After the behemoth of a weekend we just got through, this upcoming week is kind of a cool-down period. But that just makes it easier to emphasize the "cool" part, starting with the adventurous and mind-bending visuals of the NW Animation Fest returning to the Hollywood, and continuing with appearances on city stages by Old Crow Medicine Show paying tribute to Bob Dylan, Oddisee & Good Company blessing the mic, Aimee Mann & Jonathan Coulton as an unlikely one-two punch of singer/songwriter wonderfulness, the Radiotopia podcast network presenting live versions of their best podcasts, and yes, a 20-year birthday party for Everclear's So Much for the Afterglow (Dun-dun-dun dunna-dun dun yeeaahhhh). There's more in store if you're looking to head out this week; hit the links below and load your plate accordingly.
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Charly Bliss, Little Star
Eva Grace Hendricks sounds like she broke into a Party City store, sucked some helium tanks dry, and scream-sang her darkest secrets into the plastic microphone of a karaoke rental. Charly Bliss is Hendricks (guitar/vocals), her brother Sam (drums), Spencer Fox (guitar), and Dan Shure (bass). They formed in New York City in 2012, and released their first EP, Soft Serve a couple years later. Listening to the bandâs brand-new debut LP, Guppy, feels like returning to your childhood home and finding an unopened, decades-old can of soda in the closetâitâs a time capsule of the explosive, preternaturally sweet energy of teenage years. Charly Bliss applies the anthemic musical principles of â90s/early â00s bands like Veruca Salt, Weezer, and Paramore to overly carbonated, emo-tinged power-pop with big guitar swells and self-described âbubblegum-grungeâ hooks. At first, itâs a lot to handle. But Hendricks cuts the bubbly sweetness with brutally honest lyrics that capture our lifelong ride on the Slip âN Slide of human emotion. Take, for instance, her admission at the beginning of âDQâ: âI laughed when your dog died/It is cruel but itâs true/Take me back, kiss my soft side/Does he love me most now that his dog is toast?â Hendricks spits out LOL-worthy one-liners like âStuck my gum on his soulâ and sings about mustering her will to live in the same song (âBlack Holeâ), and dedicates an entire track to her therapist (âRubyâ). With Guppy, Charly Bliss builds a fort of nostalgic sounds where itâs safe to let these intense feelings into the light. CIARA DOLAN
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $10-12
Old Crow Medicine Show
Fifty-one years ago, fueled by pills and all-night sessions in a Nashville studio, Bob Dylan recorded Blonde on Blonde. Released as a double album, back when such a thing was basically unheard of (the Beatles would release their self-titled âWhite Albumâ two years later), Blonde on Blonde isnât just one of the greatest records in Dylanâs long and prolific careerâitâs one of the greatest records ever made. In tribute to this 50-year milestone, Nashville string band Old Crow Medicine Show recorded a Blonde on Blonde tribute album and are taking these songs on the road. It makes sense for OCMS to helm this project, as the band is best-known for their adaptation of the uncompleted Dylan song âWagon Wheel,â which has since become all but mandatory for every would-be folk singer to cover in the last decade. Until Dylan transitions from his current phase of lamentable Sinatra standards, this show might be the closest weâll get to a direct experience of that âthin, wild mercury sound.â SANTI ELIJAH HOLLEY
8 pm, Revolution Hall, $45
Radiotopia Live
Why see a single live podcast when you can watch a whole network take the stage? Radiotopia hits Portland and it's acclaimed stable of showsâ99% Invisible, Criminal, Mortified, The Allusionist, and The Memory Palace, all do special live versions of their podcasts, all for roughly the same price as one live episode of Kevin Smith's show where he tells the same 15 stories about Bruce Willis, getting stoned, and crying at an episode of Batman: The Animated Series or whatever.
8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $39.50
Jessamyn Stanley, Andi Zeisler
Renowned yoga teacher and Instagram star Jessamyn Stanley presents her new book, Every Body Yoga, which details her body-positive and emotionally uplifting approach to teaching yoga. Stanley will be joined in conversation by Andi Zeisler, author of We Were Feminists Once and co-founder of Bitch Media.
7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free
An American Werewolf in London
Over three decades down the road, John Landis and Rick Baker's 1981 flick still boasts the greatest, goriest, and most horrifying man-wolf transformation ever. H. PERRY HORTON Screens as part of the Clinton Street Resistance Series, with proceeds benefitting local causes and organizations.
7 pm, Clinton Street Theater, $5
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Atlas Genius, Night Riots
An evening with the singer/songwriter and pianist known for fronting the alternative rock acts Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin. McMahon is currently touring with his latest indie pop project in support their new full-length, Zombies on Broadway.
7 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $25.50-30.50, all ages
Lubec, Littler, Deathlist, Husky Boys
Through unpredictably reactive drumming from Matt Dressen; Eddie Charltonâs geometric, calculated guitar riffs; and Caroline Jacksonâs fuzzed-out classical piano, Lubec creates carbonated shoegaze, too fizzy and frenetic to be dreamy but too distorted to feel like reality. CIARA DOLAN
9 pm, The Fixin' To, $5
Here to Stay Fundraiser
Dine with the assurance that youâre directly giving back to organizations that fight for immigrant rights at this delicious fundraiser for Causa Oregon. Executive Director Andrea Williams will provide updates on how Causa is responding to the emerging needs of our most vulnerable communities. EMILLY PRADO
6 pm, Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, free
Testament, Sepultura, Prong
The long-running thrash metal band out of Berkeley, California return to Portland in support of their 11th studio album, Brotherhood of the Snake.
6:30 pm, Roseland, $25-35
Kung Fu Theater: The Mystery of Chess Boxing
This monthâs installment in Dan Halstedâs ongoing celebration of all things whoop-ass is the only known 35mm print of The Mystery of Chess Boxing, an all-time kung fu classic responsible for introducing the Ghostface Killer, a villainous master who runs his mouth as effectively as he throws his hands, berating and beating enemies to death. The only way to defeat him? Incorporate the genius-level strategies of chess into your fighting. Itâs no wonder this heady-yet-lowdown-and-dirty kung fu flick was such an inspiration to a crew of kids on Staten Island in the â80sÂâkids who would grow up and rule â90s hip-hop as the Wu Tang Clan. BOBBY ROBERTS
7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $9
Oddisee & Good Company, Olivier St. Louis, Blossom, HANif
Donât let the laidback grooves fool you: Amir Mohamed el Khalifaâbetter known as Oddiseeâisnât afraid to tackle the big issues. The emcee/producerâs latest work, The Iceberg, offers a global perspective on humanity, politics, love, and life, sounding both retro-tasty and perfectly of this moment. With a stacked bill that includes Berlin-based soul-blues practitioner Olivier St. Louis alongside Portland-grown talent like Blossom and HANiF, this is no night to stay home. NED LANNAMANN
8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $15-18, all ages
Aimee Mann, Jonathan Coulton
Not only is Aimee Mann alt-rock royalty, she's also got a dry sense of humor. While it might not be apparent in her somber solo work or former new wave band 'Til Tuesday, her onstage banter with Ted Leo in their collaboration the Both showcases Mann's deadpan wit. If you're unfamiliar with her musical work, you might recognize Mann from her many TV and movie cameos. Whether she's playing a toeless nihilist kidnapper in The Big Lebowski, Fred and Carrie's housecleaner in Portlandia, or doing a bit with Patton Oswalt or Paul F. Tompkins, Mann has discreetly immortalized herself in America's music and comedy landscapes.
8 pm, Revolution Hall, $35
NW Animation Festival
The annual NW Animation Festival is back, offering a weekâs worth of talks, events, and a curated lineup of animated shorts from all over the world.
Hollywood Theatre, see hollywoodtheatre.org for titles and showtimes
Thurston Moore Group
Everyone got real mad at Thurston Moore for breaking up indie rockâs greatest mom-and-pop enterprise, but domestic changes aside, the ex-Sonic Youth guitarist has not wavered from his chosen musical course. Rock n Roll Consciousness is the latest solo album in Mooreâs long catalog, and while its five tangled-guitar walkabouts range in length from six to 12 minutes, itâs among the most approachable music heâs made since 1992âs Dirty, boasting modest melodies, head-nodding grooves, and a bit of stormy squall to space things out. Mooreâs since relocated to London, but the noise-jam drones of his New York City home are firmly cemented into the foundation of Rock n Roll Consciousness, and the record maintains the tradition of iconic New York bands like the Velvet Underground and Television (and, of course, Sonic Youth). When Moore and his wire-tight bandâwhich includes Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley, My Bloody Valentineâs Deb Googe, and Noughtâs James Sedwardsâcome through tonight, expect a guitar solo (or 90). NED LANNAMANN
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $17-20
Pomo
The last time Vancouver native David Pimentelâpublicly known as Pomoâcame to Portland he was opening for Anderson .Paakâs mind-blowing show at the Crystal. His electronic sets see him play live instruments like keys and drum pads, in combination with cool lighting effects. Check out his electrifying remixes of songs by Gold Link, Sade, and Sam Smith, and the particularly great Pomo remix of Rihannaâs âKiss It Better.â But his eight-track EP The Other Day shows the artist is much more than just a great DJ. Get ready for a night of funky electronic beats, and soul-infused music you can groove to. JENNI MOORE
9 pm, Holocene, $15
Laugh Gallery
Laugh Gallery is a showcase spotlighting the art and comedy works of Portland's multi-talented stand-ups. The art gallery opens at 6:00, with drink specials, art sales, and more, with a comedy showcase to follow at 8pm. Featuring art and performances by Jason Traeger, Becky Braunstein, Barbara Holm, Ben Harkins, Kate Murphy, Isaac Novak, and Jessi Anjuli Simit. Hosted by Andie Main.
6 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $10
Martha Graham Dance Company
The White Bird Dance Series presents an evening with the world-renowned Martha Graham Dance Company, featuring a program consisting of Graham originals along with pieces by todayâs brightest choreographers.
7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $26-70
Clueless
Oh shit, itâs Turk from Scrubs! Oh hey, itâs Jon from those execrable Garfield movies! Oh no, itâs that crazy Fox News lady that Chris Rock used as a prop at the Oscars one year! Aww damn, thereâs Brittany Murphy, itâs a shame sheâs not still here, I bet sheâd have been one hell of an award-winning weirdo by now. Oh hey, itâs Paul Rudd and holy fuck why hasnât he aged a single second, thatâs not fair! Thatâs not fair at all.
9:20 pm, Academy Theater
Jeff VanderMeer, Lidia Yuknavitch
With his intensely clever, hauntingly relevant Southern Reach Trilogy, author Jeff VanderMeer told a story of eco-terror and human frailty. Now he's back with Borne, a novel set in a ruined cityscape, where a young woman, Rachel, comes across a strange creatureâa creature that might have far larger effects on the world than Rachel expects. VanderMeer will talk all about it at Powell's, and he'll be joined by local writer Lidia Yuknavitchâwho's own trippy sci-fi novel, The Book of Joan, is also hot off the presses. ERIK HENRIKSEN
7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free
Everclear, Vertical Horizon, Fastball
Much is made of Portlandâs cultural exports from the 1990s, but nobody really brags about Everclear. Maybe thatâs not surprising for a city that prizes its status as a onetime hub for underground music. Also, that dudeâs goatee is just plain horrendous. But Everclearâs appeal stands in stark contrast to much of todayâs guitar music, and is an almost comically conspicuous version of what still draws young music fans to â90s radio rock anthems. These songs are weirdly bereft of irony. As a teenager, I preferred hearing Rivers Cuomo circle around the pain of an absent father with jokey lyrics like âSomebodyâs Heine is crowding my icebox.â But a half-decade into adulthood, I donât mind hearing Art Alexakis get right to the point: âFather of mine, tell me where have you been.â NATHAN TUCKER
7:30 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $37.50-42
Todrick Hall's Straight Outta Oz
The American singer, actor, director, choreographer, and YouTube sensation brings his newest show back to the Aladdin Theater. Straight Outta Oz is Hall's original take on the L. Frank Baum classic, telling his own story of growing up in rural Texas and eventually making it big in "OZ Angeles."
8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $30-80, all ages
Live Wire! Radio
The latest installment of Portland's own nationally-syndicated variety show features writer Ariel Levy (The New Yorker) and speakers Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, AKA The Minimalists, who have been actively documenting their perusal of a minimalist lifestyle since 2010. Hosted by Luke Burbank.
7:30 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $15-35
I, An Moron
A one-night-only performance from artist Jibz Cameron as Dynasty Handbag, attempting to make her way through a stand-up showcase based on how she's living right now. Spoilers: How she's living is not great.
8 pm, PNCA, $15
Anais Mitchell, Hip Hatchet
An evening of storytelling-driven folk and pop music with the acclaimed Vermont-based singer/songwriter.
9 pm, Doug Fir, $13-15
Aaan, Smokin' Ziggurats, PG-13
On Aan's 2016 album, Dada Distractions, guitarist/vocalist Bud Wilsonâs songs soar and skitter with unconventional grace, a restless union of prickly pop-rock, weirdo rhythms, and psychic pain dipped in acid and left to sparkle in the sun. The results are beautiful and slightly disorienting. BEN SALMON
8:30 pm, Holocene, $7-8
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
