Portland residents can now enjoy $10 sandwiches throughout the week as the Portland Mercury’s Sandwich Week kicks off, offering a culinary celebration across 88 locations. The event, bolstered by support from Jim Beam and Travel Portland, runs through Sunday, March 8, and includes a “Sandwich Pass” offering prizes like restaurant gift cards and Mercury swag.
The cultural calendar is also brimming with events this week. Local author Lauren Groff will be in conversation with Lydia Kiesling at Powell’s City of Books on Monday evening, discussing Groff’s new short story collection, Brawler. Groff, a three-time National Book Award nominee for novels including Fates and Furies and Florida, reportedly begins each novel from scratch after completing a first draft, discarding the initial work entirely.
On Tuesday, Michael Pollan, known for works like The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food, will appear at Revolution Hall with OPB’s Dave Miller to discuss his latest book, A World Appears, which explores theories of consciousness.
Also on Tuesday, Chicago-based band Tortoise will initiate a two-night run at the Aladdin Theater, supporting their late-2025 album, Touch. Opening for Tortoise will be Spacemoth, replacing SML as the opener.
Wednesday brings the return of Lizard Boy, a hybrid indie rock opera and superhero story composed by Justin Huertas, to Portland Center Stage. The production features live instrumentation from the cast and tells a story of acceptance.
The Portland Jazz Festival continues, with highlights including a performance by Shirley Nanette opening for Mavis Staples, as well as sets from SML, Stumptown Sirens Jazz Orchestra, Charlie Brown III, and Dreckig. A full breakdown of the festival schedule is available online.
Thursday, the Portland Small Press & Art Book Fair will grab place at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, showcasing independent publishers, and artists.
Friday, Third Rail Repertory presents A Mirror, a Sam Holcroft play exploring themes of censorship and storytelling. A talkback will follow most performances.
Saturday features the Pacific Northwest Regional Yo-Yo Contest at the Crystal Ballroom, and the five-year anniversary of The Wild Bunch, a festival celebrating low-intervention wines, at Premier Gear & Machine Works Building. Also on Saturday, a performance of the opera adaptation of Thomas Mallon’s Fellow Travelers will be staged at the Newmark Theater. The evening will also include the comedy show, Mosh Pit, at the Siren Theater.
Sunday, Carnation Contemporary will host an exhibition, “A Land That Remembers,” featuring work by Erinn Kathryn and M. Earl Williams, exploring the endurance of landscapes over time. Queer Soup Night will also take place at The Uncanny, with donations benefiting the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition.
