WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

MUSIC—Hiphop must've gotten too easy for Talib Kweli. The Brooklyn emcee's sensitive, politically deft lyrics have been making underground heads swoon for almost two decades. But lately Kweli's also taken on the mammoth job of shaming errant trolls on Twitter. He's relentless on that thing, just like the mic. Tonight, he's playing with skilled rapper Immortal Technique. DIRK VANDERHART
w/Niko Is, CF, Hasan Salaam; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 8 pm, $23, all ages



MUSIC—George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic probably have one of the most diverse fanbases in the world—when it comes to race, age, general music taste, inhaling/not inhaling, etc.—because in addition to inventing P-Funk, their metamorphosis since the 1960s bears the legacy of a half century in popular music. Respect. MARJORIE SKINNER
w/Dirty Revival; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 9 pm, $25-27



THURSDAY, MARCH 19

MUSIC—The criminally underrated Canadian metal band Anvil—subject of the must-see documentary Anvil: The Story of Anvil—returns to Portland with another ear blastin', roof burnin' dose of heavy metal. Joining them will be the local and also underrated (in my mind) Lord Dying, whose reliable power sludge contains so many hot licks you'll be tempted to bring along salve to treat any facial burns. WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
w/Weresquatch, Sunlord; Tonic Lounge, 3100 NE Sandy, 9 pm, $15-20



ARM WRESTLING—Fact: Not to get all gender-specific, but arm wrestling is more fun among women. It just is! That's why the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls is on its third year of hosting Wrestling for Rock. Watch and/or compete in the live tournament (costumes/personas encouraged!), and kick back with queer Heart cover band Heart On. MARJORIE SKINNER
w/DJ Sunshine; The Spare Room, 4830 NE 42nd, 7:30 pm, $5 (plus $5 to compete)



FRIDAY, MARCH 20

MUSIC—The Ceremony of Sludge mini-fest returns for the fourth year—and its first at the Tonic—of ear-melting aural lava, with two packed nights of some of the heaviest, sludgiest bands around. Tonight, don't miss the firestone metal of Holy Grove, and tomorrow night Diesto detonate their explosive doom. Plus lots of other heavy hitters! NED LANNAMANN
Tonic Lounge, 3100 NE Sandy, Fri-Sat, 9 pm, $7 a night



COMEDY—From her amazing Comedy Central show Inside Amy Schumer to her upcoming film Trainwreck (directed by some Apatow guy), Amy Schumer is currently killing it. It's easy to see why: She's one of the smartest, funniest people on the goddamn planet. See you there. ERIK HENRIKSEN
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 8 pm, $46.50-54.50



SATURDAY, MARCH 21

SOCCER—The professional women's soccer team the Portland Thorns are kicking off 2015 with an exhibition game against the University of Portland Pilots. Who will win? The professionals or the amateurs? It's the first preseason game for the Thorns, while the Pilots are taking on Seattle's footie stars the Reign next week in another exhibition game. So don't feel guilty about rooting for the Thorns this go-round, and cheer for the Pilots next week. COURTNEY FERGUSON
University of Portland's Merlo Field, 5000 N Willamette, 7 pm, $5-10, all ages



MUSIC—It was a scant year ago today when XRAY.fm launched themselves into Portland's heart. With its diverse mix of progressive talk and off-the-grid music from local bands and very informed DJs, XRAY has done a great job celebrating our town—so let's celebrate them with this fun first anniversary show featuring Minden, Holiday Friends, Secret Drum Band, and more! WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $10



SUNDAY, MARCH 22

MUSIC—Just like every month, the Merc and Mississippi Studios are rarin' to give you a free Sunday night show. This Ear Candy local showcase sees Snowblind Traveler take the stage with songs that evoke whiskey-blurred campfires and stars looming large in a chilly night. It's folksy Americana, flecked with yearning. Perfect for kissing the weekend farewell. COURTNEY FERGUSON
w/Grand Lake Islands, Robin Bacior; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, FREE



COMEDY/WRESTLING—In a world of Nice Guys™, Mick Foley is the real deal. The three-time WWE champion's got a mane of dark curls and a heart of gold: He's a big fan of Tori Amos, advocated for victims of gay-bashing and sexual assault, AND ONE TIME HIS EAR CAME OFF. Dude's got some stories, is what I'm saying, and you can hear 'em tonight. MEGAN BURBANK
Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, 7 pm, $27-35 (you might have to wrestle someone to get tickets)



MONDAY, MARCH 23

MUSIC—One part funky brass outfit and one part Indian wedding band, Red Baraat's sound is difficult to pinpoint but remarkably easy to like. With horns and dhol drums, this is music for straight-up partying—if you don't feel like dancing, Red Baraat will change your tune in seconds flat. NED LANNAMANN
Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $15



FILM—One of Stanley Kubrick's first features, 1956's The Killing still stands as a noir classic. This week, you've got a rare chance to see the film—starring Sterling Hayden and Coleen Gray—on the big screen. ERIK HENRIKSEN
Academy Theater, 7818 SE Stark, $4, see Movie Times for showtimes



TUESDAY, MARCH 24

BASKETBALL—Man, tonight's matchup. So many threes. All those jumpers, blotting out the sun. Not a single light in the house will remain by the final buzzer when the Blazers take on the Warriors. "But like, can you imagine if Wesley Matthews was sti—" SHUT UP. It's still too soon. Damn you, Basketball Gods. Damn you to Hell. BOBBY ROBERTS
Moda Center, 1 Center Court, 7:30 pm, $35 & up, all ages



SMANG IT—'90s R&B is unfairly written off by music historians. New Jack Swing is an undervalued asterisk on the timeline of groove. But Turquoise Jeep ain't buying into that bullshit. Part send-up, part love letter, and all-the-way smooth, these mustached masters of seduction come from an alternate universe where the Wu-Tang Clan bonded over a love of Teddy Riley instead of martial arts. BOBBY ROBERTS
w/Vinnie Dewayne, Maze Koroma; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $12