic theme: unlikely teenagers cast into heroic scenarios.
Black Elk returns to Portland
Alternative metal band and its fellow doom rockers to play at Branx
Formerly local sludge machine Black Elk is returning to Branx with a cast of fellow ear-splitters for its first Portland show since December 2009. Best of all, it’s free.
There was a time, according to Portland musical lore, that the words “Black Elk” were on everyone’s tongue. The band played several high-profile metal shows, signed to Crucial Blast and put out a record. It felt like Black Elk was everywhere in Portland. The band seemed to be playing with every sludgy doom metal band that passed through town.
Don’t no-show The Know’s shows
Local punk-and-metal spot hosts week of anniversary shows
Longstanding hole-in-the-wall rock ‘n’ roll venue The Know is giving back to Portland this week, saying thank you for seven years of longevity on a street known for its fickle surroundings.
Company for your misery
Drown your holiday sorrows at these Portland bars—the most depressing around the Christmas season
Couldn’t afford a plane or bus ticket home? Looking for a place to stew in your own depressing juices for the holidays? Here at the Vanguard, we’ve got you covered.
The resurrection of retro rock legends
Stoner rock band Kyuss is back on stage with their aptly titled tour, Kyuss Lives!
The Roseland Theater will be enveloped in a halo of smoke Monday, Nov. 21, as the visionary rockers of Kyuss play to an audience that, in all likelihood, became fans of the band only after it disbanded.
Modern guitar rock owes much to Kyuss. The band’s driving, riff-based attack has permeated all musical genres that followed its inception, such as grunge, late ’90s throwback garage rock and, most notably, today’s stoner metal bands. Most people who listen to Kyuss also listen to a subset of other bands—most of which either spawned from Kyuss or came into being as a result of their records.
Beats from Bermuda
PSU Hawaiian student group to meet reggae artist Collie Buddz and hold spring luau
A Portland State student group is getting the VIP treatment at an upcoming show.
Reggae star Collie Buddz is making his way through Portland Nov. 11, where he’ll play the Mt. Tabor Theater.
Hawaiian student groups from both PSU and Pacific University will be receiving special honors for the event, and they’re passing the good fortune onto PSU via their spring luau.
Although the luau isn’t for another term, preparations are underway to bring in nationally established artists to entertain the university’s student body. Currently in talks to play the event is J-Boog, former member of B2K and current chart heat-seeker.