The Clinton Street Theater in Portland is a hub of diverse cultural events this February and March, offering audiences a unique blend of horror, environmental advocacy, drag performance, musical storytelling, and artistic genius. From Felissa Rose's live commentary on a cult classic to an exploration of Ray Charles's life, these events promise engaging experiences for everyone. Dive into the world of Game Grumps with a drag twist or explore the deep narratives of environmental and racial justice – there's something for every aficionado.

Captivating Cultural Showcases at Clinton Street Theater

An accomplished pianist, guitarist, composer, lyricist and vocalist, John Nilsen was recently inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Frame. With hundreds of songs between recordings like celebrated album Foreign Films and his extensive work with band SWIMFISH, Nilsen’s compositions have sold over one million copies worldwide. He was selected as a Yamaha Signature Piano Artist and presented with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Southern Oregon University.

An Evening with John Nilsen

Clinton Street Theater

Presented by the Portland Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the Japanese American Museum of Oregon (JAMO). Panel discussion to follow the film screening.

Omoiyari: a Songfilm by Kishi Bashi

The story of the life and career of the legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles (Academy Award Best Actor Jamie Foxx), from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom. Written by James L. White, who drew on his own upbringing in 1950s Kentucky being raised by a single mother, and who was given his first screenwriting opportunity from legendary actor Sidney Poitier.

Boogie Brickhouse Theology of Haus Monarch and Straw Hat Productions presents a themed drag show dedicated to YouTube sensations Game Grumps! Featuring over a dozen performers, this event will benefit the Portland non-profit Our House.

The Unofficial Game Grumps Drag Show

In the corner of Oregon balancing the border of Idaho, nestled among the rugged terrain of the Owyhee Canyonlands, a group of eight Black, Indigenous, and People of Color leaders embarked on a journey that would not only deepen their understanding of the environment but also ignite a fervor for both environmental advocacy and racial justice. As they traversed the untouched landscapes, each step echoed with the weight of history and the urgency of the present. Inspired by their experiences in the Owyhee Canyonlands, the group made a pact to become advocates for both the environment and the cause of racial justice.

Resilience Rising: Echoes of Owyhee

Scream Queen Felissa Rose comes to The Clinton Street Theater for a special screening of her staring role in SLEEPAWAY CAMP (1983), providing live commentary to the cult horror film. Screening followed by a Q&A and the opportunity to purchase autographs and photographs. One night only!

Sleepaway Camp featuring Live Commentary with Felissa Rose

A series of eight famous pieces of classical music interpreted in animation.

Fantasia

Cay Is Okay is a QTBIPOC rock four-piece, releasing their first full-length album, Housekeeping, which is an artistic blend of astrology and processing what it’s like to live as a brown person in a late-stage capitalistic/white supremacist state.

Cay Is Okay Album Release Show with Kusikia

A new documentary follows comedian Lizz Winstead (co-creator of The Daily Show) and her organization Abortion Access Front over six years as they crisscross the U.S. to support indie abortion clinics and expose anti-abortion extremists, using comedy to fight misogyny against the backdrop of the downfall of Roe v. Wade, showing the various ways that folks can get involved in activism to protect bodily autonomy.

No One Asked You

A disfigured composer sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. However, an evil record tycoon betrays him and steals his music to open his rock palace, The Paradise.

Phantom of the Paradise

The directorial debut of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson documents the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival celebrating African-American music and culture by promoting Black pride and unity, which critics praised as a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present.

The Summer of Soul

Join us for our 7th Anniversary!! Seven years of providing space for community, both on & off stage! We love you, and thank you for the support over the years! Now let’s party with an all new cast of some local favorites from all over the PNW, shall we?! Get ready for some fun, with an all new cast of Melanated Magic!!

Melange: A Queer & POC Variety Show Presents The Januversary Part 7

Is there anything more transportive, exciting, and nostalgic than music? Yes! Music on 16mm film, the vinyl of visuals!

Celluloid Jukebox on 16mm

Zydrate comes in a little glass vial. Welcome to the Opera and testify!!! It’s the 21st century, where Corporate Politics legalize murder and health care becomes deadly as Repo men are repossessing human organs. Meanwhile, the young Shilo, a sick girl discovers the secrets of her family history and the truth about her father.

The Rocky Horror Lavender Show presents Repo: The Genetic Opera

This event will follow a biography of Klaus Nomi, featuring read aloud text and projection, and feature performances by local artists including the Phull Comics Ensemble, WolfgangX, Selene Latrine and Topsy Tail and Liz Yerby. This event is brought to you by a Comics Club, an event series where comics are read aloud to projections on a screen, highlighting local cartoonists in Portland.

Klaus Nomi: A Comics Club Event

The Big Gay Pow Wow has arrived! It’s Pow Wow season, so Melange wanted to invite their Indigenous performers, who you’ve seen on their D&D stages, to showcase their art! They’ll have vendors, raffles, and most importantly, REPRESENTATION! Don’t miss this special event! It’s sure to be a fantastic evening!

Melange Presents The Big Gay Pow Wow

Since 2011, the Portland 10MPF is an event MWHAO produces 2-3 times a year. The Festival features new plays written, directed and performed by Portland artists – with a live musical act in between each play! Every play is ten minutes or less and every festival features a new theme. The theme for this play fest is… Future! Every night will feature all of the Future-themed plays and music in the festival, so enjoy all of the acts on any of the five performance nights. The 10MPF is a very fun, well-attended event, and there is nothing else like it in the city!

The Future Ten Minute Play Fest 

We invite you, friends, to just the best party…for two nights!!!! Join the three chord circus on a devil’s night for: 
THE ROCKY HORROR HALLOWMAS SHOW!!!!!

Rocky Horror Hallowmas Show

Animation pioneer Max Fleischer brought comic characters like Popeye and Superman to the screen, and was responsible for several technological innovations in the field. Join us this October as we celebrate his legacy with a brand-new program of newly-restored Halloween cartoons featuring Betty Boop!

Betty Boop’s Halloween Party

It’s an open theme show this month, but of course we’re bringin out the Creepy babes for this! Let’s get batty!!

Melange: A Queer & POC Variety Show

Destiny Smokez (Melange) and Marla Darling (Bjork Friday) are teaming up together to bring you an amazing tribute to industrial icons, Nine Inch Nails.

Halo: A Drag and Burlesque Tribute to Nine Inch Nails

Happy Summer to you and your neighbors. You’ll find happy hearts and smiling faces, and a giant castle that came from….wait, was that castle always there?

The Rocky Horror Lavender Show

Portland visual artist Eatcho and local musicians join forces for Blessings Movie Night—a new way to experience films through a live music re-score.

Blessings Movie Night Presents: Koyaanisqatsi with Live Score

Chuck Tingle will be in conversation with TJ Klune to discuss his latest release BURY YOUR GAYS.

Always Here Bookstore Presents – Chuck Tingle + TJ Klune In Conversation

Over several pageants and multiple years, we’ve seen many worthy contestants vie for the tiniest crown in Portland. It’s all led up to this: The Stupidest Bitch of All Time!

The Stupidest Bitch of All Time: Finale

A night of live music with Change Life—the new band from Lawton Browning (The Woolen Men), along with Rayon (featuring members from 2023 Best New Band Twingle) and Queen Rodeo (Plastic Cactus).

Change Life, Rayon, Queen Rodeo

Marla Darling presents The Cascadia Drag Festival! A love letter to the drag community of the Pacific Northwest. This project has been an idea for the last ten years, produced and curated by Marla Darling (Bjork Friday, The Rocky Horror Lavender Show, Drag Dangerzone). The festival features all kinds of artists from all over the PNW, located in the historic Clinton neighborhood.

Clinton Street Theater

Mar 15, 2025

An Evening with John Nilsen

Feb 22, 2025

Omoiyari: a Songfilm by Kishi Bashi

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Clinton Street Theater