An Evening With Supata Biswas
The Back Room—the dinner series that incorporates amazing food, talks with prominent writers and authors, and live music—returns from a brief hiatus with Supata Biswas and Cooley Gallery Curator Stephanie Snyder in conversation. (See review of Biswas' Birdsong this issue.) Dinner will be prepared by Simpatica founder John Gorman, and Ghosting lays down the smooth tunes for your ears. $45 covers the whole she-bang—food, drink, mental stimulation—but tickets are going fast, so hit thebackroompdx.com for reservations. Simpatica, 828 SE Ash, 235-1600, Thurs Sept 14 at 6:30 pm, $45

Dark Times
Oakland's Chris Duncan's site-specific installation incorporates incredibly dense paintings that reference the Big Bang (or is it the death of the universe?), a "string burst" of light rays, and a quasi-molecular sculpture based on a traditional African art form. Motel, NW Couch between 5th & 6th, through Sept 30

panel discussion on japanese Print Traditions
In conjunction with the great Japanese print exhibition, Through Rustling Grasses, PAM is hosting a panel discussion with guest curator Lynn Katsumoto and painter Roger Shimomura, whose captivating narrative paintings are rooted in his childhood experiences in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park, 226-2811, Sun Sept 17 at 1 pm, $6-10

Ron English
Ron English, subject of the recent documentary Popaganda, is one of the most high-profile guerilla artists in the country today. Best known for his subversive billboards, like the one that read "Playdate Iran" with an accompanying photograph of a young boy in military gear, and seemingly playful paintings of a morbidly obese Ronald McDonald, English will be on hand Saturday night for the reception and book signing in conjunction with this show of paintings and toys. Missing Link Toys and Gallery, 3314 SE Belmont, 235-0032, opens Sat Sept 16 at 7 pm, closes Oct 18

TBA:06 Visual Art Program
This year's Time-Based Art Festival includes a very impressive collection of art shows, including Harrell Fletcher's The American War, Matthew Day Jackson's Paradise Now, Marina Abramovic's Balkan Erotic Epic, and more. Highly recommended. Corberry Press, Corner of NW 17th & Northrup, 242-1419, through Sept 17 daily 12-6 pm; Sept 20-Oct 7 Weds-Sat 12-6 pm, free