THURSDAY, July 17

MUSIC--Though still with Throwing Muses, the solo touring Kristin Hersh comes to Portland showing her sweet, spooky side, playing acoustical numbers off her newest release, The Grotto. Written after the death of a close family member, Hersh mines her conflicted feelings in a host of emotionally complicated songs based around her experiences in Providence, Rhode Island. WSH
Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 233-1994, doors 7 pm, $13.50 adv, $15 door, all ages

SUPERNERDS--Tonight Bart de Smit reveals the secrets behind the recent "completion" of one of MC Escher's most mysterious works, "Print Gallery." Turns out the gorgeous, twisty painting needed an elaborate sequence of mathematical hoo-hah to be viewed correctly, and it took until now, decades after its appearance, for someone to figure it out. The results are baffling, and astounding. Learn how it all works tonight. JWS
Reed College Psychology Auditorium, 3203 SE Woodstock, 777-7755, 7:30 pm, FREE

FRIDAY, July 18

FAGAZINE--It's never just about dancing anymore, is it? The pervy, Skervy queer dance night is also the launching party for Fagazine. Brassy, political, and queer as a three-dollar bill, this new zine promises to "fuck your mind." Don't mind if I do! MS
Cobalt, 32 NW 3rd, 225-1003, 9 pm, $3.99

CD RELEASE--Lifesavas, Lifesavas, that's all this paper ever writes about anymore. Probably because they rule. See the local hiphop group, and buy their new CD Spirit In Stone. As a bonus, you'll get to see one of the flyest emcees, Latyrx. KS
Roseland, NW 6th & Burnside, 1-800-325-SEAT, 9 pm, $12

SATURDAY, July 19

CAR WASH--Charmingly printed on old-fashion broad sheets and with smudgy ink, The Organ is a kind gift to our local coffeehouses: A paper that avoids the splash and glib and instead goes for heady ruminations on arts and culture. Today, they celebrate being nearly a year old with a heavy metal-themed car wash, replete with refreshments and a car tattoo artist! PB
Burgerville parking lot, 1122 SE Hawthorne, 11 am - 4 pm, $3-10 donations requested

MUSIC--Since "whitey" has already co-opted all that is cool from Black culture, crack open a 40oz and celebrate tonight with some raucous Caucasian Blues. The Black Keys blaze a mighty trail of guitar-wail and soulful vocals, especially coming from an Akron Ohio duo that looks like a pair of teenage librarians. Sam Coomes raises his band quota by one more with his solo low-fi Minimalist Blues Explosion entitled Blues Goblin. CM
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside, 224-4400, 8 pm, $10

STALLIONS--Even the most jaded and grumpy can't deny it: Watching horses dance is the best goddamn fun you can have. The world famous Lipizzaner Stallions come to Portland to dazzle you with their tricks, routines, jumps, and skips. Plus, they're so damn pretty. KS
Rose Garden, 1401 N Wheeler, 224-4400, 2 & 7:30 pm, $19.50

SUNDAY, July 20

RECITAL--The Northwest Piano Festival wraps up today, culminating in a performance by Christopher O'Riley, America's premiere translator of Radiohead songs to the classical key. That's right, O'Riley has adapted dozens of the rock band's hits, including "Karma Police," "Fake Plastic Trees," and the haunting "Exit Music (For a Film)." This afternoon he plays his covers for you, dripping with gorgeous elevator music eloquence. JWS

World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, 725-3307, 4 pm, $12.50-$25

FASHION--Holocene and Seaplane are like the prom king and queen of Portland. Watch what happens when they get together, when Seaplane's fashions and beauties let loose in the modern, malleable Holocene interior. Clothes horses and style connoisseurs, start your engines. MS
w/Bobby Birdman, Shicky Gnarowitz; Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 239-7639, 9 pm, $9

MONDAY, July 21

ROCK--The cave-like confines of Berbati's will be a perfect venue for the British throwback glam guitar stylings of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Band. Their Old School anthem rock will shake the walls, sending your heart into tailspins of vibrating ecstasy. JWS
Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny, 248-4579, 9:30 pm, $15

TUESDAY, July 22

FILM--If you like your educational films loaded with hilarious chutzpah, do not miss this screening of Blue Vinyl: A Toxic Odyssey. When documentary filmmaker Judith Helfand discovers her parents have put up vinyl siding on her childhood home, she makes it her mission to convince her folks of vinyl's poisonous attributes--and failing that, takes on the entire vinyl industry. Funny, smart, and informative! WSH
PSU, Shattuck Hall, Room 212, SW Park Ave., 7 pm, $5 suggested donation, discussion to follow

WEDNESDAY, July 23

MUSIC--A little bit knee-slapping Country-Western, a bit of fiddle-based folk, and a lot fast-paced rock n' roll, This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb sounds as if they have put Hank Williams in a full-nelson headlock and made him scream "UNCLE!" Joined by Olympia-based cow-punk group The Strangers. Yee-HAW! PB
w/Blinkin' Freddy and the Lowbaggers, Duck Duck Gray Duck; Liberty Hall, 311 N Ivy, 249-8888, 8 pm, $5