Awesome Tapes from Africa
Thanks to the magic of the internet, Awesome Tapes from Africa proliferates and amplifies some of the incredible music being made on the other side of the world. Tonight, the man behind the label/blog, Brian Shimkovitz, stops through the Liquor Store to spin a set of some of his dopest finds, and he’ll be joined by New York’s DJ Python and Portland’s Sahel Sounds and Cuica. NED LANNAMANN
9 pm, The Liquor Store, $15
KPSU's AMP Fest: Day Two
Portland State University’s student-run radio station KPSU is hosting its third-annual Amp Fest for its 2018 pledge drive, with two nights packed with music from some of the best musicians currently residing in the Pacific Northwest. Friday’s lineup is a doozy, starting with Good Cheer Records up-and-comer Gillian Frances, who’s releasing the EP Born Yesterday next month. Then comes Olympia dark folk band Oh, Rose, who deliver one of the rawest, most hair-raising performances I’ve ever witnessed; watch the spooky (and bloody) music video for “Seven” and you’ll understand why. They’re followed by Seattle-based loop master Briana Marela and Olympia pop outfit Lake, with Portland’s own Sávila closing out the festival with cumbia rhythms. CIARA DOLAN
7 pm, Parkway North at PSU's Smith Memorial Student Union, $12-18 (free for PSU students), all ages
Danava, Painted Doll, Pushy, DJ Dennis Dread
The indomitable riff wizards of Danava have a new album in the works, and tonight—their first show of 2018—will be your first chance to hear some of the great new tunes the local heroes have been spit-shining. But save plenty of room for the Tommy James and the Shondells-meets-Blue Öyster Cult psych-pop of their Tee Pee labelmates Painted Doll, plus the dirty denim boogie of Portland’s own Pushy! NED LANNAMANN
8 pm, Tonic Lounge, $12
Beth Pickens, Nicole Georges
Beth Pickens reads from Your Art Will Save Your Life, her new guidebook about staying true to your art and protecting your craft in the midst of oppression. Pickens will be joined in conversation by Nicole Georges, author of the critically-acclaimed graphic novel, Fetch.
6 pm, Floating World Comics, free
Little Wings, Lee Baggett
Little Wing's music is somewhat soft and sensual, but doesn't lean too hard on any one thing. It's not as much about Kyle Field's distinct melodies as his distinct mood, which he evokes in his own performances and in listeners alike. ROBIN BACIOR
9:30 pm, Bunk Bar, $12-14
King Black Acid, The Fur Coats, Streetcar Conductors
In the 1990s, Daniel Riddle released a handful of albums under the name King Black Acid, adding his unhurried brand of cinematic psych-rock to the fertile local scene. In the years since, Riddle has kept busy playing shows and composing lots of music for TV and film, but his newest release—Super Beautiful Magic, out on Cavity Search Records—is his first full-length since 2000’s Loves a Long Song. It’s a very welcome return. When all is said and done, Super Beautiful Magic sounds a bit like a cross between the Flaming Lips and the Polyphonic Spree, but with the silliness stripped out and only the freaky, fluttery beauty left behind. BEN SALMON
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-14
Sedan: Haunted House Sleepover
Portland’s comedy scene gets EVEN MORE delightful with Sedan, a new sketch group featuring seasoned performers Shelley McLendon, Loren Hoskins, Paul Glazier, Chad Parsons, and the Mercury’s own Wm. Steven Humphrey. Though they did divulge that they were almost called the Crybaby Turtles, Sedan promises “action, adventure, and tears.” I call shotty! MEGAN BURBANK
8 pm, SIren Theater, $10-20
Castle in the Sky
The word "genius" gets batted around with regard to filmmakers with a numbing, reductive frequency. But if Hayao Miyazaki doesn’t qualify for that title, who does? Since making his directorial debut with 1979’s The Castle of Cagliostro, Miyazaki has blazed his own distinct trail, blending atomic-clock action timing with an awe-inspiring, hand-rendered sense of the infinite. Nobody else can balance exhilarating weightlessness with moral gravity in quite the same proportions. Screens as part of the Hollywood Theatre's Hayao Miyazaki Celebration series. ANDREW WRIGHT
7 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9
Nano Beer Fest
A spotlight solely on the Northwest's best small-batch breweries and cideries, taking place at one of the best beer stores in the region, featuring over 50 unique beers, ciders and meads, with raffle prizes, and more.
Apr 27-29; Fri 2 pm, Sat noon, Sun 11 am; John's Marketplace, $20-30
Strange Ranger, Lee Corey Oswald, Little Star
The third installment of the Doug Fir’s monthly concert series showcasing some of the best in local music brings you sets from a trio of indie rock, pop, and punk stalwarts on the cheap.
9 pm, Doug Fir, $5-8
Autonomics, Kulululu, Holiday Friends
Autonomics traffics in the kind of sloppy, speedy garage-rock meant to bang a few heads and spill a few beers.
8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!
Avengers: Infinity War
Apparently it's a big deal? I watched a trailer and it seems like this giant purple ballsack from outer space is gluing Fruity Pebbles to his gaudy oven mitt and 30 clones of the same beardy white guy + Black Panther are trying to stop him. Anyway, good luck getting a ticket on opening weekend!
Various Theaters, see Movie Times for showtimes and locations
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
