My, What A Busy Week!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Immortal Technique is not messing
around. While other emcees have chests full of spent bullets, none can
step to the utter seriousness of this Harlem rapper, who drops
ferocious political rhymes onstage while decked out in camouflage. With
closed fists and an open mind, a Technique performance will feel like a
hiphop show, but it’ll school you like a Howard Zinn lecture. EAC

w/Diabolic, Poison Pen, Swave Sevah, Chino XL, Mic Crenshaw;
Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 9 pm, $18, all ages

Opium Magazine‘s Literary Death
Match is like a revenge fantasy for anyone who’s ever sat through a
boring book reading: Four authors face off in front of a panel of
judges who promise to scathingly critique each reading on its
“performance” elements. Tonight’s competitors include Arthur Bradford
and Kerry Cohen, with judges Scott Poole, Chelsea Cain, and the Dandy
Warhols’ Zia McCabe. AH

Blue Monk, 3341 SE Belmont, 8:30 pm, $8-10, literarydeathmatch.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Mayhaps you caught the boys of Built to Spill
opening for the confetti-gluttonous Flaming Lips this summer? They only
had time to play, like, three short songs. But they’ll have plenty of
time to warm up over this weekend’s two shows. In fact, Doug Martsch
& Co. will still probably only play three songs—this time
with their patented epic guitar solos. CF

w/Disco Doom, Finn Riggins; Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, Fri
Nov 13 (all ages) & Sat Nov 14 (21+), 8 pm, $20-23

One of our most beloved local institutions,
the Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls, is raising money with a rock auction,
er, “Rock’tion,” with fine items like guitars signed by Kim Gordon and
Ann and Nancy Wilson, plus a special version of Karaoke from Hell with
local notables on the mic. MS

Ecotrust Building, 721 NW 9th, 7 pm, $50 (includes hors d’ouevres
& one complimentary drink), 21+

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

What do Sam Adams and the Merc‘s own
Marjorie Skinner have in common? They’re both hosting tonight’s Junk to
Funk Recycled Fashion Show, a contest showcasing the best wearable
trash out there. In collaboration with the School & Community Reuse
Action Project, the event aims to inspire creative re-use and
responsible consumerism. Now that’s some feel-good, trashy
couture. AR

Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $17-20

If you’ve spent any serious time on
the dance floors of Portland, you already know that the monthly Atlas
dance party is the go-to source for Bhangra, Asian two-step, Balkan
beats, Afrotech, and more. The night of international beats celebrates
its six-year anniversary tonight, so be sure to get down with resident
DJs Anjali, E3, and the Incredible Kid. NL

Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 9 pm, $5

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15

A dynamic poet, emcee, singer, and just
about everything else in between, Saul Williams brings his futuristic
rap/rock/slam live show back to town. Still touring in support of his
uneven conceptual album, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of
NiggyTardust!, his live show more than makes up for any
shortcomings of the record. EAC

w/CX KiDTRONiK & Tchaka Diallo, Earl Greyhound, American
Fangs; Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, $15-18, all
ages

The first annual African American Film Festival
invades McMenamins theaters this weekend, with a thorough lineup that
includes classics like Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?, Do the
Right Thing, and Shaft, as well as lesser-known landmarks in
black cinema history. AH

Various McMenamins locations, Fri Nov 13-Sun Nov 15, $3 per
movie, pdxaaff.com for more
info

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Anti-Pop Consortium’s uncommon breed of
hiphop has been resurrected and the group has reunited under an
increasingly common purpose: tour and make a new record. Lead emcee
Beans & Co. pass through Portland to promote their latest album,
Fluorescent Black, their first dose of genre-bending hiphop in
seven years. RN

Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 9 pm, $10-13

Five Minutes of Heaven with Liam Neeson and his
dreamy accent? Sign me up! …Oh, Five Minutes of Heaven is not
a kissing game, it’s a brooding political thriller that wowed the
crowds at Sundance? Well, that sounds pretty good too. NL

Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, see film times

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17

Formerly a member of Tony! Toni!
Toné!, Raphael Saddiq has received almost universal critical
acclaim for his gorgeous and soulful odes to classic ’60s R&B. If
you’re a fan of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings’ neo-soul, Saddiq is
definitely the cup of tea you’ve been thirsting for. WSH

Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 9 pm, $25-28, all ages

Though now more likely to rock ‘n’
roll ’til around 8 pm before dozing off watching a Matlock DVD,
and party every Sunday afternoon at Denny’s, I’m sure KISS will give it
all they got when they play the Rose Garden tonight. Bring your
Werther’s Originals! PAC

w/Buckcherry; Rose Garden, 1 Center Court, 7:30 pm, $19.50-126,
all ages

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Former next President of the United States Al
Gore has written a book, Our Choice, on climate change, and will
be speaking on it this evening. Expect a PowerPoint presentation
that’ll blow your mind. MD

Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay, 7:30 pm, $52-73.25

(1) Paul McCartney wrote Ram. (2) Paul
McCartney is not dead yet (our money’s on Ringo going first).
Therefore, he deserves a musical tribute and tonight’s show is exactly
that, featuring Peter Ames Carlin—author of the brand-new book
Paul McCartney: A Life—plus a full roster of Portland
bands to sing McCartney’s songs. RN

Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $7