WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27

BOOKS—Brazilian novelist Clarice Lispector, reigning head bitch in charge of experimental fiction, was so intimidatingly rad as to draw comparisons to Marlene Dietrich and Virginia Woolf. In the US, her brilliance is just now catching on, thanks in part to new translations from Katrina Dodson. Tonight, Dodson's joined by Portland's own Lidia Yuknavitch to discuss Lispector's work. MEGAN BURBANK
Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE

BOWIE—As we all come to terms with the loss of David Bowie, there will be a lot of cathartic tribute shows. Supergroup Boys Keep Swinging (members of Wampire, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and more), Tonality Star, PWRHAUS, and several other acts will cover the late great musician, and donate part of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. SHELBY R. KING
Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8pm, $8-10

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28

MARIO KART—Some would say games like Call of Duty and Halo indoctrinate children into a warlike mindset. Maybe that's true (probably not). But nothing has consistently whipped as many people into murderous, rage-filled frenzies as that fucking blue shell, introduced in Mario Kart 64. Ground Kontrol, Hollywood Theatre, and the Ace are hosting a tournament today. There will be blood. And also pizza. BOBBY ROBERTS
Ace Hotel, 1022 SW Stark, 5 pm free play, 7 pm tournament, FREE, all ages

COMEDY—Brian Posehn loves it here. And as a comedy-lovin' city, we love him back. We can all agree on topics like listening to metal, getting stoned, and nerding out. The funny-ass comedian—who you've enjoyed on Mr. Show, W/ Bob and David, and The Sarah Silverman Program—is doing a run of shows over three nights, and will no doubt be killing it. COURTNEY FERGUSON
Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, $17-33

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29

COMEDY—If you're a lover of comedy that's smart, culturally and politically aware, AND gut-bustingly funny, then murder whomever you have to in order to get tickets to either tonight or tomorrow's sold-out Hari Kondabolu shows. His calm, logical delivery takes the air out of idiotic conservative viewpoints like a surgeon's blade, and you'll end the evening with a smile on your face. WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, Fri 6:30 pm, Sat 7 & 10 pm, $15 (sold out)

MUSIC—The year: 2000. Spinning noisily in your lumpy Discman: the groundbreaking Train of Thought by Reflection Eternal. It's all there before you: Talib Kweli's toothsome rhymes, DJ Hi-Tek's electrolyte-packed beats, and life. You'll never get those days back, but Kweli and Hi-Tek are still crushing the game all these years later—even if you're not. DIRK VANDERHART
Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 9 pm, $27.50-50, all ages

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30

MUSIC—The sproinging psychedelic pop of Unknown Mortal Orchestra is funky and heartfelt, made out of classic R&B sounds, rowdy garage rock, and interstellar transmissions. Watch Ruban Nielson and his cohorts shred themselves silly, if you can—tonight's show at the comfy Revolution Hall is all sold out. NED LANNAMANN
w/Lower Dens; Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 9 pm, $20-22 (sold out)

PODCAST—Attention, fans of television's (now Netflix's!) highly caffeinated smartypants mother-daughter duo! Today, Gilmore Girls faithful will gather to witness an episode of the Gilmore Guys podcast—right here in Stars Hollow Portland! Order some coffee and dust off your arguments for #TeamJess (Logan is the worst). Where you lead, I will follow! MEGAN BURBANK
Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, $18, all ages

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31

MUSIC—Olympia noise rockers GodheadSilo re-formed last year, and now they're bringing their wonderfully catastrophic sound to a two-night stand at Bunk Bar. Saturday's is sold out already, but you can still squeeze into tonight's, so press yourself up against the stage and feel your face melt off, just like old times. NED LANNAMANN
Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water, Sat (sold out) & Sun, 10 pm, $15

CATS—It's winter. Everything is terrible. BUT WAIT! Do you like... CATS? You probably do, because you're not a monster, even if seasonal affective disorder is RUINING YOUR LIFE. Luckily, the International Cat Show has returned to the cat-worshiping temple known as "the Holiday Inn," and you can be sure some adorable cats will cheer your shit up! ERIK HENRIKSEN
Portland Airport Holiday Inn, 8439 NE Columbia, Fri 3-10 pm, Sat-Sun 9 am-6 pm, $8 ($6 with two cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank), all ages

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1

MUSIC—Are you ready to feel like the only living human being in a vast stretch of apocalyptic wasteland, hunted but alone, vulnerable yet jaded? To feel awash in an endless stretch of sonic textures that ebb and flow like a sandy ocean? Hope you bought tickets to the immersive aural experience that's a Godspeed You! Black Emperor show. COURTNEY FERGUSON
Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, Sun (w/Marisa Anderson), Mon (w/Vast Plains), 8:30 pm, $28 (sold out)

FILM—If you're going to see a movie, see a fucking movie. Like, say, Akira Kurosawa's all-time classic Seven Samurai (1954), one of the finest adventure stories (and dramas, and romances, and comedies, and action flicks...) ever put on film. Tonight, the Hollywood's got all three-plus hours of this can't-miss movie on the big screen, in 35mm, and in gorgeous black and white. ERIK HENRIKSEN
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7 pm, $9

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2

MUSIC—Music critics rarely reach a consensus on anything, but Julia Holter's Have You in My Wilderness might be the exception, making its way onto countless best-of-2015 lists for its exploratory, uplifting pop. Hear Holter's symphonic, sweet, surreal sounds for yourself tonight. NED LANNAMANN
w/Circuit des Yeux; Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8:30 pm, $12-15

BLAZERSAny excuse to watch the Blazers play live is a good one. Testing that theory tonight will be the Milwaukee Bucks, who are... uh... hey, you ever seen The Wire? You know that speech Stringer Bell gives about 40-degree days, and how nobody gives a fuck about 'em? Imagine if a 40-degree day was a professional basketball team. That's the Bucks. Go Blazers! BOBBY ROBERTS
Moda Center, 1 Center Court, 7 pm, $10-200, all ages