Valerie June, Gill Landry
The twangy new-folk music of Valerie June may first strike you as straight-up Nashville—but it runs and cuts so much deeper. With lyrics that range from working class to spiritual, and a sound that pull from so many sources—Appalachia, R&B, roots, blues, and more—June infuses her music with a visceral sense of downhome soul. And don’t be surprised when you’re lulled and pulled into her world, where you’ll find yourself simultaneously shaking that ass and stompin’ that foot. WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $27.50, all ages
Billy Joel
In times like these—when families feud, when the news is a screaming apocalypse, when there are motherfucking Nazis—only one man can bring us together. That man is Billy Joel, the Prince of Long Island and the Troubadour of our Dreams. Hospice-bound geriatrics whisper “Only the Good Die Young” as they tremble and fade; fat babies, warm in the womb, squirm in amniotic fluid to the beat of “Movin’ Out”; every time He does karaoke, Jesus insists on doing “We Didn’t Start the Fire”; Satan’s ringtone is “Uptown Girl.” And now, the Piano Man himself shall bless Portland. His show is, of course, sold out, because our love of Billy Joel is all we have left, and we shall cherish him, and he will heal us. ERIK HENRIKSEN
8 pm, Moda Center, $49.50-149.50
Blitzen Trapper, Lilly Hiatt
Blitzen Trapper has spent most of the past couple of months touring the country in support of their ninth studio album, Wild and Reckless. It’s the recorded version of the folk-rock band’s 2016 musical of the same name, a collaboration with Portland Center Stage that centered on frontman Eric Earley’s semi-autobiographical tales of life in Old Portland. CIARA DOLAN
9 pm, Revolution Hall, $26-29, all ages
Portland Hip-Hop Festival and Toy Drive
This weekend marks the return of the Portland Oregon Hip-Hop Festival, after taking a few years off. The venue is only fitting, serving as a last hurrah before The Ash Street closes its doors at the end of the month. POH-Hop fest will feature performances from scene leaders like Rich Hunter, Mic Capes, and many more. There will also be a toy drive, and couple of curated panel discussions (“The Importance of Quality Content” and “The Qualities of a Bookable Artist”) designed to inform and uplift the local hip-hop community. JENNI MOORE
6 pm, Ash Street Saloon, $10-12
Chris Hardwick
The man who hosts the world. He’s leveraged a podcasting empire with Nerdist Industries and transformed it into a career hosting shows like The Talking Dead, Talking Bad, Talking Saul and his own dearly departed panel discussion show, @Midnight. He’s also a really fucking good bowler. Like, really good.
7:30 pm, 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $35
Twerk Du Soleil
Twerk Du Soleil heats up your winter with a night of fire and dance performances by Spinning Spades Flamebuoyant Productions, music from Mr. Moo, Joe My Goodness, and And/Or, and a twerk competition hosted by Jon Dutch. All proceeds will go to benefit Performers Without Borders 2018 Kenya tour, which works to bring circus shows, workshops, and equipment to underprivileged children.
9 pm, Dante’s, $10-80
Months, Miss Rayon, Wet Fruit, Bohr
A band of all-star locals, Months includes Point Juncture, WA’s Wilson Vediner and Deer or the Doe’s Aaron Miller on guitars and vocals, joined by Courtney Sheedy (Swim Swam Swum, Houndstooth) on bass and Will Hattman (Down Gown, At Dusk) on drums. NED LANNAMANN
8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!, $5
This Patch of Sky, Skull Diver, Eclisse
Winter winds blow through These Small Spaces, the 2017 debut from Eugene post-rockers This Patch of Sky. Throughout Spaces, Alex Abrams’ cello carries melodies over moody arrangements that owe as much to classical composers like Gorecki or Elgar as they do to Mogwai. The album heats up on “Paper Mountains,” with Abrams’ sweet, languid, swing-lo phrasing nodding to an unlikely reference point, Gershwin’s Porgy ’n’ Bess. Kit Day and Josh Carlton help build Abrams’ woody sound, creating an atmosphere of melancholy but also sacred introspection and beatific rapture. This Patch of Sky is more a small classical ensemble than a rock band, and These Small Spaces isn’t so much a collection of songs as it is a series of musical ideas, periodically coming up for air in an icy lake. WILLIAM KENNEDY
8:30 pm, Tonic Lounge, $7-10
The California Honeydrops
The Wonder Ballroom hosts a funky party with band leader Lech Wierzynski and his supertroupe of R&B and soul providers.
9 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $18-20
Ettabration 2017
A celebration of the life and music of Mz. Etta Ward, featuring performances from her friends, who just happen to be some of the best musicians in the city, including La Rhonda Steele, Tyrone Hendrix, Kyle Molitor, Andre J. Zapata, Amy LeSage, and more. Hosted by Tony Ozier.
9 pm, Mission Theater, $15-17
Kuinka, Lenore, Planes on Paper
Defiantly alternative string band Kuinka make “backyard folk” elevated to an almost orchestral level with input from classic string band instrumentation, weighty percussion, the integration of electronic sound production, cello, and six-string ukulele.
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-14
Community Alliance of Tenants Salsa Party
Get your salsa emoji on at Community Alliance of Tenants’ annual fundraising gala and help them continue their work for affordable, safe housing. Grab a light dinner from the buffet, get up to date on the organization’s work, and partake in an hour-long salsa lesson! Bring cash for the full bar. EMILLY PRADO
6:30 pm, Billy Webb Elks Lodge, $25
Don’t forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!