Legends of the psych rock and riot grrrl varieties are showing up and showing out this week–West Coasters Bikini Kill and Osees take the Crystal Ballroom stage, while Zambian band W.I.T.C.H. heads to Revolution Hall. Plus, a hefty selection of 200+ works by Indigenous Australian artists is unveiled at Portland Art Museum, and CoHo Theater’s clowns honk again for a four-week festival. You ready?
MONDAY, AUGUST 31
Osees
Osees come through the Pacific Northwest basically every September, and I’m not mad about it. Originally formed as the solo project of John Dwyer, the group makes garage rock with heavy psych and progressive punk undertones. Fitting with their anti-establishment aesthetic, Osees don’t have a social media presence and have changed their name around from Oh Sees, Thee Oh Sees, OCS, and other variations in part to deliberately frustrate the press, and in part to mark shifts in the band’s lineup and sound. Osees lean more into krautrock influences on their 30th album with exploratory tunes. Much like their releases, no Osees live performance is ever the same—prepare yourself. (Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, SOLD OUT, more info, all ages) SHANNON LUBETICH
Also worth it:
My New Band Believe, Polaris Hall, more info
Cameron Picton, the former bassist of British experimental rock band Black Midi, drops by on tour following the release of his first solo album.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Oregon State Fair
In the late summer, Salem is the place to go for good ol’ fashioned fun, from carnival games (get your throwing arm ready) to 4-H traditions, and from hair-raising rides to concerts (All Time Low, Twister Sister featuring Sebastian Bach, and Weird Al are all on the docket this year). The “Vegas-style show” America 250 Live sounds cringe as hell, but Dia de la Familia brings cultural music from Selena tribute band Amor Prohibido, Grupo Vidal, and Banda Zarape along with free loteria and tortilla art activities. Meanwhile, you’ll find me dusting the powdered sugar off my face as I indulge in some funnel cake. (Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th NE, Salem, daily through Sept 7, $12, discounts for kids and seniors, more info, all ages) JANEY WONG
Chloe Benjamin
Chloe Benjamin, author of the New York Times bestseller The Immortalists said in a 2018 interview, “I write less what I know than what I want to know.” If that statement holds true, Benjamin was looking for an education in quantum physics and Antarctic ecology while developing her forthcoming novel, Under Story. Set on a remote research base on the desolate continent, scientists discover a mysterious arc of light glowing across the ice that promises to unravel their past, present, and future. Under Story’s central thematic hook is “We wake up to tomorrow, never yesterday,” so be prepared for an epic about love, loss, redemption, and science that sounds like it could easily veer into Groundhog Day territory. Benjamin will discuss her new book with Lydia Kiesling, author of Mobility. (Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th, 6 pm, $35 includes copy of Under Story, more info, all ages) BRI BREY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Blood Orange Essex Honey Album Listen
Seven years after Blood Orange’s last release—dare I say, masterpiece—Negro Swan, came another work of genius last year: Essex Honey. Coasting through grief and navigating loss, Devonté Hynes stays true to his eclectic sound, employing synth, strings, and dulcet vocals that just might make you weep. Hynes has a magical way of bringing marvel out of mourning. In this unique album listening session at Mono Space, phones will be off and visitors will not be let in after 7:30 pm. Cut the stagnant static of the outside if only for a moment and listen to Blood Orange in the presence of strangers. (Mono Space, 608 NW 13th, 7 pm, $21.50-$36.50, more info, all ages) STARLY LOU RIGGS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Hannibal Buress
I often have trouble describing the dry, off-kilter comedy of Hannibal Buress to others, so I generally end up asking, “Have you seen Buress as dentist Lincoln Rice on Broad City?” No? Coach Wilson in Spider-Man: No Way Home? Hmmm. How about in the 2018 movie Tag, which overall is pretty terrible, and I almost stopped watching 17 times, except I was kept there by Buress who kept popping into scenes and saying things that were both bizarre and hilarious? OH! He’s the guy that did the famous stand-up act that led to the downfall of Bill Cosby! Yes, THAT Hannibal Buress. In any case, if you know of him or not, his sideways, dry-as-sand jokes are consistently a goddamn hoot, and well worth the price of admission. (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 7 pm, $58.53, more info, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Clownfest 2026
This multidisciplinary arts festival revolves around one thing and one thing only: the art of clowning. The four-week-long program takes a broad view of the form, encompassing everything from physical comedy and movement arts to humor and fringe performance. Participate in a festival-opening guided dance ritual, take a clown workshop, or spend some time with a modern-day Mae West. I’ll be cheering on the A.C.W. (All Clown Wrestling) grudge match, which promises an elaborate anticapitalist backstory and a classic underdog training montage. The lineup also includes contributions exploring cultural erasure, folklore, dance by an unraveling artist, a ’90s coming-of-age story, and a mysterious physical act involving sausages. Send in the clowns! (CoHo Theater, 2257 NW Raleigh, Thurs-Sun through Oct 4, times and prices vary, more info) BB
Also worth it:
Forever Dolly, Darcelle XV Showplace, more info
Expect big wigs and bigger breastplates at this tribute show honoring Dolly Parton, patron saint of country music, children’s literacy, and unwavering LGBTQ+ allyship. Proceeds will benefit her Imagination Library.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Typhoon
The combination of location and act can make an already special performance feel like you’re suddenly existing outside of time and space itself. Stop making that jerk-off motion at me—you know it’s true! If you don’t believe it, go drive out to Sauvie Island and see Typhoon, Portland’s best baroque-folk superstructure, at Topaz Farms, a bucolic space that makes you forget you’re 20 minutes from Downtown Portland. Their intricate compositions and the songwriting (and voice) of Kyle Morton all but demands to be heard in a place like this. As the season begins its descent into autumn, we practically guarantee you’ll cherish this performance greatly. (Topaz Farms, 17100 NW Sauvie Island, 6 pm, $37.50-$42.50, more info, 16+) HOLLY HAZELWOOD
Also worth it:
Kickstand Comedy in the Park, Laurelhurst Park, more info
It’s your last chance to partake in this free weekly stand-up show, which has become a Portland summer tradition in its own right—bring snacks, beers, a picnic blanket, and your pup.
Drift, location provided at ticket purchase, more info
Two days of ambient and experimental performances come to a private location in SE Portland, including sets by Carly Barton, Omari Jazz, and Omni Gardens, among many others.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art
Pulled from the collections of Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria, The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art‘s 200+ works include pieces by some of Indigenous Australia’s most brilliant artists, including Emily Kam Kngwarray, Gulumbu Yunupiŋu, Brook Andrew, Destiny Deacon, and Betty Muffler. The exhibition offers an unusual opportunity to view multimedia works with both historical and contemporary weight, including ochre bark paintings, textural weavings, and audio and video art. Our eyes are glued to Pitjantjatjara artist Wingu Tingima’s synthetic polymer paintings and Alec Mingelmanganu Woonambal’s earthy pigments. (Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park, Tues-Sun 10 am-5 pm, $27.50, discounts for seniors and students, FREE for members and kids under 17, more info, all ages) LINDSAY COSTELLO
W.I.T.C.H.
World psych rock band W.I.T.C.H. formed in post-independence Zambia in the early 1970s, naming themselves with a backronym that stands for “We Intend To Cause Havoc.” W.I.T.C.H. all but vanished in the late ’70s with the economic collapse and rise of authoritarianism in Zambia, but in 2012, lead vocalist Emanuel “Jagari” Chanda was invited to the US to revive the band. Rereleases of their records encouraged a resurgence of the band’s popularity, allowing them to record a new album for the first time in almost 40 years. Last summer, they dropped their ninth studio record, SOGOLO—a jangly mix of electric guitars, talking drums, and lyrics sung in Bemba. (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 8 pm, $40.31, more info, all ages) SL
Also worth it:
8 1/2, Cinema 21, more info
Federico Fellini’s avant-garde exploration of creative stagnation was one of David Lynch’s primary inspirations.
Age of Reflections: Gigi Masin, First Congregational United Church of Christ, more info
Vibe commanders Age of Reflections—a traveling event series blending far-out sounds with psychedelic light in beautiful spaces—brings Italian composer Gigi Masin’s dreamy synth arrangements to a historic church downtown.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Bikini Kill
The band that launched a thousand riot grrrl projects, Bikini Kill may not have been the first feminist punk band (far from it), but their frontwoman Kathleen Hanna will go down in history for demanding girls in the audience stand at the front and asking boys in the pit to “be cool for once in your lives.” This band doesn’t actually need to mean anything, though, because their songs still slap and probably always will. Tracks like “Carnival” and “Rebel Girl” legitimately list as some of the best songs ever penned. (Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, SOLD OUT, more info, all ages) SUZETTE SMITH
Also worth it:
Sherman’s March, Tomorrow Theater, more info
Although he originally planned to direct a documentary on the lingering impact of general William Sherman’s strategic Civil War march, Ross McElwee’s personal life had other plans. His resulting 16mm film (1985) became a weirdly profound ode to his love life and the interesting women orbiting it.
To Die For, Academy Theater, more info
Gus Van Sant’s bitchy dark comedy (1995) stars Nicole Kidman as a small-town weather reporter whose dreams of glam news anchor stardom lead to murder, mafia involvement, and antagonistic figure skating.
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
