Whew, there's a lot of calorie-filled, mind-bending, densely-packed entertainment sustenance on the menu for this week; absolute legends, exciting up-and-comers, bold weirdos pushing the envelope... in other words, precisely what you want a busy week of Portland evenings to look like. Hit the links below and load your plate accordingly
Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
Monday, Jan 20
Amber Liu, Meg & Dia, Justice Carradine
Electro pop phenom Amber Liuâformerly of internationally famous K-pop group f(x)âis a multiple threat: Sheâs a singer, songwriter, rapper, a Korean TV star, and is now making her first big push into the States, touring in support of her just-released EP X. Liuâs emotive, soulful vocals combine introspective lyrics over tight beats to produce thoughtful club bangers that are easy to dance to. Though a newcomer to American pop, Liu nevertheless comes off as if sheâs successfully graduated from a master class taught by Madonna, Belinda Carlisle, or any number of great dance artists from the â80s. (Mon Jan 20, 8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $28 & Up, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors
A landslide of unfortunate injuries might have TNT regretting their decision to nationally broadcast tonightâs rematch of last seasonâs Western Conference Finals, but Rip City faithful shouldnât balk at the chance to cheer on the Blazers when they take on a tanking Warriors side. The Golden State bandwagon has been busy stuffing the All-Star ballot boxes for Stephen Curry ever since the Warriorsâ talisman went down with a broken hand in late October, leaving them far too preoccupied to drive up the resale market like theyâve done in past seasons. (Mon Jan 20, 7 pm, Moda Center, $68 & Up, all ages) CHIPP TERWILLIGER
Midge Ure
Midge Ure doesnât need to do as heâs doing on this current US tour, which is allow his fans to interrupt an acoustic set of his best-known material with questions and song requests. The 66-year-old has secured his bag by co-writing the Band Aid classic âDo They Know Itâs Christmas?â and his stints in Ultravox, Visage, and Thin Lizzy. Tonightâs show is the continuation of Ureâs victory lap in support of Soundtrack, a recent compilation featuring choice cuts from his solo work and his time with Ultravox, alongside rare material. (Mon Jan 20, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $23-25) ROBERT HAM
Fear No Music: Locally Sourced Sounds VI
The sixth installment of Fear No Music's Locally Sourced Sounds series returns to the Old Church to shine a spotlight on new music from composers with strong ties to Oregon, including Jake Safirstein, Li Tao, Nicholas Emerson, Kirsten Volness, Allen Skirvin, and Jennifer Wright. Concert includes a post-performance reception with samples from some of the Northwest's best food and beverage makers as well. (Mon Jan 20, 7:30 pm, The Old Church, $10-25)
Gould Piano Trio, Robert Plane
Clarinetist Robert Plane joins the Gould Piano Trio for a pair of performances featuring their stirring renditions of classic compositions by Dvorak, Haydn, and more. (Mon-Tues Jan 20-21, 7:30 pm, PSU Lincoln Performance Hall, $32-57)
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
A digital restoration of Sidney Lumet and Joseph L. Mankiewiczâs 1970 documentary, using testimonials from well-known supporters (including James Earl Jones, Ruby Dee, and Paul Newman) to supplement the mountain of archival footage tracing Kingâs arc from regional activist in the â50s to leader of the Civil Rights movement in 1968. (Mon Jan 20, 6:30 pm, Clinton Street Theater)
Tuesday, Jan 21
Cursive, Cloud Nothings, Criteria
The top portion of tonightâs midwestern emo romp (brought to you by the letter âCâ) is worthy enough of your attention: Omaha-raised musician Tim Kasher has hit his stride with long-running post-hardcore outfit Cursive, and few bands have been more consistent over the course of the past decade than Cleveland indie rockers Cloud Nothings. That said, the main draw might be Criteria, the billâs opener. Longtime Cursive fans will no doubt be familiar with Steve Pedersen, who shared the stage with Kasher in the influential heartland indie-rock band, Slowdown Virginia, and the first iteration of Cursive. His own band, Criteria, recently ended its 15-year hiatus with the release of Years, an album chock-full with the same arena-sized hooks that made them a force to be reckoned with in the early aughts. (Tues Jan 21, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $25) CHIPP TERWILLIGER
School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play
Artists Repertory Theatre and Portland Center Stage link up to bring Portland audiences a production of Jocelyn Bioh's acclaimed play, School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, a coming-of-age story set at an all-girls boarding school in Ghana in the â80s. (Tues Jan 21, 7:30 pm, Portland Center Stage, $25-87, through Feb 16)
The Moth StorySlam
A spinoff of the nationwide storytelling success, in which potential soul-barers put their names in a hat, and once called, have five minutes to tell their tale. "Beg, Borrow, Steal" is the topic for this installment. (Tues Jan 21, 7 pm, Holocene, $15)
Pageant, Inhalant, Pareidolia
Portland's own Pageant, Inhalant, and Pareidolia unleash their latest goth-tinged dream pop, post-punk and indie rock sounds live down in the depths of the Liquor Store's cavernous basement. (Tues Jan 21, 9 pm, The Liquor Store, $7)
Steven Dayvid McKellar
The South African-born painter and musician best known for his role in the band Civil Twilight steps out for a solo show at The Old Church in celebration of his most recent EP, The Belleville Demos. (Tues Jan 21, 8 pm, The Old Church, $12, all ages)
Wednesday, Jan 22
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Kinski
Like a Smashing Pumpkins that never disgraced themselves, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead are still bringing that full-on fantasy orchestral rock to which we all imagine epic D&D campaigns or simply pump our fists. Their two most successful albums remain 1999âs Madonna and 2002âs Source Tags & Codes. Did Source Tags DESERVE that perfect Pitchfork 10? Who knows? Did it FEEL like it did at the time? Hell yes. More than 20 years later, Trail of Dead is still messing around with prog, punk chords, gravely singing, and their bandâs mystical mythos. Mississippi Studios feels like toooo small a venue for this groupâs enormous sound, but hearing their brand-new record, X: The Godless Void & Other Stories, in such an intimate setting sounds flippinâ EPIC. (Wed Jan 22, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $16-20 SUZETTE SMITH
SPLIFF: 2019 Encore Screenings
Hey! Did you miss last year's debut of SPLIFF, the super fun film fest by stoners for stoners? If so, that's too bad, because it was a certifiable blastâbut you can make up for it by attending one of these free encore screenings! Youâll see films that will make you laugh, films that will make you think, and films that will make you ask, âWhat the fuck was that?!â And you might even be inspired enough to submit a film for this yearâs festival. (Wed-Thurs Jan 22-23, 8 pm, show bar, free) BLAIR STENVICK
Ritual Veil, Physical Wash, Dancing Plague, DJ Koto
Hereâs the dark wave, synth goth night of your dreams. Putting this trio of local bandsâwho all sound like some variation of Bauhaus or Depeche Mode gone a little further down the drainpipeâon the same bill guarantees a night of blissed-out swaying to incongruous synth chords from people in varying levels of fetish wear. After a change-up in synth players last spring, Ritual Veil sounds ready to unbuckle a bunch of new material. And considering the precise, death disco hits of their 2017 EP Wolf in the Night, thatâs something weâre very interested to hear. (Wed Jan 22, 8:30 pm, Holocene, $8-10) SUZETTE SMITH
Frantarctica, Voovol, Mare
The ragged, dirty punk brought noisily into existence by Frantartica has had a longstanding presence in the Portland music scene, thanks to now-iconic outfits like Dead Moon, the Frances Farmer Gals, and Neo Boys. This ensemble places itself along that continuum with a mighty, sludgy heave, a basement show, and a cheap beer-fueled blend of anger and paranoia. A new Frantarctica album is being celebrated tonight, which means there will be plenty of fresh sounds poised to bruise your insides. Get there early to experience the thrilling wonder of minimalist experimentalists Voovol. (Wed Jan 22, 8 pm, The Liquor Store, $7) ROBERT HAM
William Gibson
We may openly blame William Gibsonâone of the greatest sci-fi writers of our timeâfor everything from the popularity of steampunk to societyâs immodest flirtation with internet slang. Gibsonâs readable and eerily prophetic novels (Neuromancer, Mona Lisa Overdrive) try on compelling ideas about the future of artificial intelligence, internet tribalism, 3-D printing, and like⌠contract gig economy workers from alternate timelines? I think that was what 2014âs The Peripheral was about. It was also a murder mystery. I liked it, and I canât wait to crack the cover on The Peripheralâs appropriately confusing sequel (and prequel!) Agency which takes place in an alternate 2017 where the US elects its first woman president. WHAT?!? BUT THATâS... (Wed Jan 22, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free) SUZETTE SMITH
Jenny Don't & the Spurs, Kassi Valazza, Lindsey Feathers
Jenny Don't and the Spurs play vintage country and western straight out of the lonesomest corners of mid-20th century America, Don't and her cohorts sound nothing like a museum piece; rather, there's grit, sadness, and an edge of danger to these rumbling-boxcar country songs. (Wed Jan 22, 8:30 pm, Twilight Cafe & Bar, $8) NED LANNAMANN
Think & Drink: Democracy & the Courts
Oregon Humanities presents the latest in their lecture and discussion series, this time hosting Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson, Benton County District Attorney John M. Haroldson, and deputy director of Partnership for Safety and Justice Shanon Wright, looking at key issues and questions surrounding the very nature of democracy in America. moderated by Oregon Humanities' executive director Adam Davis. (Wed Jan 22, 7 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $15)
Helium Host Showdown
Some of Portland's brightest up-and-coming comedians vie for a coveted spot on the Helium Host team and all you need to do is sit back and laugh along at their best material. Featuring sets from (deep breath): Tory Ward, Dylan Carlino, Seth Johnston, Ben Harkins, Bryan Bixby, James Bosquez, Max Fortune, Hunter Donaldson, Elena C. Hayden, Jake Tooley, James Barela, Jamie Carbone, Noah Watson, and Julia Ramos. (Wed Jan 22, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $10)
Drunken Prayer, Hearts of Oak, Annachristie Saphire
Asheville, North Carolina-based singer/songwriter Morgan Geer brings his Americana, blues, and country project back to town for an intimate headlining set at the Doug Fir Lounge supporting his latest album, Cordelia Elsewhere. (Wed Jan 22, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $10-12)
Thursday, Jan 23
Trippie Redd
The "Love Me More" tour comes through town. Will you be foolish enough to deny Trippie's demand? (Thurs Jan 23, 8 pm, Roseland, $30-42)
Pop + Puppetry
Not only known for their popular, thriving dance nights, Holocene is a space that also celebrates weird, beautiful visualsâtheir solid decade of Fin de Cinema performances being a good example of thisâso Iâm intrigued by their Pop + Puppetry series, which pairs local pop bands with puppeteers. Think shadow plays for sure, but thereâs also video on YouTube of an enormous puppet figure with glowing eyes, towering above the audience. So it could get weird. Hard to go wrong with a bill like this either: Korgy & Bass bring those beautifully arranged experimental electronic compositions; Night Heron is the breathy EDM project of defunct favorite Radiation Cityâs Cameron Spies. (Thurs Jan 23, 8 pm, Holocene, $10) SUZETTE SMITH
Wet Fruit, Gamelan Wahyu Dari Langit, Saloli
Wet Fruit grew out of percussionist Papi Fimbresâ other band, Sun Angle, the psych-rock combo he shares with guitarist Charlie Salas-Humara, among others. When Sun Angle went on hiatus a few years ago, Fimbres and Salas-Humara kept getting together and playing, simply because it was fun and they missed doing it. While Fimbres attacked his drum kit, Salas-Humara would ânot focus and just shredâ on guitar, Fimbres says. Sometimes, theyâd add to the din with some distorted flute or droning viola. They brought in guitarist Elaina Tardif (Tender Age, Meringue), and Rebecca Rasmussen (the Wild Body, Boink) on bass. One trip through their self-titled albumâs seven tracks will reveal where and how the quartet has added an element of control to its chaos. Opening track âConceptualâ ends with a sweet ânâ sour coda of pretty vocal melodies draped over craggy guitar riffs. âGoodbaddogâ puts a bright and airy spin on post-punk. âSheetzâ sounds like a Xerox of a Xerox of a Kim Deal song that didnât make a Pixies album and was subsequently left out in the sun to melt. Album closer âWasted Future/Relaxed Truckerâ evolves from a skittering dream-pop song into an ominous, droning freak-out across its seven-minute run time. (Thurs Jan 23, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $5) BEN SALMON
Carmen Maria Machado, Lidia Yuknavitch
The award-winning author of Her Body and Other Parties returns with In the Dream House, a powerful memoir about domestic abuse and an exploration of the history and reality of abuse in queer relationships. Machado will be joined in conversation by Lidia Yuknavitch, author of The Book of Joan. (Thurs Jan 23, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)
Leif Vollebekk, Rebecca Foon
The Montreal-hailing singer/songwriter returns to the Doug Fir Lounge with a set of soulful pop and indie folk tunes off his latest, New Ways, the follow-up to the 2017 Polaris Music Prize shortlisted album, Twin Solitude. (Thurs Jan 23, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $14-17)
Dead Bars, Brave Hands, Bothers, Throw
Seattle's Dead Bars specialize in amped-up pop-punk. Catch up with them tonight when they venture down the I-5 to head up a Thursday-night show at the Twilight Bar with like-minded locals Brave Hands, Bothers, and Throw. (Thurs Jan 23, 8:30 pm, Twilight Cafe & Bar, $10)
Harold and Maude
Look at the internet for long enough and youâll inevitably find some hot-take-addicted young buck remarking about how an âedgyâ movie they âdiscoveredâ on Netflix last weekend simply couldnât be made today. Usually that sort of sentiment is bullshit. But Harold and Maude, the dark romantic comedy about a death-obsessed milksop of a young man meeting his 80-year-old girlfriend at a funeral? Okay, that one could have only happened in the â70s, thanks to the minor miracle that was director Hal Ashby. (Thurs Jan 23, 7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9) BOBBY ROBERTS
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
