THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

TBA TIME—PICA's Time-Based Arts Festival kicks off tonight with an opening performance courtesy of Rufus Wainwright (a little bit opera, a little bit camp). Loosen your tie later at the Works, with a free, sure-to-be-dancetastic set from Japanther. AH
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 7 pm, $20-120; Japanther, the Works at Washington High School, 531 SE 14th, 10:30 pm, FREE

FREE—Can't break the bank with a MusicfestNW wristband? No worries, just play hooky from work and take in two days of totally free KEXP-sponsored shows at Doug Fir. The Tallest Man on Earth, Thee Oh Sees, the Cave Singers, and plenty more will all be there, but whatever you do, don't miss Ted Leo. The man is a rock god. EAC
Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, Thurs & Fri 10:30 am-5:30 pm, FREE, all ages, visit kexp.org for full lineup

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

STAB FACTORY—If you like your music fests more local, more free, and with more sharp objects, head on over to Knifefest, the Knife Shop's three-day bash celebrating their one-year anniversary. Friday's acts are more rock oriented with spaghetti westerners Federale headlining; Saturday's shows have an indie bent (Wow & Flutter); while Sunday's shows are of the acoustic variety. Get knifed! AM
The Knife Shop at Kelly's Olympian, 426 SW Washington, Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, FREE

DILLWEED—Fave local illustrator Carson Ellis (the Decemberists' go-to artist) celebrates the release of Dillweed's Revenge, written by Florence Parry Heide in the '70s and now accompanied by Ellis' distinctive and timeless drawings. L'il Dillweed unleashes great magics and monsters as he is left to his own mischievous devices. You likey Edward Gorey and Roald Dahl? Ellis is your cuppa. CF
Nationale, 811 E Burnside, #112, reception Fri Sept 10, 6-8 pm, talk & book signing Sun Sept 19, 6 pm, through Oct 3, FREE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

LIF TO EXPERIENCE—Just because George W. has slinked off to Texas doesn't mean political hiphop is dead. Take in an earful courtesy of the wise Mr. Lif, the voice of modern political rhyming. He's the rare emcee who just might be better onstage than in the studio. EAC
w/Philly's Phunkestra, Doc Adam; The Crown Room, 205 NW 4th, 9:30 pm, $5

INVENTORY—Textile artist Rio Wrenn often uses small metal objects to intentionally rust fine fabrics, and here she takes inventory of her horde of chains, nuts, clamps, and more, as an exploration of salvage, reuse, and conservation. MS
Disjecta, 8371 N Interstate, reception 6-10 pm, FREE, through Sept 26

MANLY—I'm pretty sure I learned more about sex from Loveline than I ever did from sex ed, and Adam Carolla is largely to thank. (I think?) Tonight, the former Man Show star brings a live version of his popular internet show The Adam Carolla Show to the Aladdin. Expect equal measures of comedy and attitude. EH
Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 7:30 & 10 pm, $35-40

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

CITY MIDDLE—A busy few days of music draw to a close with an outdoor concert in Portland's living room. Headlined by the blearily majestic sounds of the National, it's a quadruple bill of can't-miss talent, including the Walkmen, the Helio Sequence, and Talkdemonic. NL
Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW Broadway & Morrison, 4-9 pm, $32-65, all ages

FALL FOR BALLET—The Oregon Ballet Theatre has put together Fall.ART.Live, a totally free day of performances and workshops to celebrate and raise awareness for the arts. Many of Portland's best performing arts groups are participating, plus Koi Fusion'll be there. Ballet and Korean tacos—what more could you ask for? NL
Director Park, 815 SW Park, 11 am-6 pm, FREE

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

CLOONEY—Hollywood doesn't crank out character studies like The American very often. Smart and poetic, it's a patient film in which an assassin (George Clooney) hides out in an Italian village, gets to know the locals, has loaded conversations with lethal clients, bones a prostitute, and occasionally runs for his life. EH
Various Theaters, see Movie Times for showtimes

STORIES—If you're looking for an accessible but profound TBA experience, you can't go wrong with Mike Daisey. The storyteller weaves together personal narratives with history and journalism to massive effect, and with The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs he'll tackle Apple products from the factory to the forefront of industrial design. MS
The Works at Washington High School, 531 SE 14th, Fri-Mon 6:30 pm, $20-25, all ages

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

TIPSY—Hit the Time Based Art Festival's interim lounge to explore the art of intoxication as you sample wares from Portland's own liquid magicians during the Distillery Row Happy Hour, which also features tapas-style vittles from Chef Jeremy Larter of Holocene. PAC
The Works at Washington High School, 531 SE 14th, Fri-Mon 6:30 pm, $20-25, all ages

SCISSOR ME!—The undisputed queens of New York City nightlife, the pop-glam-disco fabulousity of Scissor Sisters will make you laugh, dance, and drink all at once—even with tunes named "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'," you're gonna have a hard time sitting still. MJS
w/Sammy Jo, Casey Spooner; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 8 pm, $25, all ages

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

YEEE-HAW!—Even though tickets are mostly sold out and you hate rodeos, you must drive four hours east and attend the 100th anniversary of the Pendleton Round-Up. Old men called Main Street Cowboys staff the downtown, wearing tight jeans and neon green shirts. There is a parade called "Westward Ho!" and this year's theme is "Let 'er Buck!" It will be insane. SM
Pendleton Round-Up, 1205 SW Court, Pendleton, Wed Sept 15-Sat Sept 18, $15-20, all ages

REWILD—According to local iconoclast Urban Scout, it's not enough to pickle your produce and feed kitchen scraps to your chickens: Sustainability requires nothing less than a full return to the land. In his new book Rewild or Die, he promotes the reverse-domestication of humanity, and tonight he'll even share a few tips for surviving in the wilds. AH

Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak, 7 pm, FREE