Love is in the air, and not just because Valentine's Day is waiting at the end of the week. There's a ton of great Things to Do going on that are all about feeling, and sharing, the love. Sometimes it's comedic. Sometimes its sensual (!). There's a love for performance, a love of politics, and a love for Oregon-Made madness (kinda/sorta), and that's just one chamber of the big beating heart that is this week's to-do list, so click the links below and plan accordingly
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Monday, Feb 10
Luna, Madeline Kenny
Indie rock pioneer Dean Wareham brings his post-Galaxie 500 outfit, Luna, back to town to head up an intimate show celebrating the 25th anniversary of the band's dreamy 1995 album, Penthouse. (Mon Feb 10, 9 pm, Doug Fir Lounge, $30-35)
#OregonMade: The Shining
The Hollywoodâs #OregonMade series showcases a 35mm print of Kubrickâs The Shining, which was kind of sort of made in Oregon, if you count the use of a few exterior shots/matte paintings of Timberline Lodge. The actual movie was shot in England, complete with a mockup facade of Timberline. *pushes up glasses* Anyway, The Shining is great, and seeing it in 35mm should be a treat. (Mon Feb 10, 7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9) ERIK HENRIKSEN
Teddy Swims
The quick-rising singer/songwriter out of Atlanta brings his heartfelt and genre-bending sound to Holocene for an intimate Portland stop on a sold-out North American tour. (Mon Feb 10, 8 pm, Holocene, Good Luck at the Ticket Resale Sites)
Beer Cider Love
Hair of the Dog once again presents this lovely little collision of beer and cider, with Fort George Brewery, E.Z. Orchards Cidre, and Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, all coming together to co-host a six-course, custom-curated dinner with menu items crafted to pair perfectly with their offerings, including citrus cured salmon, crispy chicken with pear honey, sweet onion and caraway soup, and more. (Mon Feb 10, 6 pm, Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, $70)
Dive, Physical Wash, Body Divide
Prolific Belgian producer and musician Dirk Ivens (Klinik, Sonar) brings his long-running electro-industrial act to the Star Theater stage for the Portland stop on a tour celebrating the project's 30th anniversary. Physical Wash and Body Divide round out the proceedings. (Mon Feb 10, 8 pm, Star Theater, $15)
Fall in Love with Flamenco
Espacio Flamenco Company presents an early Valentineâs showcase of their favorite palos, with performances from an all-star cast of flamenco dancers and musicians. (Mon Feb 10, 7 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $15)
Tuesday, Feb 11
Tones and I, Lime Cordiale
Proving too large of a draw to remain in the cozy confines of Holocene, Tones and Iâreal name Toni Elizabeth Watsonâhas moved to the much roomier Roseland for this leg of her âThe Kids are Comingâ tour. Pop radio listeners are familiar with Watsonâs âDance Monkeyâ which has been flying up the charts with its bouncy, â20s ragtime vibes. Formerly an Australian busker, 19-year-old Watsonâs singular voiceâwhich growls, leaps, and swoops with raspy, incessant energyâalong with radio-ready ear worm hooks, have endeared young audiences around the globe, and with the youth-empowered message of her lyrics, you can bet the crowd for Tones and I will be testing the capacity of the Roseland as well. (Tues Feb 11, 8 pm, Roseland, $20, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Bat for Lashes
English singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Bat for Lashes (AKA Natasha Khan) makes indie dream pop and folktronica thatâs exceedingly emotive. Having established herself as a powerhouse star in the past by touring with Radiohead in 2008, and making big money moves like collaborating with Beck on âLetâs Get Lostâ for the Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack in 2010, Bat for Lashes also put out five solid albums between 2006 and 2019. Now sheâs kicking off a new era in 2020 by touring in support of her latest full-length, the â80s-reminiscent Lost Girls, which sees her pulling inspiration from Cyndi Lauper, Bananarama, and legendary film composer John Williams. (Tues Feb 11, 8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $25) JENNI MOORE
Violent Femmes, The John Bisagna Disaster
Violent Femmesâ triumphant 2016 comeback album We Can Do Anything was both a reunion and a statement of intent. The longstanding folk-punk icons have had their share of ups and downs, culminating in some unsavory lawsuits and a contentious four-year breakup. It flies in the face of the bandâs buoyant songcraft, helmed by the fantastic songwriting tandem of guitarist/vocalist Gordon Gano and bassist/vocalist Brian Ritchie. If youâve ever been to a professional sports game, itâs impossible not to have heard their omnipresent opus âBlister in the Sun,â but the Femmesâ catalog runs deep. Now in their fourth decade of writing, recording, and touring, the band has hit an effortless stride thatâs endearing, but also important in an increasingly murky cultural landscape. (Tues Feb 11, 8:30 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $39.50-42) RYAN J. PRADO
This Will Destroy You, Amulets
This Will Destroy You makes music from drums, bass, and heavily distorted guitars, but thatâs where any semblance to the standard definition of rock ends. The Texas band specializes in dramatic, atmospheric songs that often extend beyond the six-minute mark. Theyâve recorded music for numerous films and TV shows, including Moneyball, World War Z, Prom Night, and Criminal Minds. Though this show probably isnât for anyone seeking wild catharsis, those who enjoy immersive shoegaze soundscapes will be pleased. (Tues Feb 11, 9 pm, Doug Fir Lounge, $20-22) DELANEY MOTTER
It's Not Me, It's You: Stories from the Dark Side of Dating
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon present their annual storytelling fundraiser, bringing prominent Portlanders on stage to share tales of romantic woe for two nights, with separate stories and guests featured each night. For a complete list of storytellers, click here. (Tues-Wed Feb 11-12, 7 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $25)
Soulfly, Toxic Holocaust, X-Method, Madzilla
Max Cavalera and his long-running heavy metal act returns to the Hawthorne Theatre stage to split an all-ages bill with Portland thrash lords Toxic Holocaust. X-Method and Madzilla round out the proceedings (Tues Feb 11, 6:30 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $20-25, all ages)
The Wind & the Wave, The Get Ahead
Mississippi Studios presents an evening of harmony-driven indie folk, country, and blues with the Austin-based duo consisting of Dwight Baker (The Wind) and Patricia Lynn (The Wave). (Tues Feb 11, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $15-18)
Wednesday, Feb 12
Alexandra Savior
With a voice that sounds like it was cut straight from the era when Nancy Sinatra reigned supreme, the music of Portland-based singer-songwriter Alexandra Savior conjures haunted dolls, patterned carpet, and the chill of a forest in winter. Itâs cinematic and full of longing. After working with Alex Turner on her 2017 debut Belladonna of Sadness (which admittedly sounds Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino-adjacent), her latest album, The Archer, borrows all the old-school synthesizers and pairs it with a â70s Italian-horror mood. âCrying All the Timeâ purrs with a woozy sophisticated sadness while âHowlâ shimmers with synths, held down by an ominous bass line. (Wed Feb 12, 8 pm, Lola's Room, $10-12) JASMYNE KEIMIG
C.W. Stoneking, Roselit Bone
Australian singer/songwriter/banjo player C.W. Stoneking is the definition of an old soul. The blues artist came to town in 2016, as an ideal act for the hot-and-dusty Pickathon music festival, where he no-doubt turned swarms of absent-minded (read: stoned) listeners into faithful fans with wholesome renditions of âOn a Desert Isleâ and âGon Boogaloo,â the â60s-harkening title track from his 2014 full-length. Mississippi Studios is exactly the kind of intimate venue youâd want to be at while hearing Stonekingâs gritty vocals and superb âJailhouse Bluesâ finger-picking. Always true to style, expect to see Stoneking dressed in his typical clean, all-white garb, and possibly a bowtie. (Wed Feb 12, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $20-24) JENNI MOORE
Ezra Klein, Omar El Akkad
Vox co-founder and journalist Ezra Klein has one of the sharpest minds in the world of political commentary, providing a clear-eyed view of public policy and, of late, the chaos that has consumed the White House since 2016. His latest book Why Weâre Polarized, an exploration of how the current political system has made the gap between Right and Left grow even wider and made attempts to bridge that divide even more difficult, comes along right when we need it most: In the heat of an election year. Tonight, Klein discusses his book with fellow journalist Omar El Akkad. (Wed Feb 12, 7 pm, Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, free) ROBERT HAM
Reva Devito, Donte Thomas, Montel Spinozza
R&B/pop singer Reva Devitoâs Valentineâs Day shows at Holocene are always a lovely time, but this year itâs a pre-Valentineâs show. And with V-Day landing on a busy fucking Friday this year, this gig might just be the move. Speaking of, letâs hope the singer will be performing tracks from her 2016 EP The Move (like the Kaytranada-produced âSo Bad,â the title track, or âBabesquadâ), as well as newer cuts from This Time, her album with B. Bravo under their joint project Umii. This show is pretty much guaranteed to be lit, since the bill also boasts support from Portland-based rapper Donte Thomas, whose 2019 project Colors was highly lauded from critics in the PNW region, as well as Montel Spinozza, and art installations by Kue. (Wed Feb 12, 8:30 pm, Holocene, $12-15) JENNI MOORE
Run River North, New Dialogue
The latest iteration of Los Angeles indie pop/rock group Run River North has released a fresh new album that, according to the Korean-American trio, is pure joy. Split into two volumes, the new album Monsters Calling Home is meant to emulate the genuine happiness that comes from making music together. It checks out: With simple hooks and clean electronic beats, the end result is undeniably upbeat. Catch Run River North with fellow Angelenos New Dialogue, a group that describes itself as âa culmination of indie spirit, alternative whimsy, and pop ambition.â (Wed Feb 12, 9 pm, Doug Fir Lounge, $15) ALEX ZIELINSKI
Grupo Corpo
White Bird brings Brazil's Grupo Corpo to the Schnitz for a vibrant night filled with highly skilled dancers bringing new works to life on stage, including Bach, inspired by the famous composer, and Gira, based on the Umbanda religion. (Wed Feb 12, 7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $30 & Up)
Sarah Wild & the Watch, The Shrike
Portland-hailing singer/songwriter Sarah Wild and her backing band link up with fellow local rockers the Shrike to kick-off their latest tour with a hometown show at Kelly's. (Wed Feb 12, 8 pm, Kelly's Olympian, $8)
Thursday, Feb 13
Noah Reid, Matthew Barber
Yes, fans of Schitt's Creek (Schitt-heads? I don't know if you guys have a nickname yet), the Noah Reid you're thinking of is in fact, the same Toronto-hailing singer/songwriter and actor, best known for portraying Patrick Brewer on the acclaimed CBC comedy Schitt's Creek, and he's stepping out from behind the camera and swinging through the Doug Fir to showcase his musical talent at an intimate, mostly seated show. (Thurs Feb 13, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $20-25)
Blake Shelton: Friends and Heroes 2020
Human Funko Pop Blake Shelton leads an all-star troupe of his friends and heroes (hence the title of the tour!) who also just happen to be big country and western stars themselves, including the Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson, Trace Adkins, and special guest Lauren Alaina. (Thurs Feb 13, 7 pm, Moda Center, $56-499)
Pinegrove, LAKE
Beloved Pacific Northwest indie-pop outfit LAKE returns to town to round out an all-ages show at the Wonder Ballroom, with Montclair, New Jersey-hailing indie rockers Pinegrove topping off the bill. (Thurs Feb 13, 8 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $20, all ages)
Sango, Savon
The Seattle-based hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music producer and DJ makes his way down the I-5 for a headlining set at 45 East. (Thurs Feb 13, 9 pm, 45 East, $17.50)
Night Heron, Spooky Mansion, Laither
Get up close and personal with the finely-stached dark pop of Night Heron at the Liquor Store. (Thurs Feb 13, 9 pm, The Liquor Store, $10)
Illiterate Light, Shane T
The Virginia duo comprised of guitarist Jeff Gorman and drummer Jake Cochran brings their melodic blend of psych-tinged garage rock to the West Coast as part of a headlining tour supporting self-titled debut. (Thurs Feb 13, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-15)
Dijon, Deaton Chris Anthony
Rising Los Angeles-based artist Dijon brings his raw blend of minimalist R&B and soul to the Holocene stage for an all-ages show supporting his debut EP, Sci Fi 1. (Thurs Feb 13, 8 pm, Holocene, $15-17, all ages)
Eugene Chadbourne
According to Discogs, Eugene Chadbourne's catalog includes 135 albums since 1976. His listeners tend to come in three flavors: obsessive collectors, curious onlookers, and barroom regulars whose buzzes are being harshed by the weirdo making a racket in the corner of their Middle America drinking hole. On any night, you might hear Chadbourne pluck out a fragmented acoustic guitar ballad or work out some free jazz improv in the middle of a rustic banjo tune. He could also just as easily play a rake for 45 minutes. Basically, Chadbourne does whatever comes to mind at any given moment, so it pays to go into it with an open mind of your own. (Thurs Feb 13, 8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!)
Portland Opera presents An American Quartet
Portland Operaâs commitment to balancing out their big productions with much smaller presentations of their chosen artform is on display this month with their upcoming performances of four one-act operas at the humble Hampton Opera Center. On the docket is Douglas Mooreâs Gallantry, a loving spoof of â50s soap operas; Bon AppĂ©tit!, a tribute to the late celebrity chef, Julia Child; charming comic opera The Telephone, which premiered in 1947; and Samuel Barberâs A Hand of Bridge, a lovely piece where four singers express their inner thoughts over a game of cards. (Thurs Feb 13, 7:30 pm, Hampton Opera Center, $72)
Marcia Ball, Sonny Landreth
Marcia Ball comes to Portland eager to show off what she calls "The best Marcia Ball record I could make" with Shine Bright, and her friend Sonny Landreth is along for the ride as well. (Thurs Feb 13, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $39.50-42)
The Motet, The Quick & Easy Boys
The long-running funk, jazz, and Afro-beat ensemble out of Denver returns to Portland to for a headlining show at Revolution Hall. Like-minded locals the Quick & Easy Boys round out the bill. (Thurs Feb 13, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $25)
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
