THURSDAY, MAY 17

LAFF ATTACK—While comedian Dan Cummins may not be on your radar yet—he will be. The Northwest native's hilarious performances and specials have been peppering Comedy Central, and for good reason. His quirky, dry-as-a-bone style cuts across all demographics, and might make him one of your fave new comics. WSH
Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7 & 9:30 pm, $20-25

PACKER—It's been five years since Ann Packer's great novel Songs without Words, and even longer since her impressive debut The Dive from Clausen's Pier. Packer's newest story collection, Swim Back to Me, showcases her perceptive, often cutting insights into human relationships. AH
Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills, Beaverton, 7 pm, FREE

FRIDAY, MAY 18

HAPPY B-DAY, JACKPOT!—As you know, Jackpot! Recording Studio and Jackpot Records have done a poop-ton to promote Portland's musical rep on a national scale. Now let's celebrate their accomplishments with this fantastic 15th anniversary show, featuring Quasi, the Minus 5, System and Station, Alialujah Choir, Blue Skies for Black Hearts, and much, much more! WSH
Bagdad Theater, 3702 SE Hawthorne, 8 pm, $10

THE FALLS—More than likely, you know Brent Knopf as the former one-third of Portland juggernaut Menomena, and if you're wise you've followed him to Ramona Falls, the emotionally and collaboratively hefty project that's launching its second release, Prophet, tonight. Come for the pretty songs, and stay for the good vibes. MS
Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 9 pm, $12-14

SATURDAY, MAY 19

DAS IST BIER—Like beer? Sausages? Maypoles? Why not combine all three with a ride on Oaks Park's puke-making Screamin' Eagle? (Hmm, maybe don't do that last bit.) But do go celebrate spring at the German Maifest, with a beer garden and arts and crafts vendors in the picnic gardens of the amusement park. CF
Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park, 10 am-7 pm, FREE

POKER PEDALING—Bikes! Brews! Bounty! All this and more await you on Alameda Brewing's Northeast Pedal Poker Run. Here's the deal: Pedal to six NE Portland brewpubs, have a drink, collect a playing card, and then meet up with fellow riders at Alameda Brewery to see who has the winning hand! AZ
Starts at 1 pm, play your hand at 5 pm at Alameda Brewery, 4765 NE Fremont, facebook.com/nepedalpokerrun for list of brewpubs

SUNDAY, MAY 20

PERFECT PAIR—The We Shared Milk are taking DIY to the next level, letting a different Portland band produce a track on their forthcoming full-length, using that band's setup and gear. It's a terrific idea—but in the meantime, they're releasing a split 7-inch with the insanely prolific Log Across the Washer. Catch both bands tonight! NL
Rontoms, 600 E Burnside, 9 pm, FREE

GONG—The very reputable folks at Hawthorne Books and Literary Arts have teamed up with the somewhat-less-reputable folks at PBR for the Literary Gong Show, a night combining books, booze, and some of Portland's very best writers. Also, presumably, a giant gong. AH
Dante's, 1 SW 3rd, 7:30 pm, $7

MONDAY, MAY 21

KONDABOLU—Tonight the Funny Over Everything comedy showcase brings one of the sharpest, funniest stand-up comics back to Portland: Hari Kondabolu. Kondabolu's comedy isn't to be missed—and tonight he'll be accompanied by local favorites Ian Karmel, Anthony Lopez, and Shane Torres. EH
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 9 pm, $10

GET TWINKLY—Classical, intentional electronic songwriter Julia Holter holds back nothing precious on her newest album, Ekstasis. All that is personal and mysterious is pushed to the front and surrounded by delicate sounds, like a craftsman displaying breakable gifts at a wild bazaar with her eyes closed. SS
Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8:30 pm, $10-12

TUESDAY, MAY 22

LUZ LIFE—Anyone who's taken Lupon or the new Court the Storm for a spin knows the power of Y La Bamba frontwoman Luz Elena Mendoza's pained and beautiful voice, and this week you can bask in it as she performs a weeklong residency of solo gigs at the Crystal Hotel's storied underground hideaway. MS
Al's Den, 303 SW 12th, Sun May 20-Sat May 26, 7 pm, FREE

CART COOKBOOK—John T. Edge not only has a cool name, he's got a James Beard Award for his food-writing proclivities. Jumping on the food-cart bandwagon, Edge's new The Food Truck Cookbook features recipes from Potato Champion, Whiffies, Garden State, and other carts from around the US. Celebrate his book release with food, drinks, and festivities. CF
Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water, 6 pm, FREE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23

WISE GUY—Despite hitting retirement age last year, 65-year-old Loudon Wainwright III shows no sign of slowing down. And with decades of experience under his belt, it's obvious that the man simply knows more than us. Wainwright's latest dispatch of wisdom, Older Than My Old Man Now, shows the elder statesman in fine form, and he's still one of the finest live performers around. NL
Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, $25, all ages

EXPERIMENTATION—With 85 short films, 15 video installations, and performances spread across town, the first-ever Experimental Film Festival Portland aims to jumpstart Portland's sometimes-insular experimental film scene. Check it out tonight, then gear up for four more days of weirdness and brilliance. EH
Various locations and times, see Film and effportland.com for more info, $6-12 for individual shows, weekend passes $30-50