THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

Author Anthony Flint talks with a Portland State urban planning professor about an epic rivalry that shaped the way Americans view and build cities (including ours!): the battle between freeway godfather Robert Moses and grassroots anti-freeway activists in New York. SM

Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE

A grizzly bear could rip your ass in two by barely lifting a paw. Conversely, Grizzly Bear are choirboy-faced gentlemen who croon harmonious lover-boy tunes as descended from the Beach Boys. It's not hard to decide which bears are best to hug. MS

w/the Morning Benders; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $22-25, all ages

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

Imago Theatre's production of Sartre's No Exit has toured nationwide, its unique, tilting set design earning praise from the likes of the New York Times and Variety. For its triumphant return to Portland, the production's staffed with three of Portland's finest actors: JoAnn Johnson, and Third Rail's Tim True and Maureen Porter. AH

Imago Theatre, 17 SE 8th, Thurs 7 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, $28-39, imagotheatre.com

Part two of KPSU's 15-year anniversary (part one took over Pioneer Courthouse Square back in June) takes place tonight on the PSU campus with bands like Fist Fite, New Century Schoolbook, Dead Air Fresheners, and more—plus, your cover gets you free food and free beer from Ninkasi (if you're of age). Wow! Now that's a college party! NL

PSU Smith Ballroom, 1825 SW Broadway (third floor), 6 pm, $5, all ages

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

The Scion Garage Fest invades downtown Portland, and those lucky folks with passes get their pick of free rock 'n' roll from four great venues all day and night. Didn't RSVP? Never fear: East End is hosting free parties on Friday and Saturday nights with very special guests from the fest. NL

Berbati's Pan, 10 SW 3rd; Satyricon, 125 NW 6th; Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th; Dante's, 1 SW 3rd; 3 pm, FREE w/RSVP, scion.com/garagefest; pre- and after-parties at East End, 203 SE Grand, Fri Oct 16 & Sat Oct 17, FREE

One of the few chances to taste all at once the huge variety of spirits produced across our great state, this year's Oregon Distillers Guild tasting boasts more than 13 participating distilleries featuring 24 products. A boozy afternoon at Edgefield? Yes, please. PAC

Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey, Troutdale, 1-4 pm, $20

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

If Chicago is corrupt, then Rio de Janeiro is a giant sucking hole of bribes and bodies. Elite Squad—screening as part of the Portland Latin American Film Festival—has become a Scarface-like touchstone in Brazilian culture for its portrayal of the crooked cops and dead dealers that keep the city running. Windy City, USA's lookin' pretty good right now. DB

Broadway Metroplex, 1000 SW Broadway, 7:35 pm, $9

Distract yourself from the looming winter months ahead with the good-time fears of FrightTown, a city-block-sized complex of gruesome butchery, vengeful human oddities, and haunted old mansions with unsettled occupants. You gotta walk with the dead to remind yourself you're alive! MS

Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, Oct 15-18 & Oct 22-Nov 1, frighttown.com for schedules & more info

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19

Finally. After years of false starts and delays, Spike Jonze's cinematic adaptation of everyone's favorite children's book, Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, is now in theaters. Early reactions to the film have been mixed (see pg. TK for our review), but one thing's for sure: a brilliant filmmaker like Jonze, telling a brilliant, beloved story? You're gonna want to see this for yourself. EH

Various theaters, click here for showtimes

English band BrakesBrakesBrakes just released a digital live album called Rock Is Dodelijk, and for very good reason: Their shows are packed with energetic garage pop and unshakeable melodies. See for yourself tonight! NL

w/Ezra Furman & the Harpoons, Rachel Goodrich; Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 9 pm, $8-10

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20

August: Osage County won a Pulitzer Prize, a Tony Award, and breathless acclaim from the New York Times. I guess there's no denying the award-winning appeal of a dysfunctional family full of boozers, pill-poppers, and secrets. Hey, where's my Tony?! PAC

Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay, Tues-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat 2 pm, Sun 1 pm, $20-60, through Sun Oct 25

Pop quiz: What band did the normally highbrow BBC stoop to describe as "pop at its groin-itchingly sexiest"? Answer: Dragonette! Opening local electro dance band Fleshtone also makes you want to itch your groin for all the right reasons. SM

w/Diamond Liars, Rude Dudes; Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 9 pm, $10

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21

Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter and his UK-based dance company have gotten a lot of acclaim lately: Shechter won the 2008 Critics Circle Award for Best Modern Choreography, and his work has been described as "powerful," "driving," and "passionate." White Bird Dance hosts the show tonight, and really, who wouldn't want to see a bunch of muscled men passionately prancing? AR

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 7:30 pm, $20-$50