Hopefully you've recovered just enough from this last weekend of wonderfulness, because you're gonna need all your energy to properly tackle this packed-full week of Things to Do, including the kickoff of the new Pacific Crest Comedy Fest, a visit from Alessia Cara, a case of Mono (the good kind!), and a whole lot more. Hit the links below and plan your week accordingly
Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
Monday, Nov 4
The Slants, Camp Crush, Shy Honey
Tonight, the Slants play their last live show as a full band. As a rule, I do not believe artists who say theyâre stopping, especially a creative force like creative lead and activist Simon Tam. But between his lectures, writing his rock 'n' roll memoir that's also an account of fighting trademark law, and founding a nonprofit in 2018, dude is legitimately too busy to tour now. Enjoy this last hit of his band's finely-tuned synth-fueled dance rock live, while you can. (Mon Nov 4, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $10-12)
Immortal Technique, Chino XL, Poison Pen
Immortal Technique comes from a long line of hip-hop truthsayers who carry the torch of infinite wisdom that was first lit by KRS-One, further fueled by Chuck D, and then detonated by Ice Cube. Beginning with the incendiary "Dance with the Devil" and then across four successive and critically acclaimed albums, Tech has developed a signature style that skillfully fuses battle rap acidity with intense book knowledge and an acute consciousness for global conspiracies. (Mon Nov 4, 8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $25-30, all ages) CHRIS SUTTON
Dead Ghosts, Spoon Benders, Bad Shadows
The Vancouver, B.C. quintet brings their fuzzed-out blend of country-tinged garage and punk down the I-5 for a headlining show at the Star Theater, with Spoon Benders and Bad Shadows rounding out the bill. (Mon Nov 4, 8 pm, Star Theater, $15-18)
Pizza Night
The two words in the title alone should be enough to capture your attention and hold it there, but in the interest of fully informing you: Olympia Provisions, home of godlike meats, has a night dedicated to making meaty pizzas, as well as a wine menu featuring selections perfectly paired with the flavors available, and only local bands on the speakers. (Mon Nov 4, 5 pm, Olympia Provisions, free)
Pan's Labyrinth
Pan's Labyrinth is Guillermo del Toro's masterpiece. Set in post-civil war Spain, Labyrinth follows a young girl, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero); as post-war fascism dominates her life, she discovers an ancient forest presided over by a faun who's at once welcoming and sinister (Doug Jones). Descending into a world of myth, danger, and horror, Ofelia's story becomes twofoldâroughly half of Labyrinth deals with historical drama, while the other explores the fantastic and symbolic. Labyrinth is breathtaking: Rich performances, stunning visuals, and an assured, original tone demonstrate how dear the material is to del Toro. Screens in 35mm. (Mon Nov 4, 7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9) ERIK HENRIKSEN
Lilly Dancyger, Reema Zaman, Marissa Korbel, Dani Boss Wilson
In Burn It Down, 22 women writers offer up fierce and timely essays exploring how anger has shaped their lives and careers. Editor Lilly Dancyger will be joined in conversation by contributors Reema Zaman, Marissa Korbel, and Dani Boss Wilson. (Mon Nov 4, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)
Tuesday, Nov 5
Choker
Michigan-based indie/R&B/pop artist Choker has been compared to the prolific Frank Ocean a lot on the interwebs, and I understand why: On previous projects Peak and Honeybloom, Chokerâs vocal tones, intermittent rap, and pop tendencies shine inside the artistâs own emotive production and unorthodox song structure. But Chokerâs new-ish singles (âLucky,â âStarfruit LA,â and âPetrol Blissâ) prove that he has a style all his own. The ironically named artist sounds terrific on recording, and his music videosâwhich typically feature shots of Choker hanging out a car windowâare beautifully stimulating in all their DIY glory. Chokerâs gig at Holocene provides an opportunity to experience the depth of the artistâs multifaceted chops live. (Tues Nov 5, 8 pm, Holocene, $18-20, all ages) JENNI MOORE
Bethlehem Steel, Purr Purr, VooVol
Fresh off the release of their Exploding in Sound-issued self-titled album, guitarist/vocalist Rebecca Ryskalczyk and her Brooklyn-based quartet bring their cathartic and infectious indie-rock sound back to Portland for a headlining show at the Liquor Store. Local up-and-comers Purr Purr and VooVol round out the bill. (Tues Nov 5, 9 pm, The Liquor Store, $7)
Tom Morello
The Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave guitarist brings his shredding to the Roseland stage in support of his latest solo effort, The Atlas Underground. Hey, did you know: Tom gets killed by Iron Man in the first Iron Man movie? He's on screen for like, 2 seconds, and then Iron Man blasts him through a wall or some shit like that. It's pretty cool. (Tues Nov 5, 8 pm, Roseland, $27-40)
Berner
The Bay Area-hailing rapper and cannabis entrepreneur (..oh. Berner. OK, now I get it. LOL) brings his live show back to the Wonder Ballroom stage for an all-ages Portland stop on the "El Chivo" Tour. (Tues Nov 5, 8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $22.50, all ages)
The Midnight Hour
A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammad and renowned composer Adrian Younge bring their newly-minted soul, jazz, and hip-hop project to the stage at Mississippi Studios. Loren Oden, Angela Muñoz, and Jack Waterson round out the proceedings with a collaborative opening set. (Tues Nov 5, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $20-25)
The Paranoyds, Alien Boy, Surfer Rosie
Rising Los Angeles-based quartet the Paranoyds bring their infectious blend of garage punk up the coast in support of their latest album, Carnage Bargain. Portland punk and indie rock favorites Alien Boy and Surfer Rosie round out the proceedings. (Tues Nov 5, 9 pm, Bunk Bar, $12)
André Aciman
Egyptian-born Italian-American author André Aciman returns with Find Me, the eagerly awaited follow-up to Call Me by Your Name, his award-winning novel about a powerful summer romance that was adapted into one of 2017's best films. (Tues Nov 5, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)
Wednesday, Nov 6
Alessia Cara, Ryland James
Last year, Canadian singer/songwriter Alessia Cara won a Grammy for Best New Artist despite the fact the artistâs been around for a handful of years, putting in serious work, and doing big-girl numbers. Caraâs strength as a performer comes from her tightly honed vocal skill, down-to-earth personality, and the fact that her stage presence has continued to blossom ever since quietly marching onto the scene in 2015 with two hit singles: âScars to Your Beautiful,â and her anti-social anthem âHere.â When the singer played Portlandâs Moda Center recently, as the impressive opening act for Shawn Mendes, I remember thinking âWhy isnât Alessia headlining her own tour by now?â Having extended her North American leg of her âThe Pains of Growing Tour,â Caraâs upcoming concert (at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, no less!) should more than make up for the delay. (Wed Nov 6, 7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $29.50-187.50, all ages) JENNI MOORE
Emmet Cohen Trio
Still in his late twenties, some might consider pianist, organist, and composer Emmet Cohen to be a rising star, but his impeccable technique, genre-spanning knowledge, and utterly unique style make him an active supernova brightly burning right now in the musical universe. If you can't catch him later this month in Paris or Stuttgart, the smoking hot Cohen brings his trio sound to town tonight with Russell Hall on bass and Kyle Poole behind the drum kit. Their setlist will be anyone's guess, but prepare for original compositions, jazz standards slyly interpreted, and maybe, if we're lucky, a ragtime encore. (Wed Nov 6, 7:30 pm, The Old Church, $25-30) BRIAN HORAY
Mono, The Album Leaf
Countless words could be used to describe the band Mono: instrumental, experimental, noise rock, post-rock, shoegaze, minimalist, contemporary classical, even metal. This gives you some idea that the Japanese four-piece works on large, abstract canvases, creating sounds that are intended to reach the highest rafters in the largest cathedrals. So seeing them in live at Revolution Hall should be a cataclysmically powerful experience, as they carefully layer melodic phrases on top of simple drones and repetitive rhythms, letting the volume rise, crest, and fall like the waves of an ocean. (Wed Nov 6, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $18-22) NED LANNAMANN
The Menzingers, Tigers Jaw, Culture Abuse
On 2017âs After the Party, the Menzingers raged against the fading light of their glory days and tried to figure out how to grow up without going dark and dead inside. Existential agitation also informs the lyrics on their new album, Hello Exile, but the band sounds more settled than ever, their fest-bound pop-punk inching ever closer to the heart of palatable radio rock. Although bittersweet anthems like âAnnaâ and âStrangers Foreverâ will surely inspire sodden dudes to join sweaty singalongs in polite pits, they are also perfect soundtracks for tired souls who have to squeeze all of their feelings into the vanishingly brief span between dropping the kids off and punching the clock. Because growing up is really just a matter of scheduling your good cries. (Wed Nov 6, 8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $25-28, all ages) CHRIS STAMM
The Aquabats, PPL MVR
The beloved pop punk, ska, and new wave band out of Orange County, California suit up and return to Portland for an all-ages headlining show at the Wonder Ballroom. (Wed Nov 6, 7 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $25-28, all ages)
Kaitlyn Bristowe
The Canadian television personality, podcast host, and former spin class instructor known for her roles in the nineteenth season of The Bachelor and the eleventh season of The Bachelorette brings the "KB Fall Crawl" tour to the Aladdin Theater stage to record a live episode of her "Off the Vine" podcast. (Wed Nov 6, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $49.50, all ages)
Biblioteka, Plastic Cactus, Butter
Bassist/vocalist Mary Robins and her rising Seattle-based quartet bring their infectious blend of surf rock, garage, and new wave down the I-5 to head up a show at the Liquor Store. Like-minded locals Plastic Cactus and Butter round out the bill. (Wed Nov 6, 8 pm, The Liquor Store)
Thursday, Nov 7
The Weird Portland Gala
Weird Portland United takes over the Polaris Hall to celebrate our city's stranger side, with live music by Sweet Nâ Juicy, a showcase of local artists, a photobooth, snacks and drinks, games, prizes, and appearances by weird Portland fixtures like Moshow the Cat Rapper, Rojo the Llama, The Unipiper, and more. (Thurs Nov 7, 7:30 pm, Polaris Hall, $40)
The Pacific Crest Comedy Fest
Portlandâs comedy scene is bonkers (bonkers GOOD) which is why the addition of a brand-new comedy festival that features the greatest comedians from around town and across the nation is very welcome indeed! Itâs the Pacific Crest Comedy Fest: Four nights, two locations, and 19 great shows including Steph Tolev and Maggie Maye; hometown gals made good Caitlin Weierhauser, Bri Pruett, and Amy Miller; local heavy hitters Nariko Ott, Amanda Arnold, Shain Brenden, Kate Murphy, Amanda Arnold; and many more! But that ainât all: Expect awesome podcasts and regular shows like Earthquake Hurricane, Minority Retort, Speechless, the return of Lez Stand Up, pant, pant, pant⊠TOO MANY TO MENTION! Good god, thatâs a lot of laughs in a short amount of time. Click here for a complete list of performers, podcasts, and more, taking up both floors of the Siren Theater. (Thurs Nov 7-Sun Nov 10, Siren Theater) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Chick Corea
Legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea links up with Conductor Steven Mercurio and the Oregon Symphony to bring Gershwinâs Rhapsody in Blue to life at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. (Thurs Nov 7, 7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $35 & Up)
Pink Noise IV
Holocene presents an evening of experimental electronic sounds and immersive visual art installations from an array of local femme artists, with sounds from Erika Anderson, Shana Palmer, Ayako Kataoka, Clamber, J$Fur, Liila, and more, along with visual art by Hannah Piper Burns, Alexis Rittenhouse, Sarah Turner, Nanda D'Agostino, and more. Check the event listing for a complete list of participating artists. (Thurs Nov 7, 7 pm, Holocene, $15)
Seefeel
You don't listen to the music of Seefeelâyou submerge yourself in it. Each release by the UK quartetâfour full-lengths and a bunch of EPsâis constructed from the usual rock-group elements: guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals. But from those pieces, the group bends and manipulates every sound with delicious indulgence, generating lush, balmy compositions that hang thickly in the air. The subsequent years have hardened Seefeelâs sound, as evidenced by their 2008 self-titled album. The drum tracks are rigid and spare, and the music surrounding them is glitchy and agitated. Itâs a reflection, perhaps, of our anxious modern age, but one that still slots in well with the evolution of their aesthetic as individuals and as a group. (Thurs Nov 7, 9 pm, Star Theater, $25-30) ROBERT HAM
The Building, Heather Woods Broderick
The Youngstown, Ohio-based folk outfit headed up by brothers Anthony and Angelo LaMarca return to town for a headlining show supporting their latest EP, Just For Once. Oregon-based musician Heather Woods Broderick rounds out the proceedings. (Thurs Nov 7, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $12-14)
Amendola vs. Blades, Cyro Baptista, Skerik, Jeff Parker
Hammond B3 organist Wil Blades and jazz drummer Scott Amendola have been playing shows together around San Fransisco for over a decade. Tonight the duo return to Mississippi Studios, along with support from Brazillian percussionist and composer Cyro Baptista, Seattle saxophonist Skerik, and L.A.-based jazz and post-rock guitarist Jeff Parker. (Thurs Nov 7, 6:30 pm, Mississippi Studios, $22-25)
Peter Hook & the Light
The former Joy Division and New Order bassist returns to the Wonder Ballroom with his backing band in tow to tackle material off New Order Technique and Republic Live, along with an opening set of Joy Division material. (Thurs Nov 7, 8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $25-27, all ages)
Battle of the Bays
Rogue Pearl Public House and the Flying Fish Co. link up for "Battle of the Bays," bringing oysters from Coos Bay, Yaquina Bay, and Netarts Bay to Portland and pairing them with specially selected Rogue beers. You vote, everyone wins. (Thurs Nov 7, 4 pm, Rogue Pearl Public House, free, all ages)
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
