DANCE--Best known for co-producing the Broadway smash hit "The Lion King," Michael Curry has choreographed "Spirits," a new piece for his home state--yes, that's Oregon! Aping everything from Fred Astaire to breakdancing, Spirits is an all-out whirlygig that is equally spooky and magical. PB

Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay, 224-TIXX, June 7-9, 7:30 pm, $19-$40

MUSIC--Even though he's backed by delicate guitars and raw drums, Red House Painters' Mark Kozelek could sing over a chorus of beavers and table saws and still sound intimate. But, lucky for that place in your heart that yearns for placation, this music is soft as satin. w/ Reclinerland. JS

Roseland, 8 NW 6th , 224-TIXX, 8pm, $11.50

FRIDAY JUNE 08

BIKE PUNK--Our favorite punk artist and the funniest man in the world, Beau Von Hinklywinkle, has organized another of his community-positive Bicycle Drive-Ins, where you can bike up to a house and watch movies in the open air. First, watch local short films; then, see old punk and new wave videos by people like The Cure and New York Dolls! Hope your bike seat's comfy! JS

Bicycle Drive-In, 4631 N Albina, 9 pm, free

DOG TRACK--Need some money to vacation in the Greek Isles this summer? One great way to get it is to bet on the longshot at the dog races: they come in first more often than you think! KS

Multnomah Greyhound Park, 944 NE 223rd Ave (between Glisan and Halsey), 667-7700, 7 pm post time, free admission

RAP--Straight out of Oakland's Hieroglyphic crew, Casual is keeping pace with the distinct, funky sound of his big brothers Souls of Mischief and Del the Funky Homosapien. His rapping is confident and totally balls out--what he lacks in skill, he makes up for with his love of the craft. KD

House of Grooves, 13 NW 13th, 224-TIXX, 9 pm, $12-14

PARADE--I love a parade; the rootie-toot-toot and the ratty-tat-tat of the drums! And I especially love the Grand Floral Parade, not only because I'm a floral type of guy, but it's really funny when marching bands step in horseshit. WSH

Grand Floral Parade, www.rosefestival.org, Memorial Coliseum to downtown, 10 am, free

MUSIC--Howe Gelb's lyrics are creepy and wonderful (read some on pg 20), with a wisdom that evades most songwriters (with the exception of Morrissey). And since Howe's kind of freaky, his abandoned-desert music may even be accompanied by multimedia! JS

Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny, 224-TIXX, 9 pm, $10-12

MONDAY JUNE 11

MUSIC--Admit it--you have moments when you're hanging out in the bathroom, wishing you were a Breck Girl and some moustached Mod boy would ravage you to a backdrop of trippy, pastel flowers and washed-out flute solos. Well, never fear. The music of Ladybug Transistor will practically fulfill your fantasy--and you don't even have to lose your virginity! JS

Meow Meow, 527 SE Pine, 230-2111, 9 pm, $7

TUESDAY JUNE 12

House show--It's sad that visual art has a snooty reputation because it really has the potential to knock your socks off. Luckily someone had the bright idea to put the art up in a house, with beer and music and cool people. The alphabet dress is a big house party with cool art (made by local artists Pearl, Adam Sorenson), good music (the Decemberists), and cheap booze. How can you go wrong?

Alphabet Dress, 3914 N Michigan, 7:00 pm, June 12th

READING--I can hardly believe that genius Irvine Welsh (author of Trainspotting and Filth) is gracing the streets of Portland with his huge demented brain. Oh my god, it's like I'm tripping on drugs or something. KS

Powell's, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free

WEDNESDAY JUNE 13

ELECTRIC BOOGALOO--Need to work on your windmills, halos, headspins or flares? Then get that ass to the New Paris Theatre's breakdancing night. And even if you're not a breaka, you'll enjoy the DJ stylings of Dan-K, Frequent-C, and Goliath who promise to get up in your mutha-fuckin' shiznit. WSH

New Paris Theatre, 6 SW 3rd, 224-8313, 7-12:30 pm, All-Ages, $5