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FRIDAY

COMEDY

Kickstand Comedy In The Park Past Event Like List
Kickstand Comedy's hugely popular Comedy in the Park series in Laurelhurst Park returns again this week, so grab your pals with a sense of humor and spread out your blankets early—the event has been known to draw crowds of 2,000 or more. This Friday, laugh along with familiar funnybones like Two Evils co-host Arlo Weierhauser, "cuddly mess of insecurities" Derek Sheen, short king Hay Beacon, and others. Local faves Jaren George and Julia Corral will get the crowd going. LC
(Laurelhurst Park, Laurelhurst, free)

FILM

Portland EcoFilm Festival Past Event Like List
New media pioneer Cory McAbee will close out the EcoFilm Festival's 10th season with his live multimedia science lecture Cultured Cell Culture. It's an experience that must be seen to be believed: McAbee blends original music, art, and animation to reflect on "cell memory in cultured cell meats, monarch butterflies, agricultural reform, proactive approaches to further human evolution, Abraham Lincoln, cruelty-free cannibalism, space aliens, and people who are better than we are." LC
(Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District, $8-$10)

LIVE MUSIC

Oh, Rose & Forty Feet Tall Past Event Like List
Oh, Rose is one of our favorite Olympia-made, Portland-loving bands for their highly affecting live performances powered by front woman and creative driver, Olivia Rose. The band’s most recent album, While My Father Sleeps, tells a familial story of adversity, love and friendship, as well as serving as an homage to Rose’s mother, who died in 2017. Rose’s raw vocals, while guttural and shrill at times, contain pitch-perfect poignancy and self awareness as she leads the songs from quiet intimate moments (a la “Baby,” and “Harrypotterjuana,“) to more explosive forays (like on the intense “Politics” and “Phoenix”). The band returns to their frequent tour stop of Mississippi Studios, where they’ll no-doubt melt the faces off some blessed audience members and then (hopefully) sign autographs at Bar Bar after. PORTLAND MERCURY CONTRIBUTOR JENNI MOORE
(Mississippi Studios, Boise, $15)

SATURDAY

FOURTH OF JULY

Summer Fest’s Picnic in the Park Past Event Like List
If you've ever dreamed of celebrating 'Murica with lawn games, magicians, and a throng of buzzed individuals lounging on picnic blankets, well, read on. Summer Fest kicks off on July 1 with summertime BBQ favorites, live music, roaming entertainers, cornhole, and a giant bubble-blowing show. It's the kind of family-friendly Americana fun that might help you forget the state of our country for a few blissfully simple hours. LC
(Fort Vancouver, Vancouver, free)

COMEDY

The IT Desk Live Past Event Like List
Nothing is less funny than calling tech support, so it sounds like the ultimate challenge for the razor-sharp improvisers on the city's comedy scene. Adam Pasi, Kara Moore, and others will riff off the structure of The IT Desk, a podcast that stages tech support calls between two comics, then steps back as the hilarity develops. We're looking forward to the unscripted chaos that unfolds as improvisers vent their frustrations and attempt to devise professional, tech-savvy solutions. LC
(Curious Comedy Annex, King, $10)

FOOD & DRINK

Crawdad Fest 2023 Past Event Like List
Roll up your sleeves and tie on a bib, because the gooey, cheesy comfort food purveyor Mac Shak and the beer and wine bar Cartside Taphouse have teamed up to offer you the ultimate in hedonistic summer revelry: a down-home seafood boil. Whether you call them "crawfish" or "crawdads," you'll get to dig into market-price plates of crustaceans while being serenaded by the Hillsboro-based reggae band Pacific Vibe. Plus, Ferment Brewing and Bale Breaker Brewing will take over the taps, and Teremana Tequila will sample their agave-based spirits and give away prizes. Best of all, proceeds support Ales for ALS, a fundraising program for ALS research, so you'll be supporting a worthy cause as you stuff yourself silly.
(Cartside Food Carts, Eliot)

LIVE MUSIC

The Parson Red Heads Past Event Like List
Former Mercury editor Ciara Dolan once wrote: "This may be a bold statement, but I think the Parson Red Heads are one of my favorite Portland bands. I've certainly loved them the longest, and their track "Peace in the Valley" off 2011's Yearling has been my morning alarm for years. Their sound is just magic—honeyed harmonies fall together seamlessly, with slide guitars and organs stepping in at times to create sonic gems. The Parson Red Heads' music harkens back to nostalgic, '60s-era American folk-pop—but not in the inauthentic, trendy style of late." The band will play a hometown show in support of their 2020 album, Lifetime of Comedy, which is their first release after the departure of founding guitarist Sam Fowles. AV
(Doug Fir Lounge, Buckman, $15)

PARTIES & NIGHTLIFE

Global Based Presents: Quiero Cumbia - Nunca Siempre Anniversary Celebration Past Event Like List
Quiero Cumbia returns with a night of psychedelic Latin American grooves and electro-cumbia beats brought to you by California-based DJ (and founder of music collective Cumbiatón) Sizzle Fantastic. Don't miss opening sets from like-minded selectors Espina Letal, LaFlor, and Exesive. AV
(Holocene, Buckman, $15)

Prom 2020: DJs and More! Past Event Like List
Whether your prom was canceled (due to you-know-what) or you were just too cool for school dances, the Atlantis Lounge wants to turn back the clock in honor of all the proms that never happened. DJs Sapphire Strange and Jason Killz will soundtrack a night to remember. Plus, formal attire will put you in the running for prom king or queen, so dress to impress! All are welcome, but those that graduated in 2020 or 2021 get in at half price. AV
(Mississippi Pizza Pub & Atlantis Lounge, Boise, $5-$10)

Video Dance Attack: Prince Tribute Past Event Like List
Swathe your body in purple velvet and party like it's 1999 in honor of His Royal Badness. Music videos for iconic Prince tracks like "Purple Rain," "Raspberry Beret," "When Doves Cry," and more will be projected on a giant screen to keep you dancing through the night. Let's go crazy! AV
(Mississippi Studios, Boise, $15)

VISUAL ART

Form.a Art Press Fair Past Event Like List
Start your July off on an artsy foot with Oregon Contemporary's fresh art press fair, which will focus on regional artist-run spaces. Head to Kenton on July 1 to learn about 30 organizations that're up to some very cool business. Korean BBQ truck DOYAJI will be on site hawking pork belly and blistered shishito peppers, Latin sound lovers Noche Libre will DJ the event, and visitors can peep the brand-new exhibitions unveiling at Well Well Projects and Carnation Contemporary. A satellite screening, planned as part of Stelo's Una Palabra de Lucha programming, will offer additional context to the show, which was inspired by the longstanding East Coast-based Neo-Latino Collective. What more could an art-lover want?! LC
(Oregon Contemporary, Kenton, free)

SUNDAY

FOURTH OF JULY

Bob's Red Mill 4th of July Celebration! Past Event Like List
Bob's Red Mill, that stalwart champion of whole grain foods, has you covered for a fun and frugal Fourth of July weekend. Enjoy $5 burgers, shaved ice, and popcorn while grooving to live tunes from the top 40 cover band Hans & the Wanted. Expect wholesome games galore, including a watermelon eating contest, and peep some retro classic cars. While you're at it, stock up on all things Bob's at the Whole Grain Store, which is also home to a restaurant and bakery. JB
(Bob's Red Mill Whole Grains Store & Vistors Center, Milwaukie, free)

LIVE MUSIC

Rontoms Sunday Sessions: Family Worship Center with toyboat toyboat toyboat Past Event Like List
Now that the sun is consistently shining, Rontoms’ free weekly music series Sunday Sessions can finally take place on their spacious patio. This weekend, sit back and sip on a refreshing bev while Americana ensemble Family Worship Center and the experimental punk-jazz band toyboat toyboat toyboat remind you that it's good to leave the house sometimes. AV
(Rontoms, Buckman, free)

TUESDAY

SPORTS & RECREATION

Portland Pickles Fourth of July Past Event Like List
Because Dillon is my President, I highly recommend plopping your butt in a Walker Stadium seat for the July 4 game. (The Pickles will play against the Portland Gherkins, who self-describe as "the little pickles." We're rooting for the full-sized pickles, thank you very much!!) Not only is baseball America's favorite pastime, but the Pickles are promising some "big surprises in store that will blow your minds" for this game. What could it be? Free pickles? A giant inflatable pickle? Dillon fire-dancing to Dua Lipa?? Only one way to find out. LC
(Walker Stadium, Lents, $12-$16)

MULTI-DAY

FOURTH OF JULY

Ankeny Alley Festival: 4th of July Celebration
Past Event Like List Explore Old Town's Ankeny Alley during this series of new summer festivals—the pedestrian-only thoroughfare will turn into a festive block party packed with live music and entertainment, food, art, and more. Plus, you'll be in close proximity to the waterfront for even more Fourth of July revelry. JW
Ankeny Alley, Old Town-Chinatown, free, Friday-Monday)

FILM

Asteroid City Past Event Like List
You've likely already seen your fair share of cheeky, smartly costumed Wes Anderson ensemble comedies. You probably want to see this one, too. Sure, Anderson's style is becoming a little more than formulaic, but it's because the formula works—a formalist approach, careful aesthetics, and a pop of color in the form of Jeff Goldblum always make sense. In Asteroid City, the itinerary of a space cadet convention ("organized to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition") takes a nose dive when world-changing events rock a '50s-era desert town. (Is it aliens?) LC
(Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District, $8-$10, Friday-Tuesday)

Everything Everywhere All at Once Costume at the Movie Madness Museum Past Event Like List
Remember that mind-boggling flick that won seven Academy Awards (some of them history-making) and generated months of musings from every cinephile on the internet? Everything Everywhere All At Once was also Movie Madness's most-rented new release title in 2022 and sold more tickets at the Hollywood than any other first-run film. You get the gist—EEAAO, whatever your opinion on it, was a huge deal. Movie Madness has since secured the winning bid on "an exciting piece worn by the film's star, Michelle Yeoh," as part of an A24 charity auction that raised $106,000 for the Transgender Law Center. Sick! Movie Madness visitors can glimpse the bright-red costume IRL starting June 30; to celebrate, the physical media mainstay will screen Michelle Yeoh films all weekend and offer a special selection of "universe-bending films" to renters. LC
(Movie Madness, Sunnyside, free, Friday-Sunday)

Past Lives Past Event Like List
While Past Lives is very much not about cannibalism, it is a film that audiences far and wide have been eating up over its festival run. It tells the story of a decades-long relationship between two childhood friends, Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), who are separated after Nora’s family emigrated from South Korea. It is one of the best films of the year and one of the best debuts in recent memory. STRANGER CONTRIBUTOR CHASE HUTCHINSON
(Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District, $8-$10, Friday-Tuesday)

FOOD & DRINK

Basque Night at Eno Wine Past Event Like List
Instead of scrolling through photos of other people's vacations on Instagram, take an imaginary trip to the fabled Basque Country, known for its legendary food and drink scene (the region boasts the world's second-highest number of Michelin star-restaurants per capita). You'll get to try some txakolinas (a tangy, dry, lightly sparkling white wine), vermouth, and the area's famed Basque cider, along with a selection of tasty pintxos (small bar snacks, usually skewered with toothpicks). JB
(Futura Coffee Roasters, Montavilla, Friday-Saturday)

Portland Mercury's Summer of Slushies 2023 Past Event Like List
You’ve probably known since you were a kid making layered “graveyard” Slurpee creations at 7-11 that there’s nothing better than a frosty, icy treat on a sweltering day, and the forward-thinking innovators who have added booze to the equation have only improved on that already glorious experience. The Portland Mercury will once again team up with bars throughout the Portland area to offer you exclusive alcoholic slushies for just $8 a pop. Let a bartender hand you something fruity and delightful with a little paper umbrella and a straw, close your eyes, and let yourself be transported to paradise. JB
(Various locations, $8, Friday-Tuesday)

PARTIES & NIGHTLIFE

Back2Earth Grand Opening Weekend
Queer spaces are a sadly rare commodity these days. There are only 23 lesbian bars currently open in the United States, and Portland itself has lost many treasured LGBTQ spaces in the last several years, including Embers, Rebel Rebel, and the Roxy. All this means that it's particularly exciting that the queer nightlife hub Local Lounge is reopening as a new gay bar called Back2Earth. The new project, owned by Eagle Portland owner Dan Henderson, will feature bar grub like burgers, cheese dip with ciabatta, and fried gyoza, not to mention drinks like espresso martinis and watermelon mojitos. Join them for their opening weekend festivities, which will include "a killer visual and audio sound system, lounge seating, a vertical plant wall, and tons of entertainment." JB 
(Back2Earth, King, $5, Friday-Sunday)

VISUAL ART

Amy Bay: They Always Have, and Still Do Past Event Like List
Amy Bay's They Always Have, and Still Do continues the Portland artist's conceptual thread of floral-painting-as-a-radical-act. Bay's textural floral paintings are both feminist critiques of art history's anti-flower stance and homages to all things decorative, domestic, patterned, and lush. The works typically have a zoomed-in quality, with flora exploding from all angles, occupying each painting’s entire frame. Drop by for a glimpse of Bay's sensory, ultra-thick paint application, which creates petals that beg to be touched. LC
(Nationale, Buckman, free, Friday-Sunday)

Jess Ackerman: Always Been the Laughing Boy Past Event Like List
Jess Ackerman, Portland-based painter of eye-popping tabletops and sparkly flora, presents a new body of work in Always Been the Laughing Boy, the artist's first solo exhibition with Chefas Projects. Inspired by the so-called sad clown paradox—"but doctor, I am Pagliacci," etc.—Ackerman leans into their typical jovial style while lending it a slightly uneasy edge. Take a peek at the bright-yet-thorny composition of their acrylic and gouache painting Sucker for a sneak peek at the show's discreetly anxious approach. LC
(Chefas Projects, Central Eastside, free, Friday-Saturday; closing)

Nikolay Koshelev: Silver Dust Past Event Like List
Paris-based, Moscow-born artist Nikolay Koshelev, who exudes an aura of coolness most can only dream of, will share a "monographic" exhibition of paintings that pay homage to his former life as a graffiti artist, the transcendental poet Walt Whitman, and William Burroughs's fragmented, non-linear Naked Lunch. Koshelev's work is dreamy, surreal, eerie, and a little disorienting—we suggest approaching the exhibition as a complete work and getting lost in its misty atmosphere. LC
(Oregon Contemporary, Kenton, free, Friday-Sunday; opening)

Rimaldas Vikšraitis: At the Edge of the Known World Past Event Like List
Experimental Lithuanian photographer Rimaldas Vikšraitis takes neither a traditionalist nor a contemporary approach to art-making; instead, he captures realistic, individualized images of modern-day Lithuanian country life with a stark, sometimes grotesque point of view. (Just check out this shot for a better sense of what I mean; trigger warning for animal death.) As both a distant observer and participant in the circumstances of each shot, Vikšraitis cultivates a record of his rural community with a subtle blend of human empathy and ironic tragicomedy. It's difficult to look at, and difficult to look away from. LC
(Blue Sky Gallery, Pearl District, free, Friday-Saturday; closing)