THURSDAY 3/31

GET 'EM HIGH—With razor-sharp lyrics and a delivery that's at once laidback and powerful, Talib Kweli's a hell of a hiphop artist in his own right, even if he's most famous for his collaborations (Mos Def, Hi-Tek, Madlib, some guy named Kanye). Tonight he's in Portland, no doubt doing a few tracks off of his latest solo album, Gutter Rainbows. EH
w/Fashawn, Animal Farm, T&E; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 9 pm, $18-20, all ages

HEADBANGERS' BALL—Cram in your earplugs and limber up that neck, because tonight is your chance to bang your head to the star-studded Metalliance Tour lineup. Catch local heroes Red Fang debut new material from their epic Murder the Mountains album, plus a headlining set from Helmet, who will perform Meantime in its entirety. Prepare for things to get heavy. EAC
w/Saint Vitus, Crowbar, Kylesa, & more; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 7 pm, $18, all ages

FRIDAY 4/1

DURANTULA—The Portland Trail Blazers' homestretch has arrived and the team is currently jockeying for playoff position. Standing in their way tonight are their former rivals from Seattle, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sure they might have Kevin Durant, but Blazers' fans can now buy a Greg Oden jersey on the discount rack. In this economy, that's a real advantage. EAC
Rose Garden, 1 Center Ct, 7 pm, $25-185

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS—Despite a tumultuous shoot, sky-high expectations, and a then-unproven director, James Cameron's Aliens (1986) became a box office smash and a critical favorite. More importantly, it's exactly as badass as you remember—and tonight, podcasters Cort and Fatboy present the theatrical cut of this sci-fi classic in all its acidic, explosive, 35mm glory! EH
Bagdad Theater, 3702 SE Hawthorne, 11 pm, $3

SATURDAY 4/2

BOYLE—Director Danny Boyle (127 Hours!) is currently directing a production of Frankenstein at London's National Theatre, in which Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting!) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock!) alternate roles as the doctor and his creation. Short of flying to England, your best bet for catching the amazing-sounding show is a broadcast hosted by Third Rail Repertory as part of their National Theatre Live program. AH
World Trade Center Theater, 121 SW Salmon, Fri-Sat 2 & 7 pm, $20, thirdrailrep.org

AMERICAN BAND—The folk-rock quintet's spring tour saw Weinland jaunt to Texas and back, and this tour-closing homecoming show will preview their upcoming fourth album. Judging by the terrific material they showed off on New Year's Eve, the as-yet-untitled record contains some of Weinland's best songs to date. NL
w/Quiet Life, Ravenna Woods, Mbilly; Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 8:30 pm, $11-13

SUNDAY 4/3

CHAPLIN—The Northwest Film Center's staggeringly comprehensive Charlie Chaplin series winds to a close this weekend with some of the screen comedian's finest work: Friday and Sunday you can see Limelight, his 1952 love letter to vaudeville, while Saturday boasts screenings of 1925's classic Klondike comedy The Gold Rush and 1947's blackly comic Monsieur Verdoux. NL
Northwest Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park, see Film Times for films & showtimes

AUSSIE POP—If Robyn and Regina Spector had a baby, and that baby was raised in the outback by Katy Perry, she'd probably sound something like Australian pop singer Lenka, who's bringing her radio-friendly pop confections stateside in support of her new album, Two. AH
w/Greg Laswell; Hawthorne Theater, 1507 SE 39th, 8 pm, $13-15, all ages

MONDAY 4/4

BALLS IN HOLES—Imagine if instead of creating death rays or moon-slicing laser beams, a mad scientist turned his sights to mini golf and constructed the world's most insane mini golf course in a Burnside warehouse. Ball cannons! Chopping things! He'd christen it Smash Putt, add a bar, and open for just six weeks. Oh wait, this is actually happening! SM
1719 W Burnside, 6 pm-1:30 am, through May 8, $10-15, 21+, smashputt.com for complete schedule & all-ages nights

GIAMATTI!—Everyone's favorite actor Paul Giamatti stars as a New Jersey high school wrestling coach in Win Win, the new film from Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent). As Giamatti's character juggles family, work, and his team's troubled star wrestler, the funny, moving Win Win avoids easy clichés and becomes the best sports movie in years. NL
Various Theaters

TUESDAY 4/5

50—Come watch the coolest old man ever give a rousing, frenetic spoken-word performance. It's Henry Rollins, and let's face facts, he's getting up there. Celebrating his 50th, the legend is still in demand with the sagging black-bars-tattooed crowd. This show's mega sold out, but give it your best shot—it'll be worth it! CF
Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta, 8 pm, $30, 21+

CURIOSITY—Maybe you caught the Mercury's story on Amber Case and Aaron Parecki's Geoloqi app ["I, Cyborg," Feature, Feb 24], but either way tonight's Curiosity Club is your chance to find out more about the cutting edge of social apps, why location is particularly hot right now, and, yes, why you should be assimilated—happily! MS
Hand-Eye Supply, 23 NW 4th, 6 pm, FREE

WEDNESDAY 4/6

E.M.P.I.R.E.—One of the sharpest, funniest writers working today, Matt Fraction (The Invincible Iron Man, Casanova, The Mighty Thor, Fear Itself) makes jaw-droppingly cool books that pop with smarts and spectacle. Tonight, he'll sign comics and patiently answer your annoying questions about whether Thor or Iron Man would win in a fight. Plus: free beer! EH
Things from Another World, 4133 NE Sandy, 7-10 pm, FREE

PIRATE ARRRADIO—Let's face it: Portland radio sucks. One of the few bright lights is House of Sound, an online-only startup with 38 unregulated music shows a week. Party at the Fez tonight with the garage rock of Thee Headliners, WH Walker, and just-born supergroup the Needful Longing to raise money for the little station. SM
w/DJ Hwy 7, DJ Instant Onion; Fez Ballroom, 316 SW 11th, 8 pm, $5