This is a weekend for celebrating and supporting community, a practice that's sorely needed to stay sane in these... interesting times. Local record-heads and music aficionados get to spend all day digging in the crates thanks to Discogs; The Northeast side andLower Hawthorne are throwing themselves big bust-out block parties; Support Black Restaurant Days is still going strong; and the community that's formed around the weekly doses of televised sadomasochism say goodbye to the latest season of Game of Thrones. Oh yeah, and there's a giant music festival going on this weekend, too. It's a full weekend ahead; hit the links below and load your plate accordingly.
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Friday, Aug 25
Jidenna, Anik Khan, Mannywellz
If you were at the Roseland in 2015 when Janelle Monáe introduced her entire Wondaland label at a free show, you remember how exciting “Classic Man” Jidenna is as a performer. After dropping more hit singles like “Yoga,” the fashion-forward rapper/singer finally released his debut album The Chief earlier this year. The project is completely solid, with standout tracks such as “Safari,”“Trampoline,” and “Chief Don’t Run.” He’s truly an original, and his show this Friday is guaranteed to be a blast. JENNI MOORE
9 pm, Star Theater, $22.50
Hot August Night
Long ago, on a sweet August eve, in the faraway land of Los Angeles, at the storied Greek Theatre, history was made: Neil Diamond recorded Hot August Night, a motherfucking impeccable live album featuring some of Diamond's finest renditions of classics like “Solitary Man,”“Play Me,”“Shilo,” and “Cracklin' Rosie.” Forty-five fateful years later, Portland's Siren Theater is hosting Hot August Night—a “comedy, spoken word, and musical tribute to the best live concert album ever recorded.” Featuring contributions from author Chelsea Cain, comedy mastermind Shelley McLendon, comedian Kirsten Kuppenbender, and more, there's no better way to bask in the everlasting shine of Diamond. ERIK HENRIKSEN
8 pm, Siren Theater, $10
Bubba Ho-Tep
Throughout history, cinema has told many great stories—stories that revolutionize cultures, that meditate upon emotion and philosophy, that attempt to define what it means to be this thing we call “human.” All of those stories are shit compared to Bubba Ho-Tep, a film in which Elvis (Bruce Campbell) and JFK (Ossie Davis) fight an evil mummy in a retirement home. ERIK HENRIKSEN
9:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9
Mark Lanegan Band, Duke Garwood, Lyenn
Spanning four very distinct musical decades, Mark Lanegan has overcome grunge-rock pigeonholing and addiction, and achieved the autonomy his brand of poetic artistry probably deserves. His latest record under the Mark Lanegan Band parasol, Gargoyle, is swathed in electro-skuzz melodies and drizzled with his scruffy baritone. The album comes positively dripping in the grim disposition of Lanegan’s outsider lyrics, with songs like “Death’s Head Tattoo” and “Goodbye to Beauty” leading the charge. “Old Swan” might be the least dangerous-sounding song Lanegan’s ever penned, but could-clearings like this are in the minority. In addition to the new record, Lanegan recently celebrated the release of a book of his lyrics and writing called I Am the Wolf, which puts to page the chronological ascent of his craft, ending with lyrics from Gargoyle, as well as some one-off collaborative scribbles from the likes of Moby, Isobel Campbell, and Earth. RYAN J. PRADO
9 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $26.50-28
Huey Lewis & the News
Huey Lewis & The News return to Portland, and this time instead of playing up at the Oregon Zoo, they'll be parading out the hits over on the Edgefield Lawn while the setting sun paints a picturesque backdrop for the legendary pop act.
6:30 pm, Edgefield, $47-85, all ages
Shelley Short, Darren Hanlon
Shelley Short plays a release show for her latest album, Pacific City, which the Portland-based folk singer/songwriter recorded with Peter Broderick at the coast nearly two years ago. Short will be backed by a band rounded out by Cory Gray, Brian Mumford, and Dan Hunt. Australian folk singer/songwriter Darren Hanlon provides support. Read our review of Shelley Short’s new record, Pacific City.
8 pm, Polaris Hall, $10
Milo, SB the Moor, Kenny Segal
An evening with prolific Wisconsin-hailing emcee known for his collaborations with Busdriver, Open Mike Eagle, and Hemlock Ernst, his role in the Hellfyre Club collective, and his own acclaimed solo output.
9 pm, Kelly's Olympian, $14-16
Los Tigres del Norte
Los idoles del pueblo, los jefes del jefes—with roots in Sinaloa, Mexico, and San Jose, California, Los Tigres Del Norte need no introduction if you grew up in a Spanish-speaking household. The norteño band of brothers, who rose to fame in 1974 with a cover of early narcocorrido “Contrabando y Traicion,” define what it means to be Mexican for fans on both sides of the border. They pack stadiums worldwide while staying true to their status as a voice of the people. Los Tigres don’t shy away from controversy: In 2010 they made headlines by joining an international boycott against Arizona in response to SB 1070 (the “show your papers” bill requiring law enforcement to determine an individual’s immigration status upon “reasonable suspicion”). They also were also recognized by GLAAD for their 2015 song “Era Diferente,” a corrido about a young lesbian, standing for acceptance in a genre known for its machismo. DANIELA SERNA
8 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $35-85
Lost Bayou Ramblers, Too Loose Cajun/Zydeco Band
Mississippi Studios presents an evening of Cajun, punk, rock, country, and zydeco tunes with this Grammy-nominated act out of Louisiana.
8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $14-17
Jules and Jim
In honor of Jeanne Moreau’s passing, the Hollywood screens François Truffaut’s 1962 classic named for the two male sides of a World War I-era love triangle, but the film completely belongs to Moreau, achieving its place in film history because of her arresting performance, and Truffaut’s then-innovative (and still engrossing) means of documenting it.
7 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9
Saturday, Aug 26
NE Block Party: Bring That Beat Back
The Eliot Neighborhood’s block party is sort of putting the rest of you on notice: Bring your block party A-game or don’t bother. This year’s “Bring That Beat Back” celebration, organized in partnership with Open Signal, promises live music performances on porches (and a stage), food carts and beer, art installations, and way too much more to list here. DIRK VANDERHART
2 pm, Open Signal, free, all ages
Crate Diggers PDX Record Fair and Afterparty
Thanks to the locally based record-selling website Discogs, the internet has become a terrific place to score used vinyl. But there’s nothing like flexing those fingers to physically sift through the bins—which is why Discogs hosts an excellent annual record fair right here on its Portland turf, and Crate Diggers’ fourth installment should be the best one yet. Crate Diggers is a day- and night-long party with vinyl sellers from near and afar, so there’ll be plenty of treasures to seek both inside the walls of White Owl Social Club and out on the expansive patio. Plus there’s a bevy of DJs for the daytime record fair—including Deena B, Action Slacks, DJ Void, and DJ Roane—and once the sun sets, Crate Diggers turns into a supreme night of well-spun cuts, with DJ sets from Boston’s Soul Clap, Seattle’s Supreme La Rock, and Portland’s own legendary Rev Shines. It’s a great way to celebrate the crate-digging community of Portland, brought to you by a site that’s revolutionized record selling—and Discogs has also created a formidable online database of crucial musical info that grows more comprehensive every minute. (They’ve even added a used book marketplace, too, at the brand-new bookogs.com.) Celebrate music, community, and killer wax at Discogs’ Crate Diggers. NED LANNAMANN
noon, White Owl Social Club, free
MusicfestNW Presents Project Pabst
(Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 1020 SW Naito) There are a lot of reasons you should go to MusicfestNW Presents: Project Pabst—music, beer, summer!—but the most important reason is Iggy Pop. He’s 70 years old and still one of the coolest people on the planet, he’s the proud daddy of a cockatoo named Biggy Pop, and he’s one of the most influential voices in punk music. Go forth, and bask in his permanently shirtless glory. CIARA DOLANRead our preview of MusicfestNW Presents: Project Pabst.
noon, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, $55-65
Minority Retort
Portland's only monthly stand-up showcase for comedians of color is also one of the most consistently funny comedy shows in town. With sets from Pedro Andrade, Chris Johnson, Marcus Coleman, and headliner Debbie Wooten. Hosted by Jason Lamb, Julia Ramos, and Neeraj Srinivasan.
8 pm, Siren Theater, $10
Wimps, Máscaras, Blesst Chest
Seattle lo-fi punk trio Wimps make angular yet catchy slacker-rock songs that take a hard look at some of life's more mundane aspects, and then filter them through energetic, fast-paced song structures. CHIPP TERWILLIGER
8 pm, The Know, $10
Portland Taco Festival
Now, this isn't the Mercury's Tacos 'n' Tequila festival, but it is a festival celebrating tacos. Spread across two days at Portland Meadows, the Portland Taco Festival invites you to enjoy $2 tacos from a range of vendors while sipping on tequila and margaritas and taking in live music, Lucha Libre wrestling, chihuahua racing, live game shows, and more.
Aug 26-27, noon, Portland Meadows, $12-60
Sunbathe, Sad Horse
This afternoon sees the first entry in a new XRAY.fm concert series, an all ages showcase of local music as curated by a five year-old girl with some damn good taste, which explains why Sunbathe and Sad Horse are on the same bill. Kids under 12 get in free!
4 pm, The Fixin' To, $7, all ages
100 Years of Roses
A centennial celebration of a Portland landmark, with free cupcakes to eat while you enjoy a free concert and look at local art staged next to all the floral beauty on display.
11 am, International Rose Test Garden, free, all ages
Queer Horror: Death Becomes Her
The bimonthly series, hosted by Carla Rossi, puts a lesser-known landmark in special effects history up on the big screen, Robert Zemeckis’ sassy symbiosis of noir and satire: Death Becomes Her, starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn as two warring flavors of deliciously awful, with a slightly less awful (and never more nebbish) Bruce Willis caught between them. Some of the visuals are still firmly lodged in “how the fuck did they do that” territory, while others have aged about as well as your average undead ghoul. But should the film not fully satisfy with its campy delights, Rossi’s pre-film dance battle with Pepper Pepper will surely slake that thirst. BOBBY ROBERTS
9:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9
Cloud Fest PDX
Finally, a festival that intertwines enthusiasm for crafting and an enjoyment of fine cannabis product. With live artists, food trucks, vendors, wares from many of the regions best makers and cultivators, and more.
3 pm, Saints Cannabis
Jade International Night Market
Portland’s international community has got it going on in a big way, and a great place to see it in glorious action is the third annual Jade Night Market event. Expect tons of entertainment (such as Chinese traditional and Bollywood dance), music from various countries, crafts, and delicious multicultural eats from your fave restaurants on 82nd Ave and beyond! Support this underserved community, and get a lot of fun in return. WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
5 pm, Portland Community College (Southeast Campus), free, all ages
Jill Scott vs. Erykah Badu
Farnell Newton & The Othership Connection joins forces with Portland-based jazz, gospel, and soul singers Arietta Ward, Michalangela, and Saeeda Wright to pay tribute to a pair of the finest R&B and neo soul singer/songwriters of the last two decades.
8:30 pm, The Secret Society, $12
Lungs
For almost 90 minutes with no breaks, Lungs actors Cristi Miles and Darius Pierce impressively embody the emotionally athletic process of trying to feel, grow, and lead a life with someone. They’re exceptionally moving, funny, and not entirely likeable. Director Rebecca Lingafelter keeps things moving at a varied pace, never letting her actors snowball during what could be mile-a-minute monologues. Miles, especially, stammers and shakes in one moment, only to sink into stasis the next—dragging the viewer’s heart along for the bumpy ride. THOMAS ROSS
7:30 pm, CoHo Theater, $25-45
Sunday, Aug 27
Game of Thrones Season 7 Finale
Do you like magic and dragons? I know I do. So, if you’re like me—a person who’s definitely seen more than a just a couple episodes from the first season several years back—you’ll be locked into HBO Sunday night for the finale of this current season. Oh, what a journey it has been—so many power struggles, so much intrigue. I can’t believe the people who died so far this season died and I can’t wait to find out what happens next (I hope the good guys win and the bad guys lose but, sometimes, it’s tough to tell the difference and that’s half the fun). Winter is coming! DOUG BROWN
9 pm, HBO, free depending on if you know someone's HBO Go password or you're a filthy pirate or you're just a cable mooch, which is cool too. Whatever's clever, really.
Blossom, Wet Dream
Portland-based neo-soul and R&B singer/songwriter Blossom—AKA Keisha Chiddick—has been busy making the rounds in support of her debut full-length, Tease. Her dialed-in live show has established her as a leading voice in the city’s music scene, and while Blossom is more than capable of captivating audiences within a club setting, her jazzy sound is guaranteed to become a catalyst for good vibes when it crosses paths with the cool summer breeze on Rontoms' patio at this week’s Sunday Session. CHIPP TERWILLIGER
8:30 pm, Rontoms, free
Lower Hawthorne Block Party
As the Hawthorne Street Fair amiably mills and churns to the east, SE 10th between Hawthorne and Clay locks down and turns up, with One Drop Reggae Sound System providing the beats, Ash Woodfired Pizza and Taqueria La Merced providing the food, Upper Left Roasters offering up some cold brew, and Rose City Futsal making some 3v3 footy possible.
11 am, The Toffee Club, free, all ages
Suds & Paws for a Cause
April Carter Schiavo was a beloved veterinarian who worked at Banfield Pet Hospital and volunteered at the Humane Society. She passed away from breast cancer in February and her loved ones have chosen to honor her with a scholarship for PCC students enrolled in the veterinary technology program. Enjoy live music, lawn games, and pet-friendly vendors while giving back. Donation-based dog washes available on site. EMILLY PRADO
1 pm, Coalition Brewing Co., free
Afro-Disiac Festival
An afternoon dance festival headlined by Wamba World Beat, and supported by DJs specializing in Afro-Caribbean sounds like Solo and Margo. With arts, crafts, food, and fashion available for when you're not dancing.
3 pm, White Owl Social Club, $10
1st Annual Crawfish Boil and Oyster Roast
The Woodsman sneaks in one last summery blast of seafood-flavored fun with this pop-up featuring a family-style feast including crawfish, oysters on the half shell, cheddar biscuits, peach cobbler, and your choice of classic cocktail or a Rainier tall boy with a shot of whiskey.
5 pm, The Woodsman Tavern, $50
Boreen, Surfer Rosie
Local label Good Cheer Records presents an evening of brooding dream-pop, shapeshifting garage rock, and grunge from a pair of the city's finest up-and-coming bands.
9 pm, Bunk Bar, $7
Cardioid, Tango Alpha Tango, No Kind of Rider
Though Lizzy Ellison only left Radiation City to join Unknown Mortal Orchestra drummer/producer Riley Geare as Cardioid last year, they’ve developed the beautifully cohesive sound of a well-seasoned outfit. Each song on the band's debut Parts Dept. contains its own instantly accessible hook, and these poppy melodies are sometimes set against wistful strings. Cardioid’s music is dream rock—a surreal, angst-laden gaze into indie rock’s subconscious. These days they may call LA home, but their first album showcases the melancholy pop rock one might expect from a city that’s often doused in rain and IPAs. ROSE FINN
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $8-10
Support Black Restaurant Days
Now in its third year, Portland's Support Black Restaurant Days is the biggest its ever been, and there is no more delicious way to support the city's Black communities than to spend some of your entertainment dollar at one (or hell, all if you think you can swing it) of the over 70 participating venues, to help give back to the community and to enjoy some of the best cuisine in Portland.
Various Locations, Visit iloveblackfood.com for a full list of participating venues.
Swans, Okkyung Lee
Michael Gira and his long-running experimental rock act return to Portland for a headlining show supporting their fourteenth studio album, The Glowing Man. This show marks the final Portland appearance for the band's current incarnation, who have been performing and recording together since the 2010 album, My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky.
9 pm, Revolution Hall, $30-35
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!