We’re back! This week, Making Earth Cool celebrates Earth Day with a costume parade on April 25, and the Mercury’s Pizza Week offers $4 one-of-a-kind slices across 70 locations. Plus, DJ Assault will pull up for the ass-jigglers among us, and Independent Bookstore Day brings cute prizes and swag to local shops. U ready?
MONDAY, APRIL 20
The Portland Mercury‘s Pizza Week
Pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening… PIZZA WEEK IS BACK! It’s your chance to try slices and pies from 70 different pizzerias. We’re particularly psyched about Boxcar Pizza’s Banh to Be Wild, a plant-based banh mi-inspired pizza with pickled daikon and carrots galore; Paladin Pie’s Pauper Prince, a stoner’s delight with bacon jam, pimento cheese, and Cheez-It crumbles; and the Bada Bing from Scottie’s Pizza, which pairs Brie, pistachio pesto, balsamic drizzle, and cherries. Make sure to snag your Pizza Week Pass and check in to Pizza Week locations for a chance to win one of five grand prizes. (Various locations, April 20-26, slices $4, pies $25, more info) MERCURY STAFF
Oregon Book Awards
Credit due to Literary Arts’ annual Oregon Book Awards—the winners are always worth your time, and more than a few of the nominees, too. This year’s creative nonfiction category sees Lidia Yuknavitch’s Reading the Waves crash up against A Field Guide to the Subterranean by Justin Hocking, while Horse Girl Fever by Kevin Maloney and Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang face off in fiction. The other categories are similarly stacked—this is a graphic novel year, and judges must somehow decide between Breena Bard’s Wildfire, Speechless by past Oregon Book Award winner Aron Nels Steinke, and the highly lauded Big Jim and the White Boy by David F. Walker. It would be great to see any of them win, and you can actually attend the ceremony, see the evening unfold, and fawn over your favs. (Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th, 7:30 pm, $15-$65, Arts for All tickets available, more info, all ages) SUZETTE SMITH
Also worth it:
Smiley Face, Hollywood Theatre, more info
Hollywood Theatre’s Thank God It’s Queer series shows up with a very “4/20 blaze it” selection: Gregg Araki’s Smiley Face, which follows an unemployed actress (Anna Faris) who’s got a few errands to run while gone off edibles.
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
Wednesday / Gouge Away
As they were gearing up for the September 2025 release of their crushing album Bleed, Wednesday played a perfect reenergizing set the second day of Project Pabst, endearing themselves to Portland to the extent of landing two nights at Revolution Hall the next time they came through town. Bleed has one feature, the mid-album alt-country dazer “Phish Pepsi” with Advance Base. AB may not strike a chord with everyone but trust, it’s huge. Opening are half-Portland, half-Florida hardcore huns Gouge Away. The feigned innocence of GA’s new “Figurine” track and music video is something to behold; fingers and toes they’ve got a new album in the works. (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, April 21-22 at 8 pm, SOLD OUT, more info, all ages) NOLAN PARKER
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Lamps of the Underworld: Armenian Animation
Church of Film has a penchant for obscure vintage animation. This screening features Armenian animation from the Soviet-era Armenfilm studio, with a particular focus on animator Robert Sahakyants. Three of Sakhayants’ late ’80s short films will be included: The Lesson, The Button, and The Wind. Looks like the tone will switch from whimsical and colorful to cynical and dark, but it’s bound to be pretty surreal throughout. Peep the trailer here. (Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton, 7 pm, $10, more info, all ages) KATHERINE CHEW HAMILTON
Topic Thunder
Let’s face facts: Sometimes the daily horror of the news is best ingested with a heaping dose of comedy. And this is why terrific comedy shows like Topic Thunder provide the exact medicine you may need. Starring former Portland Funniest winners (and Mercury Geniuses of Comedy) Adam Pasi and Nariko Ott, your hosts will deliver a sharp-witted “Weekend Update” style of whip-smart takes on the news of the week, followed by a lineup of comedians (including Kyle Kinane, Virginia Jones, Julia Corral, and Mx. Dahlia Belle) bringing brand-spanking new material ripped directly from the headlines. But it gets better, because the evening ends with a non-topical headlining set from Seattle’s hilariously sharp Monica Nevi! (Siren Theater, 3913 N Mississippi, 7:30 pm, $20, more info, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Also worth it:
Fight Club with Chuck Palahniuk, Bagdad Theater & Pub, more info
David Fincher’s 1999 adaption of ultra-violent comedy thriller Fight Club is one of those rare examples of a movie that’s better than the book. Palahniuk talks about why that’s okay in a post-movie discussion with Matt Fraction.
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Melissa Auf der Maur in Conversation With Melissa Maerz
The ’90s alternative scene has been mythologized to death. But learning about it secondhand and living through it are two very different things. With Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A ’90s Rock Memoir, Melissa Auf der Maur pulls back the curtain on pre-turn-of-the-century music culture through a firsthand account spanning Montreal’s local scene to the center of rock history. In her debut memoir, Auf der Maur traces a path that includes joining Hole during one of its most turbulent eras before stepping into the orbit of bands like the Smashing Pumpkins. But it’s far from just a collection of rock stories. If you’re deep in (or approaching) old-head rocker territory, consider this talk your backstage pass to revisiting your prime headbanging years in a new light. (Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7 pm, FREE, more info, all ages) LANGSTON THOMAS
DJ Assault / DJ PayPal
Massive shouts to Kris Goodin of Helsinki’s OK Sound for introducing me to DJ Assault years ago when we worked at one of Berlin’s worst cafes—specifically the booty bass and ghetto house pioneer’s “Asses Jigglin’” track. Other fabulously named Assault tracks include “Love The Pussy,” “Nympho,” “Gay Guy,” and “Dick Ride.” A sweaty, minimally clothed celebration of sluts, freaks, and their handlers is what the Detroit master is bringing; all you gotta bring is ass. Be ready to throw it. (Swan Dive, 727 SE Grand, 9 pm, $26.84, more info, 21+) NP
Also worth it:
Band of Outsiders with Art & About PDX, Tomorrow Theater, more info
Art & About PDX’s new neighborhood art guide leads participants on a fun Division Street scavenger hunt, planned in tandem with this screening of Godard’s misfit heist flick Band of Outsiders.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Breakfast on the Bridges
Breakfast on the Bridges, or BonB, has been serving up coffee and breakfast goodies to those biking/walking/rolling across Portland’s bridges for more than 20 years. Those commuting across the Blumenauer Bridge, Steel Bridge, and Tilikum Crossing (sometimes even Flanders Crossing) can expect their morning treats on the last Friday of every month. Come for the caffeine and pastries, stay (until you’re late for work) for the lovely company! The early bird may not always get the worm, but on BonB day, the bicyclist birds certainly do. (Various locations, 7-9 am, FREE, more info, all ages) TAYLOR GRIGGS
Tough Shit with Oregon Humanities
My favorite events at Tomorrow Theater never actually involve watching a movie. Tough Shit, for example: Oregon Humanities invites “very different” people onstage to “talk through some shit” for the economical space of 90 minutes. Surely we can all stay civil for 90 minutes! At this show, the people meant to disagree are journalist and author Leah Sottile, BikePortland‘s Jonathan Maus, Idea Factory founder Kimiko Matsuda (who also recently co-founded International Women’s Sports Film Festival) and local politico Heart Free Pham! Oregon Humanities executive director Adam Davis moderates. (Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division, 7 pm, $15, more info, all ages) SS
The Siren Theater Improv Giants
Whether performing or watching, improv is not for the faint of heart. When it doesn’t click, it really doesn’t click. But when it does? Goddamn, it’s magical, and can hit heights seldom seen when attending the theater. Some of the best improv I’ve seen in Portland comes from the minds of the Siren Theater Improv Giants, featuring Shelley McLendon, Nicholas Kessler, Tony Marcellino (formerly of the legendary PDX group the Liberators) and Jed Arkley (Whiskey Tango). Alone, each member of this fantastic foursome are hilarious—together they combine to become a veritable Transformer of hilarity—so if you want to increase your chances of witnessing magic? These Giants are an extremely good bet. (Siren Theater, 3913 N Mississippi, 7:30 pm, $10-$20, more info, 14+) WSH
Fat Ham
We’ve been amped for this one ever since Joe Streckert wrote a banger profile about it in the Mercury’s Spring Arts Preview, and now opening night is finally here! Fat Ham reimagines Shakespeare’s sulky Prince Hamlet as Juicy, a queer Black southern kid at a backyard cookout, celebrating the marriage of his mother and uncle. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play makes its Portland debut as a collab production between Portland Center Stage and Portland Playhouse. This is definitely one of the major shows to see this season. (The Armory, 128 NW 11th, through May 17, $25-98, more info, all ages) SS
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Independent Bookstore Day
Each year, Independent Bookstore Day celebrates something we can all rally behind: indie bookstores. Pop by your local shops all weekend long for special prizes, swag, and meet-cutes with fellow lit lovers—oh, and books, too! Portland’s cutie shops have some fun events planned including the Goblin Market at Field Day Books which features local makers, crafts, a bakery pop-up, and drag story time. There’s also the North Portland bookstore crawl. Fill out your punch card to win fun prizes (more books!). Don’t forget to check out our bookstore list for more shops to support! (Various locations, more info) LINDSAY COSTELLO
Making Earth Cool Earth Day Celebration
Sunnyside Environmental School and Making Earth Cool, among other Gaia-luvving organizations, will bring some environmental joie de vivre to the city on April 25. Their annual Earth Day celebration “serves as a poignant reminder that we are mere specks within the grandeur of the greatest masterpiece ever created.” Okay, true!! Although we are but flecks of stardust darting across our majestic planet, the event gives us something to live for: gigantic puppets, live music, crafts, and a secular “Earth Ceremony.” You’re invited to dress up as your fave flora or fauna for a costumed parade through the Sunnyside neighborhood, too. (Sunnyside Environmental School, 3421 SE Salmon, 11 am-3 pm, FREE, more info, all ages) LC
Sunn O)))
Not that this has anything to do with Seattle drone monoliths Sunn O))), but imagine the deep shame of finding out you’ve been mispronouncing the name of one of your favorite bands for years. Anyway, on April 4 Sunn releases their first album in seven years (the longest time between Sunn releases to date))). “Glory Black,” the album’s first single, washes through your skull with vibrations most dark, then drops off around the 3:30 mark, dissolving into heavy, sparse piano. Are Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley getting soft as the band approaches their Pearl Anniversary? Not likely… Check out the show without ear protection and LMK how that goes. (Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th, 8 pm, $47.50+, more info, 21+) NP
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Bar Norman/Euzumeh Pop-Up at Han Oak
Tamara Hattar of Euzumeh makes vibrant, hearty PNW-meets-Middle-Eastern food. If you were lucky enough to try her food during her residency last summer at L’Echelle, if you’ve ever picked up a mezze box, or if you’ve stopped by her stand at the farmers market, you know this event is not to be missed. The menu includes a mezze plate with falafel, red pepper dip, and hummus, a salad with crunchy, sweet hazelnut dukkah, and lamb kofta over rice. Dana Frank of Bar Norman will be pairing natural wines by the glass and bottle. Walk-ins only, though we recommend arriving early for best results. (Han Oak, 511 NE 24th Ave, 4 pm-8 pm, free entry, more info, all ages) KCH
The Chronology of Water x Movie Book Club with Lidia Yuknavitch
First-time director Kristen Stewart’s fractured timeline is central to her translation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s fiercely internal, experimental memoir, The Chronology of Water. Chronology revolves, in many ways, around Lidia’s relationships with men, but it also positions her as a slippery, larger-than-life mermaid, swimming around, beyond, and in spite of them all. The story is at times relentless and exhausting; it’s also an accurate depiction of complex trauma, in which the past and present intermingle. Read our full review. (Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division, 3 pm, SOLD OUT, more info, R) LC
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
