THURSDAY, NOV 9

TALK--Jeanette Winterson writes award-winning combinations of poetry and fiction. In her latest work, The Powerbook, a cross-generational, cross-gender, wireless narrator, Ali, weaves her tale of love and lust. KD
Portland Arts & Lectures, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 227-2583, 7:30 pm, $20

MUSIC--With Dinosaur Jr., J Mascis made junior high school tolerable for misfits and miscreants the world over. Now, he returns with The Fog and an excellent continuation of his distorted rock and empathetically pained, dirt-pebble voice. Rock it! JS
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 225-0047, 8:30 pm, $14

FRIDAY, NOV 10

MUSIC--Say what you want about Elliott Smith, but that guy's got great taste in opening acts. This time around, he brings the glorious Grandaddy and their nearly minimal, dreamy-eyed, yet dark-hearted, technology-tinged rock. Thanks, Elliott! Now tell us a story. JS
Roseland Theatre, 8 NW 6th Ave, 224-8499, 9 pm,$16

MONOLOGUE--PICA presents Lisa Kron's latest narrative, 2.5 Minute Ride. Kron climbs a spellbinding and dizzying switchback along the contours of her absurd life, re-accounting real-life stories about her brother's marriage to an internet bride, her family's annual pilgrimage to an Ohio amusement park, and her own lesbian struggles. PB
Aladdin Theatre, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 242-1419, 8pm, $16

SATURDAY, NOV 11

HIP HOP--OK,we all know that every DJ thinkshe's great, but these guys really think they're great. They describe themselves as "overqualified but under-appreciated blue-collar superheroes of the new hip hop." Come see if their arrogance is warranted. KD
Element 2000 DJ Finalists, Pine St. Theatre, 215 SE 9th Ave, 8:30, $14

FILM/PERFORMANCE--Seattle director Gregg Lachow's newest film has as much to do with live performance as cinema. SILENCE! is a film with no soundtrack, in which the actors stand in front of the screen reciting their lines along with a live score and sound effects. Don't miss this terrific example of experimental cinema. WSH
NW Film and Video Festival, McMenamins Mission Theatre, 1624 NW Glisan, 223-4031, 6:30 & 8:30 pm, 21 & over, $12

SUNDAY, NOV 12

MUSIC--Ahh, Karate. Slip into the luscious vocals of Geoff Farina and treat your psyche to a rare evening of self-introspection. Joined by 31 Knots and The Planet The. KS
Meow Meow, 527 SE Pine, 230-2111, 9 pm

MONDAY, NOV 13

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE--You enter a madhouse, where everything is slightly off-kilter and going so fast you can't really process it. You get an amazing rush; you start to sweat and thrash around at its infectiousness. Badass Japanese noise punkers Melt Banana are the bar band; their heroically spastic singer, Yasuko O. is the hostess. You never want to leave. THE END JS
Pine Street Theater, 215 SE 9th Ave, all ages, 9 pm, $8

TUESDAY, NOV 14

MUSIC--Don't let the name fool you; Sunshine is anything but sweet and bright. Slightly dangerous, like a skulk and leather creepers, they've come all the way from the Czech Republic to darken your day. Rowwrr. JS
Medicine Hat, 1834 NE Alberta, 778-7700, 9 pm

WEDNESDAY, NOV 15

FILM--Longing for those Portland good ol' days? Then check out X-Ray Visions,the new documentary about the late and great, early '90s all-ages club X-Ray Cafe. Chock full of memories from those who lived it. A bittersweet visit to a time and place that continues to inspire our city. WSH
Clinton Street Theatre, 2522 SE Clinton, 238-8899, 9 pm, $9.99

MUSIC--Ever danced an Irish jig in steel-toed boots? Shane MacGowan has exported his mean-spirited Celtic rock from his original band, the Pogues, to his recent incarnation, the Popes. See the difference? PB
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 225-0047, 9 pm, $20