Is this weekend weird? Is it thoughtful? Is it complicatedly creative and rewarding in off-kilter yet thoroughly satisfying (and maybe unnerving) ways? It is all of those things and more, starting with Twin Peaks coming back and a new chapter in the Alien series, a risky comedy from Yussuf El Giundi on the Artists Rep stage, QDoc taking over the Hollywood with some very finely curated content, a birthday tribute to an underrated genius, and a flood of pugs (nature's cuddliest little mistakes) washing down Portland's streets in a cacophony of farts and snurfles. Oh, and the Portland tradition of basically shutting down a quarter of the city to laze around on our bikes all Sunday triumphantly returns. It's a full weekend; hit the links below and load your plate accordingly.
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Alien: Covenant
So we've all agreed to pretend that Prometheus never happened, right? Great! In that case, Ridley Scott has made his first Alien movie in 38 years! Alien: Covenant finds a crew of doomed humans visiting what appears to be a perfect planet... until all the chest-bursting, acid-bleeding aliens show up. HISSSSSSS! (For real: Covenant looks gorgeous, and it's gotta be better than Prometheus.) ERIK HENRIKSEN
Various Theaters, see Movie Times for showtimes and locations
Welcome to Twin Peaks
Ready your coffee and pie, because [MOURNFUL SYNTHEZISERS GO HERE]… it is happening again! David Lynch’s beloved forest noir Twin Peaks returns this week. Did the Good Coop make it out of the Black Lodge? What were Laura Palmer and Ronette doing inside the theater in Mulholland Dr.? Lynch probably won’t give us concrete answers, but we’re sure to be richly entertained. (And mildly terrified!) Also entertaining, minus the terror: the Fixin’ To’s Twin Peaks tribute night, Welcome to Twin Peaks. Gear up for the revival with tunes inspired by noted Peaks soundtrackers Julee Cruise and Angelo Badalamenti [MOURNFUL SYNTHESIZERS GO HERE]. Performers include Vexations, WL, the Other Place, and Stochastic Mettle Union. Sounds way more fun than a silent drape runner! MEGAN BURBANK
8 pm, The Fixin' To, $7 (Twin Peaks premieres on Showtime Sun May 21, 9 pm)
Beat Parlor Presents: The Glow
The second of two back-to-back parties from Young Gifted and Black, this beats-focused night presented by Beat Parlor features house music prodigy Elbert Phillips and a slew of PNW DJs that’ll keep us dancing. JENNI MOORE
10 pm, Jade Lounge, $5
Vikesh Kapoor, Haley Heynderickx, Claire Puckett
Some of Portland’s finest folk musicians will gather at Beacon Sound tonight to celebrate the release of Vikesh Kapoor’s new single, “Down by the River.” Unlike the Neil Young song of the same name, this lovelorn ballad does not end in murder. Kapoor strums gold-tones from his acoustic guitar, revisiting bygone memories to bid “fare thee well, oh honey, fare thee well.” He’ll be joined by Haley Heynderickx, who tapped into some ancient energy on her 2016 EP Fish Eyes, and the classical shredding of Claire Puckett. CIARA DOLAN
8 pm, Beacon Sound, $10
L.A. Takedown, Dear Nora
It’d be impossible to come up with a soundtrack that perfectly encompasses the spirit of Los Angeles, but Aaron Olson and his misfit band L.A. Takedown come pretty close. Soaring glam rock guitars dual for sonic space against Ray-Ban-tinged synthesizers and citified rhythms that throb like Sunset Boulevard palm trees on a Saturday night. L.A. Takedown’s jams glisten like the coolest ’80s video game music you've never heard, and the melodic sheen of these opuses harkens back to indie instrumentalists like Trans Am or the Fucking Champs. The pop intimacies of Dear Nora—Portland singer/songwriter Katy Davidson's platform for precious sun-touched musings—will be the perfect beginning to a warm, fuzz-filled evening. Earlier this year, Davidson reissued Dear Nora’s 2004 album Mountain Rock, an underground classic that’s aged impeccably well. CHRIS SUTTON
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-14
Black Marble, Draa, Drowse, Dark Red Seed
There's comfort in sadness, and the music of Black Marble (AKA Chris Stewart) exemplifies this good-bad feeling. Since splitting from his former creative partner Ty Kube, Stewart's bounced from the East Coast to the West Coast, but the relocation hasn’t made his music isn't any sunnier. On 2016’s It's Immaterial, Black Marble sounds even more haunted—it’s cold and calculated post-punk, with heavy synth and moody production. CERVANTE POPE
8 pm, Tonic Lounge, $12
The Minders, Mo Troper & the Assumptions, Boreen
Twenty years ago, the hot thang in indie-pop was the Elephant 6 Collective, a family of bands that played a particularly psychedelic and Beach Boys-influenced brand of pop-rock. The headliners were Neutral Milk Hotel, the Apples in Stereo, and the Olivia Tremor Control, and one of the affiliated groups was the Minders, a Beatles-lovin’ combo out of Denver. A great secret of the Elephant 6 Collective is that the Minders’ 1998 album Hooray for Tuesday is every bit as good as anything else any other E6 band released. It’s a perfect pop record. Eventually, head Minder Martyn Leaper moved his operation to Portland, where he put out a couple more releases (including 2006’s essential It’s a Bright Guilty World) and then disappeared, more or less, for a decade. Which brings us to last year’s Into the River, the first Minders album in 10 years. Recorded with local studio wiz Larry Crane, it’s a wonderful reminder of Leaper’s extraordinary—and underappreciated—talent for marrying memorable melodies and lush, jangling guitars. BEN SALMON
8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!, $6
The Talented Ones
It’s been exciting to see local theater companies get the first crack at playwright Yussuf El Guindi’s innovative, darkly funny work before it goes on to acclaim in bigger theater markets like Seattle and New York. In his plays, El Guindi, who is Egyptian American and currently lives in Seattle, tends to explore the experiences of immigrants and people of color, and the complex, troubling racial dynamics that can play out in the most seemingly progressive places—something that should be relevant to your interests if you live in a city like Portland. The Talented Ones' risky, weird comedy is enough to keep you in your seat, but what’s especially powerful is that it deviates from many “good immigrant” narratives that reduce immigrant characters—whether real or imagined—to blandly virtuous caricatures. MEGAN BURBANK
7:30 pm, Artists Repertory Theatre, $25-50
Sun Blood Stories, Indira Valley
Boise's Sun Blood Stories bring their psych-tinged high desert rock to the Alberta Street Pub in support of their new full-length, It Runs Around the Room with Us. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest national legal organization working for civil rights of LGBQT people and for those living with HIV.
7 pm, Alberta Street Pub, $10
3 Days in Portland: Night 2
Red Bull Sound Select presents night two of their "3 Days in Portland" mini-fest, featuring sets from British alternative R&B singer/songwriter NAO, up-and-coming "romantic funk" singer/songwriter Harriet Brown, and local R&B party-bringers Chanti Darling.
9 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $10
Sedan: Luxury Sketch Comedy
Portland’s comedy scene gets EVEN MORE delightful with Sedan, a new sketch group featuring seasoned performers Shelley McLendon, Loren Hoskins, Paul Glazier, Chad Parsons, and the Mercury’s own Wm. Steven Humphrey. Though they did divulge that they were almost called the Crybaby Turtles, Sedan promises “action, adventure, and tears.” I call shotty! MEGAN BURBANK
8 pm, Siren Theater, $10-20
Fundraiser for Right 2 Survive: Bridging Communities
Founded in 2009, Right 2 Survive focuses on bridging the gap between houseless and housed people through education and empowerment. Support the organization at this fundraiser with performances by local hip hop acts and screenings of films made by houseless youth. EMILLY PRADO
5 pm, Aladdin Theater, $7-15
Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market
Get ready, because the spring installment of Crafty Wonderland Art + Craft Market is taking over the Convention Center with over 225 local and national vendors. The market will also feature a DIY craft zone, children selling their art, and Susie Ghahremani of boygirlparty.com signing copies of her new book Stack the Cats. Along with the art and craft vendors, several nonprofits will be in attendance including Cat Adoption Team, Girls Inc., and ACLU of Oregon. This fun event is just one of the things that makes Portland great!
11 am, Oregon Convention Center, free, all ages
Sam Coomes, Thollem's Hot Pursuit of Happiness, Rebecca Cole
With nothing more than his trusty vintage organ, mid-’60s rhythm box, and restless vocal attack, Portland indie rock fixture Sam Coomes twists up off-kilter-yet-groovy experimental pop that springs to life like a circuit breaker being magically flipped on at some long-abandoned carnival midway. If you haven’t witnessed Coomes performing in support of his 2016 solo debut, Bugger Me, tonight’s show presents the perfect opportunity to remedy that. CHIPP TERWILLIGER
9 pm, The Know, $7
David Luning, Izaak Opatz, Caroline Keys
Izaak Opatz is the best songwriter you’ve probably never heard of. As leader of Missoula band the Best Westerns, Opatz dabbles in off-kilter country and roadhouse rock (see the band’s fantastic 2014 record High Country). February’s Mariachi Static is his solo debut, buoyed by wry tunes that bring twangy, back-porch pop into the 21st century. “One Way or Another” is a punky track about attending a former lover’s wedding, and on “Arm’s Length Away,” Opatz praises downed WiFi and the absence of cell service as welcome barriers that prevented him from reaching out to an ex after a long night at the bar. He sprinkles honesty into his music with a wink, using the three-minute pop song mold for cerebral (and fun) meta-modern country. RYAN J. PRADO
8 pm, White Eagle, $8
Red Dress PDX 2017
The Portland tradition returns to raise funds for those in need, themed after Lewis Carroll's absurd wonderland, featuring a rotating crew of DJs, plus catered food, lounge access, and photo opportunities.
9 pm, Old Freeman Factory, $40-140
3 Days in Portland: Night 3
Red Bull Sound Select presents the final night of their "3 Days in Portland" mini-fest, featuring sets from Portland-hailing hip-hop star Aminé, fast-rising London-based rapper and R&B singer-songwriter A2, and one of the city's premiere emcees, The Last Artful, Dodgr.
9 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $10
Lithics, Angel Food, Cobra Collection
Lithics minimalist post-punk pulses and chirps, manically pushing forward and pulling back, while building insistent loops before pretending to fall apart, as vocalist Aubrey Hornor brings an understated, bordering-on-spoken-word nonchalance. This restraint, at least on record, keeps the tension high, while also keeping something bubbling below the surface, waiting. JOSHUA JAMES AMBERSON
8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!, $5
Your Fault for Listening
Another live episode of the local comedy podcast featuring some of the region's best stand-up talent, including Kelly Richardson, Carter, and Nicky Moon.
7:30 pm, Ford Food & Drink
Slay
Slay is a hip-hop party for LGBT, minorities, and open minded people, providing yet another safe space to twerk, blow off steam, and be yourself in our little sanctuary city. JENNI MOORE
9 pm, Holocene, $10
Ladies Who Brunch Charity Fashion Show
The fifth annual celebration of summer fashion commences at Bridgeport Village with proceeds benefitting Women of Meridian Park, supporting breast cancer services. Featuring fashions from Mapel Boutique, Janelle James Boutique, Lucy, Eileen Fisher, Charming Charlie, and more.
10 am, Bridgeport Village, $50
Portland Cello Project
Portland Cello Project celebrate the release of their new EP with a special all ages performance at Revolution Hall featuring special guests Annalisa Tornfelt and Gideon Freudmann.
8 pm, Revolution Hall, $17, all ages
QDoc: Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival
QDoc’s now in its 11th year, and 2017 finds it at a moment of change: Co-directors Molly King and Deb Kemp have taken over the festival from founders Russ Gage and David Weissman. But if one trait has marked the past decade of QDoc, it’s been the festival’s excellent programming—the fest has always offered a small, but exceedingly well curated selection of films. That’s a significantly better model than a too-large festival with more (but worse) movies. Take it from me: If I had a hard time deciding what to watch at QDoc this year, you will, too. And that’s a pretty great problem to have. ELINOR JONES
May 19-21, see hollywoodtheatre.org for a list of titles and showtimes
RAWR! Dinos and Distilleries
That's a hell of a theme for drinking party, ain't it? Friendly House hosts five local distilleries, sharing their prehistoric-themed cocktails made with their own spirits, with music by the Hereafters scoring an evening full of food, games, a silent auction, and more. Distilleries include Aria Gin, Bull Run, Clear Creek, Hood River, and New Deal.
7 pm, Friendly House Community Center, $30-35
Pug Crawl 2017
It would be just another instance of bizarre discrimination if it wasn’t so charming: Each year, the Oregon Humane Society raises funds by inviting pugs and pug mixes (only!) to march down the middle of the street in costume. This year’s theme is “Pugs on Broadway” and theme-appropriate garb is encouraged. Hot tip: Ditch the well-trod territory of Hamilton for a deep cut. We’re thinking Rotten Luck Willie from Paint Your Wagon. DIRK VANDERHART
noon, Portland Brewing Company, $10-15
Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways
These are always very cool. Sunday is the first of five annual "Sunday Parkways," where the city blocks off miles of streets for a few hours for walking, biking, or whatever—with music, food, and activities at a number of parks along the way. Southeast Portland is up first in 2017, anchored by Colonel Summers Park (SE 17th & Taylor), Sewallcrest Park (SE 31st & Market), Ivon Park (SE 47th & Ivon), and Laurelhurst Park (SE César E. Chávez & Stark), with a seven-mile route connecting them. Hop on your bike and get to them all. DOUG BROWN
11am, free, all ages
Michael Kiwanuka, Cloves
An evening of soulful folk-rock with the British singer-songwriter out of North London who worked as a session guitarist before striking out on his own successful solo career. Read our story on Michael Kiwanuka.
8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $20, all ages
Wild Combination: A Birthday Tribute to Arthur Russell
The world would have surely come around to the avant-disco and minimalist classical music of the late Arthur Russell eventually. But what has helped spur a dedicated cult following around this New York legend were a pair of compilation albums, released in 2004, that revealed to a new generation of fans what a formidable talent we lost when he passed away in 1992. Since then singles like “Kiss Me Again” and “Is It All Over” have popped up regularly in DJ sets, and folks started to hear the influence he had on artists like LCD Soundsystem and Fischerspooner. To celebrate what should have been Russell’s 66th birthday, Holocene is throwing a party that will include performances of his work by Chanti Darling, Moorea Masa, and Shy Girls member Noah Bernstein, DJ sets, and a lecture by artist Matt Marble. ROBERT HAM
7:30 pm, Holocene, $8-10
Mahler's Symphony No. 2
The Oregon Symphony brings its 120th classical season to a close with just one work on the final program, but what a work it is: Gustav Mahler's epic Symphony No. 2. Requiring a beefed-up orchestra (10 horns! Six trumpets! Four trombones!), a pair of virtuoso female vocalists, a brilliant four-part choir, and over an hour of intense concentration, his wondrously sprawling composition of 1895 was a game-changer in the world of music, smashing previous expectations of what a symphony should and could be. Mahler's idiosyncratic orchestration requires individual musicians to shine and collective symphonic forces to blaze, creating an expansive soundscape you just won't hear anywhere else. BRIAN HORAY
7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $23-150
Rotties, Cockeye, Bleak Cities, DJ Alligator Heart, DJ Listen Lady
Portland punks Rotties and Cockeye lead the charge on this birthday blowout show, with Bleak Cities and DJ's Alligator Heart and Listen Lady lending their support to the proceedings.
8 pm, The Know, $6
Cascade Sour Flower Fest
Cascade Brewing hosts an afternoon dedicated to showcasing and celebrating their newest small batch sour ale blends using floral ingredients. Admission is free, but beer sampling will cost a little somethin' somethin'.
11 am, Cascade Brewing Barrel House, free
Art Over Macleay Park
The annual art showcase transforming a victorian cottage into an explosion of local creativity. visit artovermacleaypark.com for more information.
10 am, Macleay Park, free
Do503 Hangover Brunch
Do503 and Health-Ade Kombucha present an all-you-can-eat hangover brunch featuring a special acoustic set from Portland's own Y La Bamba. The event will also include a kombucha muddling bar featuring fresh fruit and mint, as well as music from DJ Sweaty Technique. Hosted by Aaron Ross.
noon, Doug Fir, $15-25
Laugh Yourself Purple
A comedy benefit to help raise funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, featuring sets from Susan Rice, Art Krug, and Betsy Kauffman. Hosted by Helen Raptis.
6 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $25
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!