COMICS & ART—Unlike Portland’s garish, expensive, and pop culture-focused comics conventions, the free The Projects fest focuses on the weirder, experimental side of comics—and loops in animation, workshops, performances, and more. Walk into one of the various venues (Holocene, Floating World Comics, IPRC, S1) with an open mind; walk out with a few new favorite culture creators. ERIK HENRIKSEN
Thurs-Sun, multiple venues, see theprojectsnews.tumblr.com for complete schedule, FREE, all ages; main event Sat, IPRC, 1001 SE Division
MUSIC—Best known as the other person onstage at all those Gillian Welch shows, Dave Rawlings steps out with his excellent Dave Rawlings Machine bluegrass outfit—with Welch in tow, and mandolin from Led Zep’s John Paul Jones! Their last Portland show was an absolute blast, a good-time, whiskey-soaked, rollicking party with harmony and twang for country miles. NED LANNAMANN
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $32-35, all ages