THURSDAY, SEPT 14

MUSIC--Undoubtedly, Mos Def is an icon of hip-hop culture these days. Though some say he's lost his core, you should see him if for no other reason, out of a love of the music and a desire to understand him. Opener Slum Village is undoubtedly a good time as well. KD
Pine Street Theatre, 215 SE Ninth St, 232-7861, 8 pm, $25

FRIDAY, SEPT 15

GRAPHIC NOVEL--Remember Judd, the cartoonist from The Real World: San Francisco? He's written and illustrated a touching graphic novel about his experiences with ex-roomie Pedro, who passed away from AIDS. Called Pedro and Me, Judd will be on hand to talk and sign copies of his book (and I'm sure questions about Puck will be allowed, as well). WSH
Judd Winick, Twenty-Third Avenue Books, 1015 NW 23rd, 224-5097, 7:30 pm, free

SATURDAY, SEPT 16

BLUEGRASS-- The only G-string you'll see out here will be on an old-fashioned banjo. A rare gathering of the some the west coast's best string instruments (and the musicians to play them), from blues slide guitar to dueling banjos. A benefit for KBOO. PB
Pickathon, for directions visit www.pickathon.com, 9 am-midnight, $20

STREET FAIR--It's official! The Northeast Alberta/Sabin area is quickly becoming Portland's most ethnically interesting neighborhood. So let's celebrate with the Alberta Street Fair featuring art, food, DJs, and the Portland Mercury's own wicked craft booth. Afterwards, dance the night away with the swinging salsa sounds of Pa'lante! WSH Alberta Street Fair, From MLK to 33rd, 11-6 pm, free
Pa'lante, Alberta Station Ballroom, 1829 NE Alberta, 8-11 pm, all ages, $15

SUNDAY, SEPT 17

PLAY--The ever-effervescent Jean-Paul Sartre brings his particular brand of knee-slapping existentialist humor to the stage. A lesbian, a journalist, and a society woman are all caught in Hell. Back by popular demand. PB
No Exit, Imago Theatre, 17 SE Eighth, 2 pm, $16

MONDAY, SEPT 18

ART--If Martin Ontiveros was a musician, My Trash, Your Treasure, would be a collection of his B-sides, outtakes, and alternate mixes. His vividly painted robots, monsters, and monkeys have graced comics, kids' books, and two previous, wildly successful shows at Reading Frenzy. ST
Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak, 274-1449, 11-7 pm Mon-Sat, Sun 12-6pm, free

TUESDAY, SEPT 19

FILM--Sex: The Annabel Chong Story documents the life of the woman who had sex with 251 men, all on film, to set a world record. More than just a porn queen exposé, this excellent documentary exposes every one of Annabel's, ahem, parts. JS Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st, 223-4515, see pg 37 for times

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 20

MUSIC--Try to say the band name Trans Am without inserting the "motherfucking" between the "Trans" and the "Am." You can't, can you? They deserve that serious emphasis, because they fucking rock. JS
Pine Street Theater, 215 SE Ninth, 232-7861, $10 adv., $12 door, doors open at 8:30

HIP HOP--Jurassic 5 is one of the coolest names for a band. And, their name is reflective of their quality as well--doing new stuff but hanging on to what's good about the old. Be on time, because Beat Junkies are also worth every second. KD
Roseland Theater, 8 NW Sixth Ave, 219-9929, $20 price, 9 pm