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Friday, April 26
Avengers: Endgame
I don't get it. The walking purple nutsack with the gaudy oven mitt snapped his fingers and Spider-Man cried and flaked off like an ashy elbow. They can't just... hit the reset button, right? Marvel wouldn't just do that, would they? Just make a three-hour superhero movie that undoes every emotional thing the last movie did by resurrecting all the pajama-clad do-gooders who died and letting them punch Grimace's balls in the face all day long? (Checks the Marvel wiki) ...Oh, so they would? Boy, superhero comics sure are somethin', huh. Anyway, good luck avoiding spoilers out there, and make sure you pee before the movie starts. (Basically Everywhere, At All Times, It's already made literally one billion dollars by the time you read this, but check Movie Times for specific showtimes and locations)
Lizzo, Tayla Parx
Lizzoâs full-length major label debut has finally been released and greedily devoured by the masses. And just one week later, the singer/rapper/flautist is in Portland for two sold-out shows at the Roselandâcuz she loves us. Unfortunately, the only way you can get tickets now is through a reseller (like StubHub). But between all the euphoria, killer vocals, flute-playing, rump-shaking, and âyasss bitchâ-ing, itâs hard to put a price tag on the live Lizzo experience. Charge it to the self-care game; sheâs worth every penny and so are you. (Fri-Sat 8 pm, Roseland, Good luck on the ticket resale sites, all ages) JENNI MOORE
Spring Used Book Sale
Clear off some shelf space, because itâs time for Portlandâs biggest, bestest used book sale! The Friends of Multnomah County Libraryâs twice-yearly book sale fills a massive room at the DoubleTree Hotel with thousands of used books in every subject. Most titles are just a couple of bucks, and the money goes to support the public library. (April 26-29, Fri 6pm, Sat 9 am, Sun 11 am, Mon 9 am, Doubletree Hotel at Lloyd Center, free) NED LANNAMANN
Old Time Relijun, The Wild Body, Sea Moss
Now seems like the perfect time for Old Time Relijun to reunite. As indefinable as they are explosive, the freak-punk bandâs experimental music is rooted in rhythmic repetition that allows vocalist Arrington de Dionysoâs Tuvan-esque throat bellows and poetic mysticism to shine. See Now and Know, the bandâs new EP and first release since 2007âs Catharsis in Crisis, is unhinged and beautifully wide-open, from the playful saxophones on âCrows in a Rowâ to the sinister guitar leads on âEl Naranjo Gritando.â Tonight is a rare opportunity to see a legendary Pacific Northwest crew in their stomping grounds. (9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $13-15) RYAN J. PRADO
2019 Nano Beer Festival
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. (2 pm, John's Marketplace, $20-30)
Ages & Ages, The Harmaleighs
Ages & Ages bring their rousing choral pop and folk sounds back through the Doug Fir for an intimate hometown show. Nashville-hailing duo the Harmaleighs round out the bill. (9 pm, Doug Fir, $13-15)
Petunia & the Vipers, Dusty Boots
In the tradition of first-wave rock 'n' roll, Vancouver, BC's Petunia and the Vipers offer slick steel-guitar leads Ă la Don Helms, stand-up bass, kazoos, and some of the best goddamn yodeling you're ever going to hear. The Vipers' live penchant for exploding into dynamic Western swing is infectious and invigorating. (9 pm, The Fixin' To, $12) RYAN J. PRADO
Integrity, Incendiary, Funeral Chic, Fatal State
So much â90s metalcore reeked of jock sweat, like bullying bros had discovered a way to play football with guitars. That bellicose vibe might creep into Integrityâs catalog here and there, but the Cleveland-born band masterminded by Dwid Hellion has always been more interested in picking metaphysical fights. Integrity records are all-out wars between good and evil, God and the Devil, humanity and everything that exists beyond our understanding. Hellion and his rotating cast of collaborators have been summoning cosmic apocalypses for the past 30 years, and they havenât lost any of their unholy power. (9 pm, Dante's, $20) CHRIS STAMM
Terrible, Thanks for Asking
Writer Nora McInerny brings her much-beloved storytelling podcast Terrible, Thanks For Asking through Revolution Hall for a special live taping. (8 pm, Revolution Hall, $30-34, all ages)
The Fifth Annual NW Post-Rock Fest
The fifth annual celebration of the regions best purveyors soundscaping, collecting an array of post-rock, shoegaze, prog, post-metal, and ambient acts from up and down the West Coast. (Fri-Sat 8 pm, Tonic Lounge, $8-12)
Take Back the Night 2019
Portland State will host Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs, a âQueer Black Troublemaker,â who will speak about her experience as a survivor of sexual violence on her college campus, in her keynote address centered around this yearâs theme: âWe Are Worthy.â Canât make it? Catch the captioned live stream. (6 pm, PSU Women's Resource Center, free) EMILLY PRADO
Norm MacDonald
The Saturday Night Live alumnus, prince of late night television, and star of Dirty Work brings his lovable (and occasionally misguided) loose cannon tendencies back to Helium for a full-weekend of shows. (Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $33-41)
Lauren Ruth Ward, Jesse Jo Stark
Quick-rising Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Lauren Ruth Ward brings her soulful Americana and blues-tinged rock back to town to head up an intimate show supporting her debut album, Well, Hell. (9:30 pm, Bunk Bar, $10-30)
Saturday, April 27
RZA: Live from the 36th Chamber
Few kung fu movies are as rightfully revered as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, the 1978 Shaw Brothers classic starring Gordon Liu. Even if you haven't seen it, you've seen and heard the movie's repercussions, in everything from the Wu-Tang Clan's Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) to Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. This weekend, Wu-Tang founder RZA is performing a live, original score to 36th Chamber's picture. RZA's well-documented love for 36th Chamberâand his history with and knowledge of martial arts movies in general, from appearing in Jim Jarmusch's Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai to writing, directing, scoring, and starring in The Man with the Iron Fistsâshould make for a remarkable screening. (April 27-28, Sat 3 pm & 9 pm, Sun 1 pm, Hollywood Theatre) ERIK HENRIKSEN
82nd Avenue of Roses Parade & Carnival
The cityâs largest parade east of the Willamette returns, giving Portlanders a chance to celebrate some of the cityâs most diverse neighborhoods. Give Southeast 82nd some love by watching the parade and then head over to Glenhaven Park to celebrate Cambodian, Lao, Thai and Burmese New Years with an all-day festival. (9:30 am, Eastport Plaza Shopping Center, free, all ages) BLAIR STENVICK
Matt Besser
A founding member of the sketch group Upright Citizens Brigade, Matt Besser, is taping a stand-up specialâone he wants you to be stoned forâso heâs performing two shows where audience members are encouraged to bring their own weed (they wonât be selling cannabis, food, or alcohol) and smoke during the show. Itâs a little unconventional, as is the venue, but when has Besser ever done what we expected? (7 pm & 9 pm, NW Cannabis Club, $20) SUZETTE SMITH
Jessica Pratt, Business of Dreams
Itâs no exaggeration to say Jessica Prattâs voice is siren-like; I can totally picture myself getting shipwrecked on a Greek island just to be within earshot. From the eerily beautiful âBushel Hydeâ (from her 2012 debut) to the cosmic âMoon Dudeâ (from 2015âs On Your Own Love Again), the Los Angeles singer/songwriterâs catalog is packed with hypnotic folk songs that echo like theyâre coming from someplace thatâs always just out of reach. Released in February, Quiet Signs is Prattâs first proper studio album, but it doesnât lose the mysterious magic of her earlier work. Itâs her most cohesive record to date; each song flows into the next with purpose, like theyâre riding a powerful current. Itâs still difficult to understand Prattâs lyricsâitâs like trying to get directions from someone at the end of a long, cavernous hallâbut you donât need to know what sheâs singing about to be transfixed, drawn closer like a moth to flame. (9 pm, Doug Fir, $15-17) CIARA DOLAN
TEDxPortland
Despite its less-than-accessible price tag, TEDxPortland is actually worth your hard-earned money. Each year they curate an excellent panel of local and n organizers, leaders and thinkers to share their âideas worth spreading.â This yearâs event (themed âre.imagineâ) has a very intriguing lineup, which includes Salt & Straw co-founder Tyler Malek, Hotel Rwanda Family & Survivor Carine Kanimba, Carbon Engineering CEO Steve Oldham, and many more. Throughout the day youâll get to snack and sip, and get access to the post-event happy hour. (9 am, Keller Auditorium, $85-250) JENNI MOORE
Horse Feathers, Wave Action, The Hackles
The much-beloved Portland indie-folk outfit head up an intimate hometown show at Mississippi Studios in support of their latest album, Appreciation. (9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $22-25)
Unloaded Comedy: Laugh Yourself Clean
Another installment of the stand-up showcase that focuses on the comedy that can be pulled from the recovery process, with sets from Sam Miller, Jeremiah Coughlan, Julia Ramos, Joanie Quinn, and Mike Lindsey. (8 pm, Clinton Street Theater, $15-18)
DĂa de Los Niños!
Another opportunity to hang out at the Portland Mercado all day and enjoy a ton of really fun stuff. Whether you're a kid, or you have a kid (or two, or a few), the DĂa de Los Niños celebration is for you, with a full, family-friendly day of food, music, activities, bouncy castles, games, and more. (noon, Portland Mercado, free, all ages)
Healing the Healthcare Blues Inner City Blues Festival
Norman Sylvester's eighth annual inner city blues festival to help raise funds for Health Care for All Oregon, featuring an all-star cast of Portland's finest musicians pouring out their heart and soul to help provide the city some relief from our country's ongoing health care crisis. (5:30 pm, North Portland Eagles Lodge, $25)
Corks + Carts
Wine pairings don't have to be super-fancy to be just right, and in Portland, there's plenty of amazing wine that goes perfectly with our world-renowned food cart cuisine, and Corks + Carts is a one-day party dedicated to just that, with a live musical performance from America's Got Talent stars We Three. (5 pm, The Redd on Salmon, $35-45)
Sunday, April 28
Loch Lomond, MerĆ
Local singer-songwriter Ritchie Young and his dynamic chamber-folk and pop ensemble head up the latest installment of Sunday Sessions at Rontoms, with rising gloom pop outfit MerĆ opening up the the proceedings. (9 pm, Rontoms, free)
The Gooch Palms, Fantastic Plastic, Pool Boys
âMillennial Morse Code,â the first single from Pool Boysâ forthcoming debut EP, wistfully examines teenage memories through the cryptic, kaleidoscopic lens of social media. "It's been 10 years,â they croon, remembering an acquaintance whoâs fallen out of touch. "Why do I still see you?/I see a digital you.â Even though Pool Boys is still relatively new, its members are all Portland music veteransâhailing from Shook Twins, Lubec, Rare Diagram, and Nature Thiefâbut the polished surf-rock of âMillennial Morse Codeâ sounds like the product of an outfit thatâs been around much longer. (9 pm, The Liquor Store, $8) ISABEL LYNDON
Do Right Sunday
Kick back at Dig a Pony and groove to tunes provided by DJs Black Daria and Shi Shi of Everyday Mixtapes on the 1âs and 2âs at this monthly night supporting a rotation of local nonprofits. Ten percent of bar sales this month benefit VOZ Workerâs Rights Education Project. (9 pm, Dig a Pony, free) EMILLY PRADO
Flock of Dimes, Madeline Kenney
After linking up to record Durham-based art-rock singer/songwriter Madeline Kenney's 2018 album Perfect Shapes, Flock of Dimes (Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner) and Kenney reunite for a co-headlined tour that swings through Mississippi Studios tonight. (8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $14-16)
Network
In 1976, Paddy Chayefsky and Sidney Lumet's Networkâabout the corporatization of everything and its resultant debasement of the newsâwas considered many things: Sharp, insightful, ridiculous, mean, and silly. Many thought it was over-the-top, and in some ways (particularly the heads meeting discussing the risk/reward ratio of an on-air assassination) it still is. At some point over the next 20 years, it was reduced to a catchphrase you vaguely knew about but hadn't actually seen: "I"m as mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!" Divorced from context, Network became a face-value celebration of righteous indignation. But watching Network in the 21st Century is profoundly bewildering and upsetting, because almost nothing in it reads as over-the-top now. It basically all happened. It might as well be a docudrama, charting the rise of Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch; a how-to-guide for grifting millions of desensitized simpletons through the combined powers of branding, inarticulate rage, and loud noises. Oh, it's still funnyâbut in the way gallows humor can put a scratchy chuckle at the back of an already-noosed throat. (3 pm, Fifth Avenue Cinema BOBBY ROBERTS
Sci-Fi at the Pops
Conductor Jeff Tyzik leads the symphony on an intergalactic journey with rousing performances of timeless music from Star Trek, Star Wars, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and more. (2 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $23 & Up, all ages)
Ben Kweller, Modern Love Child
The indie singer/songwriter stops by Portland for an evening of heartfelt and open-hearted sung storytelling, in support of his latest, Circuit Boredom. (8 pm, Star Theater, $15)
Portland Flea + Food
This monthly vintage-o-thon has more than 40 artists, curators and creators each month that make for a massive and eclectic shopping opportunity. Tea, wine, chocolate, used clothes, locally made woodworks, and ceramics are all available for purchase. Get thrifting! (11 am, free) KELLY KENOYER
The Funemployment Radio Experience: Live Podcast Recording
The hosts of Portland's longest-running show starring former radio-hosts-turned-daydrinking-podcasters take over the Landmark Saloon for an early afternoon of laughs, stories, slightly-soused-silliness, and free bingo afterwards. (11:15 am, Landmark Saloon, $10)
Pour Oregon
The annual wine festival moves on up to the World Trade Center for its third year, and along with that increase in size comes an increase in wines, with over 50 smaller, boutique, and artisanal wine producers across the state sharing their drinkable magic. Admission includes a wine glass and will-call service for wine purchases, and proceeds benefit Make-a-Wish Oregon. (2 pm, World Trade Center, $45-100)
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
I donât know why Italians decided to start making westerns in the 1960s, but the resulting subgenre is a bizarre caricature of a caricatureâlike Russian nesting dolls building increasingly falsified (but undeniably gripping) narratives off of each other. Clint Eastwoodâs iconic Man with No Name is quietly cunning, constantly sunburned, chain-smoking cigarillos, lightning-quick with his equalizer (which he hides under a sweet-ass poncho), and committed to his own (often convoluted) sense of justice. Eastwoodâs stoic and vengeful gunfighter probably wasnât the best role model for young menâfeel your feelings, my dudesâbut more than 50 years later, the mystery shrouding his character still captivates. (4:15 & 6:45 pm, Academy Theater, $3-4) CIARA DOLAN
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
