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Darcelle XV Plaza makes its debut downtown

This new $9.2 million park honors one of Portland's iconic LGBTQ+ figures.

News

Darcelle XV Plaza opens to the public Thursday, bringing new life to a downtown block that has been closed off for years.Why it matters: The new $9.2 million park is part of the city&#x27;s push to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revitalize downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/11/02/post-pandemic-economic-recovery" data-vars-content-id="03adc4d6-9f35-4dce-a995-0cbd57a18eae" data-vars-headline="Darcelle XV Plaza makes its debut downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/11/02/post-pandemic-economic-recovery" target="_self">revitalize downtown</a>.

Rail merger puts Portland train delays in spotlight

City leaders see a rare chance to tackle long freight train backups.

<figure><img alt="Animated gif shows rail crossing gates coming down on an urban street." height="450" id="3cd1a4f4-f9a3-429a-b22e-2290c31f3228" src="https://images.axios.com/Fga0MPL4aUaKNQIISeglS2vFRzg=/2026/06/16/1781642985258.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A Portland driver&#x27;s nightmare fuel. Image: Kale Williams/Axios</figcaption></figure>The train crossings in inner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southeast Portland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/04/portland-gets-its-own-brooklyn-bridge" data-vars-content-id="c593a059-4b9b-44e7-b3a2-9a110ba7661f" data-vars-headline="Rail merger puts Portland train delays in spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/04/portland-gets-its-own-brooklyn-bridge" target="_self">Southeast Portland</a> are infamous for their extended delays, and the problem is getting new attention as two freight giants contemplate a merger.Why it matters: Portland officials see the merger review process as a rare chance to push rail operators to address lengthy crossing delays that have become one of the biggest annoyances for Portland drivers.

Portland area to lose more than 1,000 shelter beds

City and county budget gaps are expected to reduce shelter capacity across the region.

Major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget shortfalls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/21/city-budget-restores-safety-homelessness-funding" data-vars-content-id="878bf2b1-9ae3-4bf2-b395-02ba053544fd" data-vars-headline="Portland area to lose more than 1,000 shelter beds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/21/city-budget-restores-safety-homelessness-funding" target="_self">budget shortfalls</a> at the city and county are set to result in the loss of more than 1,000 shelter beds for Portland&#x27;s homeless.The big picture: The cuts are expected to hit more than a dozen facilities across the region and will likely leave many who rely on them with fewer options.

Oregon grass takes root at the World Cup

Seven World Cup fields started with seed grown in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Seven <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/09/world-cup-watch-parties-portland-bars-fans" data-vars-content-id="a5a8406f-64ac-4f56-972c-e54e223b3691" data-vars-headline="Oregon grass takes root at the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/09/world-cup-watch-parties-portland-bars-fans" target="_self">World Cup</a> pitches use grass seed produced in Oregon, underscoring the Willamette Valley&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outsized role" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kezi.com/news/local/oregon-farms-providing-grass-seed-for-the-world-cup/article_177bbcb1-ef8a-4489-8c32-014c18152893.html" data-vars-content-id="a5a8406f-64ac-4f56-972c-e54e223b3691" data-vars-headline="Oregon grass takes root at the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kezi.com/news/local/oregon-farms-providing-grass-seed-for-the-world-cup/article_177bbcb1-ef8a-4489-8c32-014c18152893.html" target="_blank">outsized role</a> in supplying turf for major sporting events.Why it matters: Oregon&#x27;s grass seed industry is playing a visible role on one of the world&#x27;s biggest sports stages.

Mono Space wants to redefine how you hear music

The Pearl District listening gallery treats music as art.

Music

On a recent Friday night, roughly 50 strangers were sprawled out in front of three massive, 4-foot-tall Baltic birch wood speakers listening to Kate Bush&#x27;s 1985 album &quot;Hounds of Love.&quot;<ul><li>Some lay atop bean bag chairs, others crunched together on Togo sofas. Some cupping their hands behind their ears to intensify the sound, others with their eyes closed.</li></ul>The place is Mono Space — a high-fidelity &quot;listening gallery&quot; in the heart of Portland&#x27;s Pearl District that opened just last year, where phones are put away, shoes are kicked off and the sole focus is the music.

Wynne kicks off hometown tour at Specks Records

Sina Wynne Holwerda is one of hip-hop's hottest up and comers.

<figure><img alt="A performer sings into a microphone at an intimate concert with purple lighting. The small venue has a cozy crowd, vinyl records on the wall, fairy lights, and a neon “Speck’s Records &amp; Tapes” sign." height="450" id="304e4560-b5a1-4d2a-a46d-08f901a59cc2" src="https://images.axios.com/F4uCpurjBikMdHOr-iJ_WtQE6is=/2025/09/19/1758262176214.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Wynne kicked off her &quot;Tour Next Door&quot; with an intimate show at North Portland&#x27;s Speck&#x27;s Records, but still kept the energy high. Image: Meira Gebel/Axios</figcaption></figure>Known for her bars about Nike, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="throwing the &quot;O&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/22/ducks-university-oregon-college-football-traditions-best-competition" data-vars-content-id="cdaff618-76f0-4a85-bf25-e0b741340390" data-vars-headline="Wynne kicks off hometown tour at Specks Records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/22/ducks-university-oregon-college-football-traditions-best-competition" target="_self">throwing the &quot;O&quot;</a> and even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teaming up with Dame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHr1I68b4UQ" data-vars-content-id="cdaff618-76f0-4a85-bf25-e0b741340390" data-vars-headline="Wynne kicks off hometown tour at Specks Records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHr1I68b4UQ" target="_blank">teaming up with Dame</a>, rapper Sina Wynne Holwerda kicked off her &quot;Tour Next Door&quot; last night with a bang of a kick drum, performing at Specks Records.The big picture: The Lake Oswego-born artist, best known as just Wynne, has been one of hip-hop&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hottest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/wynne-rapper-rookie-of-the-month-1235376217/" data-vars-content-id="cdaff618-76f0-4a85-bf25-e0b741340390" data-vars-headline="Wynne kicks off hometown tour at Specks Records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/wynne-rapper-rookie-of-the-month-1235376217/" target="_blank">hottest</a> up-and-coming rappers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wweek.com/music/2017/08/29/is-portlands-next-viral-rap-star-a-babyface-blonde-girl-from-lake-oswego/" data-vars-content-id="cdaff618-76f0-4a85-bf25-e0b741340390" data-vars-headline="Wynne kicks off hometown tour at Specks Records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wweek.com/music/2017/08/29/is-portlands-next-viral-rap-star-a-babyface-blonde-girl-from-lake-oswego/" target="_blank">for years</a>.

Weekend Guide: Portland loves sailors and soccer

From sailors to soccer, have fun in the sun.

Things to Do

Get the most out of peak Rose Festival on the waterfront and enjoy other fun this weekend including house music, honking and hot novels.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Thursday</h2>🛳️ Fleet Week means the big ships are in town and sailors in their crisp whites on the town.

Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more

The city is full of Jokers, dancers, marchers and painters.

🎉 It&#x27;s never too cool and rainy for a parade in Portland, but this weekend you can also stay inside for some Swedish doom metal, British trance and very American Ted Talks.Here are nine fab things to do this weekend:<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Friday</h2>😜 Go see &quot;The People&#x27;s Joker&quot; for a fun take on comic book remakes, from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="comedian Vera Drew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/veradrew22/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/veradrew22/?hl=en" target="_blank">comedian Vera Drew</a>.<ul><li>Bonus: Bob Odenkirk is in it. Through May 2, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hollywood Theater" data-vars-click-url="https://hollywoodtheatre.org/events/the-peoples-joker/" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hollywoodtheatre.org/events/the-peoples-joker/" target="_blank">Hollywood Theater</a>. ($12)</li></ul>😈 Heading up a great heathen army can be tough on your throat, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Aman Amarth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7b84bCu9zI" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7b84bCu9zI" target="_blank">Aman Amarth</a> frontman Johan Hegg knows how to pace himself in the guttural gargling stakes.<ul><li>The lineup includes Cannibal Corpse, Obituary and Frozen Soul. Woooooar! 7pm, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moda Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ticketmaster.com/amon-amarth-metal-crushes-all-tour-portland-oregon-04-26-2024/event/0F005F7CD0E24079?_gl=1*4psp5v*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MTQwMjQ0MDkuQ2p3S0NBancyNkt4QmhCREVpd0F1NktYdHdYLTBZRE1GQWhwZnZzTWEzOGpNVXh6QXRIODhHOGdrR0xYbE1hR0JCMkJOdzk3UkUwc19ob0NZMllRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3MTQwMjQ0MDkuQ2p3S0NBancyNkt4QmhCREVpd0F1NktYdHdYLTBZRE1GQWhwZnZzTWEzOGpNVXh6QXRIODhHOGdrR0xYbE1hR0JCMkJOdzk3UkUwc19ob0NZMllRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjQzODczMDUyLjE3MTQwMjQ0MDk.*_ga*NTc1NzQyNS4xNzE0MDI0NDA5*_ga_H1KKSGW33X*MTcxNDAyNDQwOS4xLjAuMTcxNDAyNDQwOS42MC4wLjA.*_ga_C1T806G4DF*MTcxNDAyNDQwOS4xLjAuMTcxNDAyNDQwOS42MC4wLjA.&amp;_ga=2.41270754.1764666120.1714024410-5757425.1714024409&amp;_gac=1.23808968.1714024410.CjwKCAjw26KxBhBDEiwAu6KXtwX-0YDMFAhpfvsMa38jMUxzAtH88G8gkGLXlMaGBB2BNw97RE0s_hoCY2YQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/amon-amarth-metal-crushes-all-tour-portland-oregon-04-26-2024/event/0F005F7CD0E24079?_gl=1*4psp5v*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MTQwMjQ0MDkuQ2p3S0NBancyNkt4QmhCREVpd0F1NktYdHdYLTBZRE1GQWhwZnZzTWEzOGpNVXh6QXRIODhHOGdrR0xYbE1hR0JCMkJOdzk3UkUwc19ob0NZMllRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3MTQwMjQ0MDkuQ2p3S0NBancyNkt4QmhCREVpd0F1NktYdHdYLTBZRE1GQWhwZnZzTWEzOGpNVXh6QXRIODhHOGdrR0xYbE1hR0JCMkJOdzk3UkUwc19ob0NZMllRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NjQzODczMDUyLjE3MTQwMjQ0MDk.*_ga*NTc1NzQyNS4xNzE0MDI0NDA5*_ga_H1KKSGW33X*MTcxNDAyNDQwOS4xLjAuMTcxNDAyNDQwOS42MC4wLjA.*_ga_C1T806G4DF*MTcxNDAyNDQwOS4xLjAuMTcxNDAyNDQwOS42MC4wLjA.&amp;_ga=2.41270754.1764666120.1714024410-5757425.1714024409&amp;_gac=1.23808968.1714024410.CjwKCAjw26KxBhBDEiwAu6KXtwX-0YDMFAhpfvsMa38jMUxzAtH88G8gkGLXlMaGBB2BNw97RE0s_hoCY2YQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Moda Center</a>. ($35 and up)</li></ul><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Saturday</h2>🎙️ TEDxPortland is the local version of the inspirational lecture series, with people you may have heard of or sat next to on TriMet.<ul><li>Lou Featherstone, chef <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gabriel Rucker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/09/06/gabriel-rucker-canard-portland-last-meal" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/09/06/gabriel-rucker-canard-portland-last-meal" target="_self">Gabriel Rucker</a> and Latin-folk-indie darlings Y La Bamba take the stage from 9am-4:30pm at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Keller Auditorium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland5.com/keller-auditorium/events/tedxportland" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland5.com/keller-auditorium/events/tedxportland" target="_blank">Keller Auditorium</a>. ($89-$179)</li></ul>🩰 A-WOL is Portland&#x27;s best aerial dance troupe, and their Spring Circus Soiree is an immersive introduction to the beauty of silk and rope. 7:30pm, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A-WOL Dance Collective" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/awoldancecollectiveinc/1195191#" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/awoldancecollectiveinc/1195191#" target="_blank">A-WOL Dance Collective</a>. ($20)🦺 Bond with your neighbors in the cause of emergency preparedness at this citywide exercise. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sign up in advance" data-vars-click-url="https://portlandprepares.org/net-teams/" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portlandprepares.org/net-teams/" target="_blank">Sign up in advance</a> to join a Neighborhood Emergency Team. 9am to noon at five locations throughout Portland.🙌 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade" data-vars-click-url="https://82rosescec.com/" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://82rosescec.com/" target="_blank">The 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade</a> features marching bands, classic cars, community groups and enough people running for city council to fill a Glisan pothole.<ul><li>9:30am to noon, Eastport Plaza at SE Bush Street to SE 78th and Yamhill. (Free)</li></ul>⏺️ British producer and DJ <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ott" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBh771K4ob0" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBh771K4ob0" target="_blank">Ott</a> was raised on 1990s UK trance. Now he makes an album every four years and hits the road. 9pm at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Get Down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thegetdownpdx.com/events/ott" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thegetdownpdx.com/events/ott" target="_blank">The Get Down</a>. ($25)<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Sunday</h2>🎵 If musician Boeckner had a word cloud, it would be synthesizers, Wolf Parade, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bottlemen" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/show/1tf9dAmIavUJxrzpMIbGuL" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1tf9dAmIavUJxrzpMIbGuL" target="_blank">The Bottlemen</a>&quot; podcast and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dirtbag left" data-vars-click-url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirtbag_left" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirtbag_left" target="_blank">Dirtbag left</a>. O, and Canada. He plays at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Polaris Hall" data-vars-click-url="https://polarishall.com/" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://polarishall.com/" target="_blank">Polaris Hall</a> at 8pm. ($25)🧠 The show &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Behind Thought" data-vars-click-url="https://everout.com/portland/events/atras-do-pensamento-behind-thought-quinha-faria/e173873/" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://everout.com/portland/events/atras-do-pensamento-behind-thought-quinha-faria/e173873/" target="_blank">Behind Thought</a>&quot; by artist Quinha Faria riffs off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Clarice Lispector" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/a-lost-interview-with-clarice-lispector" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/a-lost-interview-with-clarice-lispector" target="_blank">Clarice Lispector</a>&#x27;s book &quot;Agua Viva&quot; but with added smells and sounds. Closes Sunday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Carnation Contemporary" data-vars-click-url="https://carnationcontemporary.com/ATRAS-DO-PENSAMENTO-BEHIND-THOUGHT-Quinha-Faria" data-vars-content-id="2d6470a5-50d0-448d-aafa-cb366d6dbf8a" data-vars-headline="Weekend guide: TEDxPortland, aerial dance troupes and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://carnationcontemporary.com/ATRAS-DO-PENSAMENTO-BEHIND-THOUGHT-Quinha-Faria" target="_blank">Carnation Contemporary</a>. (Free)

Music

Mono Space wants to redefine how you hear music

Wynne kicks off hometown tour at Specks Records

Mac DeMarco plays sold-out Forest Grove show Monday

Portland's top Spotify artists

🪩 Get down bad with Omar Apollo at Edgefield