THURSDAY, MAY 28
WORDS—English isn’t Aleksandar Hemon’s mother tongue,
yet the Bosnian-born author writes with a confidence and inventiveness
that far surpasses most native speakers. Inevitable Nabokov comparisons
aside, Hemon’s last book—The Lazarus Project—was
brilliant, setting the bar high for Love and Obstacles,
his new collection of short stories. AH
Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE
QUEER FILM—An entire weekend of smart engrossing
documentaries about queer life? Sign me up! QDoc features films from
all over the world, running a gamut of subject matter from oppression
to music to activism and everything in between! Grab a festival pass
and catch them all. WSH
Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton, see Movie Times TK, $8 per screening, festival pass $75, through Sun May 31
FRIDAY, MAY 29
EAT YOUR WORDS—Anthony Bourdain is the high priest of
all things edible and excessive, blessing the masses with booze,
cigarette ash, and an anointment of pho. He speaks tonight at the
Keller. Wear a bib. PAC
Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay, 8 pm, $46.50-137
SPINNING GOLD—Glen David Gold has a way with eccentric
characters. In his new book Sunnyside, he masterfully
intertwines the histories of Charlie Chaplin, World War I, and the
emergence of the film industry. KP
Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE
WHAT’S UP—It doesn’t take a psychic to predict that
visionary instrumental popsters What’s Up will soon be one of the
premier names in Portland music. Hop a ride on the former Sacramento
band’s bandwagon tonight, when the quirky trio celebrates the release
of their debut LP, Content Imagination. EAC
w/Neal Morgan, Why I Must Be Careful; the Artistery, 4315 SE
Division, 8 pm, $6, all ages
SATURDAY, MAY 30
SONGSTRESS—Touring on last year’s solo album Acid
Tongue, Rilo Kiley singer Jenny Lewis rolls through town with a
backing band adept at rock, soul, and country. Lewis is a natural born
performer in every sense, and tonight’s show will be a sparkling revue
with her remarkable voice and personable songs on full display. NL
w/the Sadies, Mimicking Birds; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 9 pm, $17.50,
all ages
BLAXPLOITATION—The Grindhouse Film Festival presents
one of the all-time blaxploitation classics—1974’s Truck
Turner! When a hitman is assigned to take him out, a bounty hunter
(Isaac Hayes) becomes the man on the run! Featuring Yaphet
Kotto, Nichelle “The Real Uhura” Nichols, and a kickass score by
Hayes, this is one flick you’ll want to catch on the big screen. EH
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7 pm, $7
SUNDAY, MAY 31
TREASURES—You’ve always wanted to own a priceless
taxidermy animal to display on the mantel, right? The World Forestry
Center’s Museum Attic Sale gives you the chance to buy old museum junk,
everything from art pieces to banquet tables to the aforementioned
preserved animals. KP
World Forestry Center Cheatham Hall, 4033 SW Canyon, 9 am-3 pm,
FREE
ANGELS—SF-based trio Dreamdate is light, poppy, dancey,
and perfect for a free Sunday show outside on the Rontoms patio. See
three cute girls sing sweet songs while you figure out who’s the smart
one, who’s the cute one, and who’s just a ho. I won’t say it’s a dream
date, I’ll just say it’s guaranteed to be a really special evening.
JC
w/the Golden Hours; Rontoms, 600 E Burnside, 9 pm, FREE
MONDAY, JUNE 1
BODIES—Cute and cuddly Los Angeles pop perfectionists
Bodies of Water—featuring the husband and wife vocals of David
and Meredith Metcalf—are powerful enough to plow through their
very own wall of sound. Phil Spector would approve—if he wasn’t
in prison for shooting someone in the face. EAC
w/Ah Holly Fam’ly, White Hinterland; Backspace, 115 NW 5th, 9 pm,
$8, all ages
EXPERIENCED—The fact that The Girlfriend
Experience is the latest from director Steven Soderbergh
(Traffic, Ocean’s 11, Che) should be enough to get
your ass in the theater. In case it’s not, there’s this: The much
buzzed-about film stars Sasha Grey, AKA the world’s most famous
porn star. Yeah. Thought that might get your attention. EH
Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st, see Movie Times on pg. TK for showtimes,
$5-8
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
RIPE—Nix the idea that girls just want to have fun:
Electro-superstar Peaches whips out salacious lyrics, smart backtalk,
and inflatable penises across the globe. Peaches hits Portland with new
album I Feel Cream—let’s hope she brings along the iconic
beard and Def Leppard underpants. SM
w/Drums of Death; Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 8 PM, $20-25,
all ages
PART DEUX—Montreal’s the Unicorns were short-lived, but
that late, lamented band’s Alden Penner has returned with Clues, a new
group that also features the talents of founding Arcade Fire member
Brendan Reed. Clues’ self-titled debut album is good, rollicking, indie
rock fun, and tonight’s show should be no different. NL
w/Wampire, Leather Tom & the Dirty Dudes; Backspace, 115 NW
5th, $8-10, all ages
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
DOCTOR, NO!—Are you a 22-year-old PSU graduate with a
degree in philosophy, a minor in architecture, a part-time job, and no
health insurance? Tonight’s “Wheel of Misfortune”
Brewhaha—brought to you by the Bus Project and the
Mercury—tackles healthcare reform, so drag your bum leg to
Backspace to find out just how fucked you’ll be if legislation doesn’t
pass soon. JC
Backspace, 115 NW 5th, 7 pm, FREE
MUSIC—Get out the nasty and drop that ass with the
electro-rap of Rye Rye. Backed by some of the best dancers around, with
turntable help from DJ Aasha Adore, expect janky, infectiously fun
beats and effervescent lyricism that will throw your booty into
overdrive! WSH
w/Fleshtone, Serious Business, Rude Dudes; Rotture, 315 SE 3rd, 9
pm, $10-12