FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
MUSIC—If you live in this city and you’ve never experienced a Ural Thomas & the Pain show, for chrissakes, don’t tell anyone! It’s far more likely you’ve yet to catch a show in the gorgeous and relatively new Revolution Hall, and there’s no better occasion to give it a whirl, as tonight marks the release of Thomas & the Pain’s new 7-inch. MARJORIE SKINNER
w/Nick Waterhouse, Orquestra Pacifico Tropical, Rev Shines; Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 8 pm, $17-20, all ages
FILM—The Portland Expo Center’s parking lot is hardly ground zero for fun, but that might change tonight, with Ghostbusters playing on a big screen—drive-in movie style—for anyone in a car or who’s gotten there by bike or MAX. Add in a beer garden, food vendors, and a set by Gerle Haggard, and you’ve got the makings of a pretty great summer night. ERIK HENRIKSEN
Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine, 6:30 pm, $5-15
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
MUSIC—Sun Angle is something of a Portland supergroup, between the crazy-talented Papi Fimbres and XRAY.fm celebrities Charlie Salas Humara and Marius Libman. It’s a special combination for a special time, and each Sun Angle show threatens to be its last, so don’t let it set sail without saying your goodbyes. MARJORIE SKINNER
w/Summer Cannibals, Blesst Chest; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $10
SOAPBOX DERBY—The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby was the first oh-so-Portland event I went to, and it’s still the best Portland thing I’ve ever attended. Speed, wheels, crazy costumes, and potential crashes are right up my alley. The feats of engineering and impressive levels of creativity from the entrants are a fun way to spend a sweaty August day. SHELBY R. KING
Mt. Tabor Park, SE 60th & Salmon, 10 am-4 pm, FREE, all ages
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
MUSIC—With her Tommy Petty-esque swagger and cheeky videos, former Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis is living proof that former child stars don’t ALWAYS end up totally fucked. Lewis’ most recent album, The Voyager, is like listening to ACTUAL rainbows and lollipops, while also being about heartbreak and death. She is magic. MEGAN BURBANK
w/Springtime Carnivore; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 9 pm, $22-25, all ages
BEER—This might actually be the most Portland thing ever: with all organic beer and organic food, the Organic Brewers Festival probably wins the prize… if only there were backyard chickens. The fest has nearly 60 organic beers and ciders, lots of organic eats, live music, and a kids’ zone. Bring your own designated driver to get your drunk ass home. SHELBY R. KING
Overlook Park, NE Fremont & Interstate, Thurs-Sat noon-9 pm, Sun noon-5 pm, FREE (tasting cups $7, tokens $1)