Remember Zelda Rubenstein? She was the lady from Poltergeist best known for "clearing" a house that wasn't cleared, and then flip-flopping on the whole "Go into the light/don't go into the light" thing. If Zelda were here now, I'm pretty sure she'd be all about you going into the light this week—not just the Fade to Light fashion show, which is always amazing, but the shining, pulsing, buzzing light of this busy, busy week's worth of quality things to do. One of the city's best radio stations throws itself a benefit show, Eric fucking Andréwants to detonate your head for a night, there's a free staged reading of the new Harry Potter play, Holocene gets taken by the Northwest's best hip-hop while Digable Planets and Camp Lo deliver a ridiculously smooth one-two knockout from the Crystal's stage, Penelope Spheeris is here and she brought her Dudes with her, and hell, the light is so transformative this week that even Clint Eastwood becomes tolerable within it. Hit the menu below, adjust your eyewear accordingly, and step into the light.
Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
Monday, Aug 22
X-ile on Ray Street: A Benefit for XRAY.fm
The longer XRAY.fm exists, the clearer it becomes that the station’s future is in great hands. Portland lo-fi popsters Reptaliens are pulling the strings this time, curating an über-potent lineup of heavy-hitting rockers for a big old benefit shindig. Performing will be decadent glitter-bombers Lola Buzzkill, dark-garage punk savants Psychomagic, and a super-secret headliner that, despite multiple inquiries, shall remain a secret until the day of the show. With XRAY.fm DJs Chancie Chance and the omnipresent Theo Craig, this benefit show will be well worth your five bones. All proceeds go directly to XRAY.fm to ensure its continued pursuit of upping the ante for local radio. Tonight also doubles as Reptaliens’ tour kickoff show in support of their new LP, Recordings, so pick that up, too. RYAN J. PRADO
Dig a Pony, 7pm, $5
Rooftop Campfire Singalong: The OK Chorale, Wonderly
Portland-based drop-in community pop chorus The OK Chorale swing by Revolution Hall for a special roof deck show. Wonderly, the duo comprised of singer-songwriters Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk, provide support.
Revolution Hall, 7pm, $10
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
An informal staged reading and discussion of the latest (and pretty damn weird) trip back into the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
Post5 Theatre Company, 7:30pm, free
Sean White
Last year, Chicago-hailing comedian Sean White released his acclaimed debut album, Dead & Gone. The material chronicles a rough two year stretch in the comedian's life during which he watched his whole family die one at a time, all while going through a divorce. Don't let the heavy subject matter scare you off, though: White's ability to tackle tough subjects with dark and crafty blend of personal stand-up is well worth your attention. With support from local stand-ups Curtis Cook, Bri Pruett, and David Mascorro.
The Secret Society, 8pm, $7-10
Derek Dellinger
Beacon, New York-based writer and homebrew advisor Derek Dellinger reads from his new book, The Fermented Man, which chronicles Dellinger's attempt to live on nothing but fermented foods for one year. With bonus recipes for readers looking to try fermentation in their own homes, his adventure story doubles as a culinary guide.
Powell's City of Books, 7:30pm
Das Boot
This movie is about a boat. Hence its title, which is how you say "the boat" in German. It's pretty fucked up on this boat, actually. Like, really fucked up. I mean, they're not eating each other or anything like that, it's not that bad. It's just that it's World War II outside, and Jürgen Prochnow is in charge inside. Jürgen Prochnow in charge of anything is usually a recipe for disaster, right? Especially on a boat when it's World War II outside.
Hollywood Theatre, 7pm, $9
Tuesday, Aug 23
Colvin & Earle
Shawn Colvin and badass/one of my favorite musicians of all time Steve Earle have joined forces and released a fantastic and critically lauded record a couple months back called, you guessed it, Colvin & Earle. The two folk-country legends' Portland show is a cant-miss for adults who have a soul. DOUG BROWN
Revolution Hall, 8pm, $55
Boris, Earth
In certain circles, ambient-metal trio Boris is pretty much Japan’s biggest artistic export since Shonen Knife or Ichiro Suzuki. The band’s classic 2005 album Pink has been reissued, repackaged, and revisited for a sort of victory lap as the band’s most well-known release. Pink was essentially one of the first contemporary metal albums to branch out of the axe-wielding realm of doom and huge riffs to include shoegaze-y contemplativeness, psychedelia, and ambient noise—a concoction so powerful it’s been more or less unparalleled in any major sense since its release. Staunch metal dudes will always find ways to dispute originality or authenticity within their community, but Pink’s imprint has been time-tested for posterity by now. The reissue also includes nine previously unreleased tracks, so there are new folds to explore in the dense sonic shroud of Atsuo, Wata, and Takeshi. Boris is playing the entire goddamn thing front to back for you, so get ready to feel good and weird. RYAN J. PRADO
Wonder Ballroom, 8:30pm
Ottessa Moshfegh
2016 PEN/Hemingway Winner Ottessa Moshfegh reads from her award-winning debut novel, Eileen, a suspenseful story about a young woman working in a boys’ prison outside Boston in the early '60s who finds herself pulled into a strange crime.
Powell's City of Books, 7:30pm
Elvis Depressedly, Teen Suicide, Nicole Dollanganger
Elvis Depressedly plays airy, chilled-out bedroom pop that covers its sadness and discomfort like a wool sweater. The Asheville, North Carolina, duo of Mat Cothran (guitar/vocals) and Delaney Mills (keyboards/synth/drums) is lo-fi by definition only. While the lo-fi signifier can be synonymous with warm power-pop and Ramones-inspired pop-punk, Elvis Depressedly falls at the opposite end of the spectrum. On their 2015 LP, New Alhambra, Cothran declares, “There is no such thing as rock ’n’ roll” over a somber acoustic guitar and drum machine beat that’s placed between frantic recordings of apocalyptic preachers. Each keyboard and synth line in an Elvis Depressedly song is packaged with the surprising sting of touching dry ice for the first time in middle-school science class. This year the band reissued their modern cult classic EP Holo Pleasures as a 12-inch on Boston label Run For Cover Records, adding their previously unreleased EP California Dreamin’ to the B-side. They’re touring with similarly referential and dour indie-pop act Teen Suicide. CAMERON CROWELL
The Analog Cafe & Little Theater, 7pm, $12-15
Grindhouse Film Festival: Thunderbolt & Lightfoot
This month's entry into the Grindhouse canon is a very rare 35mm print of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, which isn't really much of a Grindhouse movie at all, but we'll allow it for two reasons: One—because it's part of the Hollywood's ongoing tribute to the dearly departed Michael Cimino, who deserves to be remembered for all his great contributions to cinema (like this one) and not just for Heaven's Gate. Two—because it's nice to remember a time when Clint Eastwood wasn't a shriveled, confused, racist old piece of shit, and his turn as a bank robber paired with Jeff Bridges as a irresponsible drifter will make you forget, if only for a couple all-too-brief hours. BOBBY ROBERTS
Hollywood Theatre, 7:30pm, $9
Wesley Randolph Eader, Kevin Lee Florence, Hannah Glavor
The Pacific Northwest born and raised singer-songwriter brings his old-timey blend of folk, bluegrass, and gospel to the Mississippi Studios stage.
Mississippi Studios, 8pm, $10-12
Wednesday, Aug 24
We Take Holocene IV: Northwest V. Everybody
It’s time for another installment of We Take Holocene, Glenn Waco’s semi-frequent concert series showcasing some of the Pacific Northwest’s best and brightest hip-hop artists. Tonight’s headliner is Seattleite Raz Simone, whose raps flow over layers of textured symphonic instrumentals. Simone’s latest single “Missin Joogs” is inescapably catchy, with a horn section echoing his soft vocals. CIARA DOLAN
Holocene, 9pm, $10-12
Fade To Light: A Multidimensional Fashion Event
Who doesn’t love a fashion show that’s more than just a fashion show? The semiannual Fade to Light productions features cutting-edge collections from designers like Sara Bergman, Adelheid Bergin, MOORE, West Daily, and so many more, alongside multimedia presentations, visuals, and music from DJ Gregarious. Prepare to have your stylish socks blown off. COURTNEY FERGUSON
Crystal Ballroom, 8pm, $17-45
You're Welcome
Every Wednesday, Portland comedians Caitlin Weierhauser, Nariko Ott, and Matt Monroe invite you to come down and indulge in laughter and pizza at this free comedy showcase featuring a range of local and national touring talent.
Mississippi Pizza Pub & Atlantis Lounge, 9:30pm, free
Audacity, VHS, Mean Jeans
Fullerton, California’s Audacity turn catchy pop melodies into beer-soaked bedlam. NED LANNAMANN
Mississippi Studios, 9pm, $10-12
Cool American, Turtlenecked, Floating Room
Cool American has the goods to stand on its own. The songs are strong, the melodies memorable, and the arrangements show ambition and a sense of adventure. Their recently released debut album, You Can Win a Few, is terrific, top to bottom. BEN SALMON
The Liquor Store, 8pm
Thursday, Aug 25
Punk Rock Summer Bummer
Director Penelope Spheeris made her name with The Decline of Western Civilization, arguably the definitive documentary on punk rock. (Another Spheeris masterpiece? Wayne’s World.) Tonight at Wyrd War’s Punk Rock Summer Bummer, peep a 35mm print of Spheeris’ 1987 road warrior movie Dudes, starring Jon Cryer and Flea (!). Spheeris herself will be in attendance for two nights, so don’t miss it, unless you’re a square. MEGAN BURBANK
Hollywood Theatre, 7:30pm, $11-18
Digable Planets, Camp Lo
Rejoice! After years apart, the smoothed-out, entomologically named emcees of Digable Planets are striding back onstage in their crepe-soled Clarks. Butterfly, Ladybug Mecca, and Doodlebug have been serving up the classics all around the country, and tonight it’s Portland’s turn. The addition of Camp Lo makes this a ’90s hip-hop smorgasbord.
Crystal Ballroom, 8pm, $25-30
Eric fucking André
Fresh off a week of well-documented trolling at the Republican Nation Convention, the actor, comedian, and talk show host brings his hyperactive alt-variety show on the road. Prepare yourself for mayhem, destruction, and lots of laughs. You also might get wet.
Wonder Ballroom, 9pm, $22-25
Organic Beer Fest 2016
The North American Organic Beer Festival celebrates its 12th year with a brand new name and a whole bunch of brand new organic beers and ciders to sample from over 30 different breweries, as well as live music, organic food, kids activities, and more.
Overlook Park, 12pm, free
Ray Wylie Hubbard
The Texas-hailing singer-songwriter who has been making music since the 1970's brings his brand of outlaw county to Mississippi Studios.
Mississippi Studios, 8pm, $22-25
Todd Barry, Bryan Cook, JoAnn Schinderle
Todd Barry doesn't even really need jokes, although he's got a ton of great ones. Give him a couple marks in the crowd, and just five minutes of conversation, and you have a night of comedy with more laughs per pound than any hyperactive douchebag screaming into the mic. BOBBY ROBERTS
Dante's, 9pm, $15
True Stories
David Byrne's weird-as-hell (of course it is) directorial debut, starring John Goodman and Spalding Gray. Part of NW Film Center's Top Down: Rooftop Cinema series.
Hotel DeLuxe, 7pm, $7-12
The Doubleclicks Variety Show
Beloved geek-folk sister duo the Doubleclicks are trying something new! Instead of singing songs about the introvert party ritual of hanging out with pets, they're going full-on variety show with stand-up from Barbara Holm, songs for nerds from Megathruster, and a scene from the President Snakes musical! MEGAN BURBANK
Kickstand Comedy Space, 7:30pm, $5
MSTRKRFT, Woolymammoth
When this Toronto duo hits your town, it's guaranteed they are the epicenter of the best party going down that night.
Euphoria, 10pm, $12.50-20
Samara Lubelski & Marcia Bassett, Tenses, The Lavender Flu, Grouper
The New York City-hailing duo bring their experimental blend of psychedelic drone to the Holocene stage in support of their sophomore album, 110 Livingston.
Holocene, 8:30pm, $7
Death Songs, Nathan Baumgartner, Christopher Francis
Death Songs shows off '60s-leaning pop-rock chops by way of frontman Nick Delffs' elemental, spirit-possessed songwriting, resulting in tunes that are both feel good and full of ghosts. The band isn't ever afraid to get their hands dirty, and their animated live shows are spectacular, tarnished things of beauty. NED LANNAMANN
Bunk Bar, 9:30pm, $5