THURSDAY, MAY 10

EUGENES—Eugene Mirman's comedic work on Delocated, Flight of the Conchords, and Bob's Burgers is funny stuff. The much-lauded Brooklyn comedian is known for playing characters named Eugene—that, and his zinging rants and non sequiturs—so maybe once he finds out there's a Eugene, Oregon, he'll move in-state? CF
Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, Thurs 8 pm, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 7 & 9:30 pm, $20-25

TWEE AS FUCK—The British quartet Allo Darlin' are poppy but not predictable, clever but not glib, twee but never cloying. Live, frontwoman Elizabeth Morris brings an antic punk-rock energy that transforms her lovelorn songs into something fierce and rare. Their last Portland show was cancelled when the band ran into visa troubles—tonight's show has been a long time coming. AH
Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $8

FRIDAY, MAY 11

ORCHESTRATED—Ever wondered what one of the Northwest's biggest bands would sound like with an orchestra? Wonder no more! Death Cab for Cutie has enlisted San Francisco's Magik*Magik Orchestra for this tour, sweetening those songs you know so well with stringy, horny, windy things. Don't miss openers Youth Lagoon, who had to cancel their first Portland show back in January. NL
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 8 pm, $40-58, all ages

IP(FREELY)RC—Portland's tremendously useful and awesome Independent Publishing Resource Center blows open the doors of its new space with a big party! Check out the readings by Cheryl Strayed and Trinie Dalton, performances by Moe Bowstern and Rabbit Foot Stringband, hands-on letterpress demonstrations, tours, and Ninkasi beer! SS
IPRC, 1001 SE Division, 7-11 pm, FREE, all ages

SATURDAY, MAY 12

OPEN SEASON—It's hands down THE fashion event of the year! The Mercury's Open Season Fashion Show returns, and yup! Better than ever. Drink, then study and critique the latest lines from Portland's best designers including Isaac Hers, R.A.W., Reif, and many more. Everybody will be there, and if you care about style—so will you. WSH
Sandbox Studio, 420 NE 9th, 8 pm, $18-20, 21+

I LOVE A PARADE!—The St. Johns Bizarre and Parade are a Portland rite of spring. Come for the retro kitsch—pirates, classic cars, marching bands, and waving politicians—and stay for food, booze, and music from the likes of the Corin Tucker Band. DCT
North Lombard, in downtown St. Johns, 10 am-7 pm, FREE

SUNDAY, MAY 13

PARKWAYS PREMIERE—Grab your bikes, strap on your roller skates, or hop on your skateboard, then head north! Today kicks off the first Sunday Parkways of the season, featuring Northeast hot spots. Get your bike tuned at Fernhill Park, catch live music at Woodlawn Park, and get your photo taken at Alberta Park while on the eight-mile-loop ride. AZ
NE Portland, 11 am-4 pm

ALPACA PUNCH—'Paca lunch for the alpaca bonanza out at the Expo Center. They throw down yards of grass for the CABA Classic, the Northwest's largest alpaca show—where all those four-leggers will tromp around on harnesses, thinking cute murderous thoughts. Those dastardly fluffer nutters are the BOMB! CF
Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine, Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 9 am-4 pm, FREE (parking $8)

MONDAY, MAY 14

LAKERS—The misty, delicate folk music of Great Lake Swimmers has packed on some muscle over the years, but their lush cold-morning beauty is as striking as ever. The just-released New Wild Everywhere is the Canadian band's fifth full-length, and it's one of their finest, earthiest records so far. NL
Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 9 pm, $13-15

MORE GHIBLI, PLEASE!—We can't say enough about it, and we don't care! The totally awesome Studio Ghibli animation retrospective at the Northwest Film Center continues tonight with one of Hayao Miyazaki's finest, Princess Mononoke. Deadly curses, superhuman abilities, and a princess riding a great white wolf—bareback. Why can't real life be this beautiful?? WSH
Northwest Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park, 7 pm, $9

TUESDAY, MAY 15

WHALIN'—Where else but OMSI's science pubs can you both be a total beer-drinking degenerate, and learn delightful facts about science? NOWHERE, THAT'S WHERE! Tonight's presentation introduces the pod of gray whales that makes the Oregon coast its summer home. AH
Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan, 7 pm, $5, all ages

VOTE—It's Election Day! Get out there and cast your ballot before it's too late. Forgot who to vote for? Check out the Mercury's election guide online for our thoughtful and entirely logical advice—we made the tough decisions, so you don't have to. Also, Abe Lincoln hologram for president. AZ
Multnomah County Elections Office, 1040 SE Morrison (check online for other drop-box sites), ballots due by 8 pm

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

FIN DE MERMAID—I can't believe something as cool as this is going to happen. While the super beautiful, surrealist 1976 Czech new wave film Mala Morska Vila (The Little Mermaid) screens, crazy good local bands Good Night Billygoat, Wooden Indian Burial Ground, and Blood Beach will score the film. SS
Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8:30 pm, $5

DERBY CLUB—This ain't no Southern affair... the Third Annual Stumptown 40 (hosted by WebVisions) features pine wood-derby racing-car kits designed and decorated by Portland creative types and benefits Buckman Elementary. Get rowdy at Spirit of 77's full bar while you watch tiny fancy cars race for bragging rights and a good cause. CG
Spirit of 77, 500 NE MLK, 7 pm, FREE