April Fool’s Day is the fuckin’ worst. Luckily this year, Easter, which is a pretty goofy holiday in its own right, supercedes it, and even more luckily, Artists Rep has moved Thanksgiving back to Easter this year anyway. Which sounds a little nuts, but that’s nothing compared to what Rachel Bloom is about to unleash during Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Live. And that’s likely nothing compared to the levels of red-and-black insanity inside the Moda Center as the Blazers continue their reign of terror all the way to the playoffs. There are so many more awesome/interesting/amazing things on the menu for this holiday weekend—hit the links below and overfill your basket accordingly.
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Friday, Mar 30
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Blazermania is real, and it is spectacular. Possibly Portland’s most potent homegrown intoxicant, the ‘mania predates the region’s birthing of the microbrew revolution, and its strength easily dwarfs any single harvest from our many of sticky green keeping this city almost as weird as the slogan we stole from Austin, Texas, would suggest. The last time we got this high on raw basketball greatness was 2014—round one, game six, nine-tenths of a second on the Rose Quarter clock. Damian Lillard clapped his hands three times, promptly received the rock, let fly a perfect jumper, and swished a small earthquake into existence, its aftershocks lasting for the better part of a week. Such memories still conjure goosebumps, and you can feel the oncoming ‘mania electrifying the air now, like an approaching crimson and black thunderstorm. Our Blazers squad stomps towards another playoffs. The flailing Clippers assemble under Portland’s eager foot. The “Beat LA” chants are pre-loaded in lustful throats like cannonballs. Let Rip City claim you. Surrender to the ‘mania. BOBBY ROBERTS
7:30 pm, Moda Center, $49-1667, all ages
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Live
There’s more to Rachel Bloom’s CW show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend than its sunny, rainbow-hued palette and musical numbers would suggest. From smartly skewering romantic comedy tropes to depicting mental illness with sensitivity and dark humor to acknowledging that not everybody is white and that women still exist after they turn 40, it’s doing a lot for a show on the same network as Riverdale. It’s even better live. MEGAN BURBANK
Mar 30-31, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $30
Yaeji
In an interview last year with Pitchfork, New York singer, producer, and DJ Yaeji explained that her creative process involves “a lot of thinking less and making a mess.” It’s a reasonable starting point, considering the type of music she makes: Yaeji’s catalog is almost entirely made up of club tracks, banging blends of hip-hop, future R&B, and house that are the perfect soundtrack to those endless nights when your ID is in the driver’s seat and “regret” has been removed from your vocabulary. Yaeji’s voice is one that the dance music community has clearly been longing for; her videos have racked up millions of YouTube views, and last September she was filmed performing at a party for the taste-making underground music website Boiler Room. And almost all of the dates on her upcoming tour—including her Portland stop at the Star Theater—sold out fast. Sometimes making a mess can get you a lot of attention. ROBERT HAM
9 pm, Star Theater, $15
Hurry Up, Sad Horse, Pumping Iron, Ghost Frog
Hurry Up is the unholy trinity of Maggie Vail (bass), Kathy Foster (drums), and Westin Glass (guitar). It’s also kind of a super-group: Vail fronted the now-defunct Bangs, she and Foster represent two-thirds of the Strange Babes DJs, and Foster and Glass play in the Thermals. On their debut self-titled EP, Hurry Up sounds fluent in the lo-fi punk tradition of Dead Moon—all three sing (and scream) over big, razor-edged guitar riffs and drum attacks more intimidating than a charging rhinoceros. CIARA DOLAN
9 pm, The Fixin’ To, $7
Low Cut Connie
The Philadelphia band bring their lively blend of piano-driven glam rock back to Portland for a headlining show supporting their new two-part album, Dirty Pictures.
9 pm, Doug Fir, $14-16
Amy, Amy, Amy! A Tribute to Amy Winehouse
The Way Downs bring their Amy Winehouse tribute back to the Secret Society for a special Friday night performance with support from Portland’s premier Smiths/Morrissey tribute band, Louder Thank Moz.
9 pm, The Secret Society, $12-15
J Names
A collection of all the improv talent in Portland that begins with the letter J. Amazingly, there’s a ton of it. With special guests Elle McKay, Dylan Jenkins, Campus Brochure, and host Pepe Raphael.
9:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $10
FoxFest III: A Hip-Hop Benefit for Morpheus Youth Project
Get down to some of the city’s best underground hip hop at this benefit show for Morpheus Youth Project, a program that brings culturally-relevant art and hip hop to incarcerated and/or at-risk youth. No cover, but a portion of bar sales with be donated to the org. EMILLY PRADO
9 pm, Starday Tavern, free
Moon Palace, Planet Damn, Man Repellant
Planet Damn lends its support to celestial rockers from Seattle Moon Palace (making their Portland debut) for a night of queer magic sure to leave stars in your vision.
8 pm, (The World Famous) Kenton Club, $5
Animal Aid Pop-Up Pub
A benefit for the local no-kill animal rescue Animal Aid, with pizza, beer, and a special trivia night hosted by ShanRock, the trivia queen of Portland herself. There’s also board games, a silent auction, and more.
6 pm, Lagunitas Brewing Community Room
Luke Temple, Marisa Anderson, Forest Veil
Pop-folk singer/songwriter and Here We Go Magic frontman Luke Temple joins forces with local blues and folk guitar virtuoso Marisa Anderson for a co-headlined bill at Mississippi Studios.
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-15
NecroNancy: WTF Drag Wrestling
An array of Portland drag performers take turns duking it out in the ring as they vie for the 2018 NecroNancy Title, all while DJs Buckmaster, Chanti Darling, and Fatherfannie hold down the dance floor and keep the good times rolling.
9 pm, Tonic Lounge, $12
Cosmic Collaboration Release Party
Enjoy Crimson Star, the a reportedly delicious beer baby presented by Ecliptic Brewing and Reuben’s Brews in support of no-kill dog shelter, One Tail at a Time PDX. For every pint or bottle of pomegranate IPA purchased, $1 will be donated back OTAT PDX. EMILLY PRADO
6 pm, Beer Bunker, free
Henry Rollins
The punk rock legend turned writer, actor, motivational speaker, television and radio host, spoken word artist, comedian, and activist swings through Portland for a pair of shows at Revolution Hall.
7 pm & 9:30 pm, Revolution Hall, $20
Blade Runner Tribute
The debt owed to Blade Runner (and Vangelis) is mighty, but that’s not gonna stop DJ Paradox, DJ NoN, and James Fisher from trying to repay it with this tribute night filled with darker-tinged electronic music.
10 pm, The Lombard Pub, free
Saturday, Mar 31
Queer Prom
You can finally bring that prom dress back out of your closet (especially if you’re out of the closet) for Crush Bar’s Queer Prom. The theme is Starry, Starry Night, and DJ Aurora will be playing all kinds of tunes (including those sensual slow jams) so you can dance with your sweetheart or stand awkwardly by the punch bowl and watch. KELLY KENOYER
7 pm, Crush, $10-15
Treepeople, The Prids, Twelve Thirty Dreamtime
Fresh off a reunion set at Treefort, Boise/Seattle band Treepeople comes to the Doug Fir for their first Portland show since the band first broke up in 1994. The band’s Doug Martsch went on to form Built to Spill, and now the original members—minus Pat Brown, who left us in 1999—are back together, playing their prophetic, grunge-adjacent alternative rock, which still sounds like it could’ve been recorded yesterday. NED LANNNAMANN
9 pm, Doug Fir, $22-25
I Put a Spell on You: A Tribute to Nina Simone
Nina Simone’s legacy is undeniable. The tragic, lauded artist and civil rights activist was one of the greats of her era, a classical pianist who began to sing when her early gigs required it. Her emotive voice was an agent of change, and her career is the focus of LaRhonda Steele and the Adrian Martin Sextet’s retrospective. Steele is an appropriate and powerful conduit for the late artist, and she’ll be playing songs from Simone’s early years. Known for her warm, bluesy alto and dynamic stage presence, Steele has wowed audiences as one of the most prominent blues vocalists of the Northwest for decades, and like Simone, she’s not immune to the trials of life, having recently recovered from a battle with breast cancer. Paired with Martin’s classical-meets-jazz sextet, the power of Simone’s legacy is bound to shine in glorious light. JENI WREN STOTTRUP
8 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $20-24
Russian Circles, King Woman
Metal doesn’t always have to be accompanied by piercing screams, squeals, or growls. In fact, a lot of the genre’s power can come from what dins under the surface, or what isn’t even there at all. For more than a decade, Chicago trio Russian Circles has proven this to be true, often forgoing vocals altogether with their immersive instrumentals. Like Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s hesher cousin, the band’s atmospheric post-metal never grows stale. Russian Circles are currently on the road with their newly signed Sargent House labelmates King Woman, who pack a different kind of punch. Singer Kristina Esfandiari’s low, breathy intonations create an airy, contemplative feeling that makes King Woman unlike any other doom band out there right now. CERVANTE POPE
9 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $20-22
The Bronx, No Parents
The long-running melodic hardcore outfit who moonlight as a mariachi band under their alter ego, Mariachi el Bronx, return to Portland in their original form for another headlining show at Mississippi Studios.
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $20
Doll Party, Dead Lee
If you are (A) the guardian of small children or (B) afraid of the dark, I highly recommend checking out the Fixin’ To’s “Dinosaur Juniors” afternoon concert series. For its seventh installment they’re hosting Doll Party, the city’s best (and only) Dolly Parton cover band, featuring members of Wampire, Mini Blinds, and Melt. They sold out the St. Johns venue’s blowout birthday party for Dolly in January (I know this because I couldn’t get in and am still livid), and now they’re coming back to serenade youths with songs about the perils of capitalism (“9 to 5”), adultery (“Jolene”), and contemplating the almighty (“Early Morning Breeze”)—you know, regular kid stuff. There’ll be platinum blonde wigs! There’ll be babies! And there’s no cover for kids 12 and under, just be sure to bring protection for those tiny earholes. CIARA DOLAN
4 pm, The Fixin’ To, $7, all ages
It Came From Outer Space
Jack Arnold’s 1953 sci-fi classic (based on an original story by Ray Bradbury) was one of the most innovative films in the genre’s early days, thanks to the restrained way it deploys what should have been a parade of cheap gimmicks. There’s 3D here, but it’s not constantly trying to poke you in the eye. The aliens aren’t slobbering monsters hell-bent on murderous invasion, but benign creatures whose presence reveals what skittish, fearful, destructive animals humans are. The premise is outlandish, but It Came From Outer Space still works, 65 years later, because it’s thoughtful and careful about everything it does, as opposed to now, when most sci-fi films are content to be loud and stupid. Actor Kathleen Hughes in attendance. Part of the Hollywood Theatre’s Feminist March film series. BOBBY ROBERTS
6 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $15
Dynasty 3 Year Anniversary Party
The beloved North Portland night spot celebrates its third year in operation with a massive dance party featuring sets from a whose who of local DJs, including DJ Automation, Strange Babes’ Jen O, KM Fizzy, and Magic Beans, Lez Do It’s Chelsea Starr and Mister Charming, and Switch PDX’s DJ Manny Petty.
9 pm, Killingsworth Dynasty, $5
Lost Balloons, Macho Boys, Lightheads
Jeff Burke (Marked Men, Radioactivity) and Yusuke Okada (Suspicious Beasts) bring some upbeat and sunny power-pop and jangle rock through the Tonic Lounge in support of their excellent Dirtnap Records-issued full-length, Hey Summer.
8:30 pm, Tonic Lounge, $10
Genders, Honcho Poncho, Plastic Cactus
A pair of Portland’s finest indie rock acts lend their psych, dream pop, and surf sounds to an XRAY.fm backed bill rounded out by Seattle alt rock quartet Honcho Poncho
9 pm, The Fixin’ To, $7
Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, Máscaras, Cool Flowers
Sometimes a collaboration is exactly the sum of its parts. Such is the case with Riddles, the new album from Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, a Baltimore-based duo that’s carved out a niche in the underground with its weird, Suicide-style noise-rock. Apparently aching to push its sound into new places, the band invited Dan Deacon to dive deep into the third Music Beat album. Deacon—known for his experimental electro-pop and exhilarating live shows—spent two years working with Schrader’s gang, playing the role of co-writer, arranger, and producer. The result is Riddles, which essentially sounds like the wild-eyed post-punk of Ed Schrader’s Music Beat got hit by a bunch of Dan Deacon glitter bombs, with songs that are bigger, buzzier, grittier, and groovier than anything the band has done before. BEN SALMON
9:30 pm, Bunk Bar, $10-12
Rilla, Drunken Palms, Sara Renberg
Drunken Palms debut EP, Later, is a beautiful culmination of re-recorded demos, new songs, and even a cover of U2’s “With or Without You.” Its melodies are built from drum machine beats, loops, synth, and Cocteau Twins-esque vocals that sound ghostly, like they’re echoing off the pews of an empty cathedral. With Later, Drunken Palms gives it all and you want more—a great debut leaves you with that feeling. CAMERON CROWELL
8 pm, (The World Famous) Kenton Club, $5
Sunday, Apr 1
The Thanksgiving Play
Playwright Larissa FastHorse is one to watch. A Native American writer and choreographer with a background in ballet, FastHorse is premiering a new play, The Thanksgiving Play, at Artists Repertory Theatre, and it’ll be a welcome deviation from many of the stories we’re used to seeing onstage—and that ignore the existence of Native American communities. The play also promises to take on well-meaning liberals, which is a public service in a veritable sea of performative wokeness. MEGAN BURBANK
7:30 pm, Artists Repertory Theatre, $5-25
The Seshen, SassyBlack
Seattle’s SassyBlack (AKA Catherine Harris-White, of the now-defunct THEESatisfaction) plays yet another Portland show, offering with her signature hologram funk and psychedelic soul, while San Francisco-based six-piece the Seshen round out the bill. Led by singer Lalin St. Juste and bassist/producer Akiyoshi Ehara, the band make eclectic cocktail of electronic music, synth-pop, and R&B. Their live renditions of songs like “Spectacle” and “Oblivion” are spellbinding. JENNI MOORE
9 pm, Doug Fir, $12-15
The Toads, The Minders, Mo Troper
Three of Portland’s premier power-pop and rock ‘n’ roll acts take command of Bunk Bar stage with a landslide of infectious and melody-driven tunes.
9:30 pm, Bunk Bar, $10
Marlon Williams, Tiny Ruins
For a 27-year-old New Zealander, Marlon Williams sure could have fooled his audience into thinking he’s a middle-aged veteran country singer from Nashville. The deep, velvety smoothness of his voice and subtle undertones of melancholy in his melodies sound like he’s experienced more love, heartache, and sunsets than the entire population of New Zealand combined. Williams got his start singing in choir at his Christchurch boys’ high school, starting the band the Unfaithful Ways when he was 17. In Johnny Cash’s footsteps, Williams haunts the listener with a modern twist on old-school country melodies, with guitar riffs that will seep into your skin and envelop you like a childhood blanket. ROSE FINN
8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $15
Easter Bingo
Why not seriously lean into the holiday spirit by doing as your gramma did before you: Throwing on a nice sweater, getting that hair did just right, and settling in for a long day of daubing at cards and cursing under your breath as some other schmuck wins all the Bingo prizes you rightfully deserve on the day of Jesus’ return! Local comedy talents Erin Jean O’Regan and Chad Parsons will call the numbers.
noon, Siren Theater, $5
Chapo Trap House
The acclaimed political humor podcast hosted by Will Menaker, Matt Christman, Felix Biederman, Amber A’Lee Frost, and Virgil Texas bring their absurdist commentary to the Holocene stage for a special live taping of the show.
8 pm, Holocene, $25
The Harold and Maude Squad
Portland musicians from The Eels, Stereovision, The Nowhere Band, and Love Gigantic perform Cat Stevens’ Harold and Maude soundtrack while the movie plays out behind them on the big screen.
6:30 pm & 9 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $15-18
Wet Dream, Ben Zár, Frenz
Newly minted Portland quartet Wet Dream (featuring members of Grandparents, Moon by You, and Psychomagic) headline the latest installment of Sunday Sessions at Rontoms with their hazy experimental pop sounds.
8 pm, Rontoms, free
Don’t forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!