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Glimmers of light: Oregon Symphony concertmaster Sarah Kwak and guest conductor Markus Stenz tackle Alban Berg’s difficult “Violin Concerto”

The guest conductor got into a mind-meld with the orchestra, creating a spectacular concert that also included works by Beethoven and Lili Boulanger.

Ralph Towner, Nancy King, and Glen Moore’s Oregon musical origins

Guitar virtuoso Towner has died at 85, following vocalist King's death last year. In the early 1960s they and jazz bassist Moore kicked off their world-class careers together at the University of Oregon.

DramaWatch: Busy theaters will have audiences racing to catch all the shows on offer in the next few weeks

Chapel Theatre, Corrib Theatre, triangle and Broadway Rose Theatre are presenting new shows. Plus: Stumptown’s “Pippin” revival, other opening and continuing plays, and good news from Oregon Children’s Theatre.

‘Classroom 4’: Director Eden Wurmfeld and subject Reiko Hillyer discuss their Oscar-shortlisted doc about a Lewis & Clark class taught in a prison

The documentary, which was also nominated for a Critic’s Choice Award, is available to stream for free on the PBS website and app.

Rebecca Kilgore: Disappearing into the song

Remembering the life and irresistible jazz vocals of Kilgore, the great Portland-based singer and interpreter of the American Songbook, who has died at age 76.

Hannah Krafcik’s ‘Between Frames’ culminates in a spiraling consideration of frame and time

Review: In a performance and photo exhibit, the dancemaker and visual artist deftly winds up their arts residency at Stelo Arts, talking with the audience afterward about the ideas driving their work.

An intimate exhibit at Lewis & Clark College brings medieval manuscripts into the context of community

"Shaping the Soul: Books in Medieval Life" runs through March 6 in the Watzek Library, with an opening reception Jan. 24.

Remembering artist Kevin Kadar

The longtime, much admired Portland painter's works straddled the line between realism and the imaginary, often veering into realms of vividly compelling fantasy.

PuzzleWatch: What the Dickens

A century and a half after his death, the Victorian writer's novels and stories remain as popular as ever. Test your knowledge of Tiny Tim, Miss Havisham, and other characters in this literary crossword puzzle.

Like a prayer: Bassist Edgar Meyer’s trio with violinist Tessa Lark and cellist Joshua Roman

The string trio performed music by Bach and Meyer – without a page of sheet music – at The Reser for Chamber Music Northwest.

FilmWatch Weekly: ‘The Testament of Ann Lee,’ Gus Van Sant’s ‘Dead Man’s Wire,’ and more

Plus: "Night Patrol," Ralph Fiennes in "The Choral," and the documentary "Rainier: A Beer Odyssey."

Hello, friends: Newport Symphony Orchestra opens 37th season with Beethoven, Frank, and Runestad

NSO’s late September concerts featured a hearing-themed program revolving around Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Elegia Andina,” two by Ludwig van Beethoven – Oregon-born pianist Ben Kim performing the “Emperor” concerto and Willamette Master Chorus joining in for the “Choral Fantasy” – plus Jake Runestad and Todd Bass’s interpretation of LvB’s chilling and heroic “Heiligenstad Testament.”

Oregon carves its own path in 2026’s America 250 anniversary celebration

The Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Humanities, Oregon Contemporary and The Immigrant Project are looking beyond 4th of July fireworks to the nation's and state's histories of inequities – and toward a brighter future.

Multnomah County Library’s Everybody Reads program brings Black History 101 Mobile Museum to libraries

The museum is one of many events in the community reading program, this year focusing on Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s memoir, “Lovely One.”

Fields Artist Fellowships award $150,000 each to four Oregon artists

The awards go to a quartet of artists who "spark hope, inspiration and connection, and ... raise voices that aren’t always heard." Eight finalists receive $10,000 each.

The unfurling of reality: Eugene Difficult Music Ensemble’s annual New Music Festival

The aptly-named “ensemble” (a loose collective) of Eugene musicians making “difficult” (or “experimental”) music hosted their fourth annual gathering in October.

Roger Dorband’s Eco Imagination

The lasting impact of the photographer, writer and environmental advocate who died in October 2025, and whose work and life are honored in an exhibit at Astoria's RiverSea Gallery through February 10.

‘Basques of the American West’: Richard W. Etulain summarizes Basque history and literature

The essay collection explores the migration of a "mystery people" from Europe to the American West, as well as providing thumbnail sketches of novels in which they feature.

Looking ‘When the World Looks Away’

Sam Marroquin's vivid paintings at Alexander Gallery of the ongoing horror experienced by Palestinians in Gaza go straight to the heart of both shame and action.

Welcome news: U.S. House approves future NEA, NEH funding

The bill to fund the national arts and humanities endowments is headed for the Senate, and then must be signed by the president to take effect. But the House approval is a promising first step.

At the Coos Bay Public Library, confronting a sinking feeling

The 61-year-old building is structurally unsound and the library may soon move. But after two failed bond measures, supporters ask where and how.

MusicWatch Monthly: Just keep swimming

ChatterPDX shows us how it’s done; Jennifer Wright echolocates; Pyxis Quartet takes Portland to school; New Wave Opera previews Caroline Louise Miller; Orchestra Nova Northwest revives Giancarlo Castro D’Addona’s flute concerto for Adam Eccleston; Jimmie Herrod dominates the Oregon Symphony.

FilmWatch Weekly: Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Father Mother Sister Brother,’ Palestinian drama ‘All That’s Left of You,’ and more

Also this week: Lucy Liu in "Rosemead," and the Portland Art Museum's Whitsell Auditorium reopens after a lengthy renovation.

God in pine tree form: ChatterPDX with composer Kimberly Osberg and poet Adam Falkner

Chatter’s ever-changing string quartet, with co-artistic director and clarinetist James Shields, premiered a new work by Osberg, one of three composers in Chatter’s unique residency program.

An Oregon tribal attorney’s quest to save the Klamath River

Amy Bowers Cordalis will talk in Ashland about her memoir "The Water Remembers" and her family’s efforts behind the largest river restoration project in history.

Sonic transcendence: Oregon choirs sing in the New Year

From A Notion, A Scream’s all Rosephanye Powell concert to Sweet Honey in the Rock with Resonance Ensemble to the return of Super Bach Sunday.

In ‘Against the Current,’ author Tyler Bieber recounts the life of the Rev. Thomas Oddo, one of the University of Portland’s most consequential presidents

The Portland writer's new biography tells the story of an important leader of the early gay rights movement.

Sadness and thanks to supporters: Oregon public media respond to end of Corporation for Public Broadcasting

As federal support for the nation's public broadcasting stations disappears, Oregon public radio and TV outlets bank on increased donations from individuals and private funders.

Remembering Ed Cameron, Newport artist, author, and unofficial Mayor of Nye Beach

The 94-year-old was a fixture in the coastal community, a “bridge to the past” famous for his Bloomsday Celebrations, outrageous outfits, and storytelling.

DramaWatch: Theaters hit the ground running in 2026

As a new year rolls out, shows are opening at Experience Theatre Project, Portland Center Stage and many more. Plus: Twilight Theater is 12 years old and as edgy as ever; Ten Fifteen Productions offers free classes.