My, What A Busy Week!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17

SKULLCRUSHER MOUNTAIN—Few shows are as much fun as those of Jonathan Coulton, the affable computer programmer-turned-musician whose clever, sad, geeky songs do double duty as unforgettable short stories. EH
w/Mike Phirman; Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, $22-24, all ages

ASSLESS CHAP(TER)S—How did a shy boy from Linnton, Oregon become Portland’s premier female impersonator? Walter Cole (known to bachelorettes and drag show fans as the one-and-only Darcelle XV) reads tonight from the memoir of his sequin-fabulous life, penned on the occasion of his 80th birthday. SM
Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18

GODSPEED—After taking most of the last decade off, Montreal post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor have returned at last, playing their majestic, instrumental epics to eager crowds—so eager, in fact, that tonight’s show is all sold out. But you’ll think of something, because who knows if they’ll pass this way again? NL
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 9 pm, sold out, all ages

BOOMSHAKALAKA—Never mind how dismal and injurious a season it’s been, Portland stands beside the Trail Blazers with a loyalty so great it can only truly be expressed in art. Thus, another Blazers-themed art show, with major talents like Susan Beal, Kate Bingaman Burt, Frank Chimero, Anthony Georgis, OMFG, and more. MS
Land, 3925 N Mississippi, opening reception 6 pm, through March 13

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19

NO TORCHES, PLEASE—What’s truly monstrous about Brian Posehn (hulking frame and bald pate notwithstanding) is how funny—and totally DORKY—he is. Lately, you’ve seen him un-gay it up on The Sarah Silverman Program, but he also killed in the Comedians of Comedy. DCT
Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, $15-30

PERFECT PAIR—Best Coast and Wavves both make garagey pop noise, with girl-group sounds from Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino and stumblebum stoner surf from Wavves’ Nathan Williams. And (ooohhh!) Cosentino and Williams are totally an item—it’s a match made in bubblescuzz heaven. NL
w/No Joy; Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE 39th, 8 pm, $17-20, all ages

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20

PINBALL WIZARDRY—Wanna see the region’s hottest pinball wizards in action? Don’t miss the Showdown at Slabtown finals this Sunday! Experts from all over the Northwest compete for three days straight in two separate categories (open and classic), on 10 tournament machines. Bring extra fingernails—you’ll chew yours off! WSH
Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th, Fri-Sun, finals begin at noon Sun, FREE to watch

COME TO HOLCOMBE—Into the Dark Unknown, the masterfully constructed new record from local crooner Holcombe Waller is a true work of beauty. Come watch in awe as Waller debuts this texturally rich new material within the lovely setting of the Alberta Rose Theatre. EAC
Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta, 7:30 pm, $20-25

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21

BENSON—Movie-loving stoners have a patron saint in comedian Doug Benson, who tonight swings by Helium to record a live taping of his popular podcast Doug Loves Movies. Bonus: super-secret special guests! AH
Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, 7:30 pm, $20-25

LIT—Author Jonathan Evison follows up his promising debut All About Lulu with West of Here, an ambitious epic about a century in the development of a small Washington town. AH
Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

CURIOSITY—Hand-Eye Supply is more than just a supply store for all your creative needs. They host Curiosity Club, a weekly seminar where you can learn from masters of various fascinating crafts. This week upholsterer Erin Lolcama reveals the ins and outs of the trade, including basic techniques and personal anecdotes. MS
Hand-Eye Supply, 23 NW 4th, 6 pm, FREE

SKARSGÅRD!!!—The Portland International Film Festival soldiers on with—among a billion other movies—Norway’s A Somewhat Gentle Man, which stars Stellan Skarsgård as an ex-con making his way in the world—where, naturally, “trouble lurks at nearly every turn.” EH
Broadway Metroplex, 1000 SW Broadway, Mon 2:15 pm, Tues-Wed 6 pm, $9-10

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23

BLACK MAMBA—Kobe, come out to plaaaay. The Portland Trail Blazers’ longtime rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, make their first appearance in the house of Paul Allen tonight. In the past six years, the Lakers have only won a single game in Portland. Will that streak continue tonight? EAC
Rose Garden, 1 Center Ct, 7:30 pm, $50-265

SPEED RAP—While you’re familiar with his lightning-fast rhymes on Kanye’s “Slow Jamz,” Twista has been tearing up Chi-town since the late ’90s. He’s fast, sure—but Twista’s also a master of lyrics, rhythm, and clarity. And of course, representing. WSH
w/Meezilini, 456, 20below, Big Smurf; Mt. Tabor Theater, 4811 SE Hawthorne, 9 pm, $22-25