Taste of Latinoamérica
What better way to usher in the last days of summer (September is still summer in Oregon, right?) than with a belly full of delicious food from across Latin America? Oaxacan tlayudas, fried plantains, Haitian beef stew, mole, tamales, churros, cubanos—the only problem with Portland Mercado's annual Taste of LatinoamĂ©rica is knowing where to begin. (Sat Sept 7, noon, Portland Mercado, free, all ages) ALEX ZIELINSKI

Club Nitty Gritty Dance Party 4th Anniversary
If you're looking for a dance night that sets the evening on fire, check out Club Nitty Gritty, hosted by the always down for a good time DJ Action Slacks (Shannon Wiberg). She's been pounding the turntables for years with righteous choices in down-home dirty soul and R&B—the kind with raw sax and voices that wail and scratch. Join Action Slacks and special guests DJs Daddy Cool and Young Methuselah as they celebrate the fourth anniversary of this beloved dance night, and bring something to mop the sweat—you’ll need it. (Sat Sept 7, 9 pm, The World Famous Kenton Club, $7) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY


Butter, Adebisi
The local alt-pop and rock trio behind the cheeky 2016 single, "Fuck L.A.," bring their upbeat and soulful sound to the Holocene stage to celebrate the release of their latest EP, Nicotine. Portland-based soul and R&B outfit Adebisi round out the proceedings. (Fri Sept 6, 6:30 pm, Holocene, $8-10)

Sunbathe, Risley, Plastic Cactus
Maggie May Morris has a catchy-as-hell name to go along with her natural ability to write a catchy-as-hell song. While you may be familiar with Morris from her position at the helm of Genders, you might not be aware that her solo efforts are as just as mesmerizing. With her current project, Sunbathe, Morris reminds us that catchy doesn’t always have to be equal to sunny or saccharine. She’s got the distinct ability to write a song so devastating you’ll flop to the floor while listening, but also so warm and familiar that you’ll find yourself attempting to hum along even before you’ve finished indulging in it for the first time. (Fri Sept 6, 8:30 pm, Bunk Bar, $10) JENNA FLETCHER

The Doomies, Moria, The Ancient One, The Ruminations
The Doomies bring their vibrant garage rock sound down to the Kenton with the help of the Ruminations, the Ancient One, and whoever is delving too deep in the mines of Moria. (Fri Sept 6, 9 pm, The World Famous Kenton Club, $5)

Bey Day: A Celebration of the Queen
Hear ye, hear ye! Our flawless and noble Queen Bey, AKA BeyoncĂ© Giselle Knowles-Carter, AKA the GREATEST LIVING PERFORMER ON THE PLANET is having a birthday. In clubs, warehouses and house parties across the globe, plebeians and faithful hive members will be grateful for the blessing that is BeyoncĂ©. Celebrate this muthafuckin’ queen by dancing the night away and paying homage to all the amazing music, performances, and looks that have comprised her supreme reign. Holocene is hosting its annual celebration that includes a costume contest, dance-off, and DJs spinning the fuck out of Yoncé’s catalog. Look forward to live dance performances, video art inspired by the queen, and a photo booth. Now go read her Vogue cover story for the hundredth time and then come praise this magnificent, peerless bitch! (Fri Sept 6, 9 pm, Holocene, $10) JENNI MOORE

Close the Camps: A Benefit Show for Immigrant Rights
Old Unconscious, Fronjentress, and a special mystery guest head up the latest installment of "Close the Camps," a new concert series dedicated to raising awareness (and more importantly, funds) to help combat the negative influence of our racist slumlord of a president, and protect the rights of America's immigrants. (Sat Sept 7, 9 pm, The Fixin' To, $10)

Dadweed, Mujahedeen, Yellow Room
Vancouver, B.C.'s Dadweed bring their anthemic blend of punk rock down the I-5 in support of their new EP, Mighty, Always. Like-minded locals Mujahedeen and Yellow Room round out the Saturday-night bill. (Sat Sept 7, 9 pm, No Fun, $5)

Festival of Nations
The sixth annual celebration of East Portland, and the numerous cultures and traditions that populate it, with a Taste of the Nations food tent, live music, arts and dance performances, and more, with a ton of vendors selling worldly wares as well as activities for the whole family to enjoy. Performers include African Showboyz, Son de Cuba, and the Zomi Folk Dancers. (Sat Sept 7, 11 am, Extended Home, free, all ages)

Death of Glitter: Free For All
This month, the "Genderf#ck Cabaret for a Cause" benefits SMYRC with a show takes the themes out of the equasion and lets the performers' imaginations run wherever they may, with boundary-pushing routines by Prawny Precious, Anastasia Euthanasia, Peter PANtyhose, Sugarpill, Sue E Psydoll, and more! Hosted by BeElzzabub Doll. (Sat Sept 7, 9:30 pm, Crush, $10)

Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat, Mother Mariposa
Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat have been a formidable staple of Portland's experimental rock scene for some time now. Boasting the less-than-usual configuration of bass, drums, trumpet, and keyboards, the group toe the barely existent line between all-out prog depravity and geometric danceability. DID YOU KNOW: It's as hard to quickly type their name as it is to say it three times fast? IT'S TRUE. (Sun Sept 8, 8 pm, Rontoms, free) MORGAN TROPER

Donald R. Nelson
The local historical writer returns with Portland: Weird. Wonderful. Bizarre., exploring the weirdness of the Rose City's past and present. (Sun Sept 8, 2 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)

It's Gonna Be Okay!
Barbara Holm's It's Gonna Be Okay is the only local showcase I've seen tout its lack of meanness as a selling point, which is next-level in a city KNOWN for its safe-space shows. It's the cheerful slumber party of Portland stand-up, which is exactly what's needed to reclaim comedy for those of us who aren't obnoxious ancient white dudes. (Mon Sept 9, 8 pm, EastBurn, free) MEGAN BURBANK

Emily Nagoski
The award-winning author of the New York Times bestseller Come As You Are returns with Burnout, exploring the stress cycle, specifically as it applies to women, and detailing an easy-to-follow science-based plan designed to minimize and manage burnout. (Mon Sept 9, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)

Erin Bowman
The New Jersery--hailing pop and R&B singer/songwriter swings through Music Millennium to head up a free in-store performance supporting her latest album, Apartment 101. (Wed Sept 11, 6 pm, Music Millennium, free, all ages)

Ted Chiang, Jack Skillingstead, Daryl Gregory
Pacific Northwest-based Sci-Fi writers Ted Chiang, Jack Skillingstead, and Daryl Gregory head up the latest installment of a quarterly reading series with readings from their latest works, along with opportunities for networking and conversation. (Thurs Sept 12, 7 pm, Lucky Lab, free, all ages)

Cool Kids Patio Show
Take in some laughs and live music while enjoying extended happy hour deals at the Doug Fir's free, outdoor comedy and music showcase. With Wendy Weiss, Seth Johnston, Corina Lucas, Hyjinx, and Katie Nguyen. Hosted by Nariko Ott. (Thurs Sept 12, 6 pm, Doug Fir, free)

Saloli, Grapefruit, Omari Jazz, Soul Ipsum, DJ Shi Shi
XRAY.fm and Holocene link up with experimental electronic artists Saloli, Grapefruit, Omari Jazz, Soul Ipsum, and DJ Shi Shi for a special fundraiser show supporting the Yellowhammer Fund and their efforts to provide funding for anyone seeking care at one of Alabama's three abortion clinics. (Thurs Sept 12, 8 pm, Holocene, $8)

Well-Read Black Girl Book Club
The American Booksellers Association is teaming up with Well-Read Black Girl founder Glory Edim to bring book club meetings to independent bookstores around the country in an effort to spotlight writers of color and amplify diverse voices. The September installment of the event will focus on An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. (Thurs Sept 12, 7 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)