THURSDAY, June 22
AMERICANA–The crack of wooden bats, wild pitches and bobbled balls. Yes,
minor league baseball is back in town. Trying to defend last year’s division title,
Portland Rockies take on the Boise Hawks in their home game opener. PB
Civic Stadium, 1844 SW Morrison, 7:05 pm, tickets start at $5
FRIDAY, June 23
MOVIE–Gypsies, tramps and thieves. Lay your money down for Jasmine Dellal’s
American Gypsy, a telling documentary about the modern-day persecution
of a mysterious ethnic group living right here in the Pacific Northwest. PB
Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park, 7 pm, $6, plays Friday and Saturday
SATURDAY, June 24
BEATS & BUDS—Dr. Dre hits Portland for his Chronic 2000 tour alongside big-name, cash-cow cohorts Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and his current
protègè, Eminem. BHG
Rose Garden Arena, 7:30, $30-$40
DRAG–Usually when we say drag, we don’t mean smoking wheels
and muscular engines. Nothing spells summer in Oregon like rip-roaring, adrenaline-pumping
drag racing. Get your motors running! PB
Woodburn Drag Strip, off Hwy 219 in Woodburn, 9 am–5 pm, $15 for adults, $5 for
kids
SUNDAY, June 25
SEX TALK–Boy, that Dan Savage sure has a purty mouth. Here’s your chance
to see it flap, as this internationally acclaimed author of Savage Love answers your questions in person, and lectures on the intricacies of blowjobs,
muff-diving and butt-plugs. Plus musical entertainment from No. 2 and Television
Eye! WSH
Berbati’s Pan, 231 SW Ankeny, 8:30 pm, $8
IRONY–From “Old Queen Cole” and “Poopship Destroyer” to “The HIV Song,”
“Piss Up a Rope,” and “Bananas and Blow,” singularly hilarious musical virtuosos
Ween have been toking hits since 1990. Er, making hits since 1990. Oops! JS
The Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside, 225-0047, 8 pm, $16
MONDAY, June 26
TITCLAMP TALK–More chit-chat on the topic of sexy, sex, SEX! This time
from Larry-bob, the author of our favorite queer zine, Holy Titclamps. He’s celebrating
the tenth anniversary of this historic publication, and will be reading juicy
selections as well as answering your probing questions! WSH
Holy Titclamps Live!, Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak, 7:30 pm, free
TUESDAY, June 27
SWIMMING—Marco… Polo! This week, pools around Portland open for
another season of chlorine, high dives and cannonballs. After renovation, the
grandiose 1910 Sellwood Pool and bath house have finally re-opened for splashing
summer delights. You’ve never seen a circular pool this big! PB
Sellwood Pool, SE 7th and Miller Streets, open Mon-Fri, 1–4 pm & 7–9 pm,
Adults, $2, Children, $1.25, Terrific Tuesdays, 75¢
WEDNESDAY, June 28
POETRY SLAM–It’s hard enough for people to rhyme properly, much less conjure
up three poetic lines with a specific syllable count. The Haiku Slammers do it
all the time — and out loud! Give ’em your love before they head off to the national
championships in Rhode Island. JS
Haiku Slam, Berbati’s Pan, 10 SW 3rd, 248-4579, 7:30 pm, $5
CONFLICT OF INTEREST— So, we knew Lois was a good writer, but WHADDYA
KNOW!? She sings beautifully and reaches the upper echelons of punk rock while
strumming an acoustic guitar. She’s also released an album with Fugazi’s Brendan
Canty, and she’s opening for Yo La Tengo! Really, we had no idea! JS
The Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside, 225-0047, 8 pm, $13.50