THURSDAY, MARCH 5

It's a jam-packed night to benefit the wonderful Reading Frenzy bookstore. Tu Fawning and the Golden Bears, two of Portland's best bands, take the stage, and Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney does a rare solo set. There's local writer and musician Willy Vlautin, plus a pair of very special surprise guests! (What the hey—we'll just spoil the surprise: It's experimental songwriter Mirah and local up-and-comers Explode into Colors!) This is going to be amazing. NL

Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8:30 pm, $8-20

You've always suspected there's something dirty about classic Disney flicks, and tonight Sugar Q Burlesque proves you were right with their newest naughty show, Spanktasia! Sexy gals in clever costumes put their own wickedly funny spin on Alice in Wonderland, Cruella de Vil, Mary Poppins, and more! WSH

Hawthorne Theatre Lounge, 1507 SE 39th, 8 pm, $10

The best thing about MTV's How's Your News is seeing how people react when a developmentally disabled adult shoves a microphone in their face and asks inscrutable, uncannily adroit questions. Tonight's screening of the newest series will be awkward, hilarious, and inspiring. PAC

Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7 pm, FREE

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Originally from Austin (although lead singer Britt Daniel is now a fixture on the local scene), indie rockers Spoon bring their crisp, finger-snapping sound (and impeccable fashion sense) to Portland for a one-off show that's going to be a blast. MV

w/Everest; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 9 pm, $20-22, all ages

British Fujiya and Miyagi have got it all—deep bass, hot beats, and a music video featuring Pong. Their sound is so addictive and compelling that even hoodie-wearing wallflowers will be grooving at this show. SM

w/Pop Levi, Project Jenny Project Jan; Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 9 pm, $13-15

Adam Gopnik represents the evolutionary pinnacle of New Yorker writers: Whether writing profiles of French politicians or human interest stories about magicians, he's casually urbane and annoyingly erudite. Tonight he delivers a lecture on a the art museum's current exhibit of French paintings, followed by a signing of his new book Angels and Ages: A Short Book about Darwin, Lincoln, and Modern Life. See? AH

Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park, 7 pm, $10 ($5 art museum members)

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

A veritable truckload of local songwriters take the stage to benefit the Oregon Food Bank in Writer's Block, an evening of local music and good intentions. There are too many performers to list here, but they're all top-notch, and the night closes out with a Motown dance party! NL

Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8 pm, $7 ($5 w/can of food)

The shakes aren't the result of too much coffee: It's the nerve-wracking competition! Watch as baristas from across the country overcome both to attain national barista stardom at the Specialty Coffee Association of America's US Barista Championships. There'll be tons of additional coffee-related activities all weekend long. PAC

Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK, 7 am–7:30 pm, FREE, Thurs March 5-Sun March 8

Arguably one of the best American bands, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will be given their due tonight with an all-local tribute show. Portland music scene staples Scotland Barr, Lewi Longmire, James Low, and many more will be tipping their hat to Tom, and performing such awesome hits like "American Girl"! WSH

Fez Ballroom, 316 SW 11th, 8 pm, $8-10

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

In a time of when everything bad can be blamed on the economy, the annual Reed Arts Week presents Sub Prime '09, an optimistic look at how crisis can lead to heightened creativity. Look for exhibits and interactive performances by Daniel Shapiro, Kasper Hauser, Hot Little Hands, and Jorge Lucero. Jeffery Baker, an empathic healer, poet, and video artist, is offering free psychiatric help sessions, and on Sunday, he'll give a free talk and screen an original video. KP

Reed College, 3202 SE Woodstock, Wed March 4-Sun March 8, more info at web.reed.edu/raw

Today Mississippi Studios is bringing it: This afternoon, there's an all-ages matinee with local favorites Portland Cello Project (along with Thao and Gideon Freudmann); then, once nighttime rolls around, the charming, über-talented singer/songwriter Matt Sheehy takes the stage (along with Y la Bamba). Not a bad way to spend a Sunday. EH

Portland Cello Project w/Adam Shearer, Justin Power, 2 pm, $15, all ages; Matt Sheehy, 9 pm, $8; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi

PWRFL Power is short on vowels, long on cute guitar strumming and lyrics that make you want to hold someone's hand. Catch them with the always-talented local favorites Grey Anne and Root Beer and French Fry. SM

Worksound, 820 SE Alder, 9 pm, $7, all ages

MONDAY, MARCH 9

Portland singer/songwriter M. Ward was popular even before his collaboration with actress Zooey Deschanel. Still, it's all the better that he's got the world's attention in releasing his latest solo record, Hold Time, with three shows this week—tonight is the only one that isn't already sold out! MS

w/Blue Giant, Tu Fawning; Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, $20, all ages

Having grown up in Mogadishu until age 13, when civil war in Somalia exploded, K'naan captures both the beauty and devastation he witnessed in his homeland. This man shares his strong opinions in upbeat, catchy raps that will make you think as hard as you dance. KP

w/Mic Crenshaw, Madgesdiq; Berbati's Pan, 10 SW 3rd, 8 pm, $10-12, all ages

An author and New York Times op-ed contributor with a knack for a catchphrase (the world is flat! And hot! And crowded!), Thomas Friedman gives a free lecture today in which he will presumably discuss how green technologies can be used to alleviate problems of hotness and crowdedness. Tickets for the free lecture are long gone—your only hope now is jumping a PSU student and stealing their ticket along with their lunch money. AH

Portland State University's Stott Center, 930 SW Hall, noon, FREE

TUESDAY, MARCH 10

In this age of mechanized drum beats, San Diego's Dirty Sweet play the kind of no-nonsense rock 'n' roll that makes you want trade the skinny jeans for a leather vest and bottle of cheap whiskey. Tonight will be full of irony-free mustaches and blistering guitar chops. MV

w/Dr. Helicopter, the Lonely H; Lola's Room, 1332 W Burnside, 9 pm, $8

The Museum of Contemporary Craft's curator Namita Gupta Wiggers authored the institution's first publication Unpacking the Collection. A dense exploration of the permanent collection, it additionally offers insight into Wiggers' progressive approach to presenting craft with intelligence and edge. MS

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

Spoken word/hiphop poet Saul Williams plays the Roseland tonight, supporting funky bass player Les Claypool. The only question: Whether to wear a beret and dark glasses, or not? MD

w/Yard Dogs Road Show; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 8 pm, $32, all ages

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

We all know Dan Auerbach from his work with Ohio blues-garage duo the Black Keys, but the singer/guitarist's new solo record, Keep it Hid, uncovers new corners of his talents. It's an instant classic, and tonight Auerbach and his shit-hot band will give us a rock 'n' roll show of the highest order. NL

w/Hacienda, Those Darlins; Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 9 pm, $18-20, all ages

Folkster Matthew Houck—whom you know better as Phosphorescent—is a fantastic songwriter in his own right, but his latest album, To Willie, is devoted to covers of Willie Nelson songs. They're a perfect match for Houck's world-weary delivery and tender, patient musicianship. NL

w/Nurses, Battle of Land and Sea; Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8:30 pm, $8

Maria Anna Tappeiner's documentary about American minimalist sculptor Richard Serra focuses on his obsession with huge plates of steel. And the artist himself, of course. MD

Northwest Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park, 7 pm, $8