THURSDAY, APRIL 2

Fresh off his wonderfully strange interview with Katie Couric, enigmatic rapper Lil Wayne brings his forceful, eccentric style to the Rose Garden tonight for a performance guaranteed to be as memorable as you're likely to see. MV

w/Gym Class Heroes, Keri Hilson; Rose Garden, 1 Center Ct., 7:30 pm, $39.75-79.75, all ages

Every night it's the same dilemma: highly literate folk music or absurd dick jokes? Tonight you can have both when singer/songwriter John Wesley Harding and comedian Eugene Mirman team up for their Cabinet of Wonders tour. Local authors Monica Drake and Mark Acito will also be on hand for a night of cabaret for people who hate cabaret. AS 

w/Lucy Wainwright Roche; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 7 & 10 pm, $15-17

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

I know what you're thinking. When in holy hell is Quasi going to release a new record? The answer: soon, and please stop swearing. Mere days after entertaining the kiddies at Backspace, the wildly influential band will head into the studio and roll tape on a new album. It'll be awhile before it comes out, so don't miss this rare all-ages show from one of Portland music's staples. EAC

w/Little Claw; Backspace, 115 NW 5th, 10 pm, $8, all ages

It's true that puppetry is generally associated with wholesome childhood, but Night Shade shadow theater is here to change that. This group of puppeteers uses impressive paper cutouts, fake blood, and creepy audio to perform nightmarish tales of haunting horror. The result is a sinister, cinematic show that will have you jumping at shadows. KP

Disjecta, 8371 N Interstate, Fri-Sun April 3-5 & 10-12, 8 pm, $10-12

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Wrapping up an impressive month-long series of 1970s American films, the NW Film Center's double feature includes two of the best movies ever made: Five Easy Pieces has Jack Nicholson's greatest performance in a wrenching, nihilistic story, and Badlands is Terrence Malick's gorgeous film with seamy undertones. NL

Northwest Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park, Fri & Sat, Five Easy Pieces at 7 pm, Badlands at 9 pm, $10 double feature ($8 separately)

A hip New York band that's kind on the eyes and adored by the British press? Sounds like a disaster, right? Well, not with Stalkers. More Richard Hell than Julian Casablancas, this hyped-up throwback lives up to the buzz. And since East End cares about both your ears and your wallet, tonight's show is absolutely free. EAC

w/Nice Boys, the Eegos; East End, 203 SE Grand, 8 pm, FREE

SUNDAY, APRIL 5

Just how crazy is Storm Large, the famously bawdy frontwoman of Storm and the Balls? And just how dirty can you talk in a fancy-pants play at Portland Center Stage? Find out answers to these questions and more at the world premiere of Storm's one-woman show, Crazy Enough. AH

Ellen Bye Studio at the Armory, 128 NW 11th, $25.50-48.50, 2 & 7:30 pm, through June 7, see pcs.org for showtimes & tickets

The music of Liz Harris' Grouper and Jesy Fortino's Tiny Vipers have much in common; they both deconstruct incredible songs to inhabit a hushed, hypnotic sound that allows for hidden emotions to creep in and grab hold. Tonight will be a gorgeous mixture of tranquility and dread. NL

Rontoms, 600 E Burnside, 9 pm, FREE

MONDAY, APRIL 6

The latest from Arrested Development and Superbad director Greg Mottola, Adventureland perfectly mashes up hilarity and coming-of-age angst. When James (Jesse Eisenberg) gets a job at a crappy amusement park, he meets Em (Kristen Stewart)—and he might even have a shot with her, if he can get past his own dumbassery, Em's personal drama, and the demands of his bosses (SNL's Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig). EH

See Movie Times

The epitome of a "musician's musician," J.J. Cale has been around for decades, racking up such famous fans as Eric Clapton and Neil Young. Tonight hear the man himself perform from his vast and amazingly consistent catalog. NL

w/Caleb Klauder; Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, $35, all ages

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

It's a roller disco dance party. With the Rose City Rollers. What more could you possibly need to know? (Uh, maybe bring kneepads.) SM

Oaks Park Skating Rink, 7805 SE Oaks Park, 7-9 pm, $10 (includes skate rental)

Excepting the few years he spent as a coconut trader in Fiji, Phillip Knightley has been one of the world's most insightful journalists for nearly six decades. An expert on espionage and propaganda, Knightley lands in PDX to discuss modern war reporting. SM

Templeton Student Center at Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill, 7 pm, FREE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

The Loggernaut reading series celebrates its fourth anniversary at a newly renovated Mississippi Studios with readings by Carrie Brownstein and David Morris. Proceeds benefit Write Around Portland. Adjectives aren't necessary, are they? Just go. AH

w/B.T. Shaw, Lovers; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $10

DIY/riot grrrl band Mecca Normal is touring the country to not only play, but spread the word of "How Art and Music Can Change the World" in a truly inspired reaction to singer Jean Smith having been laid off. Explore "variations on the theme of employment and income." MS

w/Tom Greenwood, Magic Johnson; Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8:30 pm, $6