COMEDY—Maria Bamford is funny. Rolling Stone named her one of their 50 funniest people, she’s had two Comedy Central specials, made a guest appearance on Louie, and now she’s coming back to Portland to entertain us. She’ll be at Helium tonight and tomorrow, and you’ll want to get your tickets quick, because they’re gonna sell out. SHELBY R. KING
w/Jackie Kashian; Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, Tues-Wed, 7:15 & 9:30 pm, $27-35
MARDI GRAS—No one would blame you if you buried yourself in a decommissioned septic tank just to avoid any downtown Mardi Gras celebrations. BUT FIRST! Stop by the Bon Temps Mardi Gras dance night hosted by the always reliable DJ Cooky Parker and Newrotics. Their floor-packing New Orleans-style soul, funk, and bounce will reignite your love for the holiday. WM STEVEN HUMPHREY
Dig a Pony, 736 SE Grand, 9 pm, FREE
TALK—Since being released from their sentences on trumped-up hooligan charges in 2013, the members of Russian punk outfit Pussy Riot have been speaking a lot about what they’d previously mostly sung about. (Summary: Russia’s messed up.) Tonight, the ladies sit down with Storm Large and OPB’s John Sepulvado to tell you all about it. DIRK VANDERHART
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $39.50-45, all ages