Dust off your A/C unit, it’s Do This, Do That!! This week’s events pair well with the sunshine: the St. Johns Bizarre brings Alan Sparhawk of Low to the neighborhood’s stage, the Portland Fire show up for their regular season opener, and two-time Mercury Genius of Comedy Neeraj Srinivasan slings some jokes. Plus, we’ve got your Mother’s Day plans on lock—Celtic harp, anyone?
MONDAY, MAY 4
Field Medic
Field Medic’s 2020 record Floral Prince got me through the pandemic; the lo-fi combination of yearning vocals, poetic lyricism, and bedroom folk instrumentation helped me process emotions and hold onto hope for the future. Kevin Patrick Sullivan, who’s released music as Field Medic for over 10 years and has almost as many records, comes through Portland for the first time since 2023 to play tracks from his 2025 album Surrender Instead and “deeper deep cuts” from his extensive discography. Field Medic’s live shows often feature banjo, harmonica, and acoustic guitar, along with hushed quiet during sparser songs and audience singalongs to energetic favorites. Get there early to catch a set from LA-based dreamy indie pop-rock-folk duo Beaming. (Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth, 8 pm, $26.20, more info, all ages) SHANNON LUBETICH
TUESDAY, MAY 5
Joy Crookes
British singer Joy Crookes flawlessly transitions between contemporary jazz and modern R&B on her sophomore record Juniper, following up her 2021 debut album that earned her Brit Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop/R&B Act. On Juniper, Crookes explores relationships with vulnerability, reflecting on abuse, heartbreak, and how she treats herself. It’s a sonic masterpiece; after all, they don’t let just anyone record a live performance in the Tate Modern. Crookes squeezes a Portland headlining show in between a run of dates opening for Scottish pop-soul singer Lewis Capaldi, which has included stops at Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks—don’t miss out! (Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 8 pm, $34+, more info, all ages) SL
Also worth it:
Zhanna Tsytsyn: Where Roots Refuse Borders, One Grand Gallery, more info
Artist Tsytsyn pulls from animist traditions and her Siberian heritage in this lush, colorful series of masks and paintings.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Neeraj Srinivasan
Portland comedy lovers will remember Neeraj Srinivasan, who was a two-time Mercury Genius of Comedy, a co-host of the wildly popular Dough comedy show, and first runner-up in 2024’s Portland’s Funniest Person competition. Neeraj is currently blowing up stages across Chicago, but luckily for us, he’s returning to Portland for a fun night of laughs at Helium, bringing his razor-sharp and hilariously intense observations on news and popular culture. PLUS, he’ll be joined by fellow laugh-makers, Megan Otto, Birungi Birungi, and Robby Sherman. It’s an easy way to catch up on all those laughs you’ve been missing! (Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, 7 pm, $16+, more info, 21+) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
THURSDAY, MAY 7
Colleen and Patricia Wolf
Realistic Moment and Beacon Sound do it again, boosting sets by French ambient composer Colleen and Portland’s own Patricia Wolf with quadraphonic acoustics. Colleen–aka multi-instrumentalist Cécile Schott—composed her new Thrill Jockey album Libres antes del final on the Moog Matriarch, while each track on Wolf’s forthcoming album Yarrow looks at a different aspect of a plant’s life cycle. Wolf’s new track “Adapted for Extreme Conditions” is Boards of Canada-esque; BOC-heads, we are so back. (The Off Beat, 8440 N Interstate, 7 pm, $15+, more info, all ages) LINDSAY COSTELLO
Also worth it:
Jaboukie Young-White, Mississippi Studios, more info
Twice-suspended tweeter and comedian for the people Jaboukie Young-White drops by with a slew of new jokes—he’s recently worked on projects with Doechii and Caleb Hearon, don’t sleep!
FRIDAY, MAY 8
The Juniper Tree
Nietzchka Keene’s folk tale The Juniper Tree is an easy sell, with a lean 78 minutes steeped in otherworldly Icelandic landscapes and teen Björk in her first cinematic role. Drawing from a Brothers Grimm tale, the story weaves together supernatural beats—bird omens, ghost witches, love spells—and demonstrates a clear influence on the austere, dreadful exile of Robert Eggers’ The Witch. Although the film was modest in budget and length, nothing feels sacrificed. The Juniper Tree’s mythic intensity and feminist undertones linger. Find more repertory film recommendations in Second Run. (5th Avenue Cinema, 510 SW Hall, showtimes through May 10, $7 or FREE for PSU student, faculty, and alum, more info, not rated) LC
Cabaret Voltaire / I Speak Machine
Picture it, Barcelona 2016. You’re still deeply hungover from the night before, seeing Air, John Carpenter, Vince Staples, Todd Terje, Peaches, and Kamasi Washington, and all you need is air conditioning so you don’t throw up or worse. You’re contemplating skipping the legendary British industrial-techno band Cabaret Voltaire’s show because if you try to dance, you legitimately might pass out. But hark! The one indoor, seated, air conditioned venue in all of Primavera Sound is exactly the venue Cabaret Voltaire is playing. Let’s hope we know how to take care of ourselves better than 10 years ago, and that Roseland has their AC cranked for this one. Read the Mercury‘s interview with Cabaret Voltaire bassist/vocalist Stephen Mallinder. (Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th, 8 pm, $52.75+, more info, 21+) NOLAN PARKER
SATURDAY, MAY 9
St. Johns Bizarre
After the St. Johns Parade on Saturday morning, local musical talent will overflow the streets at the St. Johns Bizarre, with performances on two stages. Headlining is Alan Sparhawk of Low; several Portland Mercury favorites are also playing, including Dreckig, The Barbaras, and Forty Feet Tall. The event also serves as a giant craft fair, with around 200 vendors selling everything from art to clothing to pottery to plants. The streets will also be overflowing with food options, with vendors including Urban Fried Fry Bread, Philippine Market, Urban German, cannoli vendor Holy Shannoli, and more—many local restaurants will also be open for business. (St. Johns Plaza, N Lombard & N Philadelphia, 10 am-8 pm, FREE, more info, all ages) KATHERINE CHEW HAMILTON
Mother’s Day Rhododendron Show & Sale
Nature loves mothers—why else would rhododendrons reach peak bloom right around Mother’s Day? Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a must-visit at this time of year, so if you’re looking for an activity to complement brunch or dinner, check out this rhododendron show and sale at the garden hosted by the Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Rhododendron enthusiasts will be displaying the finest blooms from their own gardens, with the chance to win a trophy or ribbon. Rhododendrons and azaleas will also be available for purchase. Plus, it’s peak duckling season—wander the gardens and see how many you can spot. (Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, 5801 SE 28th, May 9 noon-5 pm and May 10 10 am-5 pm, FREE-$9, more info, all ages) KCH
William Temple House Jam
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, William Temple House is throwing a daytime benefit concert, with 100% of proceeds funding its counseling and social services. Held in the gardens of the historic Mackenzie House, your ticket gets you access to performances by five local acts: Frecks, Ned and Wendy the Band, Aslin, Jeremy Famà, and Emma Sameth. There will also be DJ sets and a thrift pop-up from William Temple House’s thrift store, often regarded as one of the best in town, plus food and drink from local vendors available for purchase. (2023 NW Hoyt, 2 pm-8 pm, $7+, more info, all ages) KCH
Portland Fire vs. Chicago Sky
Let’s goooooooooo! It’s the regular season opener for our new (and also returning) WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire! They’ve been spending their short preseason learning to gel as a team, with Coach Alex Samara focusing on developing a fast-paced offense that runs hard and hits big shots. And while the Fire may have lost their first preseason game to the Seattle Storm (91-81)—they were without several key players at the time. Their disruptive defense gave the Storm all sorts of problems and the team played well together, which bodes well for what could be a very exciting season to come. Get in on the ground floor, and once again, let’s gooooooo! (Moda Center, 1 N Center Ct, 6 pm, $27+, more info, all ages) WSH
SUNDAY, MAY 10
Alex G
Sometimes, the internet can be a wonderful place—like when 17-year-old musician Alex Giannascoli released music on Bandcamp and landed himself a record deal in the early 2010s. Now recording under the name Alex G, the indie rock musician has played guitar on Frank Ocean’s albums, opened for the Foo Fighters on tour, scored the 2024 hit indie horror film I Saw the TV Glow, and released his tenth record last year. Headlights deepens Alex G’s trademark lo-fi and abstract sound, incorporating strings and distorted textures—sometimes it’s loud and fuzzy rock; sometimes it’s soft and yearning ballads. Prepare yourself for an intense opening set from Los Angeles-based experimental black metal group Agriculture, who have been called the genre’s “most forward-thinking band.” (Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th, through May 11, 8 pm, $64.75+, more info, all ages) SL
Also worth it:
Mother’s Day Celebration, Leach Botanical Garden, more info
Stroll through the garden and admire spring blooms; Celtic harp will twinkle from 11 am to 1 pm.
Jibz Cameron and Sara Jaffe, Always Here Bookstore, more info
Jibz Cameron—aka the freaky and legendary performance artist Dynasty Handbag—will chat about her new memoir, Hell in a Handbag, with Sara Jaffe, author of Hurricane Envy.
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
