Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Blazermania is real, and it is spectacular. Possibly Portland’s most potent homegrown intoxicant, the ‘mania predates the region’s birthing of the microbrew revolution, and its strength easily dwarfs any single harvest from our many of sticky green keeping this city almost as weird as the slogan we stole from Austin, Texas, would suggest. The last time we got this high on raw basketball greatness was 2014—round one, game six, nine-tenths of a second on the Rose Quarter clock. Damian Lillard clapped his hands three times, promptly received the rock, let fly a perfect jumper, and swished a small earthquake into existence, its aftershocks lasting for the better part of a week. Such memories still conjure goosebumps, and you can feel the oncoming ‘mania electrifying the air now, like an approaching crimson and black thunderstorm. Our Blazers squad stomps towards another playoffs. The flailing Clippers assemble under Portland’s eager foot. The “Beat LA” chants are pre-loaded in lustful throats like cannonballs. Let Rip City claim you. Surrender to the ‘mania. BOBBY ROBERTS
7:30 pm, Moda Center, $49-1667, all ages
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Live
There’s more to Rachel Bloom’s CW show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend than its sunny, rainbow-hued palette and musical numbers would suggest. From smartly skewering romantic comedy tropes to depicting mental illness with sensitivity and dark humor to acknowledging that not everybody is white and that women still exist after they turn 40, it’s doing a lot for a show on the same network as Riverdale. It’s even better live. MEGAN BURBANK
Mar 30-31, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $30
Yaeji
In an interview last year with Pitchfork, New York singer, producer, and DJ Yaeji explained that her creative process involves “a lot of thinking less and making a mess.” It’s a reasonable starting point, considering the type of music she makes: Yaeji’s catalog is almost entirely made up of club tracks, banging blends of hip-hop, future R&B, and house that are the perfect soundtrack to those endless nights when your ID is in the driver’s seat and “regret” has been removed from your vocabulary. Yaeji’s voice is one that the dance music community has clearly been longing for; her videos have racked up millions of YouTube views, and last September she was filmed performing at a party for the taste-making underground music website Boiler Room. And almost all of the dates on her upcoming tour—including her Portland stop at the Star Theater—sold out fast. Sometimes making a mess can get you a lot of attention. ROBERT HAM
9 pm, Star Theater, $15
Hurry Up, Sad Horse, Pumping Iron, Ghost Frog
Hurry Up is the unholy trinity of Maggie Vail (bass), Kathy Foster (drums), and Westin Glass (guitar). It’s also kind of a super-group: Vail fronted the now-defunct Bangs, she and Foster represent two-thirds of the Strange Babes DJs, and Foster and Glass play in the Thermals. On their debut self-titled EP, Hurry Up sounds fluent in the lo-fi punk tradition of Dead Moon—all three sing (and scream) over big, razor-edged guitar riffs and drum attacks more intimidating than a charging rhinoceros. CIARA DOLAN
9 pm, The Fixin’ To, $7
Low Cut Connie
The Philadelphia band bring their lively blend of piano-driven glam rock back to Portland for a headlining show supporting their new two-part album, Dirty Pictures.
9 pm, Doug Fir, $14-16
Amy, Amy, Amy! A Tribute to Amy Winehouse
The Way Downs bring their Amy Winehouse tribute back to the Secret Society for a special Friday night performance with support from Portland’s premier Smiths/Morrissey tribute band, Louder Thank Moz.
9 pm, The Secret Society, $12-15
J Names
A collection of all the improv talent in Portland that begins with the letter J. Amazingly, there’s a ton of it. With special guests Elle McKay, Dylan Jenkins, Campus Brochure, and host Pepe Raphael.
9:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $10
FoxFest III: A Hip-Hop Benefit for Morpheus Youth Project
Get down to some of the city’s best underground hip hop at this benefit show for Morpheus Youth Project, a program that brings culturally-relevant art and hip hop to incarcerated and/or at-risk youth. No cover, but a portion of bar sales with be donated to the org. EMILLY PRADO
9 pm, Starday Tavern, free
Moon Palace, Planet Damn, Man Repellant
Planet Damn lends its support to celestial rockers from Seattle Moon Palace (making their Portland debut) for a night of queer magic sure to leave stars in your vision.
8 pm, (The World Famous) Kenton Club, $5
Animal Aid Pop-Up Pub
A benefit for the local no-kill animal rescue Animal Aid, with pizza, beer, and a special trivia night hosted by ShanRock, the trivia queen of Portland herself. There’s also board games, a silent auction, and more.
6 pm, Lagunitas Brewing Community Room
Luke Temple, Marisa Anderson, Forest Veil
Pop-folk singer/songwriter and Here We Go Magic frontman Luke Temple joins forces with local blues and folk guitar virtuoso Marisa Anderson for a co-headlined bill at Mississippi Studios.
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-15
NecroNancy: WTF Drag Wrestling
An array of Portland drag performers take turns duking it out in the ring as they vie for the 2018 NecroNancy Title, all while DJs Buckmaster, Chanti Darling, and Fatherfannie hold down the dance floor and keep the good times rolling.
9 pm, Tonic Lounge, $12
Cosmic Collaboration Release Party
Enjoy Crimson Star, the a reportedly delicious beer baby presented by Ecliptic Brewing and Reuben’s Brews in support of no-kill dog shelter, One Tail at a Time PDX. For every pint or bottle of pomegranate IPA purchased, $1 will be donated back OTAT PDX. EMILLY PRADO
6 pm, Beer Bunker, free
Henry Rollins
The punk rock legend turned writer, actor, motivational speaker, television and radio host, spoken word artist, comedian, and activist swings through Portland for a pair of shows at Revolution Hall.
7 pm & 9:30 pm, Revolution Hall, $20
Blade Runner Tribute
The debt owed to Blade Runner (and Vangelis) is mighty, but that’s not gonna stop DJ Paradox, DJ NoN, and James Fisher from trying to repay it with this tribute night filled with darker-tinged electronic music.
10 pm, The Lombard Pub, free
Don’t forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!