MUSIC—There’s much more to ’70s songbird Anne Murray than her anemic hits. Her 1968 debut album What About Me is a expertly crafted country classic—which makes it worthy of this month-long cover show, What About Us: An Anne Murray Tribute. Featuring members of Sallie Ford, Viva Voce, and Point Juncture, WA (and tonight’s guests Emily and Jamie from Great Wilderness), it’s Anne Murray like you’ve never heard her! WSH
LaurelThirst Public House, 2958 NE Glisan, Tuesdays through May, 9 pm, FREE
FILM—Mel Gibson is batshit insane. This is known. The only thing more known is that he originated the role of Max Rockatansky, a vengeful cop with a badass car. 1979’s Mad Max is must-see big-screen viewing, not just for the way George Miller’s post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland swallows audiences whole, but also to watch Gibson’s gas-huffing descent into madness. BR
Academy Theater, 7818 SE Stark, see Film Times, $4
That was pretty nasty to express Anne Murray’s music as anemic. She has sold over 50 million albums and has had 33 No: 1 hits and has one of the most distinct voices in music history and that makes her an original. No everyone needs songs that jump around like a pogo stick. Her songs had structure, melody and beauty.