Enjoy a night listening to some of the best R&B being made in the world right now, while also helping out local animal shelters? How is that anything but a no-brainer, right? But maybe you aren't a Khalid fan (no judgmentsâbut maybe a little side-eye for that), there's a lot of other quality options for things to do this week, like listening to Pete Souza talk about his time capturing the brilliance of Barack Obama, having your mind expanded by the sounds Of Montreal, enjoying the best possible awkward anger the city can cough up at the I, Anonymous Show, and sopping up some of Portland's best improv with Broke Gravy. It's a big week ahead; hit the links below and load your plate accordingly.
Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | ThursdayMonday, Apr 30
Cub Sport, Rilla
Brisbane-based quartet Cub Sport bring their emotional blend of â80s-influenced pop, soul, and R&B back across the Pacific for an intimate headlining show supporting their acclaimed 2017 full-length, Bats.
9:30 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-14
Nav, 88 Glam
Canadian hip-hop artist Navraj Singh Goraya, better known by his stage name Nav, rolls through the Roseland for the Portland stop on the "Freshman" Tour. Fellow Canadian Derek BissueâAKA 88 Glamâprovides support.
8 pm, Roseland, $25, all ages
Savage Master, Bewitcher, Soul Grinder
Fronted by Stacey Peak and rounded out by four black-hooded marauders, Savage Master cranks out crunchy heavy metal that's as evil as it is mean. ARIS HUNTER WALES
8:30 pm, Tonic Lounge, $13
Jukebox the Ghost, The Greeting Committee
Ben Thornewill, Tommy Siegel, and Jesse Kristin bring their Washington, DC-hailing indie pop and rock act back to the Wonder stage for an all-ages show supporting their forthcoming full-length.
8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $18-60, all ages
Oregon Book Awards Ceremony
A Literary Arts event celebrating the best works and writers from our local literary community. Hosted by award-winning young adult novelist Renee Watson.
7:30 pm, Gerding Theater at the Armory, $12
Tuesday, May 1
Pete Souza
Things werenât always this awful. Thereâs no better reminder of this than the photographs of Pete Souza, who, as the White Houseâs chief official photographer, took nearly two million candid photos of former president Barack Obama. As anyone whoâs gotten sucked into Souzaâs Instagram can attest, his images are remarkable: He has a keen eye for beautiful composition, but more importantly, a fantastic talent for finding the small, heartening, affecting moments that now make Obamaâs presidency look so fucking good in comparison. Souzaâs in Portland to discuss Obama: An Intimate Portrait, his book collecting many of those photographs. Go, and remember that things werenât always this awful. And they wonât always be. ERIK HENRIKSEN
2 pm, 7:30 pm, Revolution Hall, $60
Khalid
This up-and-coming Grammy-nominated R&B artist is in town for his âRoxyâ tour; in honor of his adopted pit bull Roxy, one dollar of every ticket sold will go to local animal shelters. Khalidâs known for his hit single âLocationâ and is touring in support of his studio debut, American Teen. KELLY KENOYER
8 pm, Theater of the Clouds, $48.95-73.95
Zola Jesus
Wisconsin-hailing singer/songwriter and producer Nika Roza Danilova, better known by her stage name Zola Jesus, brings her goth-infused synth-pop and dark wave back to Portland in support of her acclaimed Sacred Bones-issued full-length, Okovi.
9 pm, Aladdin Theater, $18-20, all ages
Erika Wennerstrom, Josh T. Pearson
Heartless Bastards frontwomen Erika Wennerstrom swings through the Doug Fir for an intimate solo performance supporting her new full-length, Sweet Unknown.
9 pm, Doug Fir, $15-17
Less Than Jake, Face to Face
Relive that mid-'90s ska-punk and skateboarding majesty with this co-headlining bill that is as close as you're gonna get to having the soundtrack of a Tony Hawk game kick you in the face. What's a Tony Hawk, you might ask? Well kids, back in the day...
8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $25-28, all ages
B-Movie Bingo: The Running Man
Your monthly opportunity to literally check off a bingo card full of B-movie clichés! This month: The Running Man, the 1987 Schwarzenegger movie based on an all-but-forgotten Stephen King novel. It's basically about a reality TV show, except people die. Also featuring Richard Dawson and Dweezil Zappa, for whatever that's worth.
7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9
Chuck Palahniuk
The acclaimed Portland author signs copies of Adjustment Day, his first new novel in four years. Please Note: This event is a booksigning only. A purchase of Adjustment Day is required to join the signing line.
10 am, Powell's Books on Hawthorne
Penguin Prison, Little Monarch
NYC-hailing singer/songwriter and producer Chris Glover brings his disco-leaning synthpop project back to town for a headlining show supporting his 2017 EP, Turn It Up.
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $15
Wednesday, May 2
Of Montreal, Locate S, 1
How to describe Of Montreal? No, Iâm really asking, because I have no idea: Veering and spinning between electronica, indie, prog, psychedelia, and pop, the bandâfounded by and fronted by the inimitable Kevin Barnesânever settles into a single groove, instead always roving and experimenting to find new, better ones. Their live shows are just as unpredictable, just as fun, and just as clever. ERIK HENRIKSEN
8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $18-20
Vive La Void, Amenta Abioto
Moon Duo co-founder and keyboardist Sanae Yamada brings her newly-minted solo project out to Mississippi Studios for a hometown headlining show celebrating the release of her Sacred Bones-issued self-titled album.
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $8-10
The I, Anonymous Show
The long-running Portland Mercury column âI, Anonymousâ is famous for allowing readers to send in their most whacked-out rants and confessionsâanonymously and without being judged. NO LONGER! In âThe Portland Mercury Presents: The I, Anonymous Showâ host Caitlin Weierhauser will read some of the wildest, uncensored I, Anonymous submissions ever, which will then be judged by our hilarious jury. Watch some of the funniest people alive judge the most awful people ever for your fun and enjoyment!
7:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $10
Electric Wizard
The renowned English doom metal band out of Dorset make swing through the Roseland for the Portland stop on a North American tour supporting their 2017 full-length, Wizard Bloody Wizard.
8:30 pm, Roseland, $25-45
Girls With Heads
Mariah Munoz's ever-growing collective of female-identified improvisers present an evening of music, art, poetry, storytelling, and comedy at the Siren's Kickstand Comedy Space. The overriding theme for this month's installment? Doubt!
7:30 pm, Kickstand Comedy Space, $5
Jewell Parker Rhodes
Award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes returns with Ghost Boys, a timely and powerful story for children about twelve-year-old black boy who is shot when a police officer mistakes his toy gun for a real threat.
7 pm, Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, free
Thursday, May 3
Broke Gravy: Live and In Color
When it comes to improv, Portland is killing it. If youâre skeptical, go see Broke Gravy, a group of hilarious local dudes who will wipe every bad improv show youâve seen from your memory. MEGAN BURBANK
7:30 pm, Eagles Lodge (F.O.E.#3256), $8-10
And And And, Thick Business, Bryson Cone, Ah God
The local DIY rock stalwarts present a special screening of And And And & the Philosopher's Stoned, a short-film comprised of five connected music videos that the band has been working on since 2014. The screening goes down at 8:30, and it will be followed directly by live sets from Ah God, Bryson Cone, Thick Business, and And And And.
8:30 pm, Holocene, $10
Yuja Wang
The world renowned Chinese classical pianist makes her long-awaited return to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for a solo headlining performance.
7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $30-120, all ages
Mipso, Anna Tivel
An evening of bluegrass and indie folk with the Chapel Hill-hailing string quartet known for their close harmony and modern influences. Acclaimed Portland singer/songwriter Anna Tivel lends support with her own lyric-driven blend of folk and Americana.
9 pm, Doug Fir, $11-13
North By Northwest and Raising Arizona
Looks like just because the Laurelhurst has gone first run doesn't mean they're still not up for screening some classics every now and again. Tonight is the last night to catch the Coen classic Raising Arizona and Hitchcock's proto-Bond thriller North by Northwest on their big screenâand the Laurelhurst is throwing in a free bag of small popcorn with your ticket to either film!
North By Northwest 6:30 pm; Raising Arizona 9:35 pm; Laurelhurst Theater, $6.50-9
Science on Tap: Music and the Aging Brain
Join Dr. Larry Sherman, an OHSU neuroscientist and accomplished pianist, as he combines musical performance and scientific lecture into a lively discussion focusing on the impact that music has on the brain, specifically in regards to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimerâs and other forms of dementia.
7 pm, Aladdin Theater, $8-15
Tim Meadows
One of SNL's longest-running cast members, Tim Meadows has created such memorable characters as The Ladies Man Leon Phelps and Perspectives host Lionel Osbourneâand tonight he's stretching his legs into the world of stand-up comedy. Hilarity is practically ensured! WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $18-25
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
