WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
FILM—Hiphop has come a long way, baby, and everybody likes to look at baby photos. An Evening with Charlie Ahearn features the director of Jamel Shabazz: Street Photographer and 1983's classic Wild Style, screening both films and discussing how he captured a cultural movement taking its first steps. BRHollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, Jamel Shabazz at 7 pm, Wild Style at 8:45 pm, $8 for both
MUSIC—Before they head down to Big Sur for their annual Woodsist music festival, New York folk-psych band Woods hits Portland, bringing their jingle-jangling live show, along with some fellow Woodsist fest-ers: Bay Area garage rockers the Fresh and Onlys. Plus, the Woolen Men. NLMississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $13-15
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
MUSIC—You still know her best as the longtime bassist/singer for Sonic Youth, but Kim Gordon's been working with musician Bill Nace for several years on a project that recently evolved into the new electronic outfit Body/Head. Gordon is basically a legend at this point; if you only see one show at TBA, this wouldn't be a bad bet. AHCon-Way, 2170 NW Raleigh, 10:30 pm, $8-10, 21+
FILM—Jane Fonda's 1968 space sexploration epic, back on the big screen! Barbarella—complete with winged, shirtless men, bloodthirsty killer dolls, penis guns, furry spaceships, and so, so much more—kicks off the Hollywood's "Broad Spectrum" film series for female audiences—but don't worry, guys, you're welcome too. EHHollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7:30 pm, $8 (but only $5 "for those in Barbarella-themed costume!)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
COMEDY—Stand-up Todd Barry is laconic, deliberate, and hilarious. He's known for his brilliant crowd work, and for tonight's show he leaves the scripted material at home and performs a show entirely based on riffing and bantering with the audience. AHw/Dax Jordan; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $20
MUSIC—Portland-based punk/garage record label Dirtnap Records is responsible for some of the best 7-inches and LPs of the last 14 years. Tonight Dirtnap celebrates its 14th anniversary with a huge array of terrific punk bands: the Marked Men, the Mean Jeans, the White Wires, Bad Sports, Autistic Youth, and many more. You don't wanna miss this. NLw/Sonic Avenues, Mind Spiders, Low Culture, Guantanamo Baywatch, Youthbitch; Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th, $15
FOOD FEST—Other big publications have mooned over the Portland food scene, but Bon Appétit actually went and started the city's hugest food festival, a "celebration of Oregon bounty." In its second year, Feast Portland is filling the calendar with edible-oriented gatherings, tastings, speakers, classes, and so much more than you can fit in your face. MSThurs-Sun, various times & locations, feastportland.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
TBA—After experiencing nearly two weeks of heady, explosive art... you really need to dance! And that's why TBA's closing night party is gonna be a jaw-dropping ass-shaker. Making it all happen is the sultry voice of singer/producer Natasha Kmeto and the fat beats of Rap Class, who team up to produce soulful, sweat-inducing, and jam-packed dance floors. WSHCon-Way, 2170 NW Raleigh, 10:30 pm, $8-10, 21+
LAFFS—Last time I saw the brilliant comedy of Moshe Kasher, he ran roughshod over the sleepy audience at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival. The poor afternoon crowd couldn't keep pace with his lightning-speed wit and prolific wordplay. Kasher's stand-up is über smart—and just as filthy—so buckle up and float along his hysterical stream of consciousness. CFLola's Room, 1332 W Burnside, 7:30 & 11 pm, $20-25, all ages
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
POLISH FEST—It's the 20th anniversary of my personal favorite local fest, the Portland Polish Festival! A huge event tucked behind the Polish Library and St. Stanislaus Church on Interstate, the Polish Festival is two jam-packed, fun-filled days of great Polish food (pierogi, kielbasa), Polish music and dance (accordions, polka), and beer (BEER)! Miss at your peril! WSH3900 N Interstate, Sat 11 am–10 pm, Sun noon–6 pm, FREE
MUSIC—Rontoms' delightful patio is one of Portland's best-loved places to spend a warm evening. And the bar's free Sunday Sessions are probably the best live music deals in town. Tonight's stacked Sunday Sesh Fest is the last outdoor patio show of the year—and stick around for the super secret guests. DVHw/Minden, Grapefruit, & No Kind of Rider; Rontoms, 600 E Burnside, 7 pm, FREE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
MUSIC—Who's ready to get jazzy up in here?! Clarinetist Ben Goldberg and his band Unfold Ordinary Mind are bringing some trippy musical concoctions into town, touring a new album that features loads of tenor sax, drums, and Wilco guitar hero Nels Cline. Nibble on that pot cookie you've been saving and melt into the music. CFw/Blue Cranes; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $12-15
FILM—It may be true that you shouldn't live in the past, but you can totally go visit. And sometimes you should, like when you have the opportunity to see the 1995 classic Clueless on the big screen. Because if Cher Horowitz says it's cool, it's cool. Just try to look less "ensembly challenged" when you show up. MSAcademy Theater, 7818 SE Stark, see Film Times
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
FILM—Tonight, Dan Halsted—head programmer at the Hollywood Theatre—cracks open his vault of insanity to unleash the always jaw-dropping Grindhouse Trailer Spectacular... a lineup of the very best of his 35mm grindhouse trailer collection! Expect blaxploitation, hicksploitation, kung fu, horror, and a whole lot of mind-blowing clips, taglines, and voiceovers, all drenched in the cinematic ooze of the '70s and '80s. EHHollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7:30 pm, $8
TV—Marvel Studios opens another wing of their vast entertainment empire with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., an Avengers spin-off overseen by nerd deity Joss Whedon. Get answers to questions like: What supervillains will this new team fight? Will this be better than Dollhouse? And how the hell is Agent Coulson still around? BRYour Television, ABC, 8 pm, FREE
